[Title 21 CFR K]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - April 1, 1996 Edition]
[Title 21 - FOOD AND DRUGS]
[Chapter I - FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION,]
[Subchapter F - BIOLOGICS]
[Part 660 - ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS]
[Subpart K - Limulus Amebocyte Lysate]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




  21
  FOOD AND DRUGS
  7
  1996-04-01
  1996-04-01
  false
  Limulus Amebocyte Lysate
  K
  Subpart K
  
    FOOD AND DRUGS
    FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION,
    BIOLOGICS
    ADDITIONAL STANDARDS FOR DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES FOR LABORATORY TESTS
  


                   Subpart K--Limulus Amebocyte Lysate



Sec. 660.100  Limulus Amebocyte Lysate.

    The proper name of this product shall be Limulus Amebocyte Lysate. 
The product is defined as an extract that is derived from the blood of 
Limulus polyphemus and is capable of detecting bacterial endotoxins.

[45 FR 32299, May 16, 1980]



Sec. 660.101  U.S. Standard/Reference Preparations.

    The following U.S. Standard/Reference preparations shall be obtained 
from the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug 
Administration, 8800 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892, for use as 
prescribed in this subpart:
    (a) A U.S. Standard Endotoxin for determining the sensitivity of 
Limulus Amebocyte Lysate.
    (b) A U.S. Reference Limulus Amebocyte Lysate for establishing the 
potency of Limulus Amebocyte Lysate.

[45 FR 32299, May 16, 1980, as amended at 49 FR 23834, June 8, 1984; 51 
FR 15611, Apr. 25, 1986; 55 FR 11013, Mar. 26, 1990]



Sec. 660.102  Potency test.

    A sample of each final filling of each lot of Limulus Amebocyte 
Lysate and the U.S. Reference Lysate shall be tested in parallel with 
the U.S. Standard Endotoxin. If the product is freeze-dried after 
filling, the test shall be conducted on samples from each filling in 
each drying chamber run. The procedure for rehydrating and mixing the 
lysate for the potency test shall be that specified in the 
manufacturer's package insert. A minimum of 8 vials and a maximum of 28 
vials from each filling or, if freeze-dried, from each drying chamber 
run representing all parts of the chamber load, shall be tested in 
parallel with an equal number of tests from 1 or more vials of the U.S. 
Reference Lysate. The test shall be performed as follows:
    (a) Dilution of U.S. Standard Endotoxin. A single series of 
consecutive two-fold dilutions, beginning with a concentration of the 
U.S. Standard Endotoxin at least four-fold above the endpoint, shall be 
prepared with a range selected to bracket the endpoint for both the U.S. 
Reference Lysate and test lysate filling in each test performed.
    (b) Test procedure. (1) Transfer 0.1 milliliter of each 
concentration of U.S. Standard Endotoxin, as prepared in paragraph (a) 
of this section, into each of two test tubes having an inside diameter 
not greater than 10 millimeters, unless the use of another size test

[[Page 164]]

tube has been approved by the Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation 
and Research.
    (2) Add 0.1 milliliter of the U.S. Reference Lysate to one of the 
tubes containing the lowest concentration of U.S. Standard Endotoxin. 
Add 0.1 milliliter of test lysate to the second tube containing the 
lowest concentration of U.S. Standard Endotoxin.
    (3) Repeat the procedure in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this 
section for each dilution of the U.S. Standard Endotoxin and for each 
vial of lysate to be tested from each filling of the test lot, 
progressing from the lowest endotoxin concentration to the highest.
    (4) Immediately following addition of the lysate to each tube, mix 
the contents gently and place in a 37 deg. C water bath for 1 hour.
    (c) Validity of the test. (1) Record the reaction in each tube as 
either positive or negative. A positive reaction is demonstrated by a 
firm gel that remains intact, at least momentarily, when the tube is 
inverted 180 degrees. For Limulus Amebocyte Lysate that does not require 
gelation as an indicator of reactions, the endpoint shall be determined 
by the method specified in the labeling for the product.
    (2) For each parallel test obtain the ratio of endpoints of 
reference and test lysates. Calculate the standard deviations (S.D.) of 
log ratios.
    (3) The test is valid if the S.D. is less than or equal to the value 
for the 99 percent fiducial upper limit of the S.D. of the sample size 
tested. The S.D. table is shown in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (4) If the S.D. is greater than the tabulated value, the test may be 
expanded up to the maximum of 28 parallel tests and a new S.D. for log 
ratios may be calculated.
    (5) The tests are invalid due to excessive variability if the S.D. 
is greater than the value in the S.D. table corresponding to the sample 
size tested.
    (6) If the S.D. is within the limits, the geometric mean (G.M.) of 
the ratios shall be calculated.
    (7) The endpoints of U.S. Reference and test lysates, ratios of 
endpoints, S.D. of log ratios, and G.M. of ratios shall be calculated 
and reported on the protocol submitted to the Director, Center for 
Biologics Evaluation and Research.
    (d) S.D. table. Ninety-nine percent fiducial upper limit on S.D. of 
log2 (ratio):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Upper  
                         Sample size                             limit  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
4...........................................................    \1\ 1.02
8...........................................................        0.86
12..........................................................        0.79
16..........................................................        0.75
20..........................................................        0.73
24..........................................................        0.71
28..........................................................        0.69
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Limits can be converted to log10 by multiplying each value by 0.3.  

[45 FR 32299, May 16, 1980, as amended at 49 FR 23834, June 8, 1984; 52 
FR 39637, Oct. 23, 1987; 55 FR 11013, Mar. 26, 1990]



Sec. 660.103  General requirements.

    (a) Handling the horseshoe crabs. The horseshoe crabs (Limulus 
polyphemus), from which blood is collected for production of the lysate, 
shall be handled in a manner so as to minimize injury to each crab. The 
horseshoe crabs shall be returned alive to their natural environment 
after a single collection of their blood.
    (b) Processing. The processing methods shall be those which have 
been shown to yield consistently a potent and detection-specific final 
product free of properties that would adversely affect the accuracy of 
the test results when the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate is used by the 
methods recommended by the manufacturer in the package insert.
    (c) Final containers. Final containers at the time of filling shall 
be sterile, nonpyrogenic, colorless, and transparent.
    (d) Date of manufacture. The date of manufacture of each filling of 
each lot shall be the date the manufacturer initiated the last valid 
potency test for such filling. The results from this test shall be 
reported on the protocol submitted to the Director, Center for Biologics 
Evaluation and Research.
    (e) Sterility test. A sterility test shall be performed on the bulk 
lot and on each filling as prescribed in Sec. 610.12 of this chapter.
    (f) Test for quality. A test for lysate quality shall be performed 
as follows:

[[Page 165]]

    (1) Samples from each of eight final containers from each filling 
or, if freeze-dried, from each filling in each drying chamber run 
representing all parts of the chamber load, shall be used.
    (2) The volume of lysate required for a single test from each of the 
final containers and a volume of distilled water equal to the volume of 
sample used for a single test are combined into each of an appropriate 
number of test tube and incubated for 24 hours in a 37 deg. C water 
bath.
    (3) The test passes if none of the samples yield a positive test.
    (g) Test for residual moisture. (1) If the weight of the contents of 
each final container is 3 milligrams or more, the test for residual 
moisture shall be performed as prescribed in Sec. 610.13(a) of this 
chapter.
    (2)(i) If the weight of the contents of each final container is less 
than 3 milligrams, the product is exempt from the test for residual 
moisture. However, the manufacturer of such exempt product shall perform 
the potency test described in Sec. 660.102 on at least 4 vials at 4-
month intervals on representative samples from each filling throughout 
the dating period.
    (ii) Upon the completion of each potency test, the results of all 
tests performed shall be submitted to the Director, Center for Biologics 
Evaluation and Research.
    (h) Ancillary reagents and materials. All ancillary reagents and 
materials accompanying the product that are used in the performance of a 
test, as described by the manufacturer's recommended test procedures, 
shall not affect adversely the performance of the Limulus Amebocyte 
Lysate within the prescribed dating period.

[45 FR 32299, May 16, 1980, as amended at 49 FR 23834, June 8, 1984; 52 
FR 39637, Oct. 23, 1987; 55 FR 11013, Mar. 26, 1990]



Sec. 660.104  Labeling.

    In addition to the applicable labeling provisions of this chapter, 
the following information is required:
    (a) Final container labels. The final container label shall include 
the following additional information:
    (1) The sensitivity (geometric mean of the end points of the lot) 
expressed as units/milliliter or nanograms/milliliter of the U.S. 
Standard Endotoxin, determined by the potency test procedure in 
Sec. 660.102.
    (2) For final containers intended for multiple tests, a designated 
area adequate for the user to identify the time that the product is 
reconstituted.
    (3) For final containers intended for multiple tests, a statement 
identifying the period within which the product may be used after 
reconstitution.
    (4) For final containers intended for multiple tests, a statement 
specifying storage conditions after reconstitution.
    (b) Package label. The package label shall include the following 
additional information:
    (1) A reference to the package insert for the test method(s) to be 
employed when using Limulus Amebocyte Lysate.
    (2) A statement that the product shall not be rehydrated until 
immediately prior to use.
    (3) For products in final containers intended for multiple tests, a 
statement identifying the period within which the product may be used 
after reconstitution.
    (4) For products in final containers intended for multiple tests, a 
statement specifying storage conditions after reconstitution.
    (c) Package insert. The package insert shall include the following 
additional information:
    (1) A statement that if the container of diluent used to rehydrate 
the lysate has been entered previously or was not supplied by the 
manufacturer of the lysate, the diluent must be tested, without addition 
of test material.
    (2) A warning statement that the tubes of material on test should 
not be removed from incubation or disturbed prior to the time specified 
for reading the test.
    (3) A statement that the product shall not be rehydrated until 
immediately prior to use.
    (4) For products in final containers intended for multiple tests, a 
statement identifying the period within which the product may be used 
after reconstitution.

[[Page 166]]

    (5) For products in final containers intended for multiple tests, a 
statement specifying storage conditions after reconstitution.

[45 FR 32299, May 16, 1980]



Sec. 660.105  Samples and protocols; official release.

    (a) For each final filling of each lot of Limulus Amebocyte Lysate, 
or if freeze dried, from each drying chamber run representing all parts 
of the chamber load, the following material shall be submitted to the 
Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug 
Administration, 8800 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892:
    (1) Samples. Not fewer than the number of vials of lysate used for 
the potency test in Sec. 660.102, two of which shall be complete market 
packages, packaged for distribution and including all ancillary reagents 
and materials.
    (2) Protocols. A protocol consisting of a complete summary of the 
history of manufacture of each filling, the dates of testing, and the 
results of all required tests.
    (b) Official release. Limulus Amebocyte Lysate shall not be 
distributed by the manufacturer until written notification of official 
release of each filling is received from the Director, Center for 
Biologics Evaluation and Research.

[45 FR 32299, May 16, 1980, as amended at 49 FR 23834, June 8, 1984; 51 
FR 15611, Apr. 25, 1986; 52 FR 39637, Oct. 23, 1987; 55 FR 11013, Mar. 
26, 1990]