204 - The Dictionary & Thesaurus of Combination Products (Finally Explained) with Susan Neadle

In this episode of Let’s ComBinate: Drugs + Devices, we welcome back Susan Neadle, author of The Combination Products Handbook. Susan explores the persistent and evolving challenge of terminology in combination products—a problem that continues to create confusion and regulatory risk even in 2025.

Susan emphasizes the need for alignment on terminology and regulatory expectations, highlighting that true progress requires a science- and risk-based perspective. The discussion also covers how GMP requirements are interpreted differently in pharma versus medtech, the ongoing challenges of global harmonization, and why cohesive language is essential for compliance, inspection readiness, and effective product development.

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:25 The Lexicon Problem in Drug-Device Combination Products

01:01 Historical Efforts and Challenges

02:12 Regulatory Frameworks and Definitions

04:47 Industry and Regulatory Alignment Issues

06:55 Science and Risk-Based Perspectives

10:08 Terminology and Definitions in Practice

14:05 Global Regulatory Differences

17:22 Challenges in Harmonizing Standards

23:13 Key Terms and Their Impact

32:23 Conclusion and Contact Information

Susan Neadle is a recognized international Combination Products, Medical Device, and Digital Health expert with over 35 years industry experience. She has just published “The Combination Products Handbook: A Practical Guide” through Taylor & Francis Group/Routledge/CRC Press. Her leadership, innovation, and best practices have been recognized with several awards, including the 2022 ISPE Joseph X. Philips Professional Achievement Award for extraordinary contributions to the industry; 2021 TOPRA Award Finalist for Regulatory Affairs Excellence; and the Johnson Medal, Johnson & Johnson’s highest honor for excellence in Research & Development. Susan retired from a distinguished and impactful career at Johnson & Johnson and is now Principal Consultant at Combination Products Consulting Services LLC, providing international quality, regulatory affairs, and design excellence services, to the biopharma, biotech, and medical device industries. She continues to fulfill her passion in this space as Chair of the ISPE Combination Products CoP, and Lead Author in Combination Products Working Groups through ASTM International and AAMI standards committees. Susan teaches curricula in Combination Products through UMBC, AAMI, and DIA, as well as customized training upon request. She is also active in multiple industry working groups including CPC, AFDO/RAPS, DIA, TOPRA and PQRI, and enjoys speaking at a variety of industry forums. Susan can be reached at sneadle@combinationprod.com

Subhi Saadeh is a Quality Professional 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.