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Q5A – Viral Safety Evaluation of Biotechnology Products Derived from Cell Lines of Human or Animal Origin

Guideline number: Q5A(R2)
Status: Implementation (Step 5)
Adopted (Step 4): 1 November 2023

The ICH Q5A Guideline reached Step 4 of the ICH process on 1 November 2023.

The revision retains key principles of the original Guideline and provides additional recommendations on the established and complementary approaches to control the potential viral contamination of biotechnology products and describes the evaluation of the viral safety of biotechnology products including viral clearance and testing, and outlines what data should be submitted in marketing applications for those products.

The ICH Harmonised Guideline was finalised under Step 4 in July 1997. This document covers the preclinical safety testing requirements for biotechnological products. It addresses the use of animal models of disease, determination of when genotoxicity assays and carcinogenicity studies should be performed, and the impact of antibody formation on duration of toxicology studies.

An addendum was proposed to provide clarification on S6 and an update of the following topics discussed in the original ICH S6 Guideline: species selection, study design, immunogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity and assessment of carcinogenic potential. The Harmonised addendum provides further complementary guidance to the S6 Guideline and helps to define the current recommendations and reduce the likelihood that substantial differences will exist among regions.

The addendum reached Step 4 of the harmonisation process in June 2011 and was integrated as part II in the core Guideline that was then renamed S6(R1).

Guideline

Annexes

Annexes

Guideline implementation

ANMAT, Argentina

-

In the process of implementation;
ANVISA, Brazil

-

In the process of implementation;
COFEPRIS, Mexico

-

Not yet implemented;
EC, Europe

-

Implemented; Date: 14 June 2024; Reference: EMA/CHMP/ICH/804363/2022
EDA, Egypt

-

Implemented; Date: 25 September 2024; Reference: Regulatory Guide for mechanisms, procedures and rules of implementing the Decree of Egyptian Drug Authority No.343 of 2021
FDA, United States

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Implemented; Date: 11 January 2024; Reference: Vol. 89, p. 1925 (89 FR 1925)
HSA, Singapore

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Implemented; Date: 1 April 2024; Reference: These guidelines are cross-referred in M4Q and applied in the routine evaluation. See regulatory guidance.
Health Canada, Canada

-

Implemented; Date: 27 June 2025; Reference: 25-102237-854
JFDA, Jordan

-

Not yet implemented;
MFDS, Republic of Korea

-

Implemented; Date: 17 December 2024; Reference: VIRAL SAFETY EVALUATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS DERIVED FROM CELL LINES OF HUMAN OR ANIMAL ORIGIN [Guideline-0263-02]
MHLW/PMDA, Japan

-

Implemented; Date: 9 January 2025; Reference: PSB/PED Notification No. 0109-4
MHRA, UK

-

In the process of implementation;
NAFDAC, Nigeria

-

Not yet implemented;
NMPA, China

-

Implemented; Date: 21 May 2025; Reference: NMPA, China Announcement No. 63 (2024)
SAHPRA, South Africa

-

In the process of implementation;
SFDA, Saudi Arabia

-

Implemented; Date: 1 October 2025;
Swissmedic, Switzerland

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Implemented; Date: 1 November 2023; Reference: ICH Guidelines apply in Switzerland automatically upon reaching Step 4: Swissmedic Journal 05/2006, p. 504
TFDA, Chinese Taipei

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Implemented; Date: 19 June 2025; Reference: Public Announcement for ” List for ICH Guidelines Adopted.”
TITCK, Türkiye

-

Implemented; Date: 22 January 2024; Reference: Guideline on Requirements for Quality of Biological İnvestigational Medicinal Products in Clinical Trials

Q+A

Q+A Status: Implementation (Step 5)