Integrity & Reliability in Bioequivalence Studies at Synapse Labs

In a globalized pharmaceutical industry, ensuring the integrity and reliability of clinical data is of utmost importance. Recently, the Spanish Medicines Agency conducted a comprehensive Good Clinical Practice (GCP) inspection of the Bioequivalence (BE) facilities at Synapse Labs Pvt. Ltd, a prominent Contract Research Organization (CRO) based in India. The inspection findings have raised serious concerns about the validity and reliability of data from BE studies, encompassing both clinical and bioanalytical aspects. This has prompted the Spanish inspectorate to refer the matter to the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) under an Article 31 referral, seeking their opinion on whether the marketing authorizations of products associated with these studies should be maintained, varied, suspended, or revoked.

As of the date of this publication, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has initiated a review of the medicines studied by Synapse, aiming to assess any potential implications for public health. For the latest developments regarding this review, please refer to the EMA's official website.

About Synapse Labs Pvt. Ltd

Established in 2007, Synapse Labs Pvt. Ltd has been operating as a CRO providing bioanalytical and clinical research services. The company has been involved in conducting BE studies for various pharmaceutical products intending to demonstrate their equivalence to reference drugs. Synapse Labs works with pharmaceutical companies seeking to gain regulatory approvals for their products in different markets worldwide. However, the recent inspection has put the reliability and quality of data from all studies conducted by the organization since its inception under scrutiny.

The GCP Inspection

The Spanish Medicines Agency, responsible for regulating medicines in Spain, conducted a GCP inspection at Synapse Labs Pvt. Ltd. The inspection unearthed several discrepancies and potential lapses that raised serious concerns about the validity and reliability of data from the BE studies. Key areas of concern included:

1. Inadequate Documentation: The inspection team found instances of inadequate documentation, including missing or incomplete records of critical study parameters.
2. Potential non-compliance with GCP Guidelines: The inspectors identified instances where Synapse Labs may have failed to adhere to Good Clinical Practice guidelines.
3. Possible data Integrity Issues: Potential data manipulation and unexplained discrepancies in the data reported from the BE studies. Such issues directly impact the trustworthiness of the research findings and the conclusions drawn from them.
4. Analytical Method Validation: The inspection raised concerns about the validation of analytical methods used in the bioequivalence studies. Validated analytical methods are essential to ensure accurate and reliable measurement of drug concentrations, a cornerstone of BE assessments.
5. Inadequate Quality Management Systems: The inspection team found shortcomings in the CRO's quality management systems, which are designed to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and maintain data integrity throughout the research process.

CHMP Article 31 Referral

In response to the inspection findings, the Spanish inspectorate has initiated an Article 31 referral to the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). Article 31 of Directive 2001/83/EC allows member states to refer matters to the CHMP where the interests of the European Community are involved. The CHMP, in turn, provides its opinion on whether the marketing authorizations of the products under question should be maintained, varied, suspended, or revoked.

The CHMP's decision will be based on a thorough evaluation of the available data and evidence. This process is essential to ensure transparency, accountability, and a consistent approach across member states when addressing issues related to the integrity and reliability of study data.

ProPharma: Assisting Impacted Products with Regulatory Pathway

ProPharma can support pharmaceutical companies impacted by the inspection findings at Synapse Labs. Our team of experienced regulatory affairs professionals can assist in navigating the complex regulatory landscape and devising an appropriate pathway forward for impacted products.

We can help with:

• Regulatory Compliance: We help companies implement robust quality management systems to ensure compliance with GCP guidelines and other regulatory standards, thereby enhancing data integrity and reliability.
• Regulatory Strategy: Our experts provide guidance on regulatory strategies to address the implications of the inspection findings, including communication with regulatory authorities, study sponsors, and other stakeholders.
• Remediation Plans: For products facing potential authorization challenges, we develop comprehensive remediation plans to address any data integrity issues and demonstrate the reliability of study data.
• Risk Assessment: We conduct in-depth risk assessments to identify vulnerabilities and potential areas of concern in the study data and develop risk mitigation strategies.
• Communication with Regulatory Authorities: We assist in preparing responses to regulatory queries and facilitate interactions with regulatory bodies to address concerns related to study data.

Contact ProPharma for Regulatory Guidance

ProPharma stands ready to assist companies impacted by these inspection findings in navigating the complex regulatory landscape and finding a way forward for their affected products. If your company is impacted by the recent inspection findings at Synapse Labs Pvt. Ltd or if you require regulatory guidance to address integrity and reliability concerns in your bioequivalence studies, we encourage you to contact us today.