SOP Guide for Pharma

Gel Manufacturing: SOP for Preparing Gel Formulations for Clinical Trials – V 2.0

Gel Manufacturing: SOP for Preparing Gel Formulations for Clinical Trials – V 2.0

Standard Operating Procedure for Clinical Trial Gel Formulation Preparation in Gel Manufacturing

Department Gel Manufacturing
SOP No. SOP/GM/187/2025
Supersedes SOP/GM/187/2022
Page No. Page 1 of 11
Issue Date 09/06/2025
Effective Date 11/06/2025
Review Date 09/06/2027

1. Purpose

This SOP describes the standardized method for preparing gel formulations intended for clinical trial use, ensuring adherence to GMP, GCP, and regulatory requirements including ICH, FDA, and Schedule Y guidelines.

2. Scope

This procedure applies to the Gel Manufacturing department involved in pilot-scale and clinical batch manufacturing of gel products for Phase I–III clinical trials in API and formulation units.

3. Responsibilities

  • Formulation Scientist: Responsible for formulation design, component selection, and documentation.
  • Production Supervisor: Oversees execution of clinical batch production as per
protocol.
  • QA Executive: Ensures compliance to regulatory requirements, line clearance, and in-process quality checks.
  • Clinical Project Manager: Coordinates trial-related documentation and labeling approval.
  • 4. Accountability

    The Head – Manufacturing is accountable for the implementation of this SOP and for ensuring that all preparations for clinical trial batches meet regulatory expectations.

    5. Procedure

    5.1 Pre-Requisites

    1. Obtain approved Clinical Trial Application (CTA) or IND approval from the sponsor/regulatory body.
    2. Ensure availability of approved protocol, batch manufacturing record (BMR), and trial-specific documents.
    3. Verify raw materials, APIs, and excipients are approved for clinical use and accompanied by COA.

    5.2 Facility Preparation

    1. Clean and sanitize designated clinical trial manufacturing area as per SOP/GM/055/2025.
    2. Perform line clearance and document in Annexure-1.

    5.3 Equipment Preparation

    1. Use dedicated or qualified equipment (homogenizers, gel mixers, filling lines) and calibrate prior to use.
    2. Record calibration logs and cleaning activities in Annexure-2.

    5.4 Gel Manufacturing Process

    1. Follow the approved BMR and formulation protocol for ingredient addition, temperature, mixing speed, and time.
    2. Use precision balances for weighing micro quantities of actives.
    3. Maintain batch homogeneity and document in-process checks (pH, viscosity, appearance).

    5.5 Sampling and Testing

    1. Collect samples for QC testing as per sampling SOP/QC/010/2025.
    2. QC tests to include:
      • Appearance, pH, viscosity
      • Drug content uniformity
      • Microbial limit testing
      • Preservative efficacy (if applicable)
    3. Release gel formulation only upon QA approval.

    5.6 Labeling and Packaging

    1. Use trial-specific pre-approved labels bearing Trial ID, Protocol Code, Batch No., Expiry, Storage Conditions.
    2. Perform secondary packaging as per clinical supply SOP and store in quarantine area until dispatch.

    5.7 Documentation

    1. Maintain trial batch BMR with traceability of each step.
    2. Attach certificates of analysis, formulation development reports, deviation reports (if any).
    3. Retain records as per ICH GCP guidelines for minimum 5 years post-trial completion.

    6. Abbreviations

    • GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice
    • GCP: Good Clinical Practice
    • BMR: Batch Manufacturing Record
    • COA: Certificate of Analysis
    • QA: Quality Assurance

    7. Documents

    1. Line Clearance Record – Annexure-1
    2. Equipment Preparation Log – Annexure-2
    3. Clinical Trial Batch BMR – Annexure-3
    4. QC Report – Annexure-4
    5. Clinical Label Reconciliation Sheet – Annexure-5

    8. References

    • ICH E6(R2) – Good Clinical Practice Guidelines
    • Schedule Y – Drugs and Cosmetics Act, India
    • FDA 21 CFR Part 312 – Investigational New Drug Application

    9. SOP Version

    Version: 2.0

    10. Approval Section

    Prepared By Checked By Approved By
    Signature
    Date
    Name
    Designation Jr. Production Chemist QA Executive Head – Manufacturing
    Department Gel Manufacturing Quality Assurance Manufacturing

    11. Annexures

    Annexure-1: Line Clearance Record

    Date Area Name Cleared By QA Verified Remarks

    Annexure-2: Equipment Preparation Log

    Equipment ID Cleaning Done By Calibration Date Status

    Annexure-3: Clinical Trial Batch BMR

    (Attach scanned BMR pages or maintain digitally as per ALCOA+ principles)

    Annexure-4: QC Report

    Test Specification Result Status

    Annexure-5: Clinical Label Reconciliation Sheet

    Label ID Issued Used Destroyed Balance

    Revision History

    Revision Date Revision No. Description of Change Reason Approved By
    03/05/2022 1.0 Initial draft release New clinical SOP QA Head
    09/06/2025 2.0 Updated with trial labeling and documentation sections Process optimization QA Head
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