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M4Q(R2) – Revision of M4Q(R1): The Common Technical Document for the Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use: Quality

Guideline number: M4Q(R2)
Draft Guideline approved (Step 2b): 14 May 2025

The M4Q(R2) EWG is focusing on the revision of CTD Quality sections in Modules 2 and 3 to capture quality information for the registration and lifecycle management of pharmaceuticals for human use. The main issues to be resolved during this revision include:

  • Expanding the scope of M4Q(R1) guideline. This M4Q(R2) guideline applies to all pharmaceutical drug substances and products (both chemical and biological) that require a marketing authorization.
  • Establishing the role of M4Q(R2) as the main source of the structure and location of regulatory quality information.
  • Organizing product and manufacturing information in a suitable format for easy access, analysis, and knowledge management.
  • Incorporating concepts and data expectations presented in ICH Quality guidelines and aligning with currently recognized international standards and guidelines.
  • Better capturing the pharmaceutical development and the proposed overall control strategy, which should be the backbone of the revised M4Q structure. This should address key elements of the proposed pharmaceutical product, including the Quality Target Product Profile (QTPP), manufacturing process, and overall control strategy.
  • Enhancing the Quality Module 2 to facilitate the efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory submissions and assessments.

To support understanding of the revised structure, a mock-up of Modules 2 and 3 under M4Q(R2) is available. This interactive example demonstrates how quality information can be organized within the new framework.

Guideline
WG Presentations / Trainings

Ongoing public consultations

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M4Q(R2) Expert Working Group

Rapporteur

Dr. Lawrence YuFDA, United States

Regulatory Chair

Dr. Hugo HamelHealth Canada, Canada

Experts

Gates FoundationDr. Niya Bowers
Swissmedic, SwitzerlandDr. Karin Wüthrich
ANVISA, BrazilMs. Ellen Nogueira
APICDr. Sabina Jurca
APICDr. Rudy Peeters
BIOMs. Kathy Lee
CDSCO, IndiaDr. Rubina Bose
EC, EuropeDr. Ivica Malnar
EC, EuropeMs. Klara Tiitso
EDA, EgyptDr. Sara Shatat
EFPIAMs. Helen Newton
FDA, United StatesDr. Elvira Argus
FDA, United StatesDr. Rakhi Shah
Global Self-Care FederationMs. Christelle Alliens-Müller
Health Canada, CanadaMr. Siddhant Panda
IFPMAMs. Sheila Inada
IGBADr. Birgit Ziegler
JPMAMr. Hiroki Ito
JPMAMr. Hiroshi Ohtsuka
MFDS, Republic of KoreaDr. Sookjin Kim
MHLW/PMDA, JapanMs. Akiko Mase
MHLW/PMDA, JapanDr. Keisuke Tanaka
MHRA, UKDr. Gary Kemp
NMPA, ChinaDr. Yonghui Liu
PhRMAMs. Jennifer Mercer
PhRMADr. Sarah Pope Miksinski
SAHPRA, South AfricaDr. Rosinah Montsho
SFDA, Saudi ArabiaMr. Abdullah Alsadhan
TFDA, Chinese TaipeiMs. Yi-Ying Lin
TITCK, TürkiyeMs. Selin İmamoğlu

Rapporteur Supporter

Dr. Larisa WuFDA, United States

Alternate

Ms. Hellen Cruz de AzevedoANVISA, Brazil
Mr. Laurent LefevbreEFPIA
Dr. Youxuan LiIFPMA
Dr. Thomas StanglerIGBA
Mr. Shuyang GuoNMPA, China
Dr. Bahar KaracaTITCK, Türkiye

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