Featured Bioprocessing Editorial
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New DSCSA Guidance Details Layers Of Verification System Requirements
2/15/2024
A recent FDA final guidance interpreting the DSCSA details verification systems expectations for trading partners. Just how they should meet these expectations, however, remains unclear.
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Using Relational Risk Analysis To Control Procedure Failures
2/15/2024
In the bio/pharma and medical device industries, operating procedures guide virtually every activity and are required for compliance with good manufacturing practices. Minimizing procedure execution failures is critical. To do so, you can use relational risk analysis (ReRA).
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Stable Cell Lines: Stepping Stones For Continuous Viral Vector Manufacturing
2/14/2024
Amid the increasing need for greater volumes of therapeutic molecules, proteins, and viral vectors, a promising technology started to develop — the stable cell line.
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Assessing Cross Contamination Using Layers Of Protection Analysis For Facility And Product Safety
2/14/2024
Layers of protection analysis (LOPA) is a risk tool that focuses on the strength of controls that are currently in place and enables a cross-functional team to dive into the ways that the controls may fail. The article outlines the application of LOPA to drug product and facility cross contamination.
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Continuous Manufacturing: Many Want It, But Here’s Why Few Have It
2/13/2024
In 2023, biomanufacturers showed an increasing interest in continuous manufacturing, but uptake, believe it or not, slowed down. Let’s explore the reasons why with data from BioPlan Associates.
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Trends In FDA FY2023 Inspection-Based Warning Letters
2/13/2024
The U.S. FDA issued 180 warning letters to drug and biologics manufacturers in fiscal year 2023 (FY23) and 94 of them were based on an on-site inspection of the company. This article provides an analysis of trends and observations from the inspection-based letters, as well as additional insight on the agency’s approach to enforcement.
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What Does The Catalent Acquisition By Novo Holdings Mean For The Biopharma Industry?
2/12/2024
Novo Holdings, the parent company to Novo Nordisk, announced a deal last week to acquire Catalent, the global CDMO, at a value of $16.5bn. In the same breath, Novo Holdings announced they will sell three sites directly to Novo Nordisk, implying that the rest of the assets of the company will continue to operate as a stand-alone CDMO. This article unpacks the acquisition, discussing questions such as “what does it mean for customers?” and “does this deal reshape the CDMO market?”
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Getting Out Of The Doldrums: Analyzing & Kickstarting Organizational Quality Maturity
2/8/2024
It's difficult to consider what the impact of organizational culture might be on a quality system, its effectiveness and robustness, and even its maturity state. You need a way to spot when your team is in the doldrums and kickstart quality maturity. Regulators want it, so you should, too.
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FDA Issues Final Guidance: Reformulating Drug Products That Contain Carbomers Manufactured With Benzene
2/6/2024
Benzene contamination in pharmaceuticals has led to product recalls and increased scrutiny in recent years. Recently, the FDA has asked the USP to remove a few monographs from the compendium due to safety concerns related to benzene's carcinogenic properties, and the agency has issued a new guidance to help industry navigate the reformulation of such drug products.
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Decoding The FDA's Draft Guidance On Computer Software Assurance For Medical Devices & Bio/Pharma
2/6/2024
In 2022, the FDA released a draft guidance on computer software assurance that promises to reshape the validation of automated data processing system and quality system software in the pharma/medical device industry and to enhance the quality, availability, and safety of medical devices. This article walks through the key elements of the guidance.