FRANKLY FRAN

  • Design Controls For Drug Delivery Devices, Part 2: A Practical Perspective
    5/1/2025

    In this article, Fran DeGrazio provides recommendations for implementing Design Controls in the development of combination products and other drug delivery devices. In outlining tips for drug-device product developers, Fran focuses on key considerations including risk management, chemical and functional compatibility, and regulatory compliance.

  • Design Controls For Drug Delivery Devices, Part 1: A Process Primer
    4/1/2025

    In this article, Fran DeGrazio underscores the importance of design controls in the development of combination products and other drug delivery devices. She explains foundational concepts and fundamental steps including design inputs and outputs, design verification and validation, design review, and change controls. 

  • Subcutaneous Self-Administration: 3 Key Market Drivers, 3 Key Delivery Challenges
    3/4/2025

    In this article, Fran DeGrazio comments on the potential for subcutaneous delivery of drugs and biologics to advance and ease approaches to patient self-administration. Among the drivers and challenges she identifies are geriatric populations, chronic conditions, complex formulations, and drug delivery device selection.

  • Use-Related Risk Analysis: Considering The FDA Guidance On URRA
    2/5/2025

    The FDA draft guidance on Use-Related Risk Analysis (URRA) announced in July 2024 helpfully clarified key considerations regarding the identification and mitigation of potential hazards in biopharmaceutical product use. In this article, Fran DeGrazio comments on the guidance in a follow-up to a Drug Delivery Live! online event she moderated on the topic of URRA. 

  • Drug Delivery Outlook: 7 Waves To Ride In 2025 And Beyond
    12/30/2024

    With a view of the evolving landscape of health policy and patient needs, Fran DeGrazio identifies seven biopharmaceutical industry trends that should drive innovation and practical implementation in drug delivery. Harmonization, digitization, quality, intelligence, and agility are among the focus areas Fran recommends for forward-thinking biopharmaceutical companies. 

  • 5 Top-Of-Mind Drug Delivery Topics In 2024
    12/3/2024

    In this article, Fran DeGrazio highlights five drug delivery challenges that were commonly discussed by industry insiders throughout 2024. With particular focus on combination products, these key themes included supplier qualification, cross-functional product development, platform approaches, patient self-administration, and regulatory considerations.

  • Understanding Essential Drug Delivery Outputs: Things To Know About EDDOs
    11/5/2024

    The FDA draft guidance on Essential Drug Delivery Outputs (EDDOs) stirred interest from industry in how best to respond. In this article, Fran DeGrazio summarizes and comments on key clarifications and recommendations that emerged in a Drug Delivery Live! online event on the topic, which she moderated.

  • 5 Keys to Supplier/Purchasing Controls – And Product Quality
    10/1/2024

    The growth of combination products in the market, as well as new quality and regulatory standards that apply to them, are driving the increased significance of suppliers. Every drug device combination product will utilize third parties for various services, constituent parts, or other components. In this article, Fran DeGrazio lays out five foundational considerations for implementing an effective supplier/purchasing controls process.

  • Preparing For The FDA QMSR: Will You Be Ready?
    9/3/2024

    The new FDA Quality Management System Regulation (QMSR) becomes effective in February 2026. In this article, Fran DeGrazio discusses the implications for combination product and medical device developers as they prepare to demonstrate QMSR compliance.

  • Setting The Bar For Drug Product Quality, Part 2: The Evolving Practice Of Particle Testing
    7/29/2024

    In Part 2 of a two-part series, Fran DeGrazio explains why best practices in particle testing and related risk-based approaches to product quality should not wait for official regulatory guidances and standards to catch up.

Fran DeGrazio Headshot

Fran DeGrazio

Drug Delivery Leader executive editor Fran DeGrazio has 35+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical packaging and delivery industry. Fran offers extensive expertise in sterile drug product systems, including vial container closure systems and prefillable systems for combination products. Currently Fran is also President & Principal Consultant for Strategic Parenteral Solutions LLC., where she advises executives in the biopharma industry on strategy, growth, technical, and regulatory opportunities.

Fran previously held numerous strategic & technical roles at West Pharmaceutical Services, including R&D, quality & regulatory, technical customer support, analytical laboratories, marketing and scientific affairs. Her final role prior to retiring from West was as Chief Scientific Officer.

Fran frequently applies her knowledge to educating and building awareness within the industry as a presenter and published author. Among her numerous technical articles and book contributions is a chapter in The Combination Products Handbook: A Practical Guide for Combination Products and Other Combined Use Systems.

Fran is an active member of the PDA Combination Products steering committee, the ISPE Combination Products COP, the ASTM International Combination Products cGMP working group, and the AFDO/RAPS Combination Products Summit steering committee.