For in-process/intermediate materials that are chemically and physically stable, a risk- and science-based assessment process can help identify which material attributes and process parameters might affect the critical quality attributes of the finished drug product in which they are to be used. This assessment should be designed to ensure that materials held (under appropriate storage conditions) for a specified period are appropriate for use in manufacturing the finished drug product without having to conduct formal stability studies to verify the holding periods. In some instances, the risk assessment may include sampling and testing the material being held (at the stage determined by the risk assessment) to verify the manufacturing holding period. However, for unstable materials or for materials held longer than the period established in the risk assessment, firms should conduct stability studies according to an approved stability protocol to verify holding periods. The stability studies should include evaluations of the in-process/intermediate materials up to the time of their use in manufacturing a finished drug product and should include long-term monitoring of finished product batches manufactured with the in-process/intermediate materials. In the latter case, until appropriate stability data are generated, firms should calculate the expiration date assigned to finished product batches based on the date of manufacture/release of the in-process/intermediate material rather than on that of the finished product.
