Determining the shelf life of an erythropoietin alfa biosimilar GBPD002 through stability study

GBPD002 is a recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) produced by recombinant DNA technology using mammalian cell expression system. In this study, samples were analyzed according to current Good Laboratory Practice (cGLP) and regulatory guidelines to evaluate the quality of the product under the influence of variety of environmental factors in a time-dependent manner. Accelerated (25 {+/-} 2 {degrees}C and relative humidity: 60 {+/-} 5 %) and real-time (5 {+/-} 3 {degrees}C) stability study were conducted up to 6 months and 12 months, respectively; samples were analyzed in every 3 months. After 12 months, real-time stability studies were performed with 6 months interval up to18 months, which to be continued up to 24 months. Appearance and pH were assessed using standard methods, and molecular weight was determined by Western blotting. Chromatographic identification and quantitative assays were performed by reversed- phase chromatography (RPC). High-molecular weight aggregatesand degradants were determined using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and particle size distribution (PSD) analysis. Biofunctionality of the samples were evaluated by in vitro and in vivo bioassays. Bacterial endotoxin and sterility test were performed as safety parameters. All samples met the acceptance criteria, and the data were extrapolated using the regulatory guideline to determine the shelf life. The data revealed that the GBPD002 is stable up to 24 months.