international journal of universal pharmacy and bio sciences

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International Journal of Universal Pharmacy and Bio Sciences 3(4): July-August 2014
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UNIVERSAL
PHARMACY AND BIO SCIENCES
Pharmaceutical Sciences
IMPACT FACTOR 2.093***
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REVIEW ARTICLE……!!!
BIOANALYTICAL METHOD DEVELOPMENT AND ITS VALIDATION
Rahul Naudiyal*, Praveen Kumar, Preeti Kothiyal
Shri Guru Ram Rai Institute of Technology & Sciences, Patel Nagar, Dehradun.
KEYWORDS:
LC-MS/MS bioanalysis,
Method development,
Method validation.
For Correspondence:
Rahul Naudiyal*
Address:
Shri Guru Ram Rai
Institute of Technology &
Sciences, Patel Nagar,
Dehradun.
E-mail:
[email protected]
ABSTRACT
One of the major challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry today
is finding new ways to increase productivity, decrease cost while still
ultimately developing new therapies to enhance health. The objective
of this paper is to review the sample preparation of drug in biological
matrix and to provide practical approaches for determining selectivity,
specificity, limit of detection, lower limit of quantitation, linearity,
range, accuracy, precision, recovery, stability, ruggedness, and
robustness of liquid chromatographic methods to support
pharmacokinetic
(PK),
toxicokinetic,
bioavailability,
and
bioequivalence studies. This review discusses the conceptual aspects of
method validation, its management, processes and schemes and mainly
deals with its important parameters and their significance. Liquid
chromatography-tendam mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is a
technique that uses liquid chromatography (or HPLC) with the mass
spectrometry. (LC-MS/MS) is commonly used in laboratories for the
qualitative and quantitative analysis of drug substances, drug products
and biological samples. Bioanalytical method validation includes all of
the procedures that demonstrate that a particular method used for
quantitative measurement of analytes in a given biological matrix, such
as blood, plasma, serum, or urine is reliable and reproducible for the
intended use.
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INTRODUCTION:
Bioanalytical methods employed for the quantitative determination of drugs and their metabolites in
biological matrix (plasma, urine, saliva, serum etc) play a significant role in evaluation and
interpretation of bioavailability, bioequivalence and pharmacokinetic data (Bressolle, 1996). Both
HPLC and LCMS-MS can be used for the bioanalysis of drugs in plasma. Each of the instruments
has its own merits
[4]
. Bioanalytical method validation includes all of the procedures that
demonstrate that a particular method used for quantitative measurement of analytes in a given
biological matrix, such as blood, plasma, serum, or urine, is reliable and reproducible for the
intended use (Eric Reid, 1990) (U.S. FDA, Guidance for industry, 2001) [4,5]. These studies generally
support regulatory filings
[6]
. The quality of these studies is directly related to the quality of the
underlying bioanalytical data. It is therefore important that guiding principles for the validation of
these analytical methods be established and disseminated to the pharmaceutical community [7].
Method development: Analytical method development is the process of creating a procedure to
enable a compound of interest to be identified and quantified in a matrix. A compound can often be
measured by several methods and the choice of analytical method involves many considerations,
such as: chemical properties of the analyte, concentrations levels, sample matrix, cost of the analysis,
speed of the analysis, quantitative or qualitative measurement, precision required and necessary
equipment. The analytical chain describes the process of method development and includes
sampling, sample preparation, separation, detection and evaluation of the results [4].
Sample collection and sample preparation: The biological media that contain the analyte are
usually blood, plasma, urine, serum etc. Blood is usually collected from human subjects by vein
puncture with a hypodermic syringe up to 5 to 7 ml (depending on the assay sensitivity and the total
number of samples taken for a study being performed). The venous blood is withdrawn into tubes
with an anticoagulant, e.g. EDTA, heparin etc. Plasma is obtained by centrifugation at 4000 rpm for
15 min. About 30 to 50% of the original volume is collected (Rosing, 2000)
[4,8]
. The purpose of
sample preparation is to clean up the sample before analysis and/or to concentrate the sample.
Material in biological samples that can interfere with analysis, the chromatographic column or the
detector includes proteins, salts, endogenous macromolecules, small molecules and metabolic
byproducts [9].
Steps during method development

Compound, its nature, structure and physicochemical properties.

Literature survey, various already developed methods and their drawbacks.

Selection of analyte concentration level, Cmax, LOQ, ULOQ, LQC, MQC, HQC.

Selection of suitable non reactive and stable Biological matrix.
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
Suitable LC-MS/MS system with suitable conditions.

Scanning and optimisation.

Optimization of chromatographic conditions: mobile phase, column, flow rate, injection
volume.

Selection of Internal Standard similar to Analyte properties.

Optimization of sampling processing techniques.

System suitability testing.

Validation (accuracy, precision, linearity, selectivity, recovery, reproducibility, stability
studies).

Documentation.
Need of Bioanalytical Method Validation

It is essential to used well-characterized and fully validated bioanalytical methods to yield
reliable results that can be satisfactorily interpreted.

It is recognized that bioanalytical methods and techniques are constantly undergoing changes
and improvements; they are at the cutting edge of the technology.

It is also important to emphasize that each bioanalytical technique has its own characteristics,
which will vary from analyte to analyte, specific validation criteria may need to be developed
for each analyte [26].

Moreover, the appropriateness of the technique may also be influenced by the ultimate
objective of the study. When sample analysis for a given study is conducted at more than one
site, it is necessary to validate the bioanalytical method(s) at each site and provide
appropriate validation information for different sites to establish inter-laboratory reliability [3,
27]
.
Method validation: Method validation is a process used to verify/confirm that an analytic method
developed is suitable for its intended purpose, that it provides reliable and valid data for a specific
analyte. Typical parameters to validate are; include selectivity, accuracy, precision, linearity and
range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, recovery, robustness and stability. General
recommendation for analytical method validation, i.e. for pharmaceutical methods, can be found in
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guideline [4,5] .
Selectivity/Specificity: The terms selectivity and specificity generally refers to a method that
produces a response for a single analyte only, while the term selective refers to a method that
provides responses for a number of chemical entities that may or may not be distinguished from each
other. Since there are very few methods that respond to only one analyte, the term selectivity is
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usually more appropriate. Selectivity studies should also assess interferences that may be caused by
the matrix, e.g., urine, blood, soil, water or food. Optimized sample preparation can eliminate most
of the matrix components. The absence of matrix interferences for a quantitative method should be
demonstrated by the analysis of at least five independent sources of control matrix [10].
System Suitability: System suitability is routinely assessed before an analytical run. Data generated
from system suitability checks should be maintained in a specific file on-site and should be available
for inspection. System suitability samples should be different from the study samples, standards, and
QCs to be analyzed in the run. Therefore, study samples, standards, or QCs should not be used as
their own system suitability samples within the analytical run [5].
Accuracy: The accuracy of an analytical method describes the closeness of mean test results
obtained by the method to the true value (concentration) of the analyte. Accuracy is determined by
replicate analysis of samples containing known amounts of the analyte. Accuracy should be
measured using a minimum of five determinations per concentration. A minimum of three
concentrations in the range of expected concentrations is recommended. The mean value should be
within 15% of the actual value except at LLOQ, where it should not deviate by more than 20%. The
deviation of the mean from the true value serves as the measure of accuracy [4,5].
Precision: The precision of an analytical method describes the closeness of individual measures of
an analyte when the procedure is applied repeatedly to multiple aliquots of a single homogeneous
volume of biological matrix. Precision should be measured using a minimum of five determinations
per concentration. A minimum of three concentrations in the range of expected concentrations is
recommended. The precision determined at each concentration level should not exceed 15% of the
coefficient of variation (CV) except for the LLOQ, where it should not exceed 20% of the CV.
Precision is further subdivided into within-run, intra-batch precision or repeatability, which assesses
precision during a single analytical run, and between-run, inter batch precision or repeatability,
which measures precision with time, and may involve different analysts, equipment, reagents, and
laboratories [4,5,10].
Linearity: The ability of the bioanalytical procedure to obtain test results that are directly
proportional to the concentration of analyte in the sample within the range of the standard curve [3,11].
The concentration range of the calibration curve should at least span those concentrations expected
to be measured in the study samples. If the total range cannot be described by a single calibration
curve, two calibration ranges can be validated. It should be kept in mind that the accuracy and
precision of the method will be negatively affected at the extremes of the range by extensively
expanding the range beyond necessity. Correlation coefficients were most widely used to test
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linearity. The deviation should not exceed more than 20% from the nominal concentration of the
LLOQ and not more than 15% from the other standards in the curve [4].
Carry-Over test: During validation carry-over should be assessed by injecting blank samples after a
high concentration sample or calibration standard at the upper limit of quantification. Carry-over
blank following the high concentration should not be greater than 20% of the lower limit of
quantification and 5% for the internal standard. This test is performed to check either the
concentration of one sample injection is showing its effect on next sample concentration or not. If it
appears that carry-over is unavoidable, study samples should not be randomised [13].
Limit of detection: The limit of detection (LOD) is a characteristic for the limit test only. It is the
lowest amount of analyte in a sample that can be detected but not necessarily quantitated under the
stated experimental conditions. The detection is usually expressed as the concentration of the analyte
in the sample, for example, percentage, parts per million (ppm), or parts per billion (ppb) [4,10]
Limit of quantification
Lower limit of quantification: LLOQ is the lowest amount of analyte in a sample that can be
quantitatively determined with suitable precision and accuracy. Determining LLOQ on the basis of
precision and accuracy is probably the most practical approach and defines the LLOQ as the lowest
conc. of the sample that can still be quantified with acceptable precision and accuracy. LLOQ based
on signal and noise ratio (s/n) can only be applied only when there is baseline noise, for example to
chromatographic methods.
Upper limit of quantification: ULOQ is the maximum analyte conc. of a sample that can be
quantified, with acceptable precision and accuracy. The ULOQ is identical with the conc. of the
highest calibration standards.
Recovery: The recovery of an analyte in an assay is the detector response obtained from an amount
of the analyte added to and extracted from the biological matrix, compared to the detector response
obtained for the true concentration of the pure authentic standard. Recovery pertains to the extraction
efficiency of an analytical method within the limits of variability. Recovery of the analyte need not
be 100%, but the extent of recovery of an analyte and of the internal standard should be consistent,
precise, and reproducible. Recovery experiments should be performed by comparing the analytical
results for extracted samples at three concentrations (low, medium, and high) with un-extracted
standards that represent 100% recovery [4].
Absolute
Recovery=
Response of analyte spiked into matrix (processed)
x 100
Response of analyte spiked into matrix (unprocessed)
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Matrix effect: Matrix effect is investigated to ensure that selectivity and precision are not
compromised within the matrix screened. Three blank samples from each of at least six batches of
matrix under screening are extracted. For matrix effect LQC (lower quality control), MQC (middle
quality control) and HQC (higher quality control) spiking dilutions and internal standard dilution are
spiked in the above extracted blank samples [4,5].
Matrix factor: It is the quantitative estimation of matrix effect to calcute the intensity of the error
produced.
Robustness: According to ICH guidelines, The robustness of an analytical procedure is the measure
of its capacity to remain unaffected by small, but deliberate variations in method parameters and
provides an indication of its reliability during normal usage. Robustness can be described as the
ability to reproduce the (analytical) method in different laboratories or under different circumstances
without the occurrence of unexpected differences in the obtained result(s), and a robustness test as an
experimental set-up to evaluate the robustness of a method.
Stability: The stability of the analyte under various conditions should also be studied during method
validation. The conditions used in stability experiments should reflect situations likely to be
encountered during actual sample handling and analysis. The following stability conditions are
required by FDA and are advisable to investigate; [5]
Stock solution stability: The stability of the stock solution should be evaluated at room temperature
for at least 6 hours [5].
Short-term temperature stability: The stability of the analyte in biological matrix at ambient
temperature should be evaluated. Three aliquots of low and high concentration should be kept for at
least 24 hours and then analysed [5].
Long-term temperature stability: The stability of the analyte in the matrix should exceed the time
period from sample collection until the last day of analysis [5].
Freeze and thaw stability: The stability of the analyte should be determined, after three freeze and
thaw cycles. Three aliquots of low and high concentration should be frozen for 24 hours and then
thawed at ambient temperature [5].
Ruggedness: This includes different analysts, laboratories, columns, instruments, sources of
reagents, chemicals, solvents. Ruggedness of an analytical method is the degree of reproducibility of
test results obtained by the analysis of the same samples under a variety of normal test condition.
The ruggedness of the method was studied by changing the experimental condition such as, [12].
a. Changing to another column of similar type
b. Different operation in the same laboratory
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Incurred sample reanalysis: ISR is conducted by repeating the analysis of a subset of subject
samples from a given study in separate runs on different days to critically support the precision and
accuracy measurements established with spiked QCs; the original and repeat analysis is conducted
using the same bioanalytical method procedures. ISR samples should be compared to freshly
prepared calibrators. ISR is expected for all in vivo human BE studies and all pivotal PK or
pharmacodynamic (PD) studies [5].
Concomitant Validation: This process include the measurement of analyte response along with
some common medications (eg; acetaminophen, diclofenac sodium, etc) to check wether the method
is slective and accurate or not in multiple dose condition.
For the conduction of Bioequivalence of drug a protocol is made by the PK scientist and clinical
department according to the regulatory.The parameter on which the protocol is made are:

Reference and Test drug name and dose.

Dosage form

Duration of action

Time interval

Study design.

Sequence of Reference and Test dosing.

Ambulatory visit.

Method development & Method Validation strategy

Pharmacokinectic parameter determination.

Statistical analysis
Application of method development and validation: After the protocol is finalized by the
authority the clinical study is conducted in clinics and in the the laboratory the method is developed
and validated for the conduction of bioanalysis of drug. After the method is finalized the sample is
collected from the clinics and come to the laboratory under specified condition mentioned in
protocol. After that the sample is analysed on the developed method and the analysis report is send
to the Pharmacokinetic department where the pharmacokinetic parameter is calculated by Winolin,
version-7 software. The parameters which are determined are:
 Cmax




tmax
AUC0-t
AUC0-∞
AUCextrapolated
 Kel
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After the Pharmacokinetic parameter analysis the analytical record is send to the statistical
department where the transform the numerical value into logarithm form and by applying ANOVA
and SAS software they calculate the confidence interval and proof the bioequivalence and
bioavailability of drug. Finally all the reports are sent to DRA department for filling of the
bioequivalence of the drug and getting the license for marketing of that drug.
Conclusion: This review summarizes the method development and validation parameters that are
required according; to the requirements of ICH and US FDA. The method validation process and;
the minimum requirements to be included in a regulatory method are also discussed. The concepts
and relatively new technology covered in this review article can be used to enhance LC-MS/MS
bioanalytical method development. It provides information for the bioavailability, bioequivalence
and therapeutic drug monitoring studies. An overview of phase – appropriate method validation are
presented to stimulate ideas and the; thought process to follow when such situations are encountered.
An attempt has been made to understand and explain the bioanalytical method development and
validation from basic point of view.
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