Comparison of Traditional 2-AB Fluorescence LC-MS/MS and Automated LC-MS for the Comparative Glycan Analysis of Monoclonal Antibodies

Method validation and new peak detection for the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry multi-attribute method

The multi-attribute method (MAM) is a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) peptide mapping technique that has been proposed as a replacement for several conventional quality control (QC) methods for therapeutic proteins. In addition to quantification of multiple product quality attributes (PQAs), MAM can also monitor impurities using a new peak detection (NPD) feature. Here, results are provided from method validation and NPD studies of an MAM approach applied to rituximab as a model monoclonal antibody (mAb). Twenty-one rituximab PQAs were monitored, including oxidation, pyroglutamination, deamidation, lysine clipping, and glycosylation. The PQA monitoring aspect of the method was validated according to ICH Guidance. Accuracy, precision, specificity, detection and quantitation limits, linearity, range, and robustness were demonstrated for this MAM approach with minimal issues. All PQAs were successfully validated except for several oxidation sites, which did not pass intermediate precision criteria. The variability found in oxidation measurements was attributed to artificial oxidation during sample preparation and could likely be alleviated through several approaches. The NPD aspect of the method was also evaluated. A spike-in approach was used to assess the limits of detection and quantitation (LOD/LOQ) of the NPD feature of MAM. For NPD, the peak intensity threshold was found to be the most critical parameter for accurate detection of impurities since a low threshold can result in false positives while a high threshold can obscure the detection of true peaks. Overall, the MAM approach presented and validated here has been demonstrated to be suitable for both targeted monitoring of rituximab PQAs and non-targeted detection of new peaks that represent impurities.

An ICP-MS platform for metal content assessment of cell culture media and evaluation of spikes in metal concentration on the quality of an IgG3:κ monoclonal antibody during production

Metal ions can be enzyme cofactors and can directly influence the kinetics of biochemical reactions that also influence the biological production and quality attributes of therapeutic proteins, such as glycan formation and distribution. However, the concentrations of metals in commercially available chemically defined media can range from 1 to 25,000 ppb. Because such concentration changes can impact cell growth, manufacturing yield and product quality the alteration/fluctuation in media composition should be well controlled to maintain product quality. Here, we describe a platform of analytical methods to determine the composition of several metals in different sample matrices using an advanced automated Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). These methods, validated to ICH Q2R1 regulatory validation parameters, were successfully applied to- (a) screen cell culture media; (b) determine changes in the metal concentration during cell growth in spinner flasks, and, (c) determine effect on the glycosylation pattern and homogeneity of an IgG3:κ produced from a murine-hybridoma cell line in bench-top parallel bioreactors due to a spike in copper and iron concentration. Our results show that maintenance of metal content in the cell culture media is critical for product consistency of the IgG3:κ produced.

Glycan characterization of the NIST RM monoclonal antibody using a total analytical solution: From sample preparation to data analysis

Glycosylation is an important attribute of biopharmaceutical products to monitor from development through production. However, glycosylation analysis has traditionally been a time-consuming process with long sample preparation protocols and manual interpretation of the data. To address the challenges associated with glycan analysis, we developed a streamlined analytical solution that covers the entire process from sample preparation to data analysis. In this communication, we describe the complete analytical solution that begins with a simplified and fast N-linked glycan sample preparation protocol that can be completed in less than 1 hr. The sample preparation includes labelling with RapiFluor-MS tag to improve both fluorescence (FLR) and mass spectral (MS) sensitivities. Following HILIC-UPLC/FLR/MS analyses, the data are processed and a library search based on glucose units has been included to expedite the task of structural assignment. We then applied this total analytical solution to characterize the glycosylation of the NIST Reference Material mAb 8761. For this glycoprotein, we confidently identified 35 N-linked glycans and all three major classes, high mannose, complex, and hybrid, were present. The majority of the glycans were neutral and fucosylated; glycans featuring N-glycolylneuraminic acid and those with two galactoses connected via an α1,3-linkage were also identified.

Advancing pharmaceutical quality: An overview of science and research in the U.S. FDA's Office of Pharmaceutical Quality

Failures surrounding pharmaceutical quality, particularly with respect to product manufacturing issues and facility remediation, account for the majority of drug shortages and product recalls in the United States. Major scientific advancements pressure established regulatory paradigms, especially in the areas of biosimilars, precision medicine, combination products, emerging manufacturing technologies, and the use of real-world data. Pharmaceutical manufacturing is increasingly globalized, prompting the need for more efficient surveillance systems for monitoring product quality. Furthermore, increasing scrutiny and accelerated approval pathways provide a driving force to be even more efficient with limited regulatory resources. To address these regulatory challenges, the Office of Pharmaceutical Quality (OPQ) in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) harbors a rigorous science and research program in core areas that support drug quality review, inspection, surveillance, standards, and policy development. Science and research is the foundation of risk-based quality assessment of new drugs, generic drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and biotechnology products including biosimilars. This is an overview of the science and research activities in OPQ that support the mission of ensuring that safe, effective, and high-quality drugs are available to the American public.