Comparing exponentially weighted moving average and run rules in process control of semiquantitative immunogenicity immunoassays

Abstract

The immunogenicity immunoassay validation process ensures development of a robust, reproducible method. However, no matter how well developed, validated, and maintained a method is, in the course of running a large number of samples over time, it is not uncommon to see bad reagents, poorly calibrated equipment, personnel errors, or other unknown and unpredictable factors that have an impact in the performance of the method and quality of the sample results. The immunogenicity immunoassay thus needs to be closely monitored with an internal statistical quality control process overtime to ensure a consistent and reliable output. The statistical process control has been widely applied to monitor manufacturing processes and in clinical laboratories. Its application to immunogenicity immunoassays is relatively novel. Limited guidance is available to implement the process to monitor semiquantitative immunogenicity immunoassay performance. Here, we have performed a suitability evaluation for process control charts with actual laboratory data from three immunogenicity immunoassay methods each utilizing a different technology platform. Additionally, a panel of prepared samples designed to assess long-term method performance were periodically evaluated for over a year. Finally, we make recommendations for an internal quality control process based on the results of these evaluations. © 2009 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.