Critical Environments Columns

61. Cleanroom Gowning Programs Compliant With EU GMP Annex 1 12/15/2022

    Part 1 of this article series provided an overview of cleanroom gowning per the revised EU GMP Annex 1. This article focuses on establishing an aseptic personnel gowning program compliant with the Annex.

62. Cleanroom Gowning Compliant With EU GMP Annex 1: An Overview 12/1/2022

    This article focuses on cleanroom gowning as it pertains to aseptic manufacturing of medicinal products and the updates to gowning requirements in the revised EU GMP Annex 1 document published in August 2022.

63. Calculating Process Capability Of Cleaning Processes With Completely Censored Data 10/31/2022

    Data below the detection limit (DL) are known as left-censored data. Quite often, 100% of the results of the cleaning samples fall below the DL. How can cleaning process capability be calculated in such situations? This article explores several approaches.

64. Pharma Process Validation: Initial Conclusions Are Often Deceptive 9/26/2022

    As a pharmaceutical consultant, this author has observed many pharma process validation outcomes. In this article, he provides insights into two recent process validation problems that could have been avoided with an enhanced developmental approach and a greater understanding of the impact of CMAs and CPPs.

65. 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.

66. A Practical Guide To Navigate The EU's Revised GMP Annex 1 9/9/2022

    The EU's final version of the GMP Annex 1 is now published, and it's time to take action. This article shares a road map to navigate what is new and different, how to document your "known unknowns," and more. Quality risk management and a contamination control strategy will be key.

67. Replacing The MAC/MACO With The MSC: Rethinking How Cleaning Validation Limits Are Calculated 8/31/2022

    Two of the most commonly used terms used in pharmaceutical cleaning validation are the Maximum Allowable Carryover (MAC or MACO) and the Maximum Safe Carryover (MSC). This article provides the historical development of both terms and why we should replace the MAC/MACO with the MSC.

68. The Environmental Impact Of Biopharma Continuous Manufacturing 8/8/2022

    One aspect of biopharma continuous manufacturing (BCM) often overlooked is its environmental impact compared to that of a similar batch process. In comparing the two, there is much that needs to be considered. This article is the first in a two-article series and discusses key considerations of both processes and provides a deep-dive into water usage.

69. Mold Investigations Using Biofluorescent Particle Counting Systems 6/27/2022

    In the world of environmental monitoring in pharma manufacturing, it is common to rely on methods requiring media and subsequent incubation to detect microorganisms. For more extensive contamination events (e.g., mold occurrence), it is common to perform additional evaluations that can lead to extended downtime. 

70. AstraZeneca Implements A "Technology Uplift" Of Its Microbiology Labs 5/31/2022

    Modern microbiology labs are busy, with a wide range of activities taking place from final product testing to auxiliary support such as quality control release checks on nutrient media. While instruments and equipment available to technicians can vary, AstraZeneca wanted a networkwide approach to modernizing its labs.