Description
This guidance provides recommendations to holders of biologics license applications (BLAs) for specified biological products regarding the types of changes to an approved BLA to be documented in an annual report under 21 CFR 601.12. Specifically, the guidance describes chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) postapproval manufacturing changes that FDA generally considers to have a minimal potential to have an adverse effect on product quality. Under FDA regulations, postapproval changes in the product, production process, quality controls, equipment, facilities, or responsible personnel that have a minimal potential to have an adverse effect on product quality must be documented by applicants in an annual report.
Scope & Applicability
Product Classes
4Specified biological product category
Specified biological product category for in vivo use
Products combining drug, device, or biological constituents; Generally recommended for Enhanced Documentation; Requires 14971-based framework incorporating ICH Q9; A drug-device combination where the device constituent part detects ingestion.
drug product expiration dating period
Stakeholders
2Entity expected to have control over manufacturing for biological products
Use of a contract manufacturing organization to wash the drug product's container closure system
Regulatory Context
Attributes
4Risk classification for minor changes
drug product expiration dating period
Extension of the drug substance retest dating period
Identity, strength, quality, purity, and potency of a product
Identified Hazards
Hazards
2Risk associated with construction, traffic flow, and shared equipment.; Risk from raw food to RTE food or from insanitary objects; Personnel handling RTE foods touch contaminated surfaces
proposed container closure system has no increased risk of leachable substances
Related CFR Sections (3)
- 21CFR601.12§ 601.12 Changes to an approved application.
(a) General.Read full regulation →
- 21CFR600.3§ 600.3 Definitions.
As used in this subchapter:Read full regulation →
- 21CFR601.2§ 601.2 Applications for biologics licenses; procedures for filing.
(a) General. To obtain a biologics license under section 351 of the Public Health Service Act for any biological product, the manufacturer shall submit an application to the Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research or the Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (see mailing aRead full regulation →
Related Warning Letters (10)
- 2025-12-23
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated
SV Labs Corporation
- 2025-12-23
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated
Guangdong Renhe Guozhuang Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
- 2025-12-23
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated
Medinatura New Mexico, Inc.
- 2025-12-16
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated
Sklar Personal Care Inc.
- 2025-12-16
CGMP/Deviations/Biologics License Application (BLA)
Microvascular Tissue, Inc.
- 2025-12-11
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated
Catalent Indiana, LLC
- 2025-12-09
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated
DeVere Manufacturing Inc.
- 2025-12-09
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated
CDL Services, Inc. DBA Technichem
- 2025-12-09
CGMP/Finished Pharmaceuticals/Adulterated
Seaway Pharma Inc.
- 2025-12-02
Compounding Pharmacy/Adulterated Drug Products
PQ Pharmacy, LLC
See Also (8)
- Safety Labeling Changes—Implementation of Section 505(o)(4) of the FD&C Act: Draft Guidance for Industry (Status: Draft)
- Demonstration of Comparability of Human Biological Products, Including Therapeutic Biotechnology-derived Products (Status: Final)
- Promotional Labeling and Advertising Considerations for Prescription Biological Reference Products, Biosimilar Products, and Interchangeable Biosimilar Products: Questions and Answers: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- Changes to an Approved Application for Specified Biotechnology and Specified Synthetic Biological Products (Status: Final)
- Environmental Assessment of Human Drug and Biologics Applications: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- For the Submission of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls and Establishment Description Information for Human Blood and Blood Components Intended for Transfusion or for Further Manufacture and For the Completion of the Form FDA 356h: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- Container Closure Systems for Packaging Human Drugs and Biologics: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)
- Use of Sterile Connecting Devices in Blood Bank Practices: Guidance for Industry (Status: Final)