235 - ICH Q8: How Pharmaceutical Development Actually Works

Let's Combinate · 22 Apr 2026 · 10m

What this episode covers

Subhi Saadeh, founder of Let’s ComBinate, explains the structure and practical application of ICH Q8 (Pharmaceutical Development), a guideline for harmonizing regulatory submissions. He details how to define the Quality Target Product Profile (QTPP) and Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs) to build quality into the product by design rather than testing it in. Saadeh describes establishing a 'design space' through risk assessment and Design of Experiments (DoE) to define acceptable ranges for material attributes and process parameters. Finally, he outlines how this knowledge informs the control strategy and the organization of data within CTD Section 3.2.P.2.

Most relevant to

established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Let’s ComBinate
Also
ICH Q8, CTD Section 3.2.P.2, ICH Q12, ICH Q9, ISO 13485, FDA 21 CFR 820.30

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 42m

    #323 The Combination Products Handbook

    Susan Neadle, principal consultant and president of Combination Products Consulting Services, discusses her peer-reviewed book, The Combination Products Handbook: A Practical Guide, published by CRC Press. Neadle explains how she collaborated with FDA officials, including John Barwiener, and industry experts from companies like Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, and Pfizer to create a consolidated resource for the complex niche of combination products. The episode details the book's structure, covering regulatory strategies, CGMPs, risk management, and human factors, while highlighting the challenges of harmonizing terminology between pharmaceutical and medical device sectors. Neadle emphasizes the importance of holistic thinking and integrated development to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance across global jurisdictions.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 35m

    #467: Combination Product Compliance: PMOA, 21 CFR Part 4 & QMS Alignment

    Jim Fentress, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Galero (a Santa Group company), explains the regulatory complexities of combination products, focusing on how the Primary Mode of Action (PMOA) dictates FDA oversight. He details the challenges pharmaceutical companies face when integrating device Quality Management Systems (QMSR/ISO 13485) into their existing CGMP frameworks under 21 CFR Part 4. The discussion covers specific friction points like risk management alignment (AAMI TIR105 vs. ICH Q9), labeling classifications, and the critical need for transparent change control protocols between device manufacturers and pharma partners.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 54m

    #329 The Right Way to Start a QMS: When, How, & What

    Rob MacCuspie, Manager of Regulatory and Quality Affairs at Proxima Clinical Research, explains how to build a Quality Management System (QMS) by balancing investor cost concerns with FDA regulatory requirements. He argues that a QMS is not just a document management system but a culture driven by management responsibility and people, using a 'highway vs. mountain road' analogy to describe risk-based rigor for different device classes. MacCuspie details the phased implementation of QMS components, the specific challenges of Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) regarding labeling and testing, and the operational efficiency gains of moving from paper to compliant electronic systems like Greenlight Guru.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 38m

    #342: Planning an FDA Submission

    Ellie Reynolds, Associate Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs at Proxima Clinical Research, explains the strategic planning required for FDA medical device submissions. She details the differences between 510(k), De Novo, and PMA pathways, emphasizing the critical role of Q-submissions (pre-submissions) and the eSTAR system in identifying documentation gaps early. Reynolds highlights the importance of realistic timeline management, including the 60-75 day wait for pre-sub meetings and potential review pauses, as well as navigating user fees and building collaborative relationships with FDA review teams.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 38m

    Meet a Guru: Erica Loring

    Erica Loring, a medical device guru at Greenlight Guru, discusses her background in pharmaceuticals and IVDs, emphasizing the critical distinction between Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs. She explains how the 'throw it over the wall' mentality creates documentation gaps and costly remediation, advocating for cross-functional collaboration from concept to market. Loring highlights the importance of investing in people, allowing adequate time for development, and rigorously auditing suppliers to ensure successful product launches.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Let's Combinate. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.