ARTICLES BY BIOPHORUM

• Developing A Process Performance Qualification Master Plan For Gene Therapies

  4/19/2024

  This article provides considerations and a framework for a Process Performance Qualification Master Plan in the gene therapy industry. It is useful for sponsors with any level of experience.

• Strategies For Minimizing The Impact Of Bioburden And Sterility Testing On Gene Therapy Batch Yield

  1/2/2024

  It is widely recognized that gene therapy manufacturing processes result in low yields. This article outlines strategies for reducing the volumes required for bioburden and sterility testing and, therefore, conserving product for patients while remaining compliant and delivering process information on the microbiological status. 

• Understanding CQAs For mRNA/Lipid Nanoparticle Product Development And Manufacture

  12/13/2023

  BioPhorum recently created a resource of potential critical quality attributes (CQAs) for mRNA products from the early stages of drug development to commercial manufacturing. We asked two of the paper’s authors some questions to explore the key areas in more detail.

• Proposed Best Practices For Cell & Gene Therapy Aseptic Process Simulation

  10/25/2023

  Aseptic process simulation (APS) plays a critical role in demonstrating that the processes, equipment, and materials involved in sterile manufacturing work in synergy to maintain sterility. Applying existing APS guidelines to cell and gene therapies/ATMPs can be challenging, so BioPhorum proposes a best practice approach in alignment with regulatory guidance.

• Considerations For Viral Clearance In Cell And Gene Therapy

  7/27/2023

  Assuring viral safety in cell and gene therapy (CGT) products poses a unique challenge. This article focuses on adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors but also applies to other viral vectors where possible.

• A Practical Proposal For Standardizing Traceability Of Cell And Gene Therapies

  7/21/2023

  For personalized therapies, it is imperative that patients are treated with the product meant specifically for them. Mistakes in products or on labels that lead to the wrong therapy being administered to the patient are likely to have fatal consequences. BioPhorum presents a practical vision for standardizing the traceability of cell and gene therapies across the value chain.

• Container Closure Integrity Testing Strategies For Gene Therapies

  6/7/2023

  Container closure integrity testing (CCIT) has been recognized as having a significant impact on batch yield. This article provides perspectives on CCIT strategies to minimize the impact on gene therapy drug product batch yield by examining recent industry survey results as well as best practices.

• Improving Digital Integration Between Biomanufacturers & Partners

  5/1/2023

  Sponsors are working with more contract organizations, and contract organizations are working with more sponsors. There is often a mismatch in digital maturity (IT capabilities) between the two sides of a partnership. We must work toward a bidirectional sharing of data and process knowledge. This road map from BioPhorum will help.

• Risk-Based Strategies For Revalidating Bio/Pharma Equipment & Systems

  4/20/2023

  While equipment and systems validation is a regulatory requirement, it would take thousands of annual tests to retest all equipment and systems. BioPhorum shares risk-based approaches to new product introduction, controlled temperature chambers, sterilization processes, and more.

• Best Practices For Cell Culture Media Fingerprinting

  3/13/2023

  This three-tier approach to cell culture media fingerprinting helps you to define an alternative method that will allow verification of the quality of the medium as well as fingerprinting. It helps you to choose suitable methods for incoming ID testing based on raw material properties, goals of media characterization, and the resources available. 

• Release Specifications For Plasmid MCBs, Plasmid DNA

  1/10/2023

  Plasmid release specifications are critical to the manufacture of many cell and gene therapy products, but current guidance defining expectations for the release of plasmids as a starting material is limited. In this article, BioPhorum summarizes key industry feedback, best practices, and member discussions on the topic.

• Biopharma Facility Modular Design & Construction: Key Considerations

  9/12/2022

  In facility design, the term “modular design block” is used for “pre-engineered” or “predesigned” solutions. This approach suggests that a new facility design need not be unique but can use and leverage a pre-engineered set of component pieces. The further down the supply chain standardized modules and components reach, the wider the benefits.

• Qualifying Replenishment Working Cell Banks

  9/6/2022

  Cell banks represent the fundamental starting substrates for biological drug substance/drug substance intermediate manufacturing. The availability of well-characterized cell banks is imperative to ensure drug product supply. This article shares regulatory tips for cell bank registration and regulatory considerations when replenishing a working cell bank.

• The Process Map To Ensure Biopharma Raw Materials Supply

  8/16/2022

  In new product introduction, there is often a lack of a basic data package for a product being scaled up for clinical or launch supplies. This can lead to several issues, e.g., capacity and lead time restrictions, oversupply, and more. A stepwise process can be used as a guideline for introducing a material to support new drug substance manufacture.

• How To Test Master Cell Banks As A Starting Material For Gene Therapies

  6/10/2022

  BioPhorum’s Cell and Gene Therapy Raw Materials team suggests a platform approach for testing a critical starting material for gene therapies – master cell banks (MCBs). This can ultimately influence and/or aid regulatory agencies when developing guidance or policies around gene therapy development and manufacturing.