What Is Analytical Method Transfer?

Analytical method transfer is a critical step in drug development that’s quite frequently encountered by biotech and pharma R&D personnel. Broadly, it is a documentation process that enables one laboratory (receiving laboratory) to set up and utilize an analytical test procedure that originated in another laboratory (sending laboratory). Method transfer ensures that the receiving lab has all pertinent method details, such as sample preparation approach, favorable equipment settings, and desired atmospheric conditions to reproduce the analytical test procedure systematically.

Proper method transfer minimizes unnecessary trial and error given the receiving laboratory takes method setup guidance from another lab successful with that method already. Often, the step takes place before the method gets validated at the sending lab given the receiving lab typically will have to validate the method anyway for generating data worthy of regulatory submission. Naturally, it is more resource, time, and cost effective to do the method transfer prior to validation. Method transfers can occur between different labs at the same testing site, or between different sites of the same company, or even between different companies and labs depending on a variety of scientific, financial, and human resources related factors. The requirements for the transfer such as extent of documentation, however, change based on the lifecycle stage of the method.

It’s important to have specific standard operating procedures in place to ensure the analytical method transfer is comprehensive and reliable. For instance, a detailed and well-written method protocol should be shared before the transfer process begins. Ideally, the sending lab should make its experts accessible to the receiving lab before the transfer as well. Finally, the receiving lab should test-run the procedure and flag potential issues for clarification before the transfer is completed.

Analytical Method Transfer in Drug R&D during Discovery, Pre-Clinical, and Clinical Phases

At NorthEast BioLab, we primarily focus on method transfer for pharmaceutical products or drugs in development. We specialize in providing bioanalytical methods and services for small molecules. These small, chemically manufactured molecules are classic active substances and continue to make up over 90 percent of the drugs in the market today. We guide our clients through key phases of the drug development process providing analytical method transfers during all phases of drug discovery and development

At NorthEast BioLab, we conduct method transfer/cross-validation using either quality controls or incurred study samples or both.

Our method transfer procedures rigorously evaluate the following parameters. Of course, this is just an indicative list that’s subject to shift focus significantly depending on the analyte at hand.

• Accuracy
• Precision
• Selectivity
• Specificity
• Stability
• Limits of Detection (LOD)
• Limit of quantitation (LOQ)

The parameters that are required in any method transfer depends on the desired results of the method transfer. The method transfer protocol defines the objectives, materials, and analytical procedures that need to be transferred and is the defining guideline for the entire process.

Why Choose NorthEast BioLab for your Analytical Method Transfer?

Across the world, drug development companies are outsourcing bioanalysis to Contract Research Organisations. However, given the time-sensitive nature of drug development, finding the right partner is important. At NorthEast BioLab, we have over 15 years of experience in analytical method development, validation, and transfer. We understand that optimizing your costs and resources is critical during the drug development process and we do everything we can to help you get there.

We work with clients to use the type of analytical method transfer that is suited to their situation. We bring together our core strengths, operational excellence, regulatory expertise, and scientific experience to help you reach your goals faster.