Quality risk management of the chimeric antigen receptor T cell pharmaceutical circuit in one of the first qualified European centers

Emerging technologies for quality control of cell-based, advanced therapy medicinal products

Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMP) are complex medicines based on gene therapy, somatic cell therapy, and tissue engineering. These products are rapidly arising as novel and promising therapies for a wide range of different clinical applications. The process for the development of well-established ATMPs is challenging. Many issues must be considered from raw material, manufacturing, safety, and pricing to assure the quality of ATMPs and their implementation as innovative therapeutic tools. Among ATMPs, cell-based ATMPs are drugs altogether. As for standard drugs, technologies for quality control, and non-invasive isolation and production of cell-based ATMPs are then needed to ensure their rapidly expanding applications and ameliorate safety and standardization of cell production. In this review, emerging approaches and technologies for quality control of innovative cell-based ATMPs are described. Among new techniques, microfluid-based systems show advantages related to their miniaturization, easy implementation in analytical process and automation which allow for the standardization of the final product.

[Advanced therapy medicinal products' (ATMP) pharmaceutical circuit in France: Current situation and outlook]

OBJECTIVES

Advanced therapy medicinal products' reconstitution is an innovative pharmaceutical activity. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the current situation in France within hospital pharmacies.

METHODS

An electronic questionnaire (90 questions) was sent to previously identified French pharmaceutical teams exploring advanced therapy medicinal products' reconstitution process in its various aspects.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight pharmacists completed the survey. The ATMPs reconstitution is very largely carried out by pharmaceutical teams in charge of other activities, even if dedicated teams are beginning to appear. Gene therapy represents majority among advanced therapy medicinal products. The premises are very often shared, especially the controlled atmosphere areas. These vary greatly in nature, as do facilities used. The ultra-low temperature storage is most frequently used and the nitrogen equipment of hospital pharmacies is yet observed and tends to expand. Simple reconstitution processes (thawing, dilution) are mostly carried out in hospital pharmacies. The traceability still largely relies on different software and/or the use of paper formats. The reconstitution process needs devoted pharmaceutical time according to the active queues, sometimes exceeding 200 patients per year.

FINDINGS

If the hospital pharmacists is going to take charge of this activity on a constant basis, the regulatory context and the increase in active queues will require a real investment plan from the public authorities in this activity to effectively implement ATMPs reconstitution to the greatest benefit of patients.

Advanced therapy medicinal products: Regulatory framework, hospital and pharmaceutical circuits in Europe and France

Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) represent a new class of biological medicines. The European regulation has classified ATMPs into three categories: gene therapy medicinal products, somatic cell therapy medicinal products, and Tissue-Engineered products. If one of these categories incorporates a medical device, the medicine is defined as a Combined ATMP. The specificity and complexity of these innovative drugs have required a complete reorganization of hospital and pharmaceutical circuits, from patient eligibility to drug administration. Indeed, increased interaction and collaboration between different healthcare professionals are essential in order to guarantee quality and safety of these innovative medicines.