Skip to the main content.

Method of the Month 

Expert Insights.  De-risking Development.  One Method at a Time. 

azure-background

 

74% of Complete Response Letters?
CMC deficiencies, not clinical failures.

 

From 2020-2024, three out of four FDA Complete Response Letters cited chemistry, manufacturing and control (CMC) deficiencies, not clinical failures¹. 

Most programs don't fail because the science doesn't work. They fail because the CMC story isn't strong enough, and without analytical understanding, there is no story. 

That's why we created Method of the Month: to give biopharmaceutical developers the analytical understanding they need to make informed decisions throughout development and manufacturing.
 

Be the first to receive videos, guides, and insights as soon as
each method launches.
 

New episodes monthly. 

Get expert analytical guidance delivered directly to your inbox.

Peptide Mapping by MS MoM-1

Coming Soon: May 2026 

Peptide Mapping
With Ben Ziegterman

Learn how peptide mapping by mass spectrometry reduces risk, prevents costly late-stage failures, and keeps your biologics program on track. Practical insights from Ben Zigterman, a 14-year protein characterization expert and Senior Scientist at KBI Biopharma.

Topics covered:

  • Defining specific use cases to ensure effective study design

  • Meeting regulatory requirements and diagnosing unexpected assay signals

  • A case study focusing on identifying unexpected mAb variant that cIEF, SEC, and standard peptide mapping couldn't explain

NOTFY ME WHEN AVAILIBLE >

Copy of Analytical Control MoM

Latest Episode: April 2026 

Analytical Control Studies
With Brent Kendrick, PhD
Linkedin Icon


Learn how a strong analytical control strategy reduces risk, prevents costly late-stage failures, and keeps your biologics program on track. Practical insights from Brent Kendrick, PhD, a 30-year biologics development veteran and former VP of R&D at KBI Biopharma.

Topics covered: 

  • What a strong analytical control strategy actually requires
  • Three reasons a strong strategy prevents failures and reduces risks
  • Two real-world case studies with hard lessons

GET THE VIDEO AND GUIDE

MotM Email Header (2)

 

February 2026

Clinical In-Use Studies 
With Kylee Harris 
Linkedin Icon

Demonstrating product stability during clinical use is essential for regulatory approval and commercial success. Learn how to design robust studies that support your label claims and meet FDA/EMA expectations. 

Topics covered: 

  • Study design fundamentals for in-use stability testing
  • Meeting regulatory expectations for storage and handling claims
  • Container closure system considerations
  • Common protocol design mistakes that invalidate results
  • Data interpretation and specification setting

GET THE VIDEO AND GUIDE

 

MotM Email Header (1)

January 2026

Charge Variant Characterization
With Kelly Donovan, Director of Characterization Services
Linkedin Icon

Charge variant characterization is a regulatory expectation for understanding product heterogeneity and ensuring patient safety. Without proper characterization, you risk missing immunogenic species, delaying BLA approval, or compromising product quality. 

Topics Covered: 

  • What charge variant characterization is and how fractionation studies reveal product variants
  • When to conduct studies from Phase 1 through BLA submission
  • Why icIEF platforms often fail and how HPLC methods enable full characterization
  • Real biosimilar case study: Proving charge differences had no effect on potency
  • Common implementation mistakes that delay regulatory submissions 

Kelly Donovan leads KBI's characterization services team with over 20 years of experience in biotherapeutic product characterization. Her expertise in the Elucidation of Structure section has guided numerous programs through successful IND and BLA submissions. 

GET THE VIDEO AND GUIDE

 

Built on Proven Analytical Excellence 

Method of the Month brings you insights from KBI Biopharma's team of analytical experts, backed by: 


Our analytical scientists don't just generate data. They apply expertise to solve problems, guide programs through regulatory requirements, troubleshoot unexpected challenges, and collaborate across teams to find the right solution for your molecule.
 

Each Method of the Month Includes: 

Expert Video Series 
5 focused segments (45-90 seconds each) plus one long-form interview covering what, why, when, and how 

Comprehensive Guide 
Technical details, implementation strategies, and regulatory considerations 

Real Case Studies 
Examples from actual client programs showing impact and outcomes 

Best Practices 
Common mistakes to avoid and tips for successful implementation 

Marissa Jones Headshot-1

 

About Your Host: 

Marissa Jones, PhD, Product Manager 
Linkedin Icon

With a PhD in analytical chemistry and commercial experience in biopharma, Marissa translates complex methods into actionable guidance. Each month, she sits down with a KBI analytical expert to break down one critical method that derisks biopharmaceutical development. 

background-80

Need Analytical Support Now? 

Realizing your current analytical approach has gaps? Facing a submission deadline and need expert guidance? Whether you're missing critical characterization data, need method development support, or want to ensure your CMC package is regulatory-ready, our team can help. 

We provide comprehensive characterization services, method development, and regulatory filing support from early-phase through commercial manufacturing. 

EXPLORE OUR CAPABILITIES    TALK TO AN EXPERT

 

azure-background

About KBI Biopharma

KBI Biopharma is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) providing fully integrated, accelerated drug development and biologics manufacturing services and expertise to life science companies. With each of our 1400+ customer partners, we work closely to personalize and accelerate drug development programs. Built upon a foundation of world-class analytics capabilities and extensive scientific and technical expertise, we deliver robust process development and clinical and commercial cGMP manufacturing services for mammalian and microbial. Recognized for quality manufacturing, we help clients advance drug candidates into the clinic and beyond. 

Science Driven. Customer Focused.

 

Citation:
1. Jones, Greg. "FDA's CRLs Reveal 74% of Applications Rejected for Quality, Manufacturing Issues." Pharma Manufacturingwww.pharmamanufacturing.com/all-articles/article/55302937/fdas-crls-reveal-74-of-applications-rejected-for-quality-manufacturing-issues. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.