title: Application of Quality by Design to the characterization of the cell culture process of an Fc-Fusion protein.
abstract: The production bioreactor step of an Fc-Fusion protein manufacturing cell culture process was characterized following Quality by Design principles. Using scientific knowledge derived from the literature and process knowledge gathered during development studies and manufacturing to support clinical trials, potential critical and key process parameters with a possible impact on product quality and process performance, respectively, were determined during a risk assessment exercise. The identified process parameters were evaluated using a design of experiment approach. The regression models generated from the data allowed characterizing the impact of the identified process parameters on quality attributes. The main parameters having an impact on product titer were pH and dissolved oxygen, while those having the highest impact on process- and product-related impurities and variants were pH and culture duration. The models derived from characterization studies were used to define the cell culture process design space. The design space limits were set in such a way as to ensure that the drug substance material would consistently have the desired quality.
authors.affiliation: Merck Serono SA, Corsier-sur-Vevey, Biotech Process Sciences, ZI B, CH-1809 Fenil-sur-Corsier, Switzerland. yolande.rouiller@merckgroup.com
authors.forename: Yolande
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rouiller
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Solacroup
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Deparis
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barbafieri
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gleixner
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Broly
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eon-Duval
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019149:Bioreactors; D016466:CHO Cells; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006224:Cricetinae; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011786:Quality Control; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D007141:Immunoglobulin Fc Fragments; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D010100:Oxygen