Hospital-Compounded Birabresib Capsules for NUT Carcinoma: A Quality- and Risk-Based CMC Strategy.

PURPOSE: NUT carcinoma is an ultra-rare and highly aggressive malignancy lacking authorised systemic therapies. Birabresib, a bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitor, has shown preliminary clinical activity; however, its development was discontinued and no GMP-grade active pharmaceutical ingredient or finished product is available. This work describes the hospital-based pharmaceutical development enabling authorised therapeutic use of birabresib in France.

METHODS

Within the French ANSM temporary usage protocol (PUT), a quality- and risk-based Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) strategy inspired by ICH Q8-Q10 was implemented to convert a research-grade material into a qualified drug substance for compounding. An initial batch of birabresib dihydrate underwent comprehensive CMC-like characterisation, including purity, identity, structural confirmation, solid-state properties, residual solvents, and forced degradation to establish a primary chemical reference substance and a stability-indicating analytical method.

RESULTS

The generated data supported acceptance criteria for subsequent batches and for 20-mg capsules compounded under Good Preparation Practice in a centralised hospital pharmacy. Finished product controls complied with pharmacopoeial and ICH requirements, and capsules were enrolled in a prospective stability programme under PUT-defined storage conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

This risk-proportionate, CMC-oriented hospital framework enabled the first authorised therapeutic use of birabresib in NUT carcinoma and may be extended to other discontinued small molecules used in regulated access programmes for ultra-rare diseases.