Standard Operating Procedure for Handling Partial and Failed Analytical Runs in BA/BE Studies
| Department | BA-BE Studies |
|---|---|
| SOP No. | SOP/BA-BE/165/2025 |
| Supersedes | SOP/BA-BE/165/2022 |
| Page No. | Page 1 of 10 |
| Issue Date | 17/04/2025 |
| Effective Date | 20/04/2025 |
| Review Date | 17/04/2026 |
1. Purpose
To establish a uniform procedure for identifying, documenting, and managing partial and failed analytical runs during LC-MS/MS bioanalysis in BA/BE studies, ensuring data quality and regulatory adherence.
2. Scope
This SOP applies to all bioanalytical scientists and QA reviewers involved in handling, documenting, and approving LC-MS/MS runs associated with BA/BE plasma sample analysis.
3. Responsibilities
- Analyst: Monitors
4. Accountability
The Bioanalytical Laboratory Head is accountable for ensuring failed or partial runs are handled per regulatory expectations and are appropriately justified and recorded.
5. Procedure
5.1 Definitions
- Partial Run: A run in which only part of the sequence was completed or part of the data is unusable due to instrument, sample, or operational issues.
- Failed Run: A run where the calibration curve fails to meet acceptance criteria, invalidating the entire batch.
5.2 Identification of a Partial or Failed Run
- Monitor every run for:
- Calibration curve linearity and back-calculated concentrations.
- System Suitability Test (SST) results.
- Internal standard response consistency.
- Chromatographic anomalies (e.g., split peaks, baseline drift).
- If any of the above fail, classify the run as partial or failed and halt further injections.
5.3 Documentation
- Document failed/partial run in Annexure-1: Run Failure Record.
- Include chromatograms, SST, calibration data, and reasons for run failure.
- Flag all data as “Do Not Use” in raw data folder and label with a red tag.
5.4 Root Cause Investigation
- Investigate the issue under supervision:
- Instrument malfunction: Check logs, gas supply, pressure, pump performance.
- Sample preparation error: Re-extract QC and study samples.
- Software/data acquisition error: Report and validate sequence file settings.
- Record the investigation in Annexure-2: Run Investigation Log.
5.5 Approval for Reanalysis
- Submit justification for reanalysis to Lab Supervisor and QA.
- Approval to repeat analysis must be documented and attached to raw data package.
5.6 Reprocessing vs Reanalysis
- Reprocessing: Acceptable if raw data (chromatograms) is intact and original integration was erroneous.
- Reanalysis: Required if:
- Sample vials were not injected.
- System issues impacted ionization.
- Inappropriate results due to matrix effects, degradation, etc.
- All reanalysis activities must be documented in Annexure-3: Reanalysis Approval Form.
5.7 Data Archival and Final Reporting
- Clearly segregate valid and invalid runs in the final report and assign separate identifiers (e.g., RUN-01F for failed).
- Attach failure justification, corrected data, and impact analysis in the final bioanalytical report.
6. Abbreviations
- BA/BE: Bioavailability/Bioequivalence
- SST: System Suitability Test
- QC: Quality Control
- CAPA: Corrective and Preventive Action
- QA: Quality Assurance
7. Documents
- Run Failure Record – Annexure-1
- Run Investigation Log – Annexure-2
- Reanalysis Approval Form – Annexure-3
8. References
- ICH M10: Bioanalytical Method Validation
- FDA Bioanalytical Method Validation Guidance
- Internal Quality System Manual
9. SOP Version
Version: 2.0
10. Approval Section
| Prepared By | Checked By | Approved By | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signature | |||
| Date | |||
| Name | |||
| Designation | |||
| Department |
11. Annexures
Annexure-1: Run Failure Record
| Run ID | Date | Reason for Failure | Initiated By | Reviewed By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RUN-102 | 15/04/2025 | Curve R² < 0.98 | Sunita Reddy | QA Officer |
Annexure-2: Run Investigation Log
| Run ID | Observation | Investigation Summary | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| RUN-102 | Low peak area for all QCs | Column pressure dropped | Column replaced |
Annexure-3: Reanalysis Approval Form
| Date | Sample IDs for Reanalysis | Reason | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16/04/2025 | BE001-TP3, BE001-TP5 | Pump failure during injection | Lab Supervisor |
Revision History:
| Revision Date | Revision No. | Details | Reason | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2022 | 1.0 | Initial issue | New SOP | QA Head |
| 17/04/2025 | 2.0 | Added definitions and reprocessing policy | Regulatory update | QA Head |