Microbiology FDA 483 : SOP or work instructions are not followed or are inadequate
Observation
Facility Type
Firm / Company
AGC Biologics Inc.
System
Details
(A) Your endotoxin procedure, SEA-ANM-0******, “Endotoxin Determination Using the LAL Kinetic Chromogenic Method”, did not state the sample storage hold time of endotoxin, which is inadequate. According to normal practice, the primary samples are allowed to be stored at 2 to 8°C for *** before being tested, and that is based on the sample storage condition memo, SEA-RCD-00***, 12Aug2O22. However, the memo only referred to scientific publications with study conditions using a storage temperature of ***C, however no enough data have been shown using the same temperature and duration as stated above. In addition, the endotoxin may have adsorbed to the container surface over a period of time. The justification for long-term storage of endotoxin samples at 2- 8°C is insufficient.
(B) On February 6, 2023, observed demonstration of *** drug substance (*** simulation) bulk filling process in Rm *** at the ISO5 Laminar Air Flow Workstation (LAFW) . During the filling process, the *** operator was observed to adjust the *** on top of the *** with her gloved right hand holding an *** wipe. According to the procedure of aseptic practice, SEA-SOP-00**** “Cleanroom Behavior & Aseptic Practices” (version 8 , “moving hands, gowns, sleeves, or any other components over open product are prohibited”. The *** operator failed to follow SOP during the drug substance bulk fill unit operation.
(C) On February 6, 2023, observed the post-use environmental monitoring process after the completion of drug substance bulk filling operation in Room ***. During the personnel hand sampling (finger dab), the *** operators failed to follow the procedure, SEA-SOP-000*** version 18, “Environmental Surface Monitoring”, to roll their fingers with sufficient contact time on the sampling plates. In addition, during the surface monitoring of *** with contact plates, the *** operator was observed to open the lid of contact plate with her gloved right hand holding an *** wipe, and the process is not documented in the SOP.
(D) On February 3, 2023, in the QC microbiology laboratory (Rooms ***), observed a QC analyst performing Colony Counting of environmental monitoring (EM) plates with no contemporaneous verification. We were informed that the contemporaneous verification check of the bioburden test is not necessary. It was determined to be low risk after post-mitigation based on the risk assessment report SEA-RIA-000***, “Microbial Colony Counting Contemporaneous Verification Risk Assessment” (version 1). However, the assessment underestimated the risk after post-mitigation and did not consider the criticality of direct product impact processes (IPC, release, PSM). A second analyst verification of the critical manufacturing steps for EM and bioburden plate reading should be implemented from a microbial control perspective to detect any microbial contamination off ***.
(E) According to the procedure of operating water baths, SEA-SOP-000*** version 6, “Operation of Water Baths in Manufacturing”, the cleaning procedure is to wipe out residual water from *** with another wiping after *** wipes or *** are applied. In order to prevent microbial ingress in water baths, a sanitization procedure should be included in the cleaning procedure for decontamination. A documented worklog should also be enforced.
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