Increasing parvovirus filter throughput of monoclonal antibodies using ion exchange membrane adsorptive pre-filtration.
Pre-filtration using ion exchange membrane adsorbers can improve parvovirus filter throughput of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The membranes work by binding trace foulants, and although some antibody product also binds, yields > or =99% are easily achieved by overloading. Results show that foulant adsorption is dependent on pH and conductivity, but independent of scale and adsorber brand. The ability to use ion exchange membranes as pre-filters is significant because it provides a clean, well defined, chemically stable option for enhancing throughput. Additionally, ion exchange membranes facilitate characterization of parvovirus filter foulants. Examination of adsorber elution samples using sedimentation velocity analysis and SEC-MALS/QELS revealed the presence of high molecular weight species ranging from 8 to 13 nm in hydrodynamic radius, which are similar in size to parvoviruses and thus would be expected to plug the pores of a parvovirus filter. A study of two identical membranes in-series supports the hypothesis that the foulants are soluble, trace level aggregates in the feed. This study's significance lies in a previously undiscovered application of membrane chromatography, leading to a more cost effective and robust approach to parvovirus filtration for the production of monoclonal antibodies.
Process Research & Development, Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, California 94080, USA. abrown@gene.com
Arick
A
Brown
Charity
C
Bechtel
Jerome
J
Bill
Hui
H
Liu
Jun
J
Liu
Dan
D
McDonald
Satyan
S
Pai
Asha
A
Radhamohan
Ryan
R
Renslow
Brooke
B
Thayer
Stefan
S
Yohe
Chris
C
Dowd
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D005374:Filtration / Q000379:methods*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007474:Ion Exchange; D008566:Membranes; D017992:Parvovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003470:Culture Media