Scope

Draft guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024

21

Key Points: 
    • 21

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating
      therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products
      (OIP) for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD)

      22

      Table of contents

      23

      Executive summary ..................................................................................... 4

      24

      1.

    • Primary PK parameters to be analysed and acceptance criteria .............................. 14

      43

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      51

      6.4.

    • Definitions ........................................................................................... 18

      56

      List of Abbreviations.................................................................................. 20

      57

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      58

      Executive summary

      59

      This guideline is the 2nd revision of the CHMP Guideline formerly called ?Guideline on the requirements

      60

      for clinical documentation for orally inhaled products (OIP) including the requirements for

      61

      demonstration of therapeutic equivalence between two inhaled products for use in the treatment of

      62

      asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults and for use in the treatment of

      63

      asthma in children and adolescents?.

    • It addresses the requirements for demonstration of therapeutic

      64

      equivalence (TE) between orally inhaled products containing the same active moiety(ies).

    • It is generally not recommended to aim at demonstrating TE using pharmacodynamic

      70

      or clinical endpoints as these are deemed insensitive.

    • This

      83

      guideline is directed particularly at the requirements for demonstrating TE between OIPs containing the

      84

      same active moiety(ies) and used in the management and treatment of patients with asthma and/or

      85

      COPD.

    • 86

      The guideline was first published as points to consider in 2004 and revised for the first time and

      87

      became guideline in 2009.

    • Since then, a number of Q&A documents have been published by Quality

      88

      Working Party (QWP) and former Pharmacokinetic Working Party (PKWP).

    • Scope

      93

      This document provides guidance on the requirements for demonstrating TE between OIPs, including

      94

      both, single active substance products and combination products.

    • Also, in the case that there is a need

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      98

      to confirm similarity to a product for which literature data is available (e.g., well-established use

      99

      applications), the same principles apply.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      132

      4.

    • Products for nebulisation

      177

      This guideline applies also for products for nebulisation although it is acknowledged that the

      178

      performance of these is highly dependent on the nebuliser used.

    • In vitro criteria for demonstrating TE

      206

      The test and reference products should be compared in order to conclude on TE.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      211
      212

      2.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      353

      6.2.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      392

      6.3.

    • If the
      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      432

      different strengths of the test and the reference product are not shown to be proportional in vitro, in

      433

      vivo equivalence should be demonstrated with a bracketing approach.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      471

      6.4.

    • Griffin, 1964

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      553

      which both reference product-na?ve and experienced users should be included.

    • 568

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      569

      10.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      Product strength

      Product strength may be either the delivered
      dose or the metered dose.

    • 570

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      571

      List of Abbreviations
      APSD

      Aerodynamic Particle Size Distribution

      AUC

      Area Under the Curve

      CHMP

      Committee for Medicinal Products for Human
      Use

      CI

      Confidence Interval

      Cmax

      Peak concentration

      COPD

      Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

      DPI

      Dry Powder Inhaler

      FPD

      Fine Particle Dose

      GI

      Gastrointestinal

      ICH

      International Conference on Harmonisation

      IVIVC

      In vitro in vivo correlation

      MDI

      Metered Dose Inhaler

      OIP

      Orally Inhaled Product

      PD

      Pharmacodynamic

      PK

      Pharmacokinetic

      pMDI

      Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler

      QWP

      Quality Working Party

      SmPC

      Summary of Product Characteristics

      TE

      Therapeutic equivalence

      tmax

      Time to peak concentration

      572

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

Draft guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024

17

Key Points: 
    • 17

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and
      nasal medicinal products

      18

      Table of contents

      19

      Executive summary ..................................................................................... 3

      20

      1.

    • Lifecycle management ........................................................................................ 28

      49

      Definitions ................................................................................................. 29

      16

      50
      51

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 2/30

      52

      Executive summary

      53

      This guideline is the first revision of the guideline on pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal

      54

      products (EMEA/CHMP/QWP/49313/2005 Corr).

    • Quality aspects specific to inhalation and nasal medicinal products are discussed, the need for

      66

      safety testing (e.g., for excipients and leachables) is also considered.

    • 69

      Detailed guidance on pharmaceutical development study designs (e.g., priming studies) and the

      70

      analytical procedures primarily used for inhalation and nasal medicinal products (e.g., cascade

      71

      impactor analysis) is not included in this guideline.

    • Scope

      74

      The guideline addresses requirements "on the quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products" in

      75

      new marketing authorisation applications, including abridged applications.

    • Liquid inhalation anaesthetics and nasal ointments, creams and gels are

      88

      excluded, however the general principles described in this guideline should be considered.

    • 118

      Different polymorphic forms including any amorphous content could affect the quality or performance

      119

      of the finished medicinal product.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 4/30

      132

      The primary packaging, type of inhaler and, if necessary, the secondary packaging or other

      133

      components required for reasons of stability should be described.

    • Pharmaceutical
      development study

      (a) Physical
      characterisation
      (b) Minimum fill
      justification
      (c) Extractable
      volume

      Pressurised

      Dry powder

      Preparations for

      Non-

      metered-

      inhalers (DPI)

      nebulisation

      pressurised

      dose

      metered-

      Device-

      Pre-

      Single-

      Multi-

      (pMDI)

      metered

      metered

      dose

      dose

      inhalers

      Yesa

      Yes

      Yes

      Yesa

      Yesa

      Yesa

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      No

      Yes

      No

      No

      inhalers

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      dose

      Page 5/30

      Table 4.2.1.

    • The last doses delivered by

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 7/30

      179

      the inhaler as defined by the label claim, should meet the finished medicinal product specification limits

      180

      for delivered dose and fine particle dose.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 9/30

      263
      264

      4.2.2.8.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 11/30

      345

      Instructions regarding cold temperature use should be provided in the product information.

    • Finished medicinal
      product

      Pressurised

      Dry powder inhalers

      Preparations for

      metered-

      (DPI)

      nebulisation

      dose

      Nonpressurised
      metered-dose

      Device-

      Pre-

      Single-

      Multi-

      (pMDI)

      metered

      metered

      dose

      dose

      inhalers

      (a) Description

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      (b) Assay

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      (c) Moisture content

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      Yes

      specification test

      (d) Mean delivered
      dose
      (e) Uniformity of
      delivered dose

      inhalers

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 15/30

      Table 4.2.2.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 16/30

      510

      4.2.5.4.

    • The proposed specification limits should take into account the shelf-life performance of the
      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 17/30

      552

      medicinal product.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 18/30

      586

      All medical devices, including inhalers and nasal devices, have to fulfil the general requirements as

      587

      outlined in the Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745.

    • Stability (CTD 3.2.P.8)

      598

      All inhalation medicinal products should be tested on stability against the stability indicating tests

      599

      included in the finished medicinal product specification.

    • Quality data requirements as

      619

      described in this guideline should be met, supplemented by appropriate comparative quality and

      620

      clinical data with respect to the chosen reference medicinal product.

    • 621

      For inhalation medicinal products comparative in vitro data between the abridged application medicinal

      622

      product and the reference medicinal product must be provided.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 20/30

      670

      Nature and contents of container: The type of the device and its components should be listed.

    • Nasal medicinal products

      695

      Inhalation and nasal medicinal products have many similarities and therefore, most of the

      696

      requirements specified for inhalation medicinal products in section 4 also apply for nasal medicinal

      697

      products.

    • One difference between inhalation and nasal medicinal products is the desired

      698

      particle/droplet size of the finished medicinal product.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 21/30

      704

      5.2.

    • Nasal liquids
      Pharmaceutical
      development
      study

      Pressurised

      Nasal

      metered-

      powders,

      dose nasal

      device-

      spray

      metered

      NonSingledose
      drops

      Multidose
      drops

      Single-

      pressurised

      dose

      multidose

      spray

      metereddose spray

      (a) Physical
      characterisation
      (b) Minimum fill
      justification
      (d) Extractables /
      leachables

      Yesa

      Yes

      Yesa

      Yesa

      Yesa

      Yesa

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      (f) Particle /
      droplet size
      distribution
      (g) Uniformity of
      delivered dose
      through container
      life
      (j) Actuator /
      mouthpiece
      deposition

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 22/30

      Table 5.2.1.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 23/30

      728

      5.2.2.2.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 24/30

      769

      5.2.5.

    • Quality data requirements as described in

      799

      this guideline should be met, supplemented by appropriate comparative quality and clinical data with

      800

      respect to the chosen reference medicinal product.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 27/30

      849

      5.5.

    • 866

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 28/30

      867

      Definitions
      Activation:

      The act of setting in motion the delivery device.

    • Delivery device:

      The sum of component(s) of the container closure system responsible for
      delivering the active substance to the respiratory tract (inhalation medicinal
      product) or the nasal and/or pharyngeal region (nasal medicinal product).

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 29/30

      Label claim:

      The amount of active substance (usually on a per actuation basis) declared
      on the label of the medicinal product.

    • Nasal medicinal

      A finished medicinal product (including the delivery device, where

      product:

      applicable) whose intended site of deposition is the nasal and/or pharyngeal
      region.

    • 868
      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 30/30

Draft guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024

21

Key Points: 
    • 21

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating
      therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products
      (OIP) for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary
      disease (COPD)

      22

      Table of contents

      23

      Executive summary ..................................................................................... 4

      24

      1.

    • Primary PK parameters to be analysed and acceptance criteria .............................. 14

      43

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      51

      6.4.

    • Definitions ........................................................................................... 18

      56

      List of Abbreviations.................................................................................. 20

      57

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      58

      Executive summary

      59

      This guideline is the 2nd revision of the CHMP Guideline formerly called ?Guideline on the requirements

      60

      for clinical documentation for orally inhaled products (OIP) including the requirements for

      61

      demonstration of therapeutic equivalence between two inhaled products for use in the treatment of

      62

      asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults and for use in the treatment of

      63

      asthma in children and adolescents?.

    • It addresses the requirements for demonstration of therapeutic

      64

      equivalence (TE) between orally inhaled products containing the same active moiety(ies).

    • It is generally not recommended to aim at demonstrating TE using pharmacodynamic

      70

      or clinical endpoints as these are deemed insensitive.

    • This

      83

      guideline is directed particularly at the requirements for demonstrating TE between OIPs containing the

      84

      same active moiety(ies) and used in the management and treatment of patients with asthma and/or

      85

      COPD.

    • 86

      The guideline was first published as points to consider in 2004 and revised for the first time and

      87

      became guideline in 2009.

    • Since then, a number of Q&A documents have been published by Quality

      88

      Working Party (QWP) and former Pharmacokinetic Working Party (PKWP).

    • Scope

      93

      This document provides guidance on the requirements for demonstrating TE between OIPs, including

      94

      both, single active substance products and combination products.

    • Also, in the case that there is a need

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      98

      to confirm similarity to a product for which literature data is available (e.g., well-established use

      99

      applications), the same principles apply.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      132

      4.

    • Products for nebulisation

      177

      This guideline applies also for products for nebulisation although it is acknowledged that the

      178

      performance of these is highly dependent on the nebuliser used.

    • In vitro criteria for demonstrating TE

      206

      The test and reference products should be compared in order to conclude on TE.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      211
      212

      2.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      353

      6.2.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      392

      6.3.

    • If the
      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      432

      different strengths of the test and the reference product are not shown to be proportional in vitro, in

      433

      vivo equivalence should be demonstrated with a bracketing approach.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      471

      6.4.

    • Griffin, 1964

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      553

      which both reference product-na?ve and experienced users should be included.

    • 568

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      569

      10.

    • Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      Product strength

      Product strength may be either the delivered
      dose or the metered dose.

    • 570

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

      571

      List of Abbreviations
      APSD

      Aerodynamic Particle Size Distribution

      AUC

      Area Under the Curve

      CHMP

      Committee for Medicinal Products for Human
      Use

      CI

      Confidence Interval

      Cmax

      Peak concentration

      COPD

      Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

      DPI

      Dry Powder Inhaler

      FPD

      Fine Particle Dose

      GI

      Gastrointestinal

      ICH

      International Conference on Harmonisation

      IVIVC

      In vitro in vivo correlation

      MDI

      Metered Dose Inhaler

      OIP

      Orally Inhaled Product

      PD

      Pharmacodynamic

      PK

      Pharmacokinetic

      pMDI

      Pressurised Metered Dose Inhaler

      QWP

      Quality Working Party

      SmPC

      Summary of Product Characteristics

      TE

      Therapeutic equivalence

      tmax

      Time to peak concentration

      572

      Guideline on the requirements for demonstrating therapeutic equivalence between orally inhaled products (OIP) for asthma and
      chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
      EMA/CHMP/101453/2024

Draft guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024

17

Key Points: 
    • 17

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and
      nasal medicinal products

      18

      Table of contents

      19

      Executive summary ..................................................................................... 3

      20

      1.

    • Lifecycle management ........................................................................................ 28

      49

      Definitions ................................................................................................. 29

      16

      50
      51

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 2/30

      52

      Executive summary

      53

      This guideline is the first revision of the guideline on pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal

      54

      products (EMEA/CHMP/QWP/49313/2005 Corr).

    • Quality aspects specific to inhalation and nasal medicinal products are discussed, the need for

      66

      safety testing (e.g., for excipients and leachables) is also considered.

    • 69

      Detailed guidance on pharmaceutical development study designs (e.g., priming studies) and the

      70

      analytical procedures primarily used for inhalation and nasal medicinal products (e.g., cascade

      71

      impactor analysis) is not included in this guideline.

    • Scope

      74

      The guideline addresses requirements "on the quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products" in

      75

      new marketing authorisation applications, including abridged applications.

    • Liquid inhalation anaesthetics and nasal ointments, creams and gels are

      88

      excluded, however the general principles described in this guideline should be considered.

    • 118

      Different polymorphic forms including any amorphous content could affect the quality or performance

      119

      of the finished medicinal product.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 4/30

      132

      The primary packaging, type of inhaler and, if necessary, the secondary packaging or other

      133

      components required for reasons of stability should be described.

    • Pharmaceutical
      development study

      (a) Physical
      characterisation
      (b) Minimum fill
      justification
      (c) Extractable
      volume

      Pressurised

      Dry powder

      Preparations for

      Non-

      metered-

      inhalers (DPI)

      nebulisation

      pressurised

      dose

      metered-

      Device-

      Pre-

      Single-

      Multi-

      (pMDI)

      metered

      metered

      dose

      dose

      inhalers

      Yesa

      Yes

      Yes

      Yesa

      Yesa

      Yesa

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      No

      Yes

      No

      No

      inhalers

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      dose

      Page 5/30

      Table 4.2.1.

    • The last doses delivered by

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 7/30

      179

      the inhaler as defined by the label claim, should meet the finished medicinal product specification limits

      180

      for delivered dose and fine particle dose.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 9/30

      263
      264

      4.2.2.8.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 11/30

      345

      Instructions regarding cold temperature use should be provided in the product information.

    • Finished medicinal
      product

      Pressurised

      Dry powder inhalers

      Preparations for

      metered-

      (DPI)

      nebulisation

      dose

      Nonpressurised
      metered-dose

      Device-

      Pre-

      Single-

      Multi-

      (pMDI)

      metered

      metered

      dose

      dose

      inhalers

      (a) Description

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      (b) Assay

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      (c) Moisture content

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      Yes

      specification test

      (d) Mean delivered
      dose
      (e) Uniformity of
      delivered dose

      inhalers

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 15/30

      Table 4.2.2.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 16/30

      510

      4.2.5.4.

    • The proposed specification limits should take into account the shelf-life performance of the
      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 17/30

      552

      medicinal product.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 18/30

      586

      All medical devices, including inhalers and nasal devices, have to fulfil the general requirements as

      587

      outlined in the Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745.

    • Stability (CTD 3.2.P.8)

      598

      All inhalation medicinal products should be tested on stability against the stability indicating tests

      599

      included in the finished medicinal product specification.

    • Quality data requirements as

      619

      described in this guideline should be met, supplemented by appropriate comparative quality and

      620

      clinical data with respect to the chosen reference medicinal product.

    • 621

      For inhalation medicinal products comparative in vitro data between the abridged application medicinal

      622

      product and the reference medicinal product must be provided.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 20/30

      670

      Nature and contents of container: The type of the device and its components should be listed.

    • Nasal medicinal products

      695

      Inhalation and nasal medicinal products have many similarities and therefore, most of the

      696

      requirements specified for inhalation medicinal products in section 4 also apply for nasal medicinal

      697

      products.

    • One difference between inhalation and nasal medicinal products is the desired

      698

      particle/droplet size of the finished medicinal product.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 21/30

      704

      5.2.

    • Nasal liquids
      Pharmaceutical
      development
      study

      Pressurised

      Nasal

      metered-

      powders,

      dose nasal

      device-

      spray

      metered

      NonSingledose
      drops

      Multidose
      drops

      Single-

      pressurised

      dose

      multidose

      spray

      metereddose spray

      (a) Physical
      characterisation
      (b) Minimum fill
      justification
      (d) Extractables /
      leachables

      Yesa

      Yes

      Yesa

      Yesa

      Yesa

      Yesa

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      Yes

      No

      No

      Yes

      Yes

      (f) Particle /
      droplet size
      distribution
      (g) Uniformity of
      delivered dose
      through container
      life
      (j) Actuator /
      mouthpiece
      deposition

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 22/30

      Table 5.2.1.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 23/30

      728

      5.2.2.2.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 24/30

      769

      5.2.5.

    • Quality data requirements as described in

      799

      this guideline should be met, supplemented by appropriate comparative quality and clinical data with

      800

      respect to the chosen reference medicinal product.

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 27/30

      849

      5.5.

    • 866

      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 28/30

      867

      Definitions
      Activation:

      The act of setting in motion the delivery device.

    • Delivery device:

      The sum of component(s) of the container closure system responsible for
      delivering the active substance to the respiratory tract (inhalation medicinal
      product) or the nasal and/or pharyngeal region (nasal medicinal product).

    • Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 29/30

      Label claim:

      The amount of active substance (usually on a per actuation basis) declared
      on the label of the medicinal product.

    • Nasal medicinal

      A finished medicinal product (including the delivery device, where

      product:

      applicable) whose intended site of deposition is the nasal and/or pharyngeal
      region.

    • 868
      Guideline on the pharmaceutical quality of inhalation and nasal medicinal products
      EMA/CHMP/20607/2024

      Page 30/30

Press release - First green light to new bill on firms’ impact on human rights and environment

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024

They will also have to adopt complaints mechanisms and engage with individuals and communities adversely affected by their actions.

Key Points: 
  • They will also have to adopt complaints mechanisms and engage with individuals and communities adversely affected by their actions.
  • Member states will designate a supervisory authority in charge of monitoring, investigating and imposing penalties on companies that do not comply.
  • The Commission will establish the European Network of Supervisory Authorities to support cooperation among supervisory bodies.
  • Background
    The Commission proposal introduced on 23 February 2022 is consistent with the European Parliament’s 2021 call for mandatory due diligence legislation.

Draft guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis in moderate to low-sized study populations

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2024

16

Key Points: 
    • 16

      Guideline on allergen products development for
      immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis in moderate to lowsized study populations

      17

      Table of contents

      18

      Executive summary ..................................................................................... 3

      19

      1.

    • Specific effects ................................................................................................. 17

      14
      15

      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 2/18

      53

      12.

    • Management for allergies may involve avoidance of the allergen, medications to relieve

      66

      symptoms, or allergen immunotherapy (AIT) to desensitize the immune system to the allergen.

    • 71

      Recommendations are made on the clinical development, potential study designs and safety

      72

      considerations for allergen products within the scope of the guideline.

    • Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 3/18

      88

      While allergen specific immunotherapy is the only known disease modifying therapy for type I allergies,

      89

      there is no such treatment available for type IV allergies.

    • 93

      Several guidelines applicable for allergen products are available (see section 3) and provide advice on

      94

      quality and clinical development according to the current knowledge.

    • Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 4/18

      127

      However, this guideline does not cover the indication of atopic dermatitis or asthma as these

      128

      conditions will require separate clinical trials (see Section 6).

    • 129

      In addition, the guideline does not cover medicinal allergen products manufactured using recombinant

      130

      DNA technology, synthetic peptides, DNA or RNA constructs and/or cell preparations as they differ

      131

      substantially to the allergen products as discussed above.

    • 1

      156

      ?

      Guideline on the clinical development of products for specific immunotherapy for the treatment

      157
      158

      of allergic diseases - CHMP/EWP/18504/2006
      ?

      159
      160
      161

      Guideline on Allergen Products: Production and Quality Issues EMEA/CHMP/BWP/304831/2007

      ?

      Guideline on process validation for finished products - information and data to be provided in
      regulatory submissions - EMA/CHMP/CVMP/QWP/BWP/70278/2012-Rev1, Corr.1

      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 5/18

      162

      ?

      Recommendations on common regulatory approaches for allergen products - CMDh/399/2019

      163

      4.

    • In any

      199

      case, a reduced validation should include all relevant manufacturing process steps that are considered
      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 6/18

      200

      product specific.

    • 290

      Diagnostic allergen products (Type I allergy)

      291

      A possible target indication is diagnosis of type I hypersensitivity (immediate-type allergy) by prick,

      292

      intracutaneous or provocation testing.

    • 298

      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 9/18

      305
      306

      7.1.

    • Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 11/18

      377

      8.

    • Clinical development of products for AIT: Study design,
      efficacy and safety

      378

      In general, the clinical development should be performed according to current guidelines.

    • In such single trial, the suitability as a test allergen as well as the

      376

      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 12/18

      415

      dose finding for the therapeutic allergen could be investigated.

    • Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 13/18

      454
      455

      8.2.1.

    • 493

      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 15/18

      527

      In general, sensitivity and specificity of the product should be determined.

    • 540

      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 16/18

      561

      10.2.

    • Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 17/18

      595

      4.

    • Allergol Immunopathol, 1989;

      602

      17(2):53-65

      603

      Guideline on allergen products development for immunotherapy and allergy diagnosis
      in moderate to low-sized study populations
      EMA/CHMP/72790/2024

      Page 18/18

Preliminary QIG Considerations regarding Pharmaceutical Process Models

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 12, 2024

6

Key Points: 
    • 6

      Preliminary QIG Considerations regarding Pharmaceutical
      Process Models

      7

      Background

      8

      This Quality Innovation Group (QIG) document follows on from the first QIG Listen & Learn Focus

      9

      Group (LLFG) on Continuous manufacturing and the second QIG LLFG on Digital novel technologies,

      5

      10

      held on 13 March 2023 and 12-13 October 2023 respectively.

    • 12

      It is recognised that regulatory expectations for process models in pharmaceutical manufacturing are

      13

      evolving; the intent of this document is to share QIG?s current thinking with stakeholders and seek

      14

      their comments.

    • This, in turn, supports adoption of advanced process

      25

      control strategies, continuous process verification, real-time process monitoring and optimisation, and

      26

      automated or even autonomous operation and management of manufacturing processes.

    • Process

      27

      models play an increasingly important role in process design and validation, in control strategies and

      28

      during manufacturing process lifecycle.

    • The expected outcome from the use of process models is

      29

      enhanced process understanding, (multivariate) monitoring and control, robustness, performance and

      30

      adaptability.

    • 31

      A model (in the context of pharmaceutical manufacturing) is a mathematical representation of a

      32

      physical or biological process or system.

    • Empirical models (e.g., multivariate models used for Statistical Process Control, regression models

      39

      derived from data collected from Design of Experiments), and

      40

      3.

    • 45

      Scope

      46

      This document addresses preliminary considerations (general principles) for process models, reflecting

      47

      the use of performance-based approaches in pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.

    • 48

      The scope of this document is limited to process models such as first-principle models, regression

      49

      models, system models, multivariate statistical process control models, and Machine Learning models

      50

      (ML).

    • Complex datasets need not be
      Preliminary QIG Considerations regarding Pharmaceutical Process Models
      EMA/90634/2024

      Page 3/7

      113

      submitted.

    • 137

      Preliminary QIG Considerations regarding Pharmaceutical Process Models
      EMA/90634/2024

      Page 4/7

      151

      Of note, these are just examples.

    • Process validation for finished products ? information and data to be provided in regulatory submissions
      (EMA/CHMP/CVMP/QWP/BWP/70278/2012-Rev1,Corr.1)
      Process validation for the manufacture of biotechnology-derived active substances and data to be provided in the regulatory
      submission (EMA/CHMP/BWP/187338/2014)
      4
      5

      Preliminary QIG Considerations regarding Pharmaceutical Process Models
      EMA/90634/2024

      Page 5/7

      163

      Some models may have a dual purpose e.g., used for process development and used as part of the

      164

      control strategy e.g., to set control limits.

    • 200

      Process validation (as described in the process validation guidelines) has an overarching role to ensure

      201

      that the process consistently delivers material of the intended quality.

    • Depending on the model risk, a model verification protocol may be requested,
      Preliminary QIG Considerations regarding Pharmaceutical Process Models
      EMA/90634/2024

      Page 6/7

      209

      including the model performance metrics and the manufacturing process IPC and CQAs that should be

      210

      followed, the respective acceptance criteria, the number of additional data (independent) that would be

      211

      used, and the monitoring period (parallel testing).

    • Preliminary QIG Considerations regarding Pharmaceutical Process Models
      EMA/90634/2024

      Page 7/7

Elkem: Fourth quarter 2023 concludes a challenging year, signs of recovery

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024

Elkem's total operating income for the fourth quarter 2023 was NOK 8,436 million, which was up 7% from the third quarter 2023, explained by improved performance in the Silicones division.

Key Points: 
  • Elkem's total operating income for the fourth quarter 2023 was NOK 8,436 million, which was up 7% from the third quarter 2023, explained by improved performance in the Silicones division.
  • Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) amounted to NOK 632 million in the quarter, compared NOK 535 million in the third quarter 2023.
  • The result for the Silicones division clearly improved from a negative EBITDA contribution in the third quarter 2023.
  • "The macro-economic sentiment has been challenging in 2023, characterised by high inflation, interest rate hikes, slow recovery in China, and geopolitical uncertainties.

Elkem: Fourth quarter 2023 concludes a challenging year, signs of recovery

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 8, 2024

Elkem's total operating income for the fourth quarter 2023 was NOK 8,436 million, which was up 7% from the third quarter 2023, explained by improved performance in the Silicones division.

Key Points: 
  • Elkem's total operating income for the fourth quarter 2023 was NOK 8,436 million, which was up 7% from the third quarter 2023, explained by improved performance in the Silicones division.
  • Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) amounted to NOK 632 million in the quarter, compared NOK 535 million in the third quarter 2023.
  • The result for the Silicones division clearly improved from a negative EBITDA contribution in the third quarter 2023.
  • "The macro-economic sentiment has been challenging in 2023, characterised by high inflation, interest rate hikes, slow recovery in China, and geopolitical uncertainties.

Southwest Airlines Pilots Accept Tentative Agreement

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 22, 2024

DALLAS, Jan. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) announced that members have voted to approve a new contract with Southwest Airlines.

Key Points: 
  • DALLAS, Jan. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association (SWAPA) announced that members have voted to approve a new contract with Southwest Airlines.
  • With a strong voter turnout of 98.8% voting on the new contract, the pilots accepted the new agreement with 92.73% voting in favor and 7.27% against.
  • The prior contract became amendable in 2020 and it took more than three and a half years of negotiations to reach a deal that the pilots collectively believed was worthy of the most productive pilots in the industry.
  • "But we will work with Southwest to make sure that all of the changes that improve our pilots' quality of life take place as quickly as possible.