Inter-Laboratory Method Transfer

Inter-Laboratory Method Transfer

Dr. Ludwig Huber

[email protected]

RACI Conference - Chemical Analyses

© Copyright Ludwig Huber - LabCompliance Slide 2

Overview

• Regulatory expectations

• Four approaches for analytical method transfer

• Experiments and acceptance criteria for comparative testing

• •Effective planning, execution and documentation of method transfer


Occurrence of Method Transfer• Sponsor company to contract lab• Analytical development to QC labs• Across different sites

– The same lab conditions– Different lab conditions

• Existing to new instrumentation– With different specifications– With different technology

• Supplier of material to client• Transfer to new instruments with different instrument

characteristics


Transfer of Analytical Procedures Definition According to USP <1224>

• The transfer of analytical procedures (TAP), also referred to as method transfer, is a documented process that qualifies a laboratory (the receiving unit) to use an analytical test procedure that originated in an other laboratory (the transferring unit, also referred as the sending unit),

• Thus ensuring that the receiving unit has the procedural knowledge and ability to perform the transferred analytical .procedure as intended.


Why Controlled Method Transfer

• Expected by agencies– The suitability of all testing methods used shall

be verified under actual condition of use• Reduces failure rate• Improves the quality of the testing at

the new place

Problems can come up due to different equipment, different analysts and lab environment


FDA CGMP Regulation -21 CFR Part 211.194 (a) (2)• Laboratory records shall include a statement of

each method used in the testing of the sample. • The statement shall indicate the location of data

that establish that the methods used in the testing of the sample meet proper standards of accuracy and reliability as applied to the product tested

• The suitability of all testing methods used shall be verified under actual condition of use.


FDA Warning Letter

• The firm failed to perform finished product test method transfers for 34 products (W-187)

• The firm has failed to perform method validations, method verifications, or method transfers for any of the laboratory test methods used to test active pharmaceutical ingredients (W-187)

Ref: www.fdawarningletter.com


Warning Letter

• Failure to establish and document the accuracy and reproducibility of test methods employed. (W-186)

• For example, methods that were validated at one facility and transferred to xxx site are being used without a methods transfer or revalidation protocol. (W-186)

Ref: www.fdawarningletter.com


USP Chapter <1224>; Risk Based Approach for Transfer of Analytical Procedures:

• Concept Paper Published in Pharmacopeial Forum, Nov 2009• Draft Chapter published in Pharmacopeial Forum , Jan 2011• Final chapter for USP 35 (May 1, 2012)• Content

– Focus on risk based approach– Discussion of 4 types of analytical transfer– Elements recommended for transfer of analytical procedures– Emphasizes importance of transfer protocol– The analytical procedure and report


USP Chapter <1224>; Risk Based Approach for Transfer of Analytical Procedures

• The tests that will be transferred, the extent of the transfer activities, and the implementation strategy should be based on risk analysis that considers the– previous experience and – knowledge of the receiving unit– the complexity and– specifications of the product, and – the procedure


Options for Method Transfer

• Comparative Testing• Co-validation• Complete or partial validation or revalidation• Omission of formal transfer (waiver)

Criteria: type of method (simple, complex), experience and capabilities of receiving lab


Co-validation• Receiving lab is part of original method validation

• Transferring and receiving lab conduct the same validation experiments

• Useful for methods not (fully) validated

• Must be based on pre-approved validation protocols and acceptance criteria

• Should challenge all USP or ICH validation parameters

• Include receiving lab in validation through inter-laboratory tests.

• Ensures harmonization of method at both sites

A site that performs validation studies is qualified to run the method


Full or Partial Revalidation

• Received lab repeats some or all of the validation experiment

• Done after initial method validation • Validation parameters depend on the method e.g.,

– Limit selectivity and limit quantitation for impurities

– Precision for content uniformity assays

Similar process as verification of compendial methods


Transfer Waivers• Method is used without dedicated transfer testing• Reasons should be well justified and documented

– The new product’s composition is comparable to that of an existing product and/or the concentration of active ingredient is similar to that of an existing product and is analyzed by procedures with which the receiving unit already has experience

– The analytical procedure transferred is the same as or very similar to a procedure already in use

– The personnel in charge of the development, validation or routine analysis of the product at the transferring unit are moved to the receiving unit

– Transfer of compendial methods (refer to USP <1226>)

Waiver should be well justified and documented


Comparative Testing

• Most frequently used• The same tests are carried out by both labs • Should only be performed with validated methods• Based on pre-approved transfer protocol (TAP)• Predetermined number of samples of the same lot• Well defined test procedures and acceptance

criteria, including acceptable variability• Results are compared with a set of pre-

determined acceptance criteria


Prerequisitesfor Successful Method Transfer

• Analytical method validated– Includes ruggedness testing– Includes robustness testing

• Scope well defined– Sample, matrix– Performance characteristics, acceptance criteria– Equipment


Required Documents• Transfer Master Plan (TMP) used as frame work• Transfer project plan or method transfer protocol

(MTP)– Approach for controlled transfer and justification

• SOPS for step-by-step implementation• Templates and forms for efficiency and consistency• Analytical procedure• Original validation report• Historical data on method reliability and performance

(to identify greatest causes of variance)


Transfer Plan or MT Protocol • Reason and purpose of the transfer

• Scope of the plan and method transfer

• The approach

• Description of transfer process

• Responsibilities

– Transferring, receiving labs, project owners, QA

• Assumptions

– E.g., Analysts in the receiving lab not familiar with the method

• Training details

• Test Plan

MTP = Method Transfer Protocol


Test Plan

• Tests to be performed and test parameters• Rational behind tests• Description of materials and samples• Description of equipment• Number of lots, batches replicates, injections• Pitfalls that may be encountered • Test schedule • Acceptance criteria• Documentation, approvals


Responsibilities Project Owners

• Transferring lab– Develops transfer plan– Develops for procedures for comparative testing– Arranges equipment for training and testing– Arranges for people for training and testing– Arranges for preparation of test sample(s)– Documents comparative sample testing

• Receiving Labs– Arranges for equipment for training and testing– Arranges for people for training and testing– Documents comparative sample testing


Responsibilities of Analysts

• Transferring lab– Train analysts in receiving laboratories– Perform and document comparative sample testing– Sign test results– Share experience with test method

• Receiving Labs– Get trained on method– Perform comparative sample testing– Sign test results– Give feedback on test method


Other Responsibilities

• Lab supervisor– Designate project owner– Provide resources for testing – Review and approve validation documents

• Quality Assurance– Review and approve transfer plan– Review and approve validation documents

At transferring and receiving lab


Steps for Comparative Testing

• Develop and approve a test plan• Order missing equipment and materials• Training• Concurrent execution of the protocol• Evaluation of test results

– Compare with acceptance criteria• Resolution of deviations, if there are any• Gather all required documents• Write method transfer report (MTR)


Considerations for Testing

• Number of samples (1-3)• One or more concentrations (1-3)• Number of repetitive analysis / sample (4-6)• One or more analysts? (1-2)• One or more days? (2-5)• Equipment from one or more

manufacturers? (1 - all)


Evaluation of Test Results

Direct comparison with acceptance criteria•Based on product release criteria•Based on criteria for method validation

– Accuracy, precision, specificity

Use of statistics will build objectivity into the test result and allow unbiased comparison of data sets


Example: API in Finished DrugsSample Amount

% of test concentration

MeasureAcceptance as

% of targetResults

50%Accuracy

3 replicatesAll 97 - 103

#1: 98#2: 99#3: 99

100%Accuracy


#1: 101#2: 100#3: 101

150%Accuracy

3 replicatesAll 98 -102

#1: 101#2: 99

#3: 100

System Suitability Tests must pass•Resolution between two most critical compounds >2•Precision of amounts based on 6 sample runs: RSD < 1% for 100% of test concentration


Example: Quantitative Impurities

Sample Amount MeasureAcceptance as

% of targetResults

At LOQ= 0.5 x specification

limit

Accuracy 3 replicates

All 85 - 115#1: 96#2: 98

#3: 108

At 5 x LOQAccuracy


#1: 98#2: 103#3: 99

At 20 x LOQAccuracy

3 replicatesAll 96 -104

#1: 101#2: 99

#3: 100

System Suitability Tests must pass•Resolution between two most critical compounds >2•Precision of amounts based on 6 sample runs: RSD < 4% for 5x LOQ

© Copyright Ludwig Huber - LabCompliance

Check Variability by Operator, Instrument and Day

Sample Instrument Operator Day

100% conc. (3x) 1 1 1

100% conc. (3x) 1 2 2

100% conc. (3x) 1 3 3

100% conc. (3x) 2 1 2

100% conc. (3x) 2 2 3

100% conc. (3x) 2 3 1

Ludwig Huber

Two instruments, two operators, three days

Example: API in finished drugs, 100% of test concentration•Acceptance: RSD < 2%


Review and Approvals

• Transfer plan and result has to be accepted by both laboratories

• Approval of the result by at least– The test person– Technical supervisor – QA

• Review and acceptance by all responsible people


Recommendations for Deviations• If the tests don’t pass acceptance criteria, identify the

source of the problem• Develop corrective action plan

– Provide additional training– Use other equipment

• Update the procedure• Repeat the tests• If successful, document initial results, corrective

actions and final results• If not successful, develop alternative procedure


Method Transfer Report

Report items and format to be specified in the study transfer plan

• Summary of method familiarization results• Detailed results of transfer study• Description of any deviations and from expected results

and how they have been resolved• Signatures of individuals responsible for transfer studies• Copies of supporting material, e.g., chromatograms and

spectra• Conclusion and assessment of the transfer study results


Thank YouI would like to thank • All attendees for your attention• Agilent Technologies for invitation and organizatopn

Offer expires on March 10, 2014

Give feedback and choose any two from over 150 documents(value: $138) for free: SOPS and/or Validation examples.GOTO: www.labcompliance.com/misc/conferences/feedback.aspx

For links to Method Validation references, please checkwww.labcompliance.com/agilent(Available until March 10, 2014)

Inter-Laboratory Method Transfer

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