Science- and Risk-Based Stability Strategies to Support Product Lifecycle Changes.

ICH Q12 asserts that science- and risk-based approaches are applicable to stability studies supporting Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) post-approval changes (PAC) to enable more timely implementation; however, no guidance or specific examples are provided to demonstrate how prior knowledge of the product can inform the risk assessment for the proposed change(s). Ten diverse case studies are presented in this manuscript to demonstrate how science- and risk-based stability strategies were used to support drug substance and product CMC PAC and lifecycle management activities. The accumulated stability knowledge held by original manufacturers of marketed products is substantial, and different elements of this knowledge base were used to assess the risks and impact of the proposed changes for confident change management. This paper provides ways to leverage science- and risk-based stability strategies as part of the post-approval change-management risk-mitigation strategy, which may enable a reduced stability data commitment and/or a reduced reporting category for change implementation.

Considerations for Updates to ICH Q1 and Q5C Stability Guidelines: Embracing Current Technology and Risk Assessment Strategies.

In consideration of the recent ICH Quality Discussion Group (QDG) recommended revision to the ICH series of stability guidelines, the IQ Consortium (International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development) Science- and Risk-based Stability Working Group conducted a comprehensive review of ICH Q1A, Q1B, Q1C, Q1D, Q1E, and Q5C to identify areas where the guidelines could be clarified, updated, and amended to reflect the potential knowledge gained from current risk-based predictive stability tools and to consider other science- and risk-based stability strategies in accordance with ICH Q8-12. The recommendations propose a holistic approach to stability understanding, utilizing historical data, prior knowledge, modeling, and a risk assessment process to expand the concept of what could be included (or would be acceptable) in the core stability data package, including type and amount of stability evidence, assignment of retest period and shelf-life for a new product, and assessment of the impact of post-approval changes.

Dextrose monohydrate as a non-animal sourced alternative diluent in high shear wet granulation tablet formulations.

The feasibility of dextrose monohydrate as a non-animal sourced diluent in high shear wet granulation (HSWG) tablet formulations was determined. Impacts of granulation solution amount and addition time, wet massing time, impeller speed, powder and solution binder, and dry milling speed and screen opening size on granule size, friability and density, and tablet solid fraction (SF) and tensile strength (TS) were evaluated. The stability of theophylline tablets TS, disintegration time (DT) and in vitro dissolution were also studied. Following post-granulation drying at 60 °C, dextrose monohydrate lost 9% water and converted into the anhydrate form. Higher granulation solution amounts and faster addition, faster impeller speeds, and solution binder produced larger, denser and stronger (less friable) granules. All granules were compressed into tablets with acceptable TS. Contrary to what is normally observed, denser and larger granules (at ≥21% water level) produced tablets with a higher TS. The TS of the weakest tablets increased the most after storage at both 25 °C/60% RH and 40 °C/75% RH. Tablet DT was higher for stronger granules and after storage. Tablet dissolution profiles for 21% or less water were comparable and did not change on stability. However, the dissolution profile for tablets prepared with 24% water was slower initially and continued to decrease on stability. The results indicate a granulation water amount of not more than 21% is required to achieve acceptable tablet properties. This study clearly demonstrated the utility of dextrose monohydrate as a non-animal sourced diluent in a HSWG tablet formulation.

Feasibility of mini-tablets as a flexible drug delivery tool.

Mini-tablets have potential applications as a flexible drug delivery tool in addition to their generally perceived use as multi-particulates. That is, mini-tablets could provide flexibility in dose finding studies and/or allow for combination therapies in the clinic. Moreover, mini-tablets with well controlled quality attributes could be a prudent choice for administering solid dosage forms as a single unit or composite of multiple mini-tablets in patient populations with swallowing difficulties (e.g., pediatric and geriatric populations). This work demonstrated drug substance particle size and concentration ranges that achieve acceptable mini-tablet quality attributes for use as a single or composite dosage unit. Immediate release and orally disintegrating mini-tablet formulations with 30µm to 350µm (particle size d90) acetaminophen and Compap™ L (90% acetaminophen) at concentrations equivalent to 6.7% and 26.7% acetaminophen were evaluated. Mini-tablets achieved acceptable weight variability, tensile strength, friability, and disintegration time at a reasonable solid fraction for each formulation. The content uniformity was acceptable for mini-tablets of 6.7% formulations with ≤170µm drug substance, mini-tablets of all 26.7% formulations, and composite dosage units containing five or more mini-tablets of any formulation. Results supported the manufacturing feasibility of quality mini-tablets, and their applicability as a flexible drug delivery tool.

High performance liquid chromatographic enantioseparation development and analytical method characterization of the carboxylate ester of evacetrapib using an immobilized chiral stationary phase with a non-conventional eluent system.

Using multiple HPLC chromatographic modes and various chiral columns in the context of an automated screening system, a potential separation was initially identified for the methyl ester of evacetrapib and its stereoisomers using an immobilized polysaccharide-based HPLC column. The bonded nature of this column, the Chiralpak(®) IC, allows for enhanced separation development with a diverse solvent range not amenable to standard coated chiral stationary phases. The ternary eluent system ultimately identified provided isomer resolutions not obtainable via the more established hexane/alcohol or polar organic chromatographic modes. A systematic separation development process is described, first for the resolution of the isomers, and later incorporating five potential impurities. A robust separation system was eventually developed that effectively resolves all compounds within a reasonable analysis time.

Structure-activity relationship studies of carboxamido-biaryl ethers as opioid receptor antagonists (OpRAs). Part 1.

A structurally unique and new class of opioid receptor antagonists (OpRAs) that bear no structural resemblance with morphine or endogenous opioid peptides has been discovered. A series of carboxamido-biaryl ethers were identified as potent receptor antagonists against mu, kappa and delta opioid receptors. The structure-activity relationship indicated para-substituted aryloxyaryl primary carboxamide bearing an amine tether on the distal phenyl ring was optimal for potent in vitro functional antagonism against three opioid receptor subtypes.