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General Chapter Prospectus: <314> Molecular Weight Determination for Copolymers Containing Alkyl Methacrylate or Alkyl Acrylate

Type of Posting: General Chapter Prospectus
Posting Date: 29–Jan–2021
Expert Committee: Excipient Test Methods (ETM)

Proposed New Title: <314> Molecular Weight Determination for Copolymers Containing Alkyl Methacrylate or Alkyl Acrylate

Input Deadline: 28–Feb–2021

Suggested audience: Excipient manufacturers, users and regulators

Estimated proposal PF: 47(6) [Nov.–Dec. 2021]

Background and objectives:
During the 2015-2020 Excipients Expert Committees (ECs) Science Strategy discussions, excipient ECs to set the following as a key strategy: 

  • advancing the understanding and control of excipient composition and variability during formulation development, and
  • manufacturing and testing of pharmaceutical excipients. 

USP excipient program unit initiated many internal research lab projects for development and validation of methodologies using advanced technologies for compositional analysis of complex excipients, especially existing polymeric excipients that lack specific testing. These technologies include Gel Permeation Chromatograph (GPC)/Size Exclusion Chromatograph (SEC) and NMR.

In the 2020-2025 revision cycle, the ETM EC is proposing to introduce these analytical methods through a general chapter approach.

Description of scope and application:
The scope of this general chapter will include GPC/SEC methods for determination of average molecular weight and polydispersity for copolymers containing alkyl methacrylate or alkyl acrylate.

The general chapter is intended to be applicable for compositional analysis of copolymers containing alkyl methacrylate or alkyl acrylate.

Preliminary outline: 

  • Introduction
  • Procedure
    • Solutions preparation (including standard and sample solutions)
    • Instrumental system
    • System suitability requirements
    • Analysis 

Anticipated activities: USP is requesting early input from stakeholders on this proposal of a new general chapter General Chapter <314> Molecular Weight Determination for Copolymers Containing Alkyl Methacrylate or Alkyl Acrylate which is planned to be published for comments in Pharmacopeial Forum

Contact: Peng Zhang, Ph.D., (301-692-3454, PGZ@usp.org)


CN-21-034-00