Sugammadex is a modified γ‐cyclodextrin which rapidly reverses rocuronium‐and vecuronium‐induced neuromuscular blockade. Previous studies suggest that sugammadex is mostly excreted unchanged via the kidneys. This single‐center, open‐label, non‐randomized study used 14C‐labeled sugammadex to further investigate the excretion, metabolic and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of sugammadex in six healthy male volunteers. 14C‐labeled sugammadex 4 mg/kg (0.025 MBq/kg of 14C‐radioactivity) was administered as a single intravenous bolus. Blood, urine, feces and exhaled air samples were collected at pre‐defined intervals for assessment of sugammadex by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) and for radioactivity measurements. Adverse events were also assessed. Excretion of sugammadex was rapid with ∼70% of the dose excreted within 6 h and ∼90% within 24 h. Less than 0.02% of radioactivity was excreted in feces or exhaled air. Ninety‐five percent of the radioactivity detected in urine could be attributed to sugammadex, as determined by LC‐MS, suggesting very limited metabolism of sugammadex. LC‐MS analysis of plasma samples found that sugammadex accounted for 100% of total 14C‐radioactivity in the plasma. In general, PK parameters determined from radioactivity and sugammadex plasma concentrations were very similar. Any adverse events were of mild‐to‐moderate intensity, and judged unrelated to sugammadex. These findings demonstrate that sugammadex is cleared rapidly, almost exclusively via the kidney, with minimal or no metabolism. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Following intensive discussions, review, alignment of procedures and multiple surveys among their member companies, the European Bioanalysis Forum (EBF) is providing a recommendation on how to integrate incurred sample reproducibility (ISR) in the bioanalytical process. The recommendation aims to provide guidance throughout the lifecycle of a validated method, including the application of the method in study support. In its recommendation, the EBF considers both the internal discussions with EBF member companies, as well as the input provided in international meetings where ISR was discussed. The ultimate goal of the EBF recommendation is to ensure that bioanalytical methods can provide accurate and reproducible concentration data for pharmacokinetic and/or toxicokinetic evaluation, without any compromise, while safeguarding the optimal use of laboratory resources.

In severe cases with multi-organ failure, administration of 100 mg intravenous oseltamivir twice-daily provided reliable drug concentrations, as opposed to renoprotective and oral dosing, thereby minimizing the risk of treatment failure and drug resistance. Evidence-based pediatric dosing recommendations and effective intravenous antiviral treatment modalities are needed for intensive care patients with life-threatening influenza disease.

Since 2008, blood stability testing has gained considerable attention in the European Bioanalysis Forum (EBF) with discussions aiming to align processes, timing and reporting of analyte stability testing in blood as part of method development and validation. In this recommendation, EBF summarizes the conclusions reached to date and aims to provide recommendation for the experimental conduct of such assays as well as the inclusion of stability testing into the scope of method development and validation. Besides considering a step-wise approach for blood stability testing, recommendation is made to analyze the blood fraction using a qualified assay in order to circumvent important experimental hurdles. This article will provide an increased understanding of the impact of blood stability testing but furthermore invites scientists to share their views in order to refine the thinking to reach a global harmonized view.

Interference testing of co-medication in bioanalytical method validation has become an area of debate in view of the increased specificity offered by current state-of-the-art technology in both LC-MS/MS and ligand-binding assay platforms. In view of this, and considering the extensive experience within the European Bioanalysis Forum member companies, we evaluated the impact of co-medication on the performance of hundreds of bioanalytical methods with the aim of providing a science-based recommendation on how to evaluate and document potential interference from co-medication on the PK parameters in clinical studies in patients and volunteers.