Please understand that, for competitive reasons, not all companies can register their employees for this event.
Target Group
This GMP Education Course addresses those employees from the pharmaceutical industry and from suppliers for aseptic (toxic) manufacture and for sterility testing involved in the engineering, validation and operation of these systems, especially from the areas
Engineering / Production
Quality Assurance
Qualification/ Validation
Microbiology
Objectives
Why should you attend this event?
You get an update on isolators for aseptic manufacture and for sterility testing
You get to know the results of recent studies on the validation of Isolators
You have the opportunity to discuss your individual questions personally with experts
You can translate the theory directly into practice during 4 workshops at the manufacturing site of Skan in Allschwil
Each participant takes part in all 4 workshops. The workshops are held at the plant of SKAN AG, partly including operational isolators. This brings the participants as close to daily practice as possible.
The use of isolators is increasing both in sterility testing and in the production of sterile medicinal products, particularly in aseptic manufacture. It ensures a greater microbiological safety of the products, but at the same time requires increased inputs as regards the qualification of these systems and the validation of the production processes. In 2004, Appendix 1 to the FDA Guidance for Industry "Sterile Drug Products Produced by Aseptic Processing" defined new regulatory requirements on using this technology, as did the PIC/S document PI 014-3 "Isolators used for Aseptic Processing and Sterility Testing“. The current EU GMP Annex 1 from 2022 also deals with isolators in great detail.
Programme
Regulatory Requirements for Isolators for Aseptic Use
Regulatory bodies
US laws and regulations
European laws and regulations
Guidelines
Isolator Application / Projects: From the Conceptual Design to the Validated Equipment incl. Mock-Up Study
Key decisions
What do we need from our customers?
From URS to engineering – technical details and solutions
Process challenges and features
FAT – Installation – Qualification
Purpose of mock-up
What is required before starting a mock-up
How to document a mock-up
What simulations need to be included in the mock-up
Execution of the mock-up itself
Examples for our mock-up to underline the points above
From Concept to Inspection: Implementation and Validation of HIPRA’s Aseptic Filling Isolator Line under EU GMP Annex
End-to-end implementation of HIPRA’s first aseptic filling isolator line aligned with EU GMP Annex 1 and successfully inspected and approved. Project, installation, mock-up, smoke studies and VHP process studies.
Robust VHP decontamination and aseptic process Validation
Risk-based contamination control strategy integrating glove integrity testing before and after each batch/campaign, mock-up studies, airflow validation, and worst-case media fills.
Strong operational performance: environmental control results
Isolators Used for Sterility Testing
Requirements for the isolator
Background of the isolator
Performance Qualification
Qualification of operators
Test for gas-tightness of primary packaging materials
Handling in isolator
Capacity
Testing the tightness of gloves
Microbiological Monitoring
Sample plan
Contamination level
Contamination source
OOS/CAPA (example)
Bioindicators / Process Development of Isolator Decontamination
Overview of current regulations and standards
Basis and selection of suitable biological indicators as sensor for the inactivation effect
Development and quantification of decontamination cycles
Influence of H2O2 to routine processes
Initial Validation by Media Fill of a Syringe Isolator Filling Line
General Media Fill Design
Line-specific Media Fill Design
Media Fill Failure with Root Cause
Inspection Feedback to Media Fill Design
Troubleshooting in Isolator Technology
Annex 1 – What changed and why
The role of isolators
Key Annex 1 Challenges in Aseptic Isolator Manufacturing
Navigating the Challenges
Key Takeaways
Workshop Session
Workshop 1: Validation Planning for an Aseptic Isolator
Test master plan (IQ/OQ)
IQ / OQ test protocols
Operational qualification - procedures
Handling of deviations
Performance of Selected Qualification Tests
Basic SOP for testing
Execution of tests
Generate test records
Drawing up the test report
Glove testing
Glove integrity testing
Regulatory Background
Physical methods for glove integrity tests and their boundaries
Microbiological contamination risk
Routine program for glove integrity testing
Workshop 2: Development and Quantification of H2O2 Decontamination Cycles
Establish the requirements of a decontamination cycle
Design a qualification strategy
Work out the necessary physical and microbiological tests and their chronology
Interpretation of test results and reaction on deviations
Write a transparent qualification report
Workshop including a real isolator system
Workshop 3: Isolators VR Mockup
Isolator Design engineering using Virtual Reality (VR)
Use of real-world objects for physical feedback and position validation (XR experience)
Ergonomic assessment and future manipulation simulation
Accommodation CONCEPT HEIDELBERG has reserved a limited number of rooms. You will receive a room reservation form/POG when you have registered for the course. Reservation should be made directly with the hotel. Early reservation is recommended.
Fees (per delegate, plus VAT) ECA Members EUR 1,990 APIC Members EUR 2,090 Non-ECA Members EUR 2,190 EU GMP Inspectorates EUR 1,095
The conference fee is payable in advance after receipt of invoice and includes dinner on the first day, lunch on both days and all refreshments. VAT is reclaimable.
Social Event On 10 November 2026 you are cordially invited to a social event. This is an excellent opportunity to share your experiences with colleagues from other companies and the speakers in a relaxed atmosphere.
Workshops on 11 November 2026 at SKAN AG
The four workshops will take place at SKAN AG in Allschwil. After the workshops, at appr. 16:05 h, a bus shuttle service will bring the participants to the airport (appr. 16:25 h), the Swiss train station (appr. 16:55 h), the German train station (appr. 17:10 h), or to the hotel.
Presentations/Certificate The presentations for this event will be available for you to download and print before and after the event. Please note that no printed materials will be handed out on site and that there will not be any opportunity to print the presentations on site. After the event, you will automatically receive your certificate of participation.
Conference language The official conference language will be English.
Tue, 10 Nov 2026 (Registration and coffee 08:30-09:00 h) 09:00-18:00 h Wed, 11 Nov 2026, 08:00-16:05 h
After the workshops on 11 November 2026 at appr. 16:05 h, a bus shuttle service will bring the participants to the airport, the train stations or the hotel.
Testimonials
