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CORRELATION OF IN-VIVO DATA
WITH IN-VITRO DISSOLUTION DATA
PRESENTED BY
NAVYASHREE G
II SEM M PHARMACY
DEPT PHARMACEUTICS
PRESENTED TO
PROF H S KEERTHY
DEPT OF PHARMACEUTICS
MALLIGE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY
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CONTENTS
 Introduction
 Objectives
 Levels of correlation
 Application of IVIVC
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INTRODUCTION
 In vitro - In vivo correlation is defined as the
predictive mathematical model that describes the
relationship between an in-vitro property(such as
the rate of dissolution) of a dosage form and an in-
vivo response( such as the plasma drug
concentration).
 In vitro property is the rate or extent of drug
dissolution or release while , in-vivo response is the
plasma drug concentration or amount of drug
absorbed.
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 OBJECTIVES
1. Setting up of an in-vitro release test that would
serve as a surrogate for in- vivo plasma profiles
(bio equivalence testing)
2. To minimize unnecessary human testing.
3. Decreased regulatory burdens.
4. To set up bio pharmaceutically meaningful in-vitro
release specifications.
5. Minimization of cost and time required in
additional bioavailability studies.
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 LEVELS OF CORRELATION
 Four levels of correlation can be found in FDA
guidelines.
 Each level denotes its ability to predict invivo
response of dosage form from its in vitro property.
 The higher the level better is the correlation.
1) Level A correlation
2) Level B correlation
3) Level C correlation
4) Multiple level C correlation
5) Level D correlation
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LEVEL A CORRELATION
 It represents the relationship between in vitro
dissolution and in vivo input rate.
 For developing a correlation between two
parameters one variable should be common
between them. 6/18
 Here the data available is in vitro dissolution profile
and in vivo plasma drug concentration profile.
 A correlation of this type is generally linear and
represents a point to point relationship between in-
vitro dissolution and in-vivo input rate.
 Advantages of level A correlation
 A point to point correlation is developed. The invitro
dissolition curve serves as a surrogate for invivo
performance. Any change in manufacturing procedure
or modification in the formula can be justified without
the need for additional human studies.
 The invivo dissolution serves as an invivo indicating
quality control procedure for predicting dosage form’s
performance.
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LEVEL B CORRELATION
 It uses the principles of statistical movement analysis.
 The mean in-vitro dissolution time is compared either to the
mean residence time or the to the mean in-vivo dissolution
time.
 It doesn’t uniquely reflect the actual in-vivo plasma level
curve, because a number of different in-vivo curves will
produce similar mean residence time values.
 It is the least useful correlation for regulatory purposes. 8/18
 A Level C IVIVC establishes a single point relationship between a
dissolution parameter, for example,t50% dissolved in 4 hours and a
pharmacokinetic parameter (e.g., AUC, Cmax, Tmax).
 A Level C correlation does not reflect the complete shape of the plasma
concentration-time curve, which is the critical factor that defines the
performance of ER products .
 It is helpful in early stages of formulation development when pilot
formulations are being selected. 9/18
LEVEL C CORRELATION
 In addition to these three levels, a combination of
various levels C is also described: A multiple Level
C correlation relates one or several
pharmacokinetic parameters of interest to the
amount of drug dissolved at several time points of
the dissolution profile.
 For the establishment of a correlation as described
in the FDA guidance, various parameters can be
used as presented in following table.
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MULTIPLE LEVEL C CORRELATION
 It reflects the relationship between one or several
pharmacokinetic parameters of interest and amount
of drug dissolved at various time points of
dissolution profile.
 It should be based on at least 3 dissolution time
points that include an arly, middle and last stage of
dissolution.
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LEVEL D CORRELATION
 It is a rank order and qualitative analysis and is not
considered useful for regulatory purposes.
 It is not a formal correlation but serves as an aid in
the development of a formulation or processing
procedue.
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APPLICATIONS OF IVIVC
 To use in in-vitro dissolution study as a surrogate for
human BE studies. This will reduce the number of
human BE studies during the initial approval process
as well as scale up and post approval changes.
 Justification for therapeutic product quality.
 Enhanced significance of invitro testing.
 During scale up, the dissolution data to judge the
impact of process changes as well establishing final
specifications for dissolution.
 The database may be utilized during further scale up
and site transfer as well as supporting post approval
changes.
 It ensure batch to batch consistency in the
physiological performance of a drug product.
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UNIVERSITY QUESTIONS
 Discuss briefly in-vitro, in-vivo correlation of drug
dissolution. ( june 2023)
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REFERENCES
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• A Text book of ADVANCED BIOPHARMACEUTICS AND
PHARMACOKINETICS BY PV PUBLICATIONS
• SLIDESHARE NOTES
THANK
YOU
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