[Investigation of Foreign Particles in Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine].

Particular batches of Moderna mRNA Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine were recalled after foreign particles were found in some vaccine vials at the vaccination site in Japan in August 2021. We investigated the foreign particles at the request of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis suggested that the foreign particles found in the vials recalled from the vaccination sites were from stainless steel SUS 316L, which was in line with the findings of the root cause investigation by the manufacturer. The sizes of the observed particles ranged from <50 µm to 548 µm in the major axis. Similar foreign particles were also detected in 2 of the 5 vaccine vials of the same lot stored by the manufacturer, indicating that the foreign particles have already been administered to some people via vaccine. Observation of the vials of the same lot by digital microscope found smaller particles those were not detected by visual inspection, suggesting that more vials were affected. Contrarily, visual inspection and subvisible particulate matter test indicated no foreign particles in the vials of normal lots. Possible root cause and strategies to prevent such a deviation were discussed from technical and regulatory aspects.

Current Status and Challenges of Analytical Methods for Evaluation of Size and Surface Modification of Nanoparticle-Based Drug Formulations.

The present review discusses the current status and difficulties of the analytical methods used to evaluate size and surface modifications of nanoparticle-based pharmaceutical products (NPs) such as liposomal drugs and new SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. We identified the challenges in the development of methods for (1) measurement of a wide range of solid-state NPs, (2) evaluation of the sizes of polydisperse NPs, and (3) measurement of non-spherical NPs. Although a few methods have been established to analyze surface modifications of NPs, the feasibility of their application to NPs is unknown. The present review also examined the trends in standardization required to validate the size and surface measurements of NPs. It was determined that there is a lack of available reference materials and it is difficult to select appropriate ones for modified NP surface characterization. Research and development are in progress on innovative surface-modified NP-based cancer and gene therapies targeting cells, tissues, and organs. Next-generation nanomedicine should compile studies on the practice and standardization of the measurement methods for NPs to design surface modifications and ensure the quality of NPs.

[Evaluation of Valved Holding Chambers Simulating Repurposing Use of Ciclesonide Metered-dose Inhaler by Patients with Pneumonia].

Achieving appropriate inhalation in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a common challenge in the use of repurposed metered-dose inhaler (MDI) formulations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of five valved holding chambers (VHCs) on the inhalation of ciclesonide from Alvesco MDI. The aerodynamic particle size distribution of ciclesonide discharged from Alvesco MDI was evaluated using a Next Generation Impactor in the presence and absence of VHCs. The use of VHCs retained or slightly increased the amount of ciclesonide in the fine particle diameter range (aerodynamic particle size below 3 µm) (FPD) and reduced the amount at the induction port after coordinated inhalation. However, the use of VHC reduced the FPD of the formulation by increasing the time between the MDI discharge and the pump suction by various degrees among the five VHCs. These results indicated that use of the VHCs and minimizing the inhalation delay time should ensure sufficient inhalation of ciclesonide particles.