A Guide for Testing Biopharmaceuticals Part 1: General Strategies for Validation Extensions

Several gaps in current regulatory guidelines that govern the analytical method life cycle for the testing of biopharmaceuticals are identified. Strategic guidance on how to monitor and control the life cycle of an analytical test method is provided in this article. Analytical method transfer, analytical method component equivalency, and analytical method comparability protocols are discussed in light of risk-based strategies for validation extensions. The use of an analytical method maintenance program is suggested to control over time the predictable risk to patients and firm.

The successful completion of analytical method transfer (AMT) is a regulatory expectation for the extension of the validation status to other laboratories. The demonstration of equivalent test results and, therefore, an acceptable level of reproducibility when testing at a different location, can limit the potential risk to the patient (hence the regulatory expectation). Acceptable reproducibility also limits the risk of failing test results for the biopharmaceutical firm as established probabilities of passing specifications can be maintained. Similar, postvalidation changes in method components should be monitored and controlled to avoid significant (negative) changes for material or product release probabilities.

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