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Drug product development and case studies for patient centric pediatric protein-based therapeutics
Annette Medina1, Mary N Brown2, Emily Cox1
1Dosage Form Design and Development, Biopharmaceutical Development, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
Insights
Developing pediatric protein therapies requires a patient-centric approach, considering all users like patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. This ensures optimal formulation, administration, and excipient selection for pediatric drug products.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Pediatric Drug Development
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Pediatric drug development necessitates a holistic approach, recognizing diverse users beyond the patient.
- Protein-based therapies present unique challenges in pediatric formulation and administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline quality target product profile parameters for pediatric protein-based therapies.
- To detail a patient-centric strategy for developing these therapies, considering all stakeholders.
- To address formulation, administration routes, and excipient selection for pediatric use.
Main Methods:
- Defining quality target product profile parameters.
- Describing use environment, formulation design, and stability considerations.
- Presenting an acceptability profile for parenteral administration routes in pediatric age groups.
- Applying a risk assessment approach for excipient selection in pediatric biopharmaceuticals.
Main Results:
- Illustrative case studies demonstrate the selection of drug product parameters (formulation, dose volume, route) tailored for pediatric users.
- A comprehensive framework for patient-centric development of pediatric protein therapies is provided.
Conclusions:
- A patient-centric approach is critical for successful pediatric protein therapy development.
- Consideration of all users and specific pediatric needs is essential for optimizing drug product design and delivery.
Abstract:
The user of a pediatric drug includes not only the patient, but also their caregiver and healthcare provider, including nurses, doctors, and pharmacists. Therefore, adopting a patient-centric approach that focuses on all users is critical for the development of pediatric drug products. This article outlines the quality target product profile parameters and a patient-centric approach for the development of pediatric protein-based therapies. The use environment, formulation design, and preparation and in use stability considerations are described. An acceptability profile for the various routes of parenteral administration is described with a focus on pediatric age groups. Furthermore, a risk assessment approach is presented for the selection of excipients to be utilized in pediatric protein-based biopharmaceuticals. Several case studies are included which illustrate the selection of drug product parameters such as formulation, dose volume, and route of administration with the pediatric user in mind.
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