EBF recommendation on the validation of bioanalytical methods for dried blood spots

Over the last few years bioanalysts, pharmacokineticists and clinical investigatorshave rediscovered the technique of dried blood spots. The revival has provided pharmaceutical R&D a wealth of opportunities to optimize the drug-discoveryand development process with respect to animal and patient ethics, new scientific insights and costs savings. On the bioanalytical front, multiple experiments have been performed and a lot of experience has been gained. Nevertheless, the technique still has a number of bioanalytical challenges. The European BioanalysisForum discussed the advantages and hurdles of the technique and summarized their current thinking in a recommendation on the validation of bioanalytical methods for dried blood spots, which can be used as a cornerstonefor further discussions and experiments.