Agilent Technologies' new network qualification services for regulatory compliance

Agilent Technologies has introduced the Agilent Network Qualification Services, which enable pharmaceutical companies to qualify the networks used in laboratory and manufacturing environments.

The services facilitate regulatory compliance by establishing documented evidence that the laboratory network is designed, installed and functioning according to defined needs and specifications.

Regulatory agencies such as the FDA require drug manufacturers to verify the security, integrity and traceability of data and records used in drug development and manufacturing. Noncompliance with regulatory standards can result in severe penalties and necessitate expensive redesign of the laboratory environment.

The Agilent Network Qualification Services simplify compliance efforts by providing a complete network qualification solution for the regulated laboratory environment. These services rigorously test the connection, communication, capacity, and control of laboratory networks through each phase using industry-accepted 4Q qualification processes - design, installation, operational and performance qualification.

Unlike simple standard operating procedure-based approaches that rely on administrative controls, the Agilent Network Qualification Services use a precise measurement-based approach to qualifying dynamic laboratory networks.

'Agilent has long been recognised as a leader in hardware and software qualification services with a proven record of success in helping customers to satisfy regulatory requirements,' said Fran DiNuzzo, vice president and general manager of the BioReagents Consumables and Services unit in Agilent's Life Sciences and Chemical Analysis Division.

'The new services extend our offering to the systems infrastructure level, combining Agilent's industry-leading communications technology with its extensive experience in providing solutions to the pharmaceutical industry.'