96-17471. International Conference on Harmonisation; Final Guideline on Stability Testing of Biotechnological/Biological Products; Availability  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 10, 1996)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 36466-36469]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-17471]
    
    
    
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    Part VI
    
    
    
    
    
    Department of Health and Human Services
    
    
    
    
    
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    Food and Drug Administration
    
    
    
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    International Conference on Harmonisation; Final Guidelines on 
    Stability Testing of Biotechnological/Biological Products; 
    Availability; Notice
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 133 / Wednesday, July 10, 1996 / 
    Notices
    
    [[Page 36466]]
    
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
    
    Food and Drug Administration
    [Docket No. 93D-0139]
    
    
    International Conference on Harmonisation; Final Guideline on 
    Stability Testing of Biotechnological/Biological Products; Availability
    
    AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS.
    
    ACTION: Notice.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is publishing a final 
    guideline entitled ``Quality of Biotechnological Products: Stability 
    Testing of Biotechnological/Biological Products.'' The guideline was 
    prepared under the auspices of the International Conference on 
    Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of 
    Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). The guideline is intended to 
    provide guidance to applicants regarding the type of stability studies 
    that should be provided in support of marketing applications for 
    biotechnological/biological products.
    
    DATES: Effective July 10, 1996. Submit written comments at any time.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the guideline to the Dockets 
    Management Branch (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 12420 
    Parklawn Dr., rm. 1-23, Rockville, MD 20857. Copies of the guideline 
    are available from the Division of Communications Management (HFD-210), 
    Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, 
    7500 Standish Pl., Rockville, MD 20855, 301-594-1012. An electronic 
    version of this guideline is also available via Internet by connecting 
    to the CDER file transfer protocol (FTP) server (CDVS2.CDER.FDA.GOV).
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
        Regarding the guideline: -Nga Y. Nguyen, Center for Biologics 
    Evaluation and Research (HFM-18), Food and Drug Administration, 1401 
    Rockville Pike, -Rockville, MD 20852, 301-402-4996.
        Regarding ICH: -Janet Jenkins-Showalter, Office of Health Affairs 
    (HFY-1), -Food and Drug Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, 
    MD 20857, 301-827-0865.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In recent years, many important initiatives 
    have been undertaken by regulatory authorities and industry 
    associations to promote international harmonization of regulatory 
    requirements. FDA has participated in many meetings designed to enhance 
    harmonization and is committed to seeking scientifically based 
    harmonized technical procedures for pharmaceutical development. One of 
    the goals of harmonization is to identify and then reduce differences 
    in technical requirements for drug development among regulatory 
    agencies.
        ICH was organized to provide an opportunity for tripartite 
    harmonization initiatives to be developed with input from both 
    regulatory and industry representatives. FDA also seeks input from 
    consumer representatives and others. ICH is concerned with 
    harmonization of technical requirements for the registration of 
    pharmaceutical products among three regions: The European Union, Japan, 
    and the United States. The six ICH sponsors are the European 
    Commission, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries 
    Associations, the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Japanese 
    Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, the Centers for Drug 
    Evaluation and Research and Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, and 
    the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The ICH 
    Secretariat, which coordinates the preparation of documentation, is 
    provided by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical 
    Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA).
        The ICH Steering Committee includes representatives from each of 
    the ICH sponsors and the IFPMA, as well as observers from the World 
    Health Organization, the Canadian Health Protection Branch, and the 
    European Free Trade Area.
        In the Federal Register of August 21, 1995 (60 FR 43501), FDA 
    published a draft tripartite guideline entitled ``Quality of 
    Biotechnological Products: Stability Testing of Biotechnological/
    Biological Products.'' The notice gave interested persons an 
    opportunity to submit comments by October 5, 1995.
        After consideration of the comments received and revisions to the 
    guideline, a final draft of the guideline was submitted to the ICH 
    Steering Committee and endorsed by the three participating regulatory 
    agencies at the ICH meeting held on November 29, 1995.
        The guideline is intended to supplement the tripartite ICH 
    guideline entitled ``Stability Testing of New Drug Substances and 
    Products'' published in the Federal Register of September 22, 1994 (59 
    FR 48754). Biotechnological/biological products have distinguishing 
    characteristics to which consideration should be given in any well-
    defined testing program designed to confirm their stability during the 
    intended storage period. For such products, in which the active 
    components are typically proteins and/or polypeptides, maintenance of 
    molecular conformation and biological activity is dependent on 
    noncovalent as well as covalent forces. The products are particularly 
    sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature changes, 
    oxidation, light, ionic content, shear, and so forth. In order to 
    ensure maintenance of biological activity and to avoid degradation, 
    stringent conditions for their storage are usually necessary. This 
    guideline is intended to assist the applicant in developing appropriate 
    supporting stability data for a biotechnological/biological product.
        In the past, guidelines have generally been issued under 
    Sec. 10.90(b) (21 CFR 10.90(b)), which provides for the use of 
    guidelines to state procedures or standards of general applicability 
    that are not legal requirements but are acceptable to FDA. The agency 
    is now in the process of revising Sec. 10.90(b). Although this 
    guideline does not create or confer any rights for or on any person, 
    and does not operate to bind FDA, it does represent the agency's 
    current thinking on stability testing of biotechnological/biological 
    products.
        As with all of FDA's guidelines, the public is encouraged to submit 
    written comments with new data or other new information pertinent to 
    this guideline. The comments in the docket will be periodically review, 
    and, where appropriate, the guideline will be amended. The public will 
    be notified of any such amendments through a notice in the Federal 
    Register.
        Interested persons may, at any time, submit written comments on the 
    final guideline to the Dockets Management Branch (address above). Two 
    copies of any comments are to be submitted, except that individuals may 
    submit one copy. Comments are to be identified with the docket number 
    found in brackets in the heading of this document. The guideline and 
    received comments may be seen in the office above between 9 a.m. and 4 
    p.m., Monday through Friday.
        The text of the guideline follows:
    
    Quality of Biotechnological Products: Stability Testing of 
    Biotechnological/Biological Products
    
    1. Preamble
    
        The guidance stated in the ICH harmonized tripartite guideline 
    entitled ``Stability Testing of New Drug Substances and Products'' 
    (issued by ICH on October 27, 1993) applies in general to 
    biotechnological/biological products. However, biotechnological/
    
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    biological products have distinguishing characteristics to which 
    consideration should be given in any well-defined testing program 
    designed to confirm their stability during the intended storage 
    period. For such products in which the active components are 
    typically proteins and/or polypeptides, maintenance of molecular 
    conformation and, hence, of biological activity, is dependent on 
    noncovalent as well as covalent forces. The products are 
    particularly sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature 
    changes, oxidation, light, ionic content, and shear. To ensure 
    maintenance of biological activity and to avoid degradation, 
    stringent conditions for their storage are usually necessary.
        The evaluation of stability may necessitate complex analytical 
    methodologies. Assays for biological activity, where applicable, 
    should be part of the pivotal stability studies. Appropriate 
    physicochemical, biochemical, and immunochemical methods for the 
    analysis of the molecular entity and the quantitative detection of 
    degradation products should also be part of the stability program 
    whenever purity and molecular characteristics of the product permit 
    use of these methodologies.
        With these concerns in mind, the applicant should develop the 
    proper supporting stability data for a biotechnological/biological 
    product and consider many external conditions that can affect the 
    product's potency, purity, and quality. Primary data to support a 
    requested storage period for either drug substance or drug product 
    should be based on long-term, real-time, real-condition stability 
    studies. Thus, the development of a proper long-term stability 
    program becomes critical to the successful development of a 
    commercial product. The purpose of this document is to give guidance 
    to applicants regarding the type of stability studies that should be 
    provided in support of marketing applications. It is understood that 
    during the review and evaluation process, continuing updates of 
    initial stability data may occur.
    
    2. Scope of the Annex
    
        The guidance stated in this annex to ``Stability Testing of New 
    Drug Substances and Products'' applies to well-characterized 
    proteins and polypeptides, their derivatives and products of which 
    they are components, and which are isolated from tissues, body 
    fluids, cell cultures, or produced using recombinant 
    deoxyribonucleic acid (r-DNA) technology. Thus, the document covers 
    the generation and submission of stability data for products such as 
    cytokines (interferons, interleukins, colony-stimulating factors, 
    tumor necrosis factors), erythropoietins, plasminogen activators, 
    blood plasma factors, growth hormones and growth factors, insulins, 
    monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines consisting of well-characterized 
    proteins or polypeptides. In addition, the guidance outlined in the 
    following sections may apply to other types of products, such as 
    conventional vaccines, after consultation with the appropriate 
    regulatory authorities. The document does not cover antibiotics, 
    allergenic extracts, heparins, vitamins, whole blood, or cellular 
    blood components.
    
    3. Terminology
    
        For the basic terms used in this annex, the reader is referred 
    to the ``Glossary'' in ``Stability Testing of New Drug Substances 
    and Products.'' However, because manufacturers of biotechnological/
    biological products sometimes use traditional terminology, 
    traditional terms are specified in parentheses to assist the reader. 
    A supplemental glossary is also included that explains certain terms 
    used in the production of biotechnological/biological products.
    
    4. Selection of Batches
    
    3.1 Drug Substance (Bulk Material)
    
        Where bulk material is to be stored after manufacture, but 
    before formulation and final manufacturing, stability data should be 
    provided on at least three batches for which manufacture and storage 
    are representative of the manufacturing scale of production. A 
    minimum of 6 months stability data at the time of submission should 
    be submitted in cases where storage periods greater than 6 months 
    are requested. For drug substances with storage periods of less than 
    6 months, the minimum amount of stability data in the initial 
    submission should be determined on a case-by-case basis. Data from 
    pilot-plant scale batches of drug substance produced at a reduced 
    scale of fermentation and purification may be provided at the time 
    the dossier is submitted to the regulatory agencies with a 
    commitment to place the first three manufacturing scale batches into 
    the long-term stability program after approval.
        The quality of the batches of drug substance placed into the 
    stability program should be representative of the quality of the 
    material used in preclinical and clinical studies and of the quality 
    of the material to be made at manufacturing scale. In addition, the 
    drug substance (bulk material) made at pilot-plant scale should be 
    produced by a process and stored under conditions representative of 
    that used for the manufacturing scale. The drug substance entered 
    into the stability program should be stored in containers that 
    properly represent the actual holding containers used during 
    manufacture. Containers of reduced size may be acceptable for drug 
    substance stability testing provided that they are constructed of 
    the same material and use the same type of container/closure system 
    that is intended to be used during manufacture.
    
    3.2 Intermediates
    
        During manufacture of biotechnological/biological products, the 
    quality and control of certain intermediates may be critical to the 
    production of the final product. In general, the manufacturer should 
    identify intermediates and generate in-house data and process limits 
    that assure their stability within the bounds of the developed 
    process. Although the use of pilot-plant scale data is permissible, 
    the manufacturer should establish the suitability of such data using 
    the manufacturing scale process.
    
    3.3 Drug Product (Final Container Product)
    
        Stability information should be provided on at least three 
    batches of final container product representative of that which will 
    be used at manufacturing scale. Where possible, batches of final 
    container product included in stability testing should be derived 
    from different batches of bulk material. A minimum of 6 months data 
    at the time of submission should be submitted in cases where storage 
    periods greater than 6 months are requested. For drug products with 
    storage periods of less than 6 months, the minimum amount of 
    stability data in the initial submission should be determined on a 
    case-by-case basis. Product expiration dating should be based upon 
    the actual data submitted in support of the application. Because 
    dating is based upon the real-time/real-temperature data submitted 
    for review, continuing updates of initial stability data should 
    occur during the review and evaluation process. The quality of the 
    final container product placed on stability studies should be 
    representative of the quality of the material used in the 
    preclinical and clinical studies. Data from pilot-plant scale 
    batches of drug product may be provided at the time the dossier is 
    submitted to the regulatory agencies with a commitment to place the 
    first three manufacturing scale batches into the long-term stability 
    program after approval. Where pilot-plant scale batches were 
    submitted to establish the dating for a product and, in the event 
    that the product produced at manufacturing scale does not meet those 
    long-term stability specifications throughout the dating period or 
    is not representative of the material used in preclinical and 
    clinical studies, the applicant should notify the appropriate 
    regulatory authorities to determine a suitable course of action.
    
    4.4 Sample Selection
    
        Where one product is distributed in batches differing in fill 
    volume (e.g., 1 milliliter (mL), 2 mL, or 10 mL), unitage (e.g., 10 
    units, 20 units, or 50 units), or mass (e.g., 1 milligram (mg), 2 
    mg, or 5 mg), samples to be entered into the stability program may 
    be selected on the basis of a matrix system and/or by bracketing.
        Matrixing, i.e., the statistical design of a stability study in 
    which different fractions of samples are tested at different 
    sampling points, should only be applied when appropriate 
    documentation is provided that confirms that the stability of the 
    samples tested represents the stability of all samples. The 
    differences in the samples for the same drug product should be 
    identified as, for example, covering different batches, different 
    strengths, different sizes of the same closure, and, possibly, in 
    some cases, different container/closure systems. Matrixing should 
    not be applied to samples with differences that may affect 
    stability, such as different strengths and different containers/
    closures, where it cannot be confirmed that the products respond 
    similarly under storage conditions.
        Where the same strength and exact container/closure system is 
    used for three or more fill contents, the manufacturer may elect to 
    place only the smallest and largest container size into the 
    stability program, i.e., bracketing. The design of a protocol that 
    incorporates bracketing assumes that the stability of the 
    intermediate condition samples are represented by those at the
    
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    extremes. In certain cases, data may be needed to demonstrate that 
    all samples are properly represented by data collected for the 
    extremes.
    
    5. Stability-Indicating Profile
    
        On the whole, there is no single stability-indicating assay or 
    parameter that profiles the stability characteristics of a 
    biotechnological/biological product. Consequently, the manufacturer 
    should propose a stability-indicating profile that provides 
    assurance that changes in the identity, purity, and potency of the 
    product will be detected.
        At the time of submission, applicants should have validated the 
    methods that comprise the stability-indicating profile, and the data 
    should be available for review. The determination of which tests 
    should be included will be product-specific. The items emphasized in 
    the following subsections are not intended to be all-inclusive, but 
    represent product characteristics that should typically be 
    documented to demonstrate product stability adequately.
    
    5.1 Protocol
    
        The dossier accompanying the application for marketing 
    authorization should include a detailed protocol for the assessment 
    of the stability of both drug substance and drug product in support 
    of the proposed storage conditions and expiration dating periods. 
    The protocol should include all necessary information that 
    demonstrates the stability of the biotechnological/biological 
    product throughout the proposed expiration dating period including, 
    for example, well-defined specifications and test intervals. The 
    statistical methods that should be used are described in the 
    tripartite guideline on stability.
    
    5.2 Potency
    
        When the intended use of a product is linked to a definable and 
    measurable biological activity, testing for potency should be part 
    of the stability studies. For the purpose of stability testing of 
    the products described in this guideline, potency is the specific 
    ability or capacity of a product to achieve its intended effect. It 
    is based on the measurement of some attribute of the product and is 
    determined by a suitable in vivo or in vitro quantitative method. In 
    general, potencies of biotechnological/biological products tested by 
    different laboratories can be compared in a meaningful way only if 
    expressed in relation to that of an appropriate reference material. 
    For that purpose, a reference material calibrated directly or 
    indirectly against the corresponding national or international 
    reference material should be included in the assay.
        Potency studies should be performed at appropriate intervals as 
    defined in the stability protocol and the results should be reported 
    in units of biological activity calibrated, whenever possible, 
    against nationally or internationally recognized standards. Where no 
    national or international reference standards exist, the assay 
    results may be reported in in-house derived units using a 
    characterized reference material.
        In some biotechnological/biological products, potency is 
    dependent upon the conjugation of the active ingredient(s) to a 
    second moiety or binding to an adjuvant. Dissociation of the active 
    ingredient(s) from the carrier used in conjugates or adjuvants 
    should be examined in real-time/real-temperature studies (including 
    conditions encountered during shipment). The assessment of the 
    stability of such products may be difficult because, in some cases, 
    in vitro tests for biological activity and physicochemical 
    characterization are impractical or provide inaccurate results. 
    Appropriate strategies (e.g., testing the product before 
    conjugation/binding, assessing the release of the active compound 
    from the second moiety, in vivo assays) or the use of an appropriate 
    surrogate test should be considered to overcome the inadequacies of 
    in vitro testing.
    
    5.3 Purity and Molecular Characterization
    
        For the purpose of stability testing of the products described 
    in this guideline, purity is a relative term. Because of the effect 
    of glycosylation, deamidation, or other heterogeneities, the 
    absolute purity of a biotechnological/biological product is 
    extremely difficult to determine. Thus, the purity of a 
    biotechnological/biological product should be typically assessed by 
    more than one method and the purity value derived is method-
    dependent. For the purpose of stability testing, tests for purity 
    should focus on methods for determination of degradation products.
        The degree of purity, as well as the individual and total 
    amounts of degradation products of the biotechnological/biological 
    product entered into the stability studies, should be reported and 
    documented whenever possible. Limits of acceptable degradation 
    should be derived from the analytical profiles of batches of the 
    drug substance and drug product used in the preclinical and clinical 
    studies.
        The use of relevant physicochemical, biochemical, and 
    immunochemical analytical methodologies should permit a 
    comprehensive characterization of the drug substance and/or drug 
    product (e.g., molecular size, charge, hydrophobicity) and the 
    accurate detection of degradation changes that may result from 
    deamidation, oxidation, sulfoxidation, aggregation, or fragmentation 
    during storage. As examples, methods that may contribute to this 
    include electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE, immunoelectrophoresis, Western 
    blot, isoelectrofocusing), high-resolution chromatography (e.g., 
    reversed-phase chromatography, gel filtration, ion exchange, 
    affinity chromatography), and peptide mapping.
        Wherever significant qualitative or quantitative changes 
    indicative of degradation product formation are detected during 
    long-term, accelerated, and/or stress stability studies, 
    consideration should be given to potential hazards and to the need 
    for characterization and quantification of degradation products 
    within the long-term stability program. Acceptable limits should be 
    proposed and justified, taking into account the levels observed in 
    material used in preclinical and clinical studies.
        For substances that cannot be properly characterized or products 
    for which an exact analysis of the purity cannot be determined 
    through routine analytical methods, the applicant should propose and 
    justify alternative testing procedures.
    
    5.4 Other Product Characteristics
    
        The following product characteristics, though not specifically 
    relating to biotechnological/biological products, should be 
    monitored and reported for the drug product in its final container:
        Visual appearance of the product (color and opacity for 
    solutions/suspensions; color, texture, and dissolution time for 
    powders), visible particulates in solutions or after the 
    reconstitution of powders or lyophilized cakes, pH, and moisture 
    level of powders and lyophilized products.
        Sterility testing or alternatives (e.g., container/closure 
    integrity testing) should be performed at a minimum initially and at 
    the end of the proposed shelf life.
        Additives (e.g., stabilizers, preservatives) or excipients may 
    degrade during the dating period of the drug product. If there is 
    any indication during preliminary stability studies that reaction or 
    degradation of such materials adversely affect the quality of the 
    drug product, these items may need to be monitored during the 
    stability program.
        The container/closure has the potential to affect the product 
    adversely and should be carefully evaluated (see below).
    
    6. Storage Conditions
    
    6.1 Temperature
    
        Because most finished biotechnological/biological products need 
    precisely defined storage temperatures, the storage conditions for 
    the real-time/real-temperature stability studies may be confined to 
    the proposed storage temperature.
    
    6.2 Humidity
    
        Biotechnological/biological products are generally distributed 
    in containers protecting them against humidity. Therefore, where it 
    can be demonstrated that the proposed containers (and conditions of 
    storage) afford sufficient protection against high and low humidity, 
    stability tests at different relative humidities can usually be 
    omitted. Where humidity-protecting containers are not used, 
    appropriate stability data should be provided.
    
    6.3 Accelerated and Stress Conditions
    
        As previously noted, the expiration dating should be based on 
    real-time/real-temperature data. However, it is strongly suggested 
    that studies be conducted on the drug substance and drug product 
    under accelerated and stress conditions. Studies under accelerated 
    conditions may provide useful support data for establishing the 
    expiration date, provide product stability information or future 
    product development (e.g., preliminary assessment of proposed 
    manufacturing changes such as change in formulation, scale-up), 
    assist in validation of analytical methods for the stability 
    program, or generate information that may help elucidate the 
    degradation profile of the drug substance or drug product. Studies 
    under stress conditions may be useful in determining whether 
    accidental exposures to
    
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    conditions other than those proposed (e.g., during transportation) 
    are deleterious to the product and also for evaluating which 
    specific test parameters may be the best indicators of product 
    stability. Studies of the exposure of the drug substance or drug 
    product to extreme conditions may help to reveal patterns of 
    degradation; if so, such changes should be monitored under proposed 
    storage conditions. Although the tripartite guideline on stability 
    describes the conditions of the accelerated and stress study, the 
    applicant should note that those conditions may not be appropriate 
    for biotechnological/biological products. Conditions should be 
    carefully selected on a case-by-case basis.
    
    6.4 Light
    
        Applicants should consult the appropriate regulatory authorities 
    on a case-by-case basis to determine guidance for testing.
    
    6.5 Container/Closure
    
        Changes in the quality of the product may occur due to the 
    interactions between the formulated biotechnological/biological 
    product and container/closure. Where the lack of interactions cannot 
    be excluded in liquid products (other than sealed ampules), 
    stability studies should include samples maintained in the inverted 
    or horizontal position (i.e., in contact with the closure), as well 
    as in the upright position, to determine the effects of the closure 
    on product quality. Data should be supplied for all different 
    container/closure combinations that will be marketed.
        In addition to the standard data necessary for a conventional 
    single-use vial, the applicant should demonstrate that the closure 
    used with a multiple-dose vial is capable of withstanding the 
    conditions of repeated insertions and withdrawals so that the 
    product retains its full potency, purity, and quality for the 
    maximum period specified in the instructions-for-use on containers, 
    packages, and/or package inserts. Such labeling should be in 
    accordance with relevant national/regional requirements.
    
    6.6 Stability after Reconstitution of Freeze-Dried Product
    
        The stability of freeze-dried products after their 
    reconstitution should be demonstrated for the conditions and the 
    maximum storage period specified on containers, packages, and/or 
    package inserts. Such labeling should be in accordance with relevant 
    national/regional requirements.
    
    7. Testing Frequency
    
        The shelf lives of biotechnological/biological products may vary 
    from days to several years. Thus, it is difficult to draft uniform 
    guidelines regarding the stability study duration and testing 
    frequency that would be applicable to all types of biotechnological/
    biological products. With only a few exceptions, however, the shelf 
    lives for existing products and potential future products will be 
    within the range of 0.5 to 5 years. Therefore, the guidance is based 
    upon expected shelf lives in that range. This takes into account the 
    fact that degradation of biotechnological/biological products may 
    not be governed by the same factors during different intervals of a 
    long storage period.
        When shelf lives of 1 year or less are proposed, the real-time 
    stability studies should be conducted monthly for the first 3 months 
    and at 3 month intervals thereafter.
        For products with proposed shelf lives of greater than 1 year, 
    the studies should be conducted every 3 months during the first year 
    of storage, every 6 months during the second year, and annually 
    thereafter.
        While the testing intervals listed above may be appropriate in 
    the preapproval or prelicense stage, reduced testing may be 
    appropriate after approval or licensure where data are available 
    that demonstrate adequate stability. Where data exist that indicate 
    the stability of a product is not compromised, the applicant is 
    encouraged to submit a protocol that supports elimination of 
    specific test intervals (e.g., 9-month testing) for postapproval/
    postlicensure, long-term studies.
    
    8. Specifications
    
        Although biotechnological/biological products may be subject to 
    significant losses of activity, physicochemical changes, or 
    degradation during storage, international and national regulations 
    have provided little guidance with respect to distinct release and 
    end of shelf life specifications. Recommendations for maximum 
    acceptable losses of activity, limits for physicochemical changes, 
    or degradation during the proposed shelf life have not been 
    developed for individual types or groups of biotechnological/
    biological products but are considered on a case-by-case basis. Each 
    product should retain its specifications within established limits 
    for safety, purity, and potency throughout its proposed shelf life. 
    These specifications and limits should be derived from all available 
    information using the appropriate statistical methods. The use of 
    different specifications for release and expiration should be 
    supported by sufficient data to demonstrate that the clinical 
    performance is not affected, as discussed in the tripartite 
    guideline on stability.
    
    9. Labeling
    
        For most biotechnological/biological drug substances and drug 
    products, precisely defined storage temperatures are recommended. 
    Specific recommendations should be stated, particularly for drug 
    substances and drug products that cannot tolerate freezing. These 
    conditions, and where appropriate, recommendations for protection 
    against light and/or humidity, should appear on containers, 
    packages, and/or package inserts. Such labeling should be in 
    accordance with relevant national and regional requirements.
    
    10. Glossary
    
    Conjugated Product
    
        A conjugated product is made up of an active ingredient (e.g., 
    peptide, carbohydrate) bound covalently or noncovalently to a 
    carrier (e.g., protein, peptide, inorganic mineral) with the 
    objective of improving the efficacy or stability of the product.
    
    Degradation Product
    
        A molecule resulting from a change in the drug substance (bulk 
    material) brought about over time. For the purpose of stability 
    testing of the products described in this guideline, such changes 
    could occur as a result of processing or storage (e.g., by 
    deamidation, oxidation, aggregation, proteolysis). For 
    biotechnological/biological products, some degradation products may 
    be active.
    
    Impurity
    
        Any component of the drug substance (bulk material) or drug 
    product (final container product) that is not the chemical entity 
    defined as the drug substance, an excipient, or other additives to 
    the drug product.
    
    Intermediate
    
        For biotechnological/biological products, a material produced 
    during a manufacturing process that is not the drug substance or the 
    drug product but for which manufacture is critical to the successful 
    production of the drug substance or the drug product. Generally, an 
    intermediate will be quantifiable and specifications will be 
    established to determine the successful completion of the 
    manufacturing step before continuation of the manufacturing process. 
    This includes material that may undergo further molecular 
    modification or be held for an extended period before further 
    processing.
    
    Manufacturing Scale Production
    
        Manufacture at the scale typically encountered in a facility 
    intended for product production for marketing.
    
    Pilot-Plant Scale
    
        The production of the drug substance or drug product by a 
    procedure fully representative of and simulating that to be applied 
    at manufacturing scale. The methods of cell expansion, harvest, and 
    product purification should be identical except for the scale of 
    production.
    
        Dated: July 1, 1996.
    William K. Hubbard,
    Associate Commissioner for Policy Coordination.
    [FR Doc. 96-17471 Filed 7-9-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4160-01-F
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
7/10/1996
Published:
07/10/1996
Department:
Food and Drug Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
96-17471
Dates:
Effective July 10, 1996. Submit written comments at any time.
Pages:
36466-36469 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 93D-0139
PDF File:
96-17471.pdf