Sterile Injectable Manufacturing: SOP for Endotoxin Testing of Intravenous Injections – V 2.0
Standard Operating Procedure for Endotoxin Testing of Intravenous Injections
| Department |
Sterile Injectable Manufacturing |
| SOP No. |
SOP/SIM/062/2025 |
| Supersedes |
SOP/SIM/062/2022 |
| Page No. |
Page 1 of 14 |
| Issue Date |
18/06/2025 |
| Effective Date |
20/06/2025 |
| Review Date |
18/06/2026 |
1. Purpose
To describe the procedure for performing bacterial endotoxin testing (BET) on intravenous (IV) injectable drug products to ensure they comply with pharmacopeial limits using gel clot or chromogenic LAL test methods.
2. Scope
This SOP applies to all final IV injectable products
manufactured at [Company Name] that require endotoxin testing prior to batch release.
3. Responsibilities
- Microbiology Analyst: Conducts the BET and documents the results.
- QC Reviewer: Verifies results and checks calculations.
- QA Personnel: Reviews test reports and ensures compliance with applicable specifications.
4. Accountability
The Head – Quality Control shall be accountable for ensuring implementation and compliance of the BET procedures.
5. Procedure
5.1 Preparation
- Ensure all glassware and equipment used are depyrogenated at 250°C for 30 minutes.
- Confirm that the LAL reagent, water for BET, and standard endotoxin are within expiry.
- Record lot numbers and preparation details in the Endotoxin Test Log (Annexure-1).
5.2 Sample Preparation
- Withdraw sample under aseptic conditions using pyrogen-free apparatus.
- Dilute sample appropriately based on Maximum Valid Dilution (MVD) and label test tubes.
5.3 Gel Clot Method
- Add 0.1 mL of sample or standard endotoxin to 0.1 mL LAL reagent in LAL test tubes.
- Include positive product control (PPC), negative product control (NPC), positive control (PC), and negative control (NC).
- Incubate tubes at 37±1°C for 60±2 minutes in a dry block incubator.
- After incubation, invert each tube gently. Presence of firm gel indicates a positive result.
5.4 Chromogenic or Turbidimetric Method (Kinetic)
- Prepare microplate with required standards, samples, PPCs, and controls in duplicate.
- Add LAL reagent and read reaction kinetics in a validated microplate reader at specified wavelength.
- Use standard curve to calculate endotoxin concentration in sample.
5.5 Acceptance Criteria
- Results must be below specified endotoxin limit (EU/mL) as per monograph or calculated using:
Endotoxin Limit = K/M, where:
- K = Threshold pyrogenic dose of endotoxin (generally 5 EU/kg for IV)
- M = Maximum dose/kg/hour
5.6 Documentation
- Record observations in Annexure-1 and calculate results using Annexure-2.
- Report results in Annexure-3 and attach raw data printouts if applicable.
6. Abbreviations
- SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
- LAL: Limulus Amebocyte Lysate
- BET: Bacterial Endotoxin Test
- EU: Endotoxin Unit
- MVD: Maximum Valid Dilution
7. Documents
- Endotoxin Test Log – Annexure-1
- Endotoxin Limit Calculation Sheet – Annexure-2
- Endotoxin Test Report – Annexure-3
8. References
- USP <85> Bacterial Endotoxins Test
- EP 2.6.14 Bacterial Endotoxins
- ICH Q6A: Specifications
9. SOP Version
Version: 2.0
10. Approval Section
|
Prepared By |
Checked By |
Approved By |
| Signature |
|
|
|
| Date |
|
|
|
| Name |
|
|
|
| Designation |
QC Analyst |
QC Manager |
Head QA |
| Department |
Quality Control |
Quality Control |
Quality Assurance |
11. Annexures
Annexure-1: Endotoxin Test Log
| Date |
Batch No. |
Product |
Method |
Analyst |
| 17/06/2025 |
IVINF0021 |
Inj. Meropenem |
Gel Clot |
Pratik Jha |
Annexure-2: Endotoxin Limit Calculation Sheet
| Product |
Max Dose (mL/kg/hr) |
K |
Limit (EU/mL) |
MVD |
| Inj. Piperacillin |
20 |
5 EU/kg |
0.25 |
100 |
Annexure-3: Endotoxin Test Report
| Product |
Batch |
Test Date |
Result (EU/mL) |
Status |
Reviewed By |
| Inj. Amikacin |
AMK-055 |
15/06/2025 |
0.18 |
Complies |
Shraddha Desai |
Revision History
| Revision Date |
Revision No. |
Details |
Reason |
Approved By |
| 01/01/2022 |
1.0 |
Initial version |
New SOP |
QA Head |
| 18/06/2025 |
2.0 |
Included kinetic methods and calculation format |
Annual Review |
QA Head |