Key Regulatory and Compliance Considerations for Early-Stage Life Sciences Companies and Their Investors

Early-stage life sciences companies and the investors that back them are laser-focused on evidenced-based development and approval hurdles. However, even at early stages, failure to adequately prioritize more nuanced regulatory and compliance issues can have a significant impact on exit value and create potential liability for investors and acquirers. Geoffrey Levin, Torrey Cope, Marie Manley, Donielle McCutcheon, Andrew Shoyer, Michele Tagliaferri, and Julea Lipiz highlight eight key areas for focus.

FDA Publishes New Draft Guidance Essentially Clarifying that the Human Drug GMP Guidelines (ICH Q7) Apply to the Manufacture of Veterinary Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

FDA has published new draft guidance on the safe manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for animal drugs. Following a consultation period, it is also expected to be implemented in Japan, the EU, and the UK. Chris Fanelli, Dr. Chris Boyle, and Dan Roberts discuss what the new guidance means for animal drug manufacturers.

U.S. and EU Expand Mutual Recognition Agreement to Include Animal Drugs

Sites making animal drugs need to be inspection-ready, as a single inspection report can now be relied upon by regulators in both the U.S. and some EU member states. Multi-jurisdictional regulatory actions could ensue. Christopher Fanelli, Chris Boyle and Yuzhi Hu explain.

Podcast: How the EU’s New Revised Annex 1, Eudralex Volume 4 (GMP), Will Affect the Manufacturing of Sterile Medicinal Products in the EU and U.S.

Jay Jariwala in Washington, D.C. and Josefine Sommer in Brussels talk to Raj Pai about how they expect the EU’s new revised Annex 1, EudraLex Volume 4 (GMP), to affect the manufacturing of sterile medicinal products. They discuss how the update reflects changes in the manufacturing environment and how the new Annex 1 is likely to be considered within the U.S. regulatory framework. Prior to joining Sidley, Jay worked for the Office of Compliance at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, a branch of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and he brings this experience to bear in considering the impact of Annex 1.

The Top Three Pandemic Manufacturing Inspection Techniques That Are Here to Stay

With many pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities unaccustomed to in-person GMP inspections since the pandemic, Arif Noorani, Josefine Sommer, and Daniel Roberts examine how inspection techniques have evolved.