Abstract
This revised extractables protocol for polymeric single-use components in biopharmaceutical manufacturing is based on an extensive scientific review and represents the combined opinion of the biopharmaceutical manufacturers and, crucially, the supply chain. It will reduce costs and focus people on the important data points. The protocol provides guidance on the suggested methods for extractables studies, including sample preparation, extraction conditions, recording test-article sampling conditions, and reporting data from the analysis of extracts. Flexibility is built-in, allowing suppliers to alter many study parameters due to restrictions based on the use of SUS, physical form factor, chemical compatibilities, etc. The new protocol includes significant changes to the 2014 version, including the removal of 5M sodium chloride and 1% Polysorbate 80 as extraction solvents, the elimination of the time-point zero interval, and the elimination of elemental analysis of 50% Ethanol extracts.
Abstract
Extractable and leachable (E&L) compounds associated with the use of polymeric single-use systems (SUS) are of primary concern due to their direct impact on product and patient safety. The 2014 Biophorum extractables protocol provided a standardized framework to conduct E&L testing and has been widely used by SUS suppliers as well as the end-user biomanufacturing companies. Since its implementation, several concerns associated with the testing methods proposed in the protocol have been raised by testing laboratories. A comprehensive review of the data generated using the 2014 BioPhorum extractables protocol was initiated by Biophorum’s Extractables and Leachables workstream to mitigate these concerns. This document aims to summarize the findings of the data review and make scientific, data-driven recommendations to address specific concerns about extraction solvents and testing timepoints. This review established that certain extraction solvents (5M Sodium Chloride and 1% Polysorbate 80) and timepoints (Time 0) proposed in the testing matrix of the 2014 protocol added limited value to determination of the full extractables profile. Such trends were observed for organic and elemental extractables alike. Based on these findings, specific recommendations about elimination of these solvents and timepoints are outlined in this document.
Abstract
Consistent reporting and presentation of extractable data by suppliers is critical to the fast and reliable assessment of single use systems by users for new solutions. The BioPhorum approach to reporting and presenting extractable data is now the industry standard and adoption of this approach enables all single use suppliers to fit together in an industry ecosystem that effectively supports the continued growth of adoption of single use technologies in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This pack contains a guide and documents to help single use suppliers and integrators set up their webpages papers and present their extractable data in a way that aligns with the industry standard and extends the ecosystem. Once implemented this approach enables integrators and biomanufacturers to build an extractables profile for a system without needing to transcribe the data, saving time on new designs and minimising the need for expensive custom extractable studies.
