BRACKETING AND MATRIXING DESIGNS
FOR STABILITY TESTING OF NEW DRUG
SUBSTANCES AND PRODUCTS
(Q1D)
Presented By
T V Sarath Chandra
M Pharm I Year SEM I
Regd. No. 170609008
1
Guided by
Dr. Swapnil J D
Assistant Professor
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE
MANIPAL COLLEGE OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
MANIPAL UNIVERSITY
CONTENTS
 INTRODUCTION
 APPLICABILITY OF THE REDUCED DESIGNS
 BRACKETING
 MATRIXING
 DATA EVALUATION
 SUMMARY
 REFERENCES
2
ICH
 International Conference of Harmonisation of technical requirements for
registration of pharmaceuticals for human use.
 ICH Topics are divided into four categories .
3
4
1. Q1A (R2)-Stability testing for new drug substances and products.
2. Q1B - Stability testing: Photo stability testing of new drug substances and products.
3. Q1C - Stability testing for new dosage forms
4. Q1D - Bracketing and Matrixing designs for stability testing of new drug
substances and products.
5. Q1E - Evaluation of stability data
6. Q1F- Stability data package for Registration applications in Climatic zones III and
IV
Q1 - STABILITY
Introduction
 These are reduced designs in which all samples are not tested at all time points.
 Alternatively used when multiple design factors are involved.
 Certain assumptions should be made and justified.
 Potential risk should be considered before assuming the shorter retest period
and shelf life.
 A change from full to reduced test design should be considered, if the
justification is done and principles of both the designs are followed.
 During the test study, once the design is changed from the full to reduced it
should be carried out through the remaining study.
5
Applicability of the Reduced designs
 It can be applied for drug products, but additional justification should be done for
some complex substances which have potential drug-device reaction.
 For drug substances, bracketing is not applicable and matrixing is of limited use.
 Whether bracketing or matrixing should be done, decided as per the conditions.
 Data variability and product stability shown by the supporting data should be
considered for the application of matrixing design.
 Careful consideration and scientific justification should be there in selection of
designs.
6
Bracketing
 In this the samples in the extremes of design factors are only tested at all time
points.
 It assumes that the stability of the intermediates is represented by the stability of
the extremes tested.
 The use of this design is inappropriate if the selected samples are not the
extremes.
 Design factors:
These are variables which should be evaluated for their effect on stability.
They are
1. Strength
2. Container size or fill
7
Strength
 Applied for multiple strengths and closely related formulations.
 Examples:
a) Capsules - different fill plug sizes and strengths, made up of same
powder blend.
b) Tablets - different strengths manufactured with compressing
varying amounts of same granulation.
c) Oral solutions - different strengths which may differ in minor
excipients (colorants, flavourings)
 If different excipients are used among strengths, bracketing should not be
applied.
8
Container size or fills
 Either fill size or container size should be vary and other should be constant.
 If both are varying, the smallest and largest are not considered as the extremes of
the packaging operations.
 In selecting the extremes, compare the characters carefully because it may effect
the stability of the product.
 The characters include container wall thickness, surface to volume ratio, oxygen
permeation rate per dosage unit, closure geometry.
 It is applied for the same container having different closures with justification.
9
Design consideration and Potential Risk
 During the study, if one of the extreme is known to be no longer in the
market, then design is made for supporting the intermediates.
 Retest period and shelf life should be assessed before applying this design.
 If the stabilities of both the extremes are different, then the stability of the
intermediate will be considered as not more than the least stable extreme.
 The shelf lives of the intermediates will be less than the shelf life of the least
stable extreme.
10
Design Example
Table 1
Strength 50mg 75mg 100mg
Batch 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
Container
size
15ml T T T T T T
100ml
500ml T T T T T T
11
Matrixing
 It is the stability schedule in which selected samples for all combinations are
tested at a time point.
 At subsequent time point, another set of samples of all combinations are tested.
 This design assumes that the stability of each set of samples represents the
stability of the remaining samples at a given point.
 The differences in the same drug sample are different strengths, different batches,
different sizes of the same container closure system.
 When secondary packaging system contributes to the stability of the system, then
packaging materials should be tested.
12
Design factors
 This design can be applied for different strengths of identical or closely related
substances. Examples are
a) Capsules - different fill plug sizes and strengths, made up of same powder
blend.
b) Tablets - different strengths and compressed with varying amounts of
same granulation.
c) Oral solutions - different strengths which may differ in minor excipients.
d) Different batches made by same process and same equipment.
 Justification should be done based on supporting data.
13
Design Considerations
 In this design, each sample should be tested at intended time points and should be
tested at last time point before the submission.
 Because it is difficult to test at all time points as in full test, some time points are
matrixed.
 It should be tested for first and last time points for selected factors, but for some
factors intermediate time points should also be tested.
 For accelerated or intermediate storage condition testing, atleast three points
should be tested.
14
Design Example
Time points (months) 0 3 6 9 12 18 24 36
S
T
R
E
N
G
T
H
S1 Batch 1 T T T T T T
Batch 2 T T T T T T
Batch 3 T T T T T
S2 Batch 1 T T T T T
Batch 2 T T T T T T
Batch 3 T T T T T
15
Table 2: Examples of Matrixing Designs on Time Points for a product with two strengths
One half reduction
Time points (months) 0 3 6 9 12 18 24 36
S
T
R
E
N
G
T
H
S1 Batch 1 T T T T T T
Batch 2 T T T T T T
Batch 3 T T T T T T T
S2 Batch 1 T T T T T T T
Batch 2 T T T T T T
Batch 3 T T T T T T
16
One third reduction
 The one half reduction in which one in two time points is eliminated from
testing.
 The one third reduction in which one in three time points is eliminated
from testing.
 These examples include the full testing for the initial, final and 12 month
time period points.
 In one half reduction, the time points are reduced less than the one half
(24/48) that is actually (15/48).
 In one third reduction, the time points are reduced less than the one third
(16/48) that is actually (10/48).
17
Applicability and Degree of reduction
 The following should be followed when matrixing is applied:
• knowledge of data variability
• availability of supporting data
• stability differences in the product within a factor or among factors
• number of factor combinations in the study
 In general matrixing is done when the appropriate supporting data indicate
appropriate product stability.
 If the variability in the supporting data is less and moderate matrixing can be
done.
 If the variability is high matrixing cannot be done.
contd…
18
 The matrixing design can be justified with respect to its power to detect
differences among factors of degradation and its precision in shelf life estimation.
 If the design is applicable, the degree of reduction depends on the number of
factors involved.
 The more the factors involved, the more the degree of the reduction.
 Any design should have the ability to calculate the shelf life of a product
appropriately.
19
Potential Risk
 Due to the insufficient data collected for the testing, the matrixing design may get
lesser shelf life than the shelf life got from the full test design.
 That matrixing design has lesser efficiency to detect certain interaction effects
leading to incorrect pooling of data.
 If testing of factor combinations is reduced, the tested factor combinations cannot
give sufficient data for finding the shelf life.
20
 The design which have reduction in time points only have the ability of
establishing of shelf life as in full test design.
 It exists because the full testing of all the samples is done at initial and
final time point before the submission.
Data Evaluation
 The data collected from the reduced design should be treated in the same
manner as collected from the full test design by using statistical
applications.
21
CONCLUSION
 The reduced test designs are used for the testing the stability in lesser time than
the full test design by considering some risks.
 Bracketing design in which extremes are tested and Matrixing design in which
selected samples are tested.
 Bracketing is mainly used to pursue a trend initially in pre clinical studies and
clinical trials. Matrixing is used to confirm a prediction of the stability
information.
 The reduced designs should be used after the proper justification and scientific
consideration.
 They may not get precise shelf life values as the full test design.
22
Reference
 BRACKETING AND MATRIXING DESIGNS FOR STABILITY
TESTING OF NEW DRUG SUBSTANCES AND PRODUCTS Q1D :
ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline, current step 4 version, 7 February
2002, page no: 1-7
23
24

Bracketing and Matrixing Methods for Stability analysis

  • 1.
    BRACKETING AND MATRIXINGDESIGNS FOR STABILITY TESTING OF NEW DRUG SUBSTANCES AND PRODUCTS (Q1D) Presented By T V Sarath Chandra M Pharm I Year SEM I Regd. No. 170609008 1 Guided by Dr. Swapnil J D Assistant Professor DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE MANIPAL COLLEGE OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES MANIPAL UNIVERSITY
  • 2.
    CONTENTS  INTRODUCTION  APPLICABILITYOF THE REDUCED DESIGNS  BRACKETING  MATRIXING  DATA EVALUATION  SUMMARY  REFERENCES 2
  • 3.
    ICH  International Conferenceof Harmonisation of technical requirements for registration of pharmaceuticals for human use.  ICH Topics are divided into four categories . 3
  • 4.
    4 1. Q1A (R2)-Stabilitytesting for new drug substances and products. 2. Q1B - Stability testing: Photo stability testing of new drug substances and products. 3. Q1C - Stability testing for new dosage forms 4. Q1D - Bracketing and Matrixing designs for stability testing of new drug substances and products. 5. Q1E - Evaluation of stability data 6. Q1F- Stability data package for Registration applications in Climatic zones III and IV Q1 - STABILITY
  • 5.
    Introduction  These arereduced designs in which all samples are not tested at all time points.  Alternatively used when multiple design factors are involved.  Certain assumptions should be made and justified.  Potential risk should be considered before assuming the shorter retest period and shelf life.  A change from full to reduced test design should be considered, if the justification is done and principles of both the designs are followed.  During the test study, once the design is changed from the full to reduced it should be carried out through the remaining study. 5
  • 6.
    Applicability of theReduced designs  It can be applied for drug products, but additional justification should be done for some complex substances which have potential drug-device reaction.  For drug substances, bracketing is not applicable and matrixing is of limited use.  Whether bracketing or matrixing should be done, decided as per the conditions.  Data variability and product stability shown by the supporting data should be considered for the application of matrixing design.  Careful consideration and scientific justification should be there in selection of designs. 6
  • 7.
    Bracketing  In thisthe samples in the extremes of design factors are only tested at all time points.  It assumes that the stability of the intermediates is represented by the stability of the extremes tested.  The use of this design is inappropriate if the selected samples are not the extremes.  Design factors: These are variables which should be evaluated for their effect on stability. They are 1. Strength 2. Container size or fill 7
  • 8.
    Strength  Applied formultiple strengths and closely related formulations.  Examples: a) Capsules - different fill plug sizes and strengths, made up of same powder blend. b) Tablets - different strengths manufactured with compressing varying amounts of same granulation. c) Oral solutions - different strengths which may differ in minor excipients (colorants, flavourings)  If different excipients are used among strengths, bracketing should not be applied. 8
  • 9.
    Container size orfills  Either fill size or container size should be vary and other should be constant.  If both are varying, the smallest and largest are not considered as the extremes of the packaging operations.  In selecting the extremes, compare the characters carefully because it may effect the stability of the product.  The characters include container wall thickness, surface to volume ratio, oxygen permeation rate per dosage unit, closure geometry.  It is applied for the same container having different closures with justification. 9
  • 10.
    Design consideration andPotential Risk  During the study, if one of the extreme is known to be no longer in the market, then design is made for supporting the intermediates.  Retest period and shelf life should be assessed before applying this design.  If the stabilities of both the extremes are different, then the stability of the intermediate will be considered as not more than the least stable extreme.  The shelf lives of the intermediates will be less than the shelf life of the least stable extreme. 10
  • 11.
    Design Example Table 1 Strength50mg 75mg 100mg Batch 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 Container size 15ml T T T T T T 100ml 500ml T T T T T T 11
  • 12.
    Matrixing  It isthe stability schedule in which selected samples for all combinations are tested at a time point.  At subsequent time point, another set of samples of all combinations are tested.  This design assumes that the stability of each set of samples represents the stability of the remaining samples at a given point.  The differences in the same drug sample are different strengths, different batches, different sizes of the same container closure system.  When secondary packaging system contributes to the stability of the system, then packaging materials should be tested. 12
  • 13.
    Design factors  Thisdesign can be applied for different strengths of identical or closely related substances. Examples are a) Capsules - different fill plug sizes and strengths, made up of same powder blend. b) Tablets - different strengths and compressed with varying amounts of same granulation. c) Oral solutions - different strengths which may differ in minor excipients. d) Different batches made by same process and same equipment.  Justification should be done based on supporting data. 13
  • 14.
    Design Considerations  Inthis design, each sample should be tested at intended time points and should be tested at last time point before the submission.  Because it is difficult to test at all time points as in full test, some time points are matrixed.  It should be tested for first and last time points for selected factors, but for some factors intermediate time points should also be tested.  For accelerated or intermediate storage condition testing, atleast three points should be tested. 14
  • 15.
    Design Example Time points(months) 0 3 6 9 12 18 24 36 S T R E N G T H S1 Batch 1 T T T T T T Batch 2 T T T T T T Batch 3 T T T T T S2 Batch 1 T T T T T Batch 2 T T T T T T Batch 3 T T T T T 15 Table 2: Examples of Matrixing Designs on Time Points for a product with two strengths One half reduction
  • 16.
    Time points (months)0 3 6 9 12 18 24 36 S T R E N G T H S1 Batch 1 T T T T T T Batch 2 T T T T T T Batch 3 T T T T T T T S2 Batch 1 T T T T T T T Batch 2 T T T T T T Batch 3 T T T T T T 16 One third reduction
  • 17.
     The onehalf reduction in which one in two time points is eliminated from testing.  The one third reduction in which one in three time points is eliminated from testing.  These examples include the full testing for the initial, final and 12 month time period points.  In one half reduction, the time points are reduced less than the one half (24/48) that is actually (15/48).  In one third reduction, the time points are reduced less than the one third (16/48) that is actually (10/48). 17
  • 18.
    Applicability and Degreeof reduction  The following should be followed when matrixing is applied: • knowledge of data variability • availability of supporting data • stability differences in the product within a factor or among factors • number of factor combinations in the study  In general matrixing is done when the appropriate supporting data indicate appropriate product stability.  If the variability in the supporting data is less and moderate matrixing can be done.  If the variability is high matrixing cannot be done. contd… 18
  • 19.
     The matrixingdesign can be justified with respect to its power to detect differences among factors of degradation and its precision in shelf life estimation.  If the design is applicable, the degree of reduction depends on the number of factors involved.  The more the factors involved, the more the degree of the reduction.  Any design should have the ability to calculate the shelf life of a product appropriately. 19
  • 20.
    Potential Risk  Dueto the insufficient data collected for the testing, the matrixing design may get lesser shelf life than the shelf life got from the full test design.  That matrixing design has lesser efficiency to detect certain interaction effects leading to incorrect pooling of data.  If testing of factor combinations is reduced, the tested factor combinations cannot give sufficient data for finding the shelf life. 20
  • 21.
     The designwhich have reduction in time points only have the ability of establishing of shelf life as in full test design.  It exists because the full testing of all the samples is done at initial and final time point before the submission. Data Evaluation  The data collected from the reduced design should be treated in the same manner as collected from the full test design by using statistical applications. 21
  • 22.
    CONCLUSION  The reducedtest designs are used for the testing the stability in lesser time than the full test design by considering some risks.  Bracketing design in which extremes are tested and Matrixing design in which selected samples are tested.  Bracketing is mainly used to pursue a trend initially in pre clinical studies and clinical trials. Matrixing is used to confirm a prediction of the stability information.  The reduced designs should be used after the proper justification and scientific consideration.  They may not get precise shelf life values as the full test design. 22
  • 23.
    Reference  BRACKETING ANDMATRIXING DESIGNS FOR STABILITY TESTING OF NEW DRUG SUBSTANCES AND PRODUCTS Q1D : ICH Harmonised Tripartite Guideline, current step 4 version, 7 February 2002, page no: 1-7 23
  • 24.