221 - What Is ICH and Why It Matters

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.