Evaluation of the microbial growth potential of pharmaceutical drug products and quality by design

The microbial growth potential of a pharmaceutical drug product refers to the ability of microorganisms to survive and proliferate in the product. Each drug formulation possesses a different potential for supporting or inhibiting microbial growth. Understanding this microbial growth potential can have a significant effect on the development and design of the drug manufacturing process. This article describes how this attribute can exert this effect on manufacturing process development and design through real examples and case studies obtained from the regulatory review of new drug and biologics license applications. In addition, this article describes how understanding the microbial growth potential of a pharmaceutical drug product is an element of the Quality by Design paradigm and how this understanding can simplify the drug development process and lead to better process design. LAY ABSTRACT: The microbial growth potential of a pharmaceutical drug product refers to the ability of microorganisms to survive and proliferate in the product formulation. Each drug product formulation possesses a different potential for supporting or inhibiting microbial growth depending on its components. Understanding this microbial growth potential can have a significant effect on the development and design of the drug manufacturing process. This article describes how this attribute can affect manufacturing process development and design through real examples and case studies obtained from the regulatory review of new drug and biologics license applications. In addition, this article describes how understanding the microbial growth potential of a pharmaceutical drug product is an element of the Quality by Design paradigm and how this understanding can simplify the drug development process and lead to better process design.