Quality Systems

A new FDA Q&A document released on Jan. 12, 2016 describes 180-day exclusivity for generic-drug manufacturers and explains the number of conditions under which an abbreviated new drug applicant (ANDA) submitting a paragraph IV certification would forfeit eligibility to be the authorized generic manufacturer of a drug.

EDQM outlines the steps it will take to implement the ICH Q3D guideline on elemental impurities.

In a blog post, Robert Califf and Rita Nalubola discuss the agency’s approach to the use of genome-edited products.

An FDA guidance on biosimilar naming garnered mixed responses from the Biosimilars Forum, the American College of Rheumatology, and Pfenex.

FDA published a flurry of guidance documents in late 2016.

The agency plans on publishing more than 100 new or revised guidance documents in 2017.

Language surrounding regenerative medicine and the REGROW Act appeared back into the 21st Century Cures Act right before it passed. What will this mean for the controversial testing and marketing of stem-cell therapies?

The partnership will focus on providing practical information to clients on the development of biologics and vaccines.

The company was cited by FDA for violations of sterile processing GMPs.

The European Pharmacopoeia Commission adopted a chapter on chemical imaging for analytical development, quality control, and manufacturing.

FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) approved 22 new molecular entities (NMEs) in 2016, according to a January 4, 2016 release from the agency. Of the 22 NMEs, 12 were large-molecule therapeutics. Of CDER’s 45 novel drug approvals in 2015, 17 were considered large-molecule therapeutics (larger than 900 Daltons).In 2016, 11 of the 12 large-molecule drugs that were approved were biologics. This includes seven monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), one hormone, and three DNA-derived medications. The remaining large-molecule medication was a diagnostic agent.

TraceLink’s first Drug Supply, Safety and Traceability Report suggests that 19% of pharma companies, 11% of distributors, and 9% of dispensers still haven’t begun to address lot-level serialization requirements. Only 20% say their CMOs will be ready for the November 2017 deadline.

Siegfried Schmitt, PhD, principal consultant, PAREXEL, discusses how to handle audits and inspections during business expansion.

FDA plans to advance initiatives for ensuring reliable production of drugs and biologics in 2017.

Healthcare policies, R&D investments, and drug approvals will test bio/pharma.

A four-stage process to successfully make the switch from paper to electronic batch records is presented.

As pharmaceutical quality metrics evolve, they will need to incorporate more of the principles of operational excellence, says consultant Prabir Basu.

The European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has conducted an annual survey of GMP/GDP inspections at sites and affiliates among its member companies from 2003 until the present time. This article describes findings of the EFPIA annual survey of site inspections among its member companies.

How involved should HTA bodies be in assessing cost effectiveness and reimbursements?

The agency has published its refuse-to-receive standards guidance for abbreviated new drug applications.

The agency put Baoying County Fukang Medical Appliance Co., Ltd. on import alert after observing violations at the company’s Yangzhou City facility.

A pilot project, beginning in 2017, will support the development of biosimilars.

The companies entered a manufacturing agreement for the future commercial production of Lenti-D and LentiGlobin product candidates.

Emergent signed a follow-up contract to provide 29.4 million doses of BioThrax to the Strategic National Stockpile.

The agency announces that 81 medicines overall were recommended in 2016.

The commission concluded its P4Bio pilot phase with the adoption of the monograph for etanercept.

FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research makes plans for implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act that include patient-focused drug development.

Congress enacted the 21st Century Cures legislation, which shores FDA operations and supports biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health.

The integration of a method validation, transfer, and verification process into the overall lifecycle management process of a product can best align the variability of the analytical procedure with the requirements of the product.

FDA issued a warning letter to Interquim, SA for CGMP deviations at its Barcelona API facility.