The Renovation of Good Clinical Practice: A Framework for Key Components of ICH E8

The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use's (ICH) renovation of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) represents a philosophical shift in the conduct of clinical research away from a one-size-fits-all application to promoting a proactive, risk-based approach. The aim of this paper is to enhance the understanding of specific topics detailed in ICH E8 based on direct feedback from TransCelerate member companies who identified Quality by Design (QbD), Critical to Quality (CtQ), Fit for Purpose, and Stakeholder Engagement, as most changed and open to interpretation. The TransCelerate framework seeks to highlight and expand each of these central topics to support utilization and implementation of a strong foundation for quality in clinical development.

Historical Benchmarks for Quality Tolerance Limits Parameters in Clinical Trials

Background

In 2016, the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use updated its efficacy guideline for good clinical practice and introduced quality tolerance limits (QTLs) as a quality control in clinical trials. Previously, TransCelerate proposed a framework for QTL implementation and parameters. Historical data can be important in helping to determine QTL thresholds in new clinical trials.

Methods

This article presents results of historical data analyses for the previously proposed parameters based on data from 294 clinical trials from seven TransCelerate member companies. The differences across therapeutic areas were assessed by comparing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and oncology trials using a separate dataset provided by Medidata.

Results

TransCelerate member companies provided historical data on 11 QTL parameters with data sufficient for analysis for parameters. The distribution of values was similar for most parameters with a relatively small number of outlying trials with high parameter values. Medidata provided values for three parameters in a total of 45 AD and oncology trials with no obvious differences between the therapeutic areas.

Conclusion

Historical parameter values can provide helpful benchmark information for quality control activities in future trials.

Quality Risk Management Framework: Guidance for Successful Implementation of Risk Management in Clinical Development

Effective quality risk management is fundamental to ensuring the protection of human subjects and reliability of clinical trial results during the conduct of clinical trials. Quality risk management supports effective delivery of clinical development programs and ultimately delivery of treatments to patients. Thus, risk management is a core element of an effective quality management system (QMS) as described in the TransCelerate Clinical Quality Management System (CQMS) conceptual framework. In addition, the landscape of quality risk management in clinical development evolves as regulatory authorities adopt elements of risk management to promote proactive quality management. This paper's goal is to provide a conceptual framework for quality risk management as part of a CQMS. The components of a quality risk management program are explored including foundational elements and quality risk management methods appropriate for clinical development.