Dr. Marasa's presentation will cover a high-profile summary of the most common observations (Inspection Findings) related to sterility assurance seen by Facility Inspectors as summarized in forms 483 and discussed with Facility Management during Pre-Approval Inspections or For-Cause Inspections.
As of August 25th of this year (effective date of EU/PICS Annex 1), there is a regulatory requirement to provide continuous viable monitoring not only in the Grade A environment, but the surrounding Grade B areas as well. In the realm of microbiology, Environmental Monitoring often requires multiple days to more than week to collate and evaluate data to determine contamination counts and identifications of recovered microorganisms. This presentation will offer potential methodologies to improve the time-to-detection of viable contamination results as well as moving towards real-time analysis of the environment.
The optimization of biopharmaceutical processes necessitates the creation of a scalable and efficient control scheme to align with process constraints and objectives. This presentation introduces the application of a Model Predictive Controller (MPC) to determine an ideal feeding strategy that results in optimal cell growth, disturbance rejection, and metabolite production within fed-batch bioprocesses. We explore the utilization of machine learning algorithms within the forecasting model to enhance our development process. Leveraging the bioprocess model, the controller maximizes protein production on a day-to-day basis for each batch while ensuring that other metabolites remain within a feasible range.
The presentation will focus on Hanmi’s experience in operating an Aseptic Manufacturing Process for prefilled syringe production within Fill and Finish products. It will also discuss control strategies used for aseptic process in prefilled syringe production from an industry perspective. The presentation will feature case presentations on how the company improved its existing operating system in response to the revised regulations of the EU Annex 1. The hardware required to build a Contamination Control System and the direction of improving the operating system will also be discussed. In addition, case studies on investigation and CAPA activities against deviations experienced during RABS operations for aseptic process control will be presented.
Rubber components are often an essential part of the primary packaging system of parenteral drugs. This presentations aims to highlight the unique features and benefits of Datwyler’s coating technology on rubber components, and address how this can help pharmaceutical companies to improve their production efficiency.
This proposal was devised from the work of PDA Technical Report 44, Quality Risk Management for Aseptic, and was put forward by one of the original Technical Report members, Mr. Harold Baseman, ValSource LLC.
The proposed standard draft document is intended to provide a lifecycle approach using a holistic evaluation of contamination control systems designed to prevent contamination during aseptic processing and ultimately ensure the safety of the products when delivered to the patient. The proposed standard is applicable to aseptic processes used to manufacture sterile, microbiologically controlled, and low bioburden regulated health care products. It is applicable to pharmaceutical, biological, and ATMP (Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products). This proposed standard does not supersede or replace national regulatory requirements, such as Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs) and/or compendial requirements that pertain to a particular national or regional jurisdiction.
During the 20 minutes discussion, the team will discuss on the background of what the proposed standard is intended to serve besides the benefits of adopting this to identify quality risks for Aseptic processing and management of those risks, proactively.
Airflow Visualization Studies also known as Smoke Studies allow for the visual characterization of a cleanroom/clean zone’s “Contamination Control Effect”. As air is transparent, it is difficult to determine this contamination control effect and unfavorable or adverse air patterns often go undetected. Because of this, International GMP regulations require Airflow Visualization testing as part of cleanroom qualification. The updated GMP Annex 1 (2022) expands upon these requirements for the documentation of airflow patterns and the use of these studies for risk analysis purposes, environmental monitoring site selection, and for operator training.
Topics Covered in the Session:
• Why do qualified facilities have contamination problems?
• Reasons behind smoke study related 483 observations.
o Smoke quality
o Smoke density
o Smoke dissipation rate
o Camera angles
o Incomplete or partial study
o Inconclusive reports
o Video quality
o Unavailability of video documentation
• Smoke study technology
• Tracer particles and importance of neutral buoyancy
• Tracer particle ejection methodology and velocity
• In-situ air pattern analysis
• Post smoke study cleaning: “there is nothing clean about SMOKE study”
The release of FDA draft guideline 'Inspection of Injectable Products for Visible Particulates' led to a heightened focus within pharmaceutical industry. This guideline clearly delineates the expectations that industry must achieve a profound understanding of the sources of particulates, utilize appropriate analytical methods for rigorous monitoring, and deploy effective strategies to ensure that the final product is essentially free of visible particulates.
Leveraging Janssen's experience in FDA inspection approvals, this presentation aims to share Janssen's approach to meet industrial standard. This involves the initiation of a comprehensive risk assessment to scrutinize the sources of particles, distinguishing between intrinsic and extrinsic particles. Additionally, highlighting the significance of adopting a life cycle management approach, enabling the industry to proactively identify and mitigate risks associated with visible particulates, thereby ensuring product quality and safety throughout the product's life span.
Gene and cell therapy medicinal products are different from traditional medicinal products in terms of their novelty, complexity, and technical specificity. Therefore, EU/US/Korea has new regulations for gene and cell therapy medicinal products; REGULATION (EC) No 1394/2007 21 CFR Subchapter F Biologics, 21 CFR part 1271—HUMAN CELLS, TISSUES, AND CELLULAR AND TISSUE-BASED PRODUCTS, and Advanced regenerative medical treatment and Advanced Biopharmaceutical Safety and Support Act. Korea ATMP regulation has different Requirements, Scope, and Characteristics distinguished from EU and US. Uniquely, Korea ATMP requires a special license of the company which manufactures Human Cells as a drug substance of ATMP.
For products that are biologically hazardous, toxic or genetically modified organisms (Viral vectors) there is a requirement to combine Aseptic processing and Containment measures to balance risks for patients and operators. For Filling operations Isolator barrier technology has evolved to combine containment measures in different combinations depending on level of containment required based of Health Based Exposure limits HBELs at OEB 1-6 levels. The Aseptic-Containment Pyramid, original pyramid was developed for API (powder particle) OELs, has now been re-characterised with the central focus on HBELs and GMP compliance with Aseptic process filling maintaining Positive pressure control in a Grade C/ ISO8 surround (patient safety) with containment measures added as required (operator safety).
Although Biological Safety Levels (BSL) are typically specified BSL requirements are not fully aligned with GMP, Aseptic processing and Patient safety hence the need for a new generation of containment measures and levels. This presentation will define the new paradigm of Aseptic-Containment and developed control measures applied for Filling Isolators in different combinations of containment measures that together build to meet the highest containment level OEB 5-6. Additionally a key strategy to prevent operator exposure at batch end (opening the barrier) and cross contamination of next batches/ products is the application of Post production decontamination of the complete Barrier system and equipment within the Containment boundary. Two decontamination methodologies apply; for toxic product Clean-in-place systems are integrated into the barrier and for biological product residues that can be inactivated via hydrogen peroxide vapour a Post production VHP cycle is applied. As biological products are impacted by sporicidal agent (VHP) residuals the pre-production cycle (to establish Grade A) varies from the Post cycle Decontamination cycle – learn about these key considerations and associated laboratory studies that support VHP cycle end point qualification.
Aseptic Processing and ATMPs how does this match. Looking into the latest published guidelines like the PIC/s Annex 2 A for ATMPs, Microbiological or Particular Contamination should be avoided even the cells received from the patient might be already contaminated. How to prevent additional Contamination? Currently the manufacturing takes often place within BSC “Bio Safety Cabinets” working with open products and manual operations which pose the highest risk to the product and patient. Closed technologies like singe use system, Barrier or higher automation does reduce this risk and will be explained with their important to consider implementing strategies.
Making quality improvements in aseptic operations requires a way of thinking that leads to efficient and highly reliable supplies of products. This presentation looks firstly at the ‘Why’ adopting a higher level of maturity benefits all stakeholders and then covers the ‘How’ to make the change. Finally, the presentation will show ‘What’ a Quality Management Maturity Model looks like in practice. As the US FDA prepares to publish its current thinking of QMM, there are equally important drivers to embarking on growing your maturity model.
As the healthcare manufacturing sector looks into the near future, leaders are concerned that there will be a shortage of technical experts in the area of sterility assurance. Sterility assurance, in its broad sense, includes a number of sterility modalities – aseptic processing, irradiation, steam, and gas. Without an adequate number of people with varying degrees of technical knowledge, skill and expertise, it is the patients who will be most acutely affected.
To help remedy this lack of skilled professionals, the Society for Sterility Assurance Processionals was formed to identify knowledge, skills, and experiences that individuals, manufacturers, regulators, and educational delivery organizations can use to help ensure there is an adequate number of people in these critical roles.
This presentation provides the background for SfSAP and its efforts to help develop the next generation of sterility assurance professionals.
What does it mean to be competent at a task? Or proficient? And how does that differ from being an expert? The SfSAP Training and Learning Effectiveness Workstream needed to answer these questions in order to give structure to the knowledge, skills, and experiences an individual should have as they work to achieve their professional / technical goals.
This presentation examines how workstreams, such as aseptic manufacturing and microbiology have defined the progression from novice to competent to proficient to expert. The results of this work can be used by individuals as well as manufacturers who provide internal training opportunities, and educational delivery organizations such as the PDA (for pharma) and AMII (for medical devices). Examples from the SfSAP website which are available to all, will be shown.
Much like modular autoinjector platforms, modular assembly, testing, and final assembly equipment platforms leverage the competitiveness associated with traditional platforms –speed, scale, and comparatively lower costs – while offering additional flexibility to accommodate a range of designs and development models. Featuring a standardized equipment base, the modular approach results in machine bases that can be adjusted to process a mix of different products, or several versions of the same product, at speed, on a flexible scale, and with consistent quality. This Tech Talk will address the technology and benefits of the modular platform strategy and also provide a guide to the most suitable assembly, testing, and final assembly solutions for different medical device projects.
The rising demand for prefilled syringes is attributed to the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, technological advancements, rising adoption of self-injection and supporting government regulations. In this session, we will walk you through the latest updates on TR-43-2 and focus on how speed to market has become a differentiating factor for success in the pharma industry. To quickly bring new drug delivery devices to market, pharma companies, device suppliers, and contract manufacturers must build strong and efficient partnerships and establish robust supply chain channels. Finally, the session will provide valuable insights on how to cope with challenges related to primary and secondary packaging components on device assembling process from a CDMO perspective. The audience can expect to hear highlights about some of the key market and manufacturing issues and adopted solutions linked to drug devices, packaging and more.
Injectable drug products that are placed on the European market in a prefilled syringe are considered medical devices and thus have to fulfil the “General Safety and Performance Requirements” (GSPRs) (Medical Device Regulation EU 2017/745, Annex I. As these GSPRs have been extended and are applicable to all medical devices, no matter the intended use, there is some lack of clarity in industry on how exactly to apply those to prefilled syringes. This Technical Report suggests how to approach this, which GSPRs are applicable and which supportive information from suppliers can be used to prove compliance.
This paper will illustrate a case study about challenges and solutions faced in a joint project to bring to the market an innovative autoinjector 1ml/2.25ml. A deep analysis of unmet needs of biopharmaceutical clients and patients pushed two leading companies in device design/manufacturing to combine their efforts in a collaboration to enhance the resilience of supply chain.
In the presentation the following critical points will be investigated:
- How to reduce risk through dual sourcing options
- Introducing auto-adjust plunger technology to allow for various fill volumes and both the 1ml/2.25ml PFS
- How to guarantee control and continuity on providing end-to-end support from primary container, to manufacturing, analytical services, and final assembly equipment/support
- Define a set of key learnings and recommendations based on real experience
In this presentation, we could show the thoughts and steps of an autoinjector assembly project, from a CDMO's point of view. Starting with the first scope of the project and the requirements for the process implementation. Depending on the project progress a scale up might be necessary. In parallel, it is very important to implement the controls of the manufacturing process and the final release tests.
The primary packaging material is changing during the development phase? This could have a significant influence on the processing or functionality of the device.
Cartridge autoinjectors are built with pre-attached, self-contained cannulas that form independent sub-assemblies, which then require separate sterilization and assembly. With the cannula only introduced to the cartridge upon patient use, key considerations for manufacturing cartridge autoinjectors differ from the more prevalent syringe-based autoinjectors. This presentation will look into some of these considerations using the example of a cartridge-based autoinjector built with an integrated needle isolation technology. It will also outline the sterilization and assembly process of the canula sub-assembly and discuss the key quality and manufacturing processes to ensure safety and control between the cannula, cartridge, and autoinjector components.
EU GMP Annex 1 of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is the governing regulatory document related to manufacture of sterile medicinal products. The latest revision, which came into force in August 2023, is a significant update with stronger focus on risk management and the implementation of a contamination control strategy.
Among other methods Container Closure Integrity Testing (CCIT) and Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) can be used for confirming the effectiveness of contamination prevention and is as such a part, if not a corner stone of the contamination control strategy.
Within the presentation novel methods confirming container integrity and sterility during the aseptic filling process as demanded by the revised Annex will be shown. Data from feasibility studies, both in-house as well as from pharmaceutical companies, will be presented confirming a method for holistic container closure integrity testing, data driven results as well as the potential for time and cost savings.
Viral safety of product contact and non-product surfaces within facilities is a subject of recent concern for pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical, and medical device industries. Viral contamination can lead to costly delays in production, product loss, and regulatory issues. Selection of appropriate virucidal agents for facility cleaning and development of viral clearance studies for process cleaning procedures are some tools to mitigate this risk. The presenter will review effective control strategies for product contact and non-product surfaces. Common areas of concern will be highlighted as well as sharing of published and unpublished data specific to viral safety. Depending on the risk, cleaning and disinfection procedures can be modified to address viral safety concerns and segregation practices within facilities and processes can be revisited.