Quality/GMPs

Spreadsheet calculations are popular in all kinds of businesses. A macro is a set of commands that can be embedded in a document to add functionality to standard programs and to automated processes.

It may take take more than a decade to bring a new drug to market, but it's still a race from the bench to the shelf. It's easy to think of the race in terms of a sprint, like a six-second dash from one end of the pool to the other, especially during crunch times when you're rushing to meet deadlines. However, developing a biologic drug is a much longer race, more like a 400-meter medley. If you've ever competed in one, you know it's a test of endurance that requires a long-distance mind-set, strategic thinking, and a complex combination of skills.

The European Union requires final container testing of US-manufactured biopharmaceutical products to be performed in Europe for release into the European market. Similarly, but less strictly enforced, the US requires final container testing in the US for European-manufactured biopharmaceutical products before release.

Biopharmaceuticals currently account for 34% of Japan's $12 billion biotech market. Technology partnerships and increased R&D are the keys to further growth.

In early November 2003, Wyeth BioPharma, headquartered in Andover, MA, hosted the quarterly meeting of the BioPharma Operations Excellence Consortium. Approximately 50 people representing over 15 companies attended this first meeting of the consortium's newly established East Coast chapter.

It is not likely that you will ever personally design and build a cleanroom; however, you may be responsible for the care and upkeep of many.

Using disposable components for bioprocessing can reduce costs and complexity and may play an increasing role in large-scale biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

On March 25, 2004 Centocor will host the first meeting of the European chapter in Leiden, Holland. Wyeth BioPharma and Genzyme have co-sponsored the establishment of this European group; other leading companies - such as Lonza Biologics, Celltech, and Baxter Bioscience - have joined the forum.

Networks are part of the compliance picture. Recent FDA warning letters show the agency considers network monitoring and qualification a necessary part of maintaining the security and integrity of electronic records.

The FDA rule on electronic signatures and electronic records was issued in 1997, but the details of implementation are still being debated. The 2003 FDA guidance redefines the scope of 21 CFR Part 11. Understanding which records now fall under the scope of the rule can help you begin implementing your compliance plan.

The FDA?s risk-based approach to pharmaceutical cGMPs applies to 21 CFR Part 11 enforcement as well. Understanding different methodologies for assessing and managing risk will help you develop and begin to implement a compliance plan.

Protecting the integrity of data is a challenge of 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. Integrity requires records to be complete, intact, and maintained in their original context ? associated with the procedures which were used to create the data.

Bringing different laboratory instruments into compliance takes planning. The key strengths and weaknesses of different levels of control and feedback for analytical instruments and data transfer systems are highlighted in this article.

This article focuses on the front end of qualifying a new raw material from a given supplier. Once qualified, this status must be maintained by periodic review and requalification.

Operational planning and early cost analyses are key to generating optimal, robust, and economical commercial processes.

Canada's biotechnology industry has expanded rapidly in the last decade, as measured by industry-wide revenues, the launch of new companies, and the continuous diversification of its products.

There are pressures on biopharma to grow up — and to grow up fast. Although we still hear references to its "infancy," I think we're well past that stage and already confronting the awkward — and sometimes painful — experience of adolescence.

Quality assurance units are interwoven throughout the biopharmaceutical enterprise and provide support to sustain operations. Most importantly, they must have the capacity and leadership to adapt to change.

In September 2003, Sweden's biotechnology sector recorded a striking achievement. Amgen, the world's largest biotechnology company, announced plans to acquire exclusive rights to Biovitrum's small-molecule enzyme inhibitors for the treatment of metabolic diseases.

Molecular mimicry is a common, but undesirable, property of disease proteins. Sequence similarities between cancer proteins and self-proteins allow tumor cells to hide, thereby avoiding attack from the immune system. HIV uses the same evasive tactic.

Training programs do not have to be complex to be successful. There are basic elements, however, that all must have to meet FDA requirements and ensure that employees have the knowledge and skills to maintain high quality standards.

FDA initiatives aim to spur development of more affordable treatments and ensure safe product use.

Helium Out-Detects Soap and Water

Biotech companies are among the most intensive instrumentation users of any FDA-regulated business. Because of the complex nature of these companies' research and manufacturing, they typically have a larger number of instruments per employee.

When developing a strategy for using technology in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, include the interaction between automation and business systems and the roles they play in enhancing quality assurance and compliance.