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FDA’s Shift to One Pivotal Trial for Drug Approval: Regulatory Strategy Implications for Sponsors

In a move that could reshape modern drug development, on February 19, 2026, FDA formally confirmed that one adequate and well-controlled pivotal trial may now serve as the default basis for drug approval, rather than the long-standing expectation of two. The announcement and all accompanying...

Quality & Compliance

The Difference Between Quality and Compliance

In case you haven’t noticed, FDA is tired of being the “bad guy”. While they do not back-off of their responsibility to enforce the applicable Code of Federal Regulations for a millisecond, their...

Quality & Compliance

GAMP® 5 Concept 2 – System Life Cycle

So far in our series on GAMP 5 we’ve provided a high level overview of the five major GAMP concepts, and a more in depth discussion of Concept 1, Process Knowledge and Understanding. In this...

Quality & Compliance

CMO Selection Process

Today, more pharmaceutical companies are turning to outsourcing their products as a strategic part of their business model. There are a number of drivers for this shift to soliciting the services of...

Who Owns Quality?

When it comes to the Healthcare industry (e.g. pharmaceuticals, medical devices, dietary supplements, etc.) who owns a company's Quality Assurance practices? Without a doubt the Quality organization...

Challenges When Qualifying a GMP Analytical Laboratory

Expanding an existing lab or establishing a new lab is an exciting time; new equipment, new facility, a fresh start. The key to having a successful laboratory qualification project is communication...

Quality & Compliance

The Cost of Inadequately Scheduling Cleaning Validation

Ever wonder why some—most—projects don’t go as planned? Let me take a chance at explaining what I have observed in the last few decades. Firstly, let us assume that you have contracted a well-known...

Assay Streamlining, Benefits and Drawbacks

As a biopharmaceutical company matures and new products are added to its portfolio, expansion of its facilities, systems and Quality Control is a natural outcome. The growth in the Quality Control...

Quality & Compliance

GAMP® 5 Concept – Process Understanding

In my previous blog I re-visited key GAMP® 5 concepts as they relate to establishing a compliant system validation methodology. My next few blogs will focus on each of these concepts in more detail....

Regulatory Sciences

Monoclonal Antibody Sameness - Effects on Orphan Drug Development

We note with interest FDA’s recently released Guidance for Industry: Interpreting Sameness of Monoclonal Antibody Products Under the Orphan Drug Regulations (April 2014). The guidance summarizes the...

Risk Assessments Mitigate Risk for Bigger and Smaller Companies Alike

Earlier this year, the Officer of Inspector General (OIG) put smaller life sciences companies on notice that they should put in place a risk assessment process as part of their corporate compliance...

Quality & Compliance

Outsourcing Facilities and GMP: A New Relationship

Compounding is a practice in which a licensed pharmacist, a licensed physician, or, in the case of an outsourcing facility, a person under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, combines, mixes,...

Quality & Compliance

Post-Validation: Gate Nine of the Nine Gate Transfer Process

As the pharmaceutical supply chain evolves, at some point product/technology transfers will become part of the improvement process. When transferring production from site to site, an array of complex...

Quality & Compliance

Manage Speaker Program Risk More Effectively with a Needs Assessment

Over the past several years, pharmaceutical company Corporate Integrity Agreements (CIAs) have routinely required needs assessments in connection with the engagement of healthcare professionals...

Quality & Compliance

Quality System Professionals: Learn how to Speak “Executive-ese”

It is amazing to me that more C-Level Executives do not perceive their Quality Systems as a powerful vehicle to reduce costs, improve productivity, and benefit their bottom line. Rather than embrace...

Regulatory Sciences

FDA Thinking on Biosimilar Immunogenicity Issues - A Case Study Based on the Enoxaparin ANDA Approval

Following extensive marketing of Lovenox® (enoxaparin sodium), a low-molecular weight heparin, a number of biosimilar versions of enoxaparin and one ANDA-approved formulation (enoxaparin sodium,...

What to Expect During the NDA Review Process

Compiling and submitting a New Drug Application (NDA) submission is a complicated and intensive activity. Once you have submitted your application to FDA, you may be curious about what can you expect...

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The End of the FDA's Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program

What’s Next for Rare Disease Innovation? For children suffering from rare and often life-threatening diseases, access to new and effective treatments can mean the difference between life and death....

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Safety Data Exchange Agreements (SDEAs) and Pharmacovigilance Agreements (PVAs) – An Overview

A Safety Data Exchange Agreement (SDEA) or Pharmacovigilance Agreement (PVA) is a legal written contract which ensures that all safety data, PV tasks and responsibilities are detailed between two or...

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FDA's Expedited Programs Explained

In order to incentivize the development of therapies (drugs biologics) to fill unmet medical needs for treatment of serious conditions, the FDA has developed various programs to expedite drug...

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What are Patient Support Programs?

Patient Support Programs (PSPs)  in the pharmaceutical sector offer a range of services to help patients start and adhere to their therapies, including Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs), patient...

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Regulatory Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC): What to Expect During Drug Development

The key to successful drug development in the US is directional and focused navigation of FDA’s Investigational New Drug (IND) process. The Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) section is a...