Process Simulation Testing for Aseptically Filled Products; An In-depth Examination of the Latest Product Sterility Assurance Levels Prescribed by GMPs

Why Should You Attend:

Sterile products may be broadly classified into two main categories based on their production mode -- those that are terminally sterilized following the filling and sealing of the container and those that are aseptically sterilized, that is, filter sterilized as a bulk product, filled, and then sealed. Aseptic processes play a critical role with large molecules that cannot be terminally sterilized. The verification of the process to produce sterile product is evaluated by the demonstration of various media fill process simulations that will vary in both numbers and size of the containers as well as the volumes filled over a defined period.

Products that have historically been aseptically filled have relied upon the use of USP <71> Sterility Tests to demonstrate sterility. However, since no more than 20 containers are tested per media regardless of the production lot size, the use of sterility tests does not provide a high degree of sterility assurance (SAL). Thus, media fills are now utilized to simulate the actual fills and to demonstrate at least a 10-3 sterility assurance level of no contamination. If the facility uses RABS or isolators, a SAL of 10-5 to 10-6 is even possible since the interactions with personnel and the environment decrease markedly.

Media fills are required during the commissioning of an aseptic operation within a new facility, when a new container configuration (volume or neck size) or other unique activities associated with aseptic filling occurs. Following the on-going performance of a new aseptic filling line, a requalification is required at six-month intervals.

Areas Covered in the Webinar:

• Review aseptic processing media simulations to include the theory behind the concept.
• Review the scientific knowledge and Quality risk management concepts involved in developing a media fill and the interpretation of the results.
• Review aseptic processing media simulations to include various process variations to include lyophilization.
• Examine why planned and unplanned media fill interruptions are a critical component of any simulation.
• Explain why environmental monitoring is an important element of process simulations.
• Review the issues of growth promotion testing and the necessity of having qualified personnel read the media fills.
• Learn how to “work through” media fill failures.
• The role of microbial identification in media fill failures.
• Case studies of Warning Letters involving media fills.
• How to gain the most information possible from each aseptic processing media simulation.

Who Will Benefit:

• Aseptic Processing
• Manufacturing
• Quality Control
• Quality Assurance
• Regulatory Compliance
• Microbiology
• Validation
• Research and Development
• Project Management

Barry A. Friedman
Consultant in Biotechnology, Regulatory Compliance and Aseptic Processing Arena

Barry A. Friedman, Ph.D., is a Senior Consultant in the Biotechnology, Regulatory Compliance, Microbiology and Aseptic Processing arena. Dr. Friedman has over 30 years of industrial managerial experience in various aspects of biopharmaceuticals and medical devices to include regulatory compliance, expert witness assistance, quality control, sterility assurance, microbiological/analytical validations and fermentation technology.

From 2000 to 2007, Dr. Friedman was associated with Cambrex Bio Science Baltimore, a contract manufacturer of GMP bulk biopharmaceuticals located in Baltimore, MD. In that capacity as the Director, Quality Control, he managed a multi-shift Department of thirty one individuals involved in Client management, the receipt and testing of raw materials, environmental monitoring and microbiology, analytical chemistry and QC compliance for the production of Phase 1, 2, 3 and commercial products manufactured from bacteria, yeast and mammalian cells. In this capacity Dr Friedman enjoyed many client and regulatory compliance interactions.

In addition to the associations listed above, other associations have included Chesapeake Biological Laboratories, W.R. Grace, Sigma Chemical Co., Sherwood Medical, Becton Dickinson, American Cyanamid and Union Carbide.

Dr. Friedman is a frequent seminar and webinar speaker and specializes in the areas of regulatory compliance, internal auditing, aseptic processing for sterile drug products, USP and Warning Letter “dissection”, multi-departmental interactions, validations and the requirements for the manufacture of Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trial materials. He has recently given presentations for the FDA, PDA, PTi, TungstenShield (PharmaWebinars), IPA (Canada), Executive Conference Corp, Compliance On-Line and Pharmig (UK).

Dr. Friedman maintains an active Blog (www.barryafriedmanphdllc.com) that contains over 200 Blogs that address various Warning Letter and FDA 483 issues as well as over 1,500 “Search” terms to assist with finding the appropriate Warning Letter and FDA 483. He is a member of ASM, PDA and RAPs. He served as a Captain in the Medical Service Corps, U.S. Army and is the past President and current Treasurer of the Capital Area Chapter, PDA. He recently received the James Agalloco award from PDA which is awarded to a PDA faculty member who exemplifies outstanding performance in education.

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