microbiology review(s)

CENTER FOR DRUG EVALUATION AND RESEARCH

APPLICATION NUMBER:

125514Orig1s000

MICROBIOLOGY / VIROLOGY REVIEW(S)

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REYES CANDAU-CHACON07/28/2014

PATRICIA F HUGHES TROOST07/28/2014

Reference ID: 3600333

STN 125514, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp

3

Section 3.2.P of the BLA pertaining to product quality microbiology of the drug product manufacturing process was reviewed. The BLA, as amended, is recommended for approval from a product quality microbiology perspective pending proposed labeling changes (see section on LABELING) and with the following post-marketing commitment.

PMC: To conduct a study to assess the endotoxin recovery at various time-points from 3 drug product lots spiked with Control Standard Endotoxin (7.5 EU/mL and 10 EU/mL) in vials using the Kinetic Turbidometric Assay. The study protocol and report with data should be submitted by (date to be provided by applicant).

The drug product manufacturing site, Schering Plough Brinny Co., located at Ballinacurra Road, Innishannon, Cork, Ireland (FEI No. 3002808087) was inspected January 27-Februaury 4, 2014 and covered the profiles . The inspection was classified as NAI.

Reference ID: 3599054

(b) (4)

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STN 125514, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp

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CGMP STATUS:

Please refer to the final TB-EER for the compliance status of the manufacturing and testing

facilities.

CONCLUSION:

I. Section 3.2.P of the BLA pertaining to product quality microbiology of the drug product manufacturing process was reviewed. The BLA, as amended, is recommended for approval from a product quality microbiology perspective pending proposed labeling changes (see section on LABELING) and with the following post-marketing commitment.

PMC: To conduct a study to assess the endotoxin recovery at various time-points from 3 drug product lots spiked with Control Standard Endotoxin (7.5 EU/mL and 10 EU/mL) in vials using the Kinetic Turbidometric Assay. The study protocol and report with data should be submitted by (date to be provided by applicant).

II. CMC product specific information and data should be reviewed by the OBP reviewer.

III. Please refer to the final TB-EER for the compliance status of the manufacturing and testing facilities.

Reference ID: 3599054

STN 125514, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp

75

SIGNATURES/DISTRIBUTION LIST

Primary BMAB Reviewer: Kalavati Suvarna, Ph.D. Date:

Concurring BMAB Team Leader: Patricia. F. Hughes, Ph.D. Date:

cc:

OND/OHOP/DOP II RPM/Sickafuse, Sharon

OC/OMPQ/BMAB TL/Hughes, Patricia

OND/OHOP/DOP II MO/Chuk, Meredith

OND/OHOP/DOP II CDTL /Theoret, Marc

Reference ID: 3599054

3 Pages Have Been Withheld In Full As b4 (CCI/TS) Immediately Following This Page

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KALAVATI C SUVARNA07/24/2014

PATRICIA F HUGHES TROOST07/25/2014

Reference ID: 3599054

Determining When Pre-License / Pre-Approval Inspections are Necessary

Inspection Waiver Memorandum

Date: 30 May 2014From: Kalavati Suvarna, Ph.D., CDER/OC/OMPQ/BMAB

Deborah Schmiel, Ph.D., OPS/OBP/DMARashmi Rawat, Ph.D., OPS/OBP/DMA

To: BLA File – STN 125514/0Subject: Recommendation to waive a pre-approval inspection Sponsor: Merck Sharp & Dohme CorpManufacturing Facility: Schering Plough Brinny Co., Ballinacurra Road, Innishannon, Cork,

Ireland (FEI: 3002808087).Product: Proposed name KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab, MK-3475)Indication: Treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma patients who have been

previously treated with ipilimumabThrough: Patricia Hughes, Ph.D., Team Leader, CDER/OC/OMPQ/BMAB

Waiver Recommendation

Based on the compliance history of the firm, the current GMP status, and the fact that Schering Plough Brinny Company has been approved to manufacture multiple CDER products using the same manufacturing process, we recommend that the pre-approval inspection of the ScheringPlough Brinny Company drug product manufacturing facility in Cork, Ireland (FEI: 3002808087) be waived for STN 125514/0.

Clearance Routing

{See appended electronic signature page}

_____________________________________________

Zhihao Peter Qiu, Ph.D.Acting Director, Division of Manufacturing and Product Quality, Office of Compliance, CDER

{See appended electronic signature page}

______________________________________________

Kathleen Clouse, Ph.D.Director, Division of Monoclonal Antibodies, Office of Biotechnology Products, OPS, CDER

Reference ID: 3519760

3 Pages Have Been Withheld In Full As b4 (CCI/TS) Immediately Following This Page

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KALAVATI C SUVARNA06/05/2014

PATRICIA F HUGHES TROOST06/05/2014

DEBORAH H SCHMIEL06/05/2014

RASHMI RAWAT06/06/2014

KATHLEEN A CLOUSE STREBEL06/06/2014

ZHIHAO PETER QIU06/09/2014

Reference ID: 3519760

PRODUCT QUALITY (Biotechnology)FILING REVIEW FOR ORIGINAL BLA/NDA (OBP & DMPQ)

File Name: 5_Product Quality (Biotechnology) Filing Review (OBP & DMPQ) 022409.doc Page 8

Patricia Hughes, Ph.D. 3/31/2014

Team Leader Date

Reference ID: 3480921

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KALAVATI C SUVARNA03/31/2014

REYES CANDAU-CHACON03/31/2014

PATRICIA F HUGHES TROOST04/01/2014

Reference ID: 3480921