Let's Combinate - Drugs + Devices

In this episode of Let’s Combinate: Drugs + Devices, Subhi Saadeh kicks off a new series focused on the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) and its impact on drug and drug–device combination products.Subhi introduces what ICH is, why it was created, and how its guidelines shape global expectations for pharmaceutical quality, safety, efficacy, and lifecycle management. He walks through the historical challenges that existed before harmonization, explains how ICH guidelines are developed through the five-step process, and outlines why these standards matter—especially for teams working at the intersection of drugs and devices.The episode also sets the roadmap for the series, including upcoming deep dives into the ICH Quality guidelines (Q1–Q14) and how they apply in practice to combination products.00:00 Welcome to Let’s Combinate00:37 Why ICH Matters for Drug–Device Products02:22 What Is ICH?05:21 Evolution of ICH Guidelines10:18 The Five-Step ICH Guideline Process11:38 How This Series Will Work14:09 Wrap-Up and What’s NextSubhi Saadeh is a Quality Professional, Founder of Let's Combinate BioWorks and host of Let's Combinate. With a background in Quality, Manufacturing Operations and R&D he's worked in Large Medical Device/Pharma organizations to support the development and launch of Hardware Devices, Disposable Devices, and Combination Products for Vaccines, Generics, and Biologics. Subhi serves currently as the International Committee Chair for the Combination Products Coalition(CPC) and as a member of ASTM Committee E55 and also served as a committee member on AAMI's Combination Products Committee.For questions, inquiries or suggestions please reach out at letscombinate.com or on the show's LinkedIn Page.

🚀 Stay ahead in combination products, pharma, and medical devices 👉 https://www.letscombinate.com🎙️ Listen to more expert discussions on regulations, drug delivery, and quality 👉 https://www.letscombinate.com/Get expert insights on FDA regulations, risk management, quality systems, and the latest trends in drug-device combination products.In this end of year episode of Let’s Combinate: Drugs + Devices, host Subhi Saadeh reflects on the past year through the lens of Managing Oneself by Peter Drucker. Using the book’s core questions around strengths, values, learning style, performance, and contribution, Subhi shares how his thinking has evolved and how those ideas continue to shape his approach to work and learning.The episode explores the idea of learning by teaching and why podcasting has become an important way for Subhi to deepen his own understanding of complex topics. He also shares a brief life and professional update, including the launch of Let’s ComBinate BioWorks and a shift in focus toward work that bridges the drug and device worlds.The conversation closes with reflections on Drucker’s ideas about the second half of a career and introduces a new upcoming podcast series focused on ICH guidelines. Subhi outlines how the series will take a high level, practical approach to ICH, emphasizing how to read and engage with the guidance rather than treating it as a checklist.Episode Timeline00:00 Introduction and episode overview00:31 Introducing the upcoming ICH series01:36 Reflections on Managing Oneself03:27 Life and professional updates06:59 Thinking about the second half of a career08:19 Closing thoughtsSubhi Saadeh is a Quality Professional and host of Let's Combinate. With a background in Quality, Manufacturing Operations and R&D he's worked in Large Medical Device/Pharma organizations to support the development and launch of Hardware Devices, Disposable Devices, and Combination Products for Vaccines, Generics, and Biologics. Subhi serves currently as the International Committee Chair for the Combination Products Coalition(CPC) and as a member of ASTM Committee E55 and also served as a committee member on AAMI's Combination Products Committee.For questions, inquiries or suggestions please reach out at letscombinate.com or on the show's LinkedIn Page.

In this episode of Let’s Combinate: Drugs + Devices, host Subhi Saadeh is joined by Ben Locwin to break down what’s changing in FDA pre-approval and pre-license inspections—and why the “inspection side” of approval is becoming a bigger conversation.They cover how PAIs and PLIs fit into the approval pathway, why Complete Response Letters (CRLs) can be driven by inspection outcomes, and what it would mean to “decouple” approval decisions from inspection timing. The conversation also explores the pros and cons of unannounced inspections, the realities of FDA capacity and scheduling, and how FDA’s PreCheck program is shaping the onshoring/manufacturing-readiness narrative in the U.S. Finally, they zoom out to compare international inspection approaches and what global trends could signal for industry.What you’ll learn-The difference between Pre-Approval Inspections (PAIs) and Pre-License Inspections (PLIs)-How inspection outcomes can lead to CRLs—even when the application looks strong on paper-Why industry is talking about decoupling approval from PAI timing-The idea behind FDA PreCheck and what “facility readiness” looks like-Unannounced inspections: where they help, where they create risk-How inspection expectations compare across global regulatorsChapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:10 Understanding Pre-Approval and Pre-License Inspections01:54 Challenges and Industry Perspectives03:08 FDA Complete Response Letters (CRLs)05:23 Unannounced Inspections: Pros and Cons08:55 Economic and Regulatory Considerations12:37 Onshoring and the PreCheck Program22:51 Global Regulatory Landscape25:11 Conclusion and FarewellBen Locwin is a Healthcare Executive, MMA fighter, Jiu Jtisu pro and Quality and Regulatory SME working in medical devices, pharma and other regulated industries.Subhi Saadeh is a Quality Professional and host of Let's Combinate. With a background in Quality, Manufacturing Operations and R&D he's worked in Large Medical Device/Pharma organizations to support the development and launch of Hardware Devices, Disposable Devices, and Combination Products for Vaccines, Generics, and Biologics. Subhi serves currently as the International Committee Chair for the Combination Products Coalition(CPC) and as a member of ASTM Committee E55 and also served as a committee member on AAMI's Combination Products Committee.For questions, inquiries or suggestions please reach out at letscombinate.com or on the show's LinkedIn Page.

In this short episode of Let’s Combinate: Drugs + Devices, Subhi Saadeh breaks down ICH Q13 and what “continuous manufacturing” actually means. He compares batch vs. continuous, explains how a batch still exists in continuous manufacturing, and covers the essentials quality teams care about: RTD/traceability, control strategy, and disturbances/diversion plus a quick high-level note on validation, release, and lifecycle.Timestamps00:00 Intro01:00 Batch vs. continuous (and batch definition)03:00 Modes of continuous manufacturing (ICH Q13 examples)04:30 RTD & traceability06:00 Control strategy07:30 Disturbances & diversion09:00 Validation / release / lifecycle (high level)10:00 Wrap-upSubhi Saadeh is the Founder and Principal of Let’s Combinate BioWorks and host of the Let’s Combinate: Drugs + Devices podcast/Youtube Channel. With experience across Quality, Manufacturing Commercialization, Sustaining and R&D, Subhi has helped industrialize and launch drug delivery systems for biologics, vaccines, and generics at leading organizations such as Pfizer, Gilead, and Baxter. Subhi focuses on bridging the disconnect between drug and device development and specializes in harmonizing internal systems, aligning internal and external partners, and helping combination product teams move from siloed execution to scalable, compliant, and patient-ready solutions. He currently chairs the Rx-360 Combination Product Working Group and was the International WG Chair at the Combination Product Coalition. He has contributed to global harmonization efforts through BIO, ASTM, and AAMI. He is a certified ISO13485 Lead Auditor, CQA and CQE.For questions, inquiries, or suggestions, please reach out at letscombinate.com or on the show’s LinkedIn Page.

In this episode of Let's Combinate: Drugs + Devices, host Subhi Saadeh addresses five significant quality issues in the combination product space. This episode provides practical insights and strategies for overcoming these common hurdles to enhance quality and efficiency in developing combination products.00:00 Introduction and Host Background00:43 Overview of Development Processes01:51 Issue 1: Documentation Approach in Design Transfer04:45 Issue 2: Early Input from Manufacturing and Assembly SMEs07:26 Issue 3: Control Strategies and Sampling Plans10:23 Issue 4: Method Transfer and Control Planning12:02 Issue 5: Qualification of Supplied Components14:47 Issue 6: Monitoring Expectations in Combination Products16:55 Conclusion and SummarySubhi Saadeh is the Founder and Principal of Let’s Combinate BioWorks and host of the Let’s Combinate: Drugs + Devices podcast/Youtube Channel. With experience across Quality, Manufacturing Commercialization, Sustaining and R&D, Subhi has helped industrialize and launch drug delivery systems for biologics, vaccines, and generics at leading organizations such as Pfizer, Gilead, and Baxter. Subhi focuses on bridging the disconnect between drug and device development and specializes in harmonizing internal systems, aligning internal and external partners, and helping combination product teams move from siloed execution to scalable, compliant, and patient-ready solutions. He currently chairs the Rx-360 Combination Product Working Group and was the International WG Chair at the Combination Product Coalition. He has contributed to global harmonization efforts through BIO, ASTM, and AAMI. He is a certified ISO13485 Lead Auditor, CQA and CQE.For questions, inquiries or suggestions please reach out at letscombinate.com or on the show's LinkedIn Page.