Featured Pharma Online Editorial

1. FDA Updates Guidance For Investigating OOS Test Results for Pharma Production 6/24/2022

   FDA's CDER has released a guidance sharing the agency's recommendations on how to evaluate out-of-specification (OOS) test results, including the responsibilities of lab personnel, the lab phase of the investigation, additional testing that may be necessary, when to expand the investigation outside the lab, and the final evaluation of all test results.

2. FDA Proposes Benefit-Risk Considerations For Product Quality Assessments 6/20/2022

   The FDA recently released for public comment Benefit-Risk Considerations for Product Quality Assessments: Guidance for Industry. Mark Durivage breaks down the guidance and how the FDA considers and assesses risks, sources of uncertainty, and possible mitigation strategies for product quality-related issues and how unresolved product quality issues may be addressed.

3. How To Navigate Drug Repurposing And Bridging Studies 6/17/2022

   Rarely is a new drug the optimal version of that product, and drug companies often search for new uses, new users, or new dosage forms of an approved product after it hits the market in what is commonly known as “drug repurposing.” To receive FDA approval for a repurposed drug, companies must submit bridging studies that often include clinical trials. 

4. How To Navigate The Patenting Challenges Of AI-Assisted Drug Discovery 6/17/2022

   With “low hanging fruit” drugs already in the market, biopharma companies are finding it more difficult to discover the next blockbuster treatment. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a new arrow in the drug discovery quiver. But how do you patent AI-assisted drug discovery? Attorneys from Haynes Boone provide recommendations.

5. FDA Publishes Guidance For Biopharma Container And Carton Label Design 6/13/2022

   The scope of this new FDA guidance includes prescription drug products marketed under an approved NDA or ANDA, prescription drugs marketed without an approved application, and biological products marketed under an approved BLA, but the principles may apply to OTC, compounded, or investigational products.

6. FDA Finds Drug Shortages Are Mostly Caused By Quality Issues 6/6/2022

   New FDA guidance on risk management plans (RMPs) to mitigate the potential for drug shortages recommends an RMP for drugs that treat rare diseases and conditions, drugs with no alternatives, sole source products, products with only one API or manufacturing site available, and drugs made in facilities where an Official Action Indicated has been issued.

7. The Growing Value of Quality & Compliance Professionals in Decentralized Pharma 5/25/2022

   The phrase “the pharma ecosystem” has begun to pop up. Who is best suited to envision, support, and strategize a quality management vision in our current “ecosystem”? Here are some reasons your company and employees should value the unique skillset of these individuals more than ever.

8. Make This Your New EU IDMP Implementation Strategy 5/9/2022

   Just when the life sciences industry was as sure as it could be that EU Iteration 1 of ISO Identification of Medicinal Products (IDMP) implementation for centralized procedures in Europe was ready to go, the EMA announced a change of plan. Until further notice, the Digital Application Dataset Integration (DADI) user interface will be used to enable structured data submissions.

9. Don’t Neglect This Drug Development Milestone: The Pre-IND Meeting 5/3/2022

   The pre-IND meeting takes place when a sponsor presents their planned Phase 1 study design, including their proposed product development plan and regulatory strategy, to the FDA. Think of this as a necessary milestone for a quicker development timeline. This article shares best practices for preparing for the meeting as well as for the meeting itself.

10. Biopharma Patents: Satisfying Descriptions For Claimed Ranges 4/11/2022

    In pharma patents, ranges are often recited in patent claims to broaden the scope of the claim coverage. Claims may also include a temperature range or pH range used in making a drug. This article shares the key takeaway for industry from a recently decided court case.