Compliance and regulatory considerations for the implementation of the multi-attribute-method by mass spectrometry in a quality control laboratory.

Multi-attribute methods employing mass spectrometry are applied throughout the biopharmaceutical industry for product and process characterization purposes but are not yet widely accepted as a method for batch release and stability testing under the good manufacturing practice (GMP) regime, due to limited experience and level of comfort with the technical, compliance and regulatory aspects of its implementation at quality control (QC) laboratories. This article is the second part of a two-tiered publication aiming at providing guidance for implementation of the multi-attribute method by peptide mapping liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (MAM) in a QC laboratory. The first part [1] focuses on technical considerations, while this second part provides considerations related to GMP compliance and regulatory aspects.

Technical considerations for the implementation of the multi-attribute-method by mass spectrometry in a quality control laboratory.

Multi-attribute methods employing mass spectrometry are applied throughout the biopharmaceutical industry for product and process characterization purposes but are not yet widely accepted as a method for batch release and stability testing under good manufacturing practice (GMP) due to limited experience and level of comfort with the technical, compliance and regulatory aspects of its implementation at quality control (QC) laboratories. Here, current literature related to the development and application of the multi-attribute method by peptide mapping liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (MAM) is compiled with the aim of providing guidance for the implementation of MAM in a QC laboratory. This article, focusing on technical considerations, is the first part of a two-tiered publication, whereby the second part will focus on GMP compliance and regulatory aspects.

Native peptide mapping - A simple method to routinely monitor higher order structure changes and relation to functional activity.

In the biopharmaceutical environment, controlling the Critical Quality Attributes (CQA) of a product is essential to prevent changes that affect its safety or efficacy. Physico-chemical techniques and bioassays are used to screen and monitor these CQAs. The higher order structure (HOS) is a CQA that is typically studied using techniques that are not commonly considered amenable to quality control laboratories.

Limited proteolysis and peptide mapping for comparability of biopharmaceuticals: An evaluation of repeatability, intra-assay precision and capability to detect structural change.

The use of limited proteolysis followed by peptide mapping for the comparability of the higher-order structure of biopharmaceuticals was investigated. In this approach the proteolysis is performed under non-reducing and non-denaturing conditions, and the resulting peptide map is determined by the samples primary and higher order structures. This allows comparability of biopharmaceuticals to be made in terms of their higher order structure, using a method that is relatively simple to implement.

Both Ca2+ and Zn2+ are essential for S100A12 protein oligomerization and function.

Background: Human S100A12 is a member of the S100 family of EF-hand calcium-modulated proteins that are associated with many diseases including cancer, chronic inflammation and neurological disorders. S100A12 is an important factor in host/parasite defenses and in the inflammatory response. Like several other S100 proteins, it binds zinc and copper in addition to calcium.