ENHANCED ANALYTICAL METHOD CONTROL STRATEGY CONCEPT

ENHANCED ANALYTICAL METHOD CONTROL STRATEGY CONCEPT

The benefits of quality by design (QbD) concepts related to both product (ICH Q8)1 and drug substance (ICH Q11)2 are well-established, particularly in regards to the potential to use knowledge to affect process changes without major regulatory hurdles, i.e., revalidation/regulatory filing, etc. Less wellestablished, but potentially of significant value, is the application of the same concepts to analytical methods.

Analytical methods play an obvious key role in establishing the quality of final product as they establish conformance with product acceptance criteria (i.e., specifications) and indicate the integrity of the product through indication of product stability. Analytical methods are validated, like manufacturing processes, but what if the operational ranges could be established during method validation when demonstrating fitness for purpose?

Would it be possible to drive method improvement, especially post validation in the same way that the concept of continuous improvement is a key driver for…