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Rembert KB, Gokarn YR, Saluja A. Designing Robust Monoclonal Antibody Drug Products: Pitfalls of Simplistic Approaches for Stability Prediction. J Pharm Sci 2024:S0022-3549(24)00104-7. [PMID: 38556000 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2024.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
Thermal stability attributes including unfolding onset (Tonset) and mid-point (Tm) are often utilized for efficient development of monoclonal antibody (mAb) products during lead selection and formulation screening workflows. An assumption of direct correlation between thermal and kinetic physical stability underpins this basic approach. While literature reports have substantiated this general approach under specific conditions, clear exceptions have been highlighted alongside. Herein, a set of mAbs formulated under diverse solution conditions to generate a broad array of thermal and kinetic stability profiles were systematically analyzed. Sequence modifications in the Fc region were purposefully engineered to generate a set of low-melting mAbs. A diverse set of excipients were subsequently utilized and shown to modulate the Tm over a wide range. While a general correlation between high Tm and low aggregation rate was observed under accelerated conditions, the predictive utility of Tm under relevant product storage conditions was inadequate at best. Critically, Tm data did not correlate with long-term aggregation rates under refrigerated or room temperature conditions. Even under accelerated conditions, Tm appeared to be a poor predictor of aggregation once it exceeded the solution storage temperature (40°C) by ∼15°C, similar to conditions routinely encountered in the development of canonical mAbs (Tm > 60°C). Pitfalls of simplistic correlative approaches are discussed in the context of practical biologics product development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin B Rembert
- Biologics Drug Product Development & Manufacturing, Global CMC, Sanofi, One Mountain Road, Framingham, MA 01701, USA
| | - Yatin R Gokarn
- Biologics Drug Product Development & Manufacturing, Global CMC, Sanofi, One Mountain Road, Framingham, MA 01701, USA
| | - Atul Saluja
- Biologics Drug Product Development & Manufacturing, Global CMC, Sanofi, One Mountain Road, Framingham, MA 01701, USA.
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2
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Shalaev E, Ohtake S, Moussa EM, Searles J, Nail S, Roberts CJ. Accelerated Storage for Shelf-Life Prediction of Lyophiles: Temperature Dependence of Degradation of Amorphous Small Molecular Weight Drugs and Proteins. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:1509-1522. [PMID: 36796635 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Prediction of lyophilized product shelf-life using accelerated stability data requires understanding the temperature dependence of the degradation rate. Despite the abundance of published studies on stability of freeze-dried formulations and other amorphous materials, there are no definitive conclusions on the type of pattern one can expect for the temperature dependence of degradation. This lack of consensus represents a significant gap which may impact development and regulatory acceptance of freeze-dried pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals. Review of the literature demonstrates that the temperature dependence of degradation rate constants in lyophiles can be represented by the Arrhenius equation in most cases. In some instances there is a break in the Arrhenius plot around the glass transition temperature or a related characteristic temperature. The majority of the activation energies (Ea), which are reported for various degradation pathways in lyophiles, falls in the range of 8 to 25 kcal/mol. The degradation Ea values for lyophiles are compared with the Ea for relaxation processes and diffusion in glasses, as wells as solution chemical reactions. Collectively, analysis of the literature demonstrates that the Arrhenius equation represents a reasonable empirical tool for analysis, presentation, and extrapolation of stability data for lyophiles, provided that specific conditions are met.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Satoshi Ohtake
- Pfizer BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chesterfield, Missouri 63017 USA
| | - Ehab M Moussa
- Biologics Drug Product Development, AbbVie, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jim Searles
- Pfizer BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chesterfield, Missouri 63017 USA
| | | | - Christopher J Roberts
- University of Delaware, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Newark DE 19713 USA
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3
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Expanding the toolbox for predictive parameters describing antibody stability considering thermodynamic and kinetic determinants. Pharm Res 2021; 38:2065-2089. [PMID: 34904201 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-021-03120-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Introduction of the activation energy (Ea) as a kinetic parameter to describe and discriminate monoclonal antibody (mAb) stability. METHODS Ea is derived from intrinsic fluorescence (IF) unfolding thermograms. An apparent irreversible three-state fit model based on the Arrhenius integral is developed to determine Ea of respective unfolding transitions. These activation energies are compared to the thermodynamic parameter of van´t Hoff enthalpies (∆Hvh). Using a set of 34 mAbs formulated in four different formulations, both the apparent thermodynamic and kinetic parameters together with apparent melting temperatures are correlated collectively with each other to storage stabilities to evaluate its predictive power with respect to long-term effects potentially reflected in shelf-life. RESULTS Ea allows for the discrimination of (i) different parent mAbs, (ii) different variants that originate from parent mAbs, and (iii) different formulations. Interestingly, we observed that the Ea of the CH2 unfolding transition shows strongest correlations with monomer and aggregate content after storage at accelerated and stress conditions when collectively compared to ∆Hvh and Tm of the CH2 transition. Moreover, the predictive parameters determined for the CH2 domain show generally stronger correlations with monomer and aggregate content than those derived for the Fab. Qualitative assessment by ranking Ea of the Fab domain showed good agreement with monomer content in storage stabilities of individual mAb sub-sets. CONCLUSION Ea from IF unfolding transitions can be used in addition to other commonly used thermodynamic predictive parameters to discriminate and characterize thermal stability of different mAbs in different formulations. Hence, it shows great potential for antibody engineering and formulation scientists.
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4
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Hamuro Y, Derebe MG, Venkataramani S, Nemeth JF. The effects of intramolecular and intermolecular electrostatic repulsions on the stability and aggregation of NISTmAb revealed by HDX-MS, DSC, and nanoDSF. Protein Sci 2021; 30:1686-1700. [PMID: 34060159 DOI: 10.1002/pro.4129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The stability and aggregation of NIST monoclonal antibody (NISTmAb) were investigated by hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and nano-differential scanning fluorimetry (nanoDSF). NISTmAb was prepared in eight formulations at four different pHs (pH 5, 6, 7, and 8) in the presence and absence of 150 mM NaCl and analyzed by the three methods. The HDX-MS results showed that NISTmAb is more conformationally stable at a pH near its isoelectric point (pI) in the presence of NaCl than a pH far from its pI in the absence of NaCl. The stabilization effects were global and not localized. The midpoint temperature of protein thermal unfolding transition results also showed the CH 2 domain of the protein is more conformationally stable at a pH near its pI. On the other hand, the onset of aggregation temperature results showed that NISTmAb is less prone to aggregate at a pH far from its pI, particularly in the absence of NaCl. These seemingly contradicting results, higher conformational stability yet higher aggregation propensity near the pI than far away from the pI, can be explained by intramolecular and intermolecular electrostatic repulsion using Lumry-Eyring model, which separates folding/unfolding equilibrium and aggregation event. The further a pH from the pI, the higher the net charge of the protein. The higher net charge leads to greater intramolecular and intermolecular electrostatic repulsions. The greater intramolecular electrostatic repulsion destabilizes the protein and the greater intermolecular electrostatic repulsion prevents aggregation of the protein molecules at pH far from the pI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mehabaw Getahun Derebe
- Janssen R&D, Spring House, Pennsylvania, USA.,Merck & Co., Inc., South San Francisco, California, USA
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5
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Correia C, Tavares E, Lopes C, Silva JG, Duarte A, Geraldes V, Rodrigues MA, Melo EP. Stability of Protein Formulations at Subzero Temperatures by Isochoric Cooling. J Pharm Sci 2020; 109:316-322. [DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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6
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Wälchli R, Vermeire PJ, Massant J, Arosio P. Accelerated Aggregation Studies of Monoclonal Antibodies: Considerations for Storage Stability. J Pharm Sci 2019; 109:595-602. [PMID: 31676272 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.10.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aggregation of mAbs is a crucial concern with respect to their safety and efficacy. Among the various properties of protein aggregates, it is emerging that their size can potentially impact their immunogenicity. Therefore, stability studies of antibody formulations should not only evaluate the rate of monomer loss but also determine the size distribution of the protein aggregates, which in turn depends on the aggregation mechanism. Here, we study the aggregation behavior of different formulations of 2 monoclonal immunoglobulins (IgGs) in the temperature range from 5°C to 50°C over 52 weeks of storage. We show that the aggregation kinetics of both antibodies follow non-Arrhenius behavior and that the aggregation mechanisms change between 40°C and 5°C, leading to different types of aggregates. Specifically, for a given monomer conversion, dimer formation dominates at low temperatures, while larger aggregates are formed at higher temperatures. We further show that the stability ranking of different molecules as well as of different formulations is drastically different at 40°C and 5°C while it correlates better between 30°C and 5°C. Our findings have implications for the level of information provided by accelerated aggregation studies with respect to protein stability under storage conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Wälchli
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pieter-Jan Vermeire
- UCB Pharma, BioTech Sciences, Formulation Development, Chemin du Foriest, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Jan Massant
- UCB Pharma, BioTech Sciences, Formulation Development, Chemin du Foriest, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Paolo Arosio
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 1-5/10, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.
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7
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Wang W, Ohtake S. Science and art of protein formulation development. Int J Pharm 2019; 568:118505. [PMID: 31306712 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.118505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein pharmaceuticals have become a significant class of marketed drug products and are expected to grow steadily over the next decade. Development of a commercial protein product is, however, a rather complex process. A critical step in this process is formulation development, enabling the final product configuration. A number of challenges still exist in the formulation development process. This review is intended to discuss these challenges, to illustrate the basic formulation development processes, and to compare the options and strategies in practical formulation development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Biological Development, Bayer USA, LLC, 800 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA 94710, United States.
| | - Satoshi Ohtake
- Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Pfizer Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chesterfield, MO 63017, United States
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8
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Wang W, Roberts CJ. Protein aggregation – Mechanisms, detection, and control. Int J Pharm 2018; 550:251-268. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2018.08.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Revised: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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9
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Kumar V, Chaudhuri TK. Spontaneous refolding of the large multidomain protein malate synthase G proceeds through misfolding traps. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:13270-13283. [PMID: 29959230 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.003903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Most protein folding studies until now focus on single domain or truncated proteins. Although great insights in the folding of such systems has been accumulated, very little is known regarding the proteins containing multiple domains. It has been shown that the high stability of domains, in conjunction with inter-domain interactions, manifests as a frustrated energy landscape, causing complexity in the global folding pathway. However, multidomain proteins despite containing independently foldable, loosely cooperative sections can fold into native states with amazing speed and accuracy. To understand the complexity in mechanism, studies were conducted previously on the multidomain protein malate synthase G (MSG), an enzyme of the glyoxylate pathway with four distinct and adjacent domains. It was shown that the protein refolds to a functionally active intermediate state at a fast rate, which slowly produces the native state. Although experiments decoded the nature of the intermediate, a full description of the folding pathway was not elucidated. In this study, we use a battery of biophysical techniques to examine the protein's folding pathway. By using multiprobe kinetics studies and comparison with the equilibrium behavior of protein against urea, we demonstrate that the unfolded polypeptide undergoes conformational compaction to a misfolded intermediate within milliseconds of refolding. The misfolded product appears to be stabilized under moderate denaturant concentrations. Further folding of the protein produces a stable intermediate, which undergoes partial unfolding-assisted large segmental rearrangements to achieve the native state. This study reveals an evolved folding pathway of the multidomain protein MSG, which involves surpassing the multiple misfolding traps during refolding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Kumar
- From the Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Tapan K Chaudhuri
- From the Kusuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, New Delhi 110016, India
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10
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High Throughput Prediction Approach for Monoclonal Antibody Aggregation at High Concentration. Pharm Res 2017; 34:1831-1839. [DOI: 10.1007/s11095-017-2191-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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11
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Rosa M, Roberts CJ, Rodrigues MA. Connecting high-temperature and low-temperature protein stability and aggregation. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0176748. [PMID: 28472066 PMCID: PMC5417562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein aggregation is a long-standing problem for preservation of proteins in both laboratory settings and for commercial biotechnology products. It is well established that heating (cooling) can accelerate (slow) aggregation by populating (depopulating) unfolded or partially unfolded monomer states that are key intermediates in aggregation processes. However, there is a long-standing question of whether the same mechanism(s) that lead to aggregation under high-temperature stress are relevant for low-temperature stress such as in refrigerated or supercooled liquids. This report shows the first direct comparison of “hot” and “cold” aggregation kinetics and folding/unfolding thermodynamics, using bovine hemoglobin as a model system. The results suggest that the same mechanism for non-native aggregation holds from “hot” to “cold” temperatures, with an aggregation temperature-of-maximum-stability slightly below 0°C. This highlights that sub-zero temperatures can induce cold-mediated aggregation, even in the absence of freezing stresses. From a practical perspective, the results suggests the possibility that cold-stress may be a useful alternative to heat-stress for extrapolating predictions of protein shelf life at refrigerated conditions, as well as providing a foundation for more mechanistic studies of cold-stress conditions in future work. A comparison between isochoric and isobaric methods is also briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica Rosa
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Department of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Christopher J. Roberts
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States of America
| | - Miguel A. Rodrigues
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Department of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- * E-mail:
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12
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Ghosh R, Calero-Rubio C, Saluja A, Roberts CJ. Relating Protein-Protein Interactions and Aggregation Rates From Low to High Concentrations. J Pharm Sci 2016; 105:1086-96. [PMID: 26928400 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
At low protein concentrations (c2), non-native protein aggregation rates are known to be sensitive to changes in conformational stability and "weak" or "colloidal" protein-protein interactions. Protein-protein interactions are also known to be strong functions of c2. In the present work, protein-protein interactions and rates of aggregation were quantified systematically for a monoclonal antibody (MAb) across a broad range of c2 at pH 5.1 and 6.5, with or without 5 wt/wt % sucrose or 100 mM NaCl present. Aggregation rates were determined from initial-rate analysis with size-exclusion chromatography, and interactions were quantified with static and dynamic laser light scattering. A number of hypotheses were tested regarding whether changes in protein-protein interactions can be predictive of changes in aggregation rates versus c2. Hypotheses were based on (i) changes in thermodynamic activity; (ii) statistical mechanical fluctuation theory; and (iii) surface-contact probabilities. Arguments based on (i) and (ii) were qualitatively inconsistent with experimental rates and scattering. Hypothesis (iii) was reasonably successful and resulted in a semiquantitative correlation between rates and protein-protein interactions across almost 2 orders of magnitude in c2. However, (iii) requires one to assume that the concentration-dependent protein-protein Kirkwood-Buff integral is a reasonable surrogate for contact probabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ranendu Ghosh
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716
| | - Cesar Calero-Rubio
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716
| | - Atul Saluja
- Department of Drug Product Science and Technology, Bristol-Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
| | - Christopher J Roberts
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716.
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13
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Barnett GV, Drenski M, Razinkov V, Reed WF, Roberts CJ. Identifying protein aggregation mechanisms and quantifying aggregation rates from combined monomer depletion and continuous scattering. Anal Biochem 2016; 511:80-91. [PMID: 27510552 PMCID: PMC5004974 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2016.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 07/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Parallel temperature initial rates (PTIR) from chromatographic separation of aggregating protein solutions are combined with continuous simultaneous multiple sample light scattering (SMSLS) to make quantitative deductions about protein aggregation kinetics and mechanisms. PTIR determines the rates at which initially monomeric proteins are converted to aggregates over a range of temperatures, under initial-rate conditions. Using SMSLS for the same set of conditions provides time courses of the absolute Rayleigh scattering ratio, IR(t), from which a potentially different measure of aggregation rates can be quantified. The present report compares these measures of aggregation rates across a range of solution conditions that result in different aggregation mechanisms for anti-streptavidin (AS) immunoglobulin gamma-1 (IgG1). The results illustrate how the two methods provide complementary information when deducing aggregation mechanisms, as well as cases where they provide new mechanistic details that were not possible to deduce in previous work. Criteria are presented for when the two techniques are expected to give equivalent results for quantitative rates, the potential limitations when solution non-idealities are large, as well as a comparison of the temperature dependence of AS-IgG1 aggregation rates with published data for other antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory V Barnett
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Michael Drenski
- Department of Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
| | | | - Wayne F Reed
- Department of Physics, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA.
| | - Christopher J Roberts
- Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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14
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Oliva A, Fariña JB, Llabrés M. Pre-study and in-study validation of a size-exclusion chromatography method with different detection modes for the analysis of monoclonal antibody aggregates. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2016; 1022:206-212. [PMID: 27107247 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2016.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with different detection modes was assessed as a means to characterize the type of bevacizumab aggregate that forms under thermal stress, quantitatively monitoring the aggregation kinetics. The combination of SEC with light-scattering (SEC/LS) detection was validated using in-study validation process. This was performed by applying a strategy based on a control chart to monitor the process parameters and by inserting quality control samples in routine runs. The SEC coupled with a differential refractive-index detector (SEC/RI) was validated using a pre-study validation process in accordance with the ICH-Q2 (R1) guidelines and in-study monitoring in accordance with the Analytical Target Profile (ATP) criteria. The total error and β-expectation tolerance interval rules were used to assess method suitability and control the risk of incorrectly accepting unsuitable analytical methods. The aggregation kinetics data were interpreted using a modified Lumry-Eyring model. The true order of the reaction was determined using the initial-rate approach. All the kinetic data show a linear Arrhenius dependence within the studied temperature range. The Arrhenius approach over-predicted the aggregation rate for 5°C, but provides an idea of the aggregation process and amount of aggregate formed. In any case, real-time stability data are necessary to establish the product shelf-life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Oliva
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud-Sección Farmacia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200, Tenerife, Spain.
| | - Jose B Fariña
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud-Sección Farmacia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Matías Llabrés
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud-Sección Farmacia, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200, Tenerife, Spain
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15
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Raut AS, Kalonia DS. Effect of Excipients on Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation and Aggregation in Dual Variable Domain Immunoglobulin Protein Solutions. Mol Pharm 2016; 13:774-83. [PMID: 26756795 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and aggregation can reduce the physical stability of therapeutic protein formulations. On undergoing LLPS, the protein-rich phase can promote aggregation during storage due to high concentration of the protein. Effect of different excipients on aggregation in protein solution is well documented; however data on the effect of excipients on LLPS is scarce in the literature. In this study, the effect of four excipients (PEG 400, Tween 80, sucrose, and hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD)) on liquid-liquid phase separation and aggregation in a dual variable domain immunoglobulin protein solution was investigated. Sucrose suppressed both LLPS and aggregation, Tween 80 had no effect on either, and PEG 400 increased LLPS and aggregation. Attractive protein-protein interactions and liquid-liquid phase separation decreased with increasing concentration of HPβCD, indicating its specific binding to the protein. However, HPβCD had no effect on the formation of soluble aggregates and fragments in this study. LLPS and aggregation are highly temperature dependent; at low temperature protein exhibits LLPS, at high temperature protein exhibits aggregation, and at an intermediate temperature both phenomena occur simultaneously depending on the solution conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashlesha S Raut
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut , 69 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3092, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
| | - Devendra S Kalonia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut , 69 North Eagleville Road, Unit 3092, Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
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16
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Pindrus M, Shire SJ, Kelley RF, Demeule B, Wong R, Xu Y, Yadav S. Solubility Challenges in High Concentration Monoclonal Antibody Formulations: Relationship with Amino Acid Sequence and Intermolecular Interactions. Mol Pharm 2015; 12:3896-907. [PMID: 26407030 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5b00336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this work was to elucidate the molecular interactions leading to monoclonal antibody self-association and precipitation and utilize biophysical measurements to predict solubility behavior at high protein concentration. Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb-G and mAb-R) binding to overlapping epitopes were investigated. Precipitation of mAb-G solutions was most prominent at high ionic strength conditions and demonstrated strong dependence on ionic strength, as well as slight dependence on solution pH. At similar conditions no precipitation was observed for mAb-R solutions. Intermolecular interactions (interaction parameter, kD) related well with high concentration solubility behavior of both antibodies. Upon increasing buffer ionic strength, interactions of mAb-R tended to weaken, while those of mAb-G became more attractive. To investigate the role of amino acid sequence on precipitation behavior, mutants were designed by substituting the CDR of mAb-R into the mAb-G framework (GM-1) or deleting two hydrophobic residues in the CDR of mAb-G (GM-2). No precipitation was observed at high ionic strength for either mutant. The molecular interactions of mutants were similar in magnitude to those of mAb-R. The results suggest that presence of hydrophobic groups in the CDR of mAb-G may be responsible for compromising its solubility at high ionic strength conditions since deleting these residues mitigated the solubility issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya Pindrus
- Summer Intern from Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut , Storrs, Connecticut 06269, United States
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17
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Fitting bevacizumab aggregation kinetic data with the Finke–Watzky two-step model: Effect of thermal and mechanical stress. Eur J Pharm Sci 2015; 77:170-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2015.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Revised: 05/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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18
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Wu H, Truncali K, Ritchie J, Kroe-Barrett R, Singh S, Robinson AS, Roberts CJ. Weak protein interactions and pH- and temperature-dependent aggregation of human Fc1. MAbs 2015; 7:1072-83. [PMID: 26267255 PMCID: PMC4966490 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2015.1079678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The Fc (fragment crystallizable) is a common structural region in immunoglobulin gamma (IgG) proteins, IgG-based multi-specific platforms, and Fc-fusion platform technologies. Changes in conformational stability, protein-protein interactions, and aggregation of NS0-produced human Fc1 were quantified experimentally as a function of pH (4 to 6) and temperature (30 to 77 °C), using a combination of differential scanning calorimetry, laser light scattering, size-exclusion chromatography, and capillary electrophoresis. The Fc1 was O-glycosylated at position 3 (threonine), and confirmed to correspond to the intact IgG1 by comparison with Fc1 produced by cleavage of the parent IgG1. Changing the pH caused large effects for thermal unfolding transitions, but it caused surprisingly smaller effects for electrostatic protein-protein interactions. The aggregation behavior was qualitatively similar across different solution conditions, with soluble dimers and larger oligomers formed in most cases. Aggregation rates spanned approximately 5 orders of magnitude and could be divided into 2 regimes: (i) Arrhenius, unfolding-limited aggregation at temperatures near or above the midpoint-unfolding temperature of the CH2 domain; (ii) a non-Arrhenius regime at lower temperatures, presumably as a result of the temperature dependence of the unfolding enthalpy for the CH2 domain. The non-Arrhenius regime was most pronounced for lower temperatures. Together with the weak protein-protein repulsions, these highlight challenges that are expected for maintaining long-term stability of biotechnology products that are based on human Fc constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Wu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; University of Delaware; Newark, DE USA
- Department of Biotherapeutics; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Ridgefield, CT USA
| | - Kristopher Truncali
- Department of Biotherapeutics; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Ridgefield, CT USA
| | - Julie Ritchie
- Department of Biotherapeutics; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Ridgefield, CT USA
| | - Rachel Kroe-Barrett
- Department of Biotherapeutics; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Ridgefield, CT USA
| | - Sanjaya Singh
- Department of Biotherapeutics; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Ridgefield, CT USA
| | - Anne S Robinson
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; Tulane University; New Orleans, LA USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; University of Delaware; Newark, DE USA
| | - Christopher J Roberts
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering; University of Delaware; Newark, DE USA
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Roberts CJ. Protein aggregation and its impact on product quality. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2014; 30:211-7. [PMID: 25173826 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Protein pharmaceutical products are typically active as folded monomers that are composed of one or more protein chains, such as the heavy and light chains in monoclonal antibodies that are a mainstay of current drug pipelines. There are numerous possible aggregated states for a given protein, some of which are potentially useful, while most of which are considered deleterious from the perspective of pharmaceutical product quality and performance. This review provides an overview of how and why different aggregated states of proteins occur, how this potentially impacts product quality and performance, fundamental approaches to control aggregate formation, and the practical approaches that are currently used in the pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Roberts
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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Rauk AP, Guo K, Hu Y, Cahya S, Weiss WF. Arrhenius time-scaled least squares: a simple, robust approach to accelerated stability data analysis for bioproducts. J Pharm Sci 2014; 103:2278-86. [PMID: 24974956 DOI: 10.1002/jps.24063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2014] [Revised: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Defining a suitable product presentation with an acceptable stability profile over its intended shelf-life is one of the principal challenges in bioproduct development. Accelerated stability studies are routinely used as a tool to better understand long-term stability. Data analysis often employs an overall mass action kinetics description for the degradation and the Arrhenius relationship to capture the temperature dependence of the observed rate constant. To improve predictive accuracy and precision, the current work proposes a least-squares estimation approach with a single nonlinear covariate and uses a polynomial to describe the change in a product attribute with respect to time. The approach, which will be referred to as Arrhenius time-scaled (ATS) least squares, enables accurate, precise predictions to be achieved for degradation profiles commonly encountered during bioproduct development. A Monte Carlo study is conducted to compare the proposed approach with the common method of least-squares estimation on the logarithmic form of the Arrhenius equation and nonlinear estimation of a first-order model. The ATS least squares method accommodates a range of degradation profiles, provides a simple and intuitive approach for data presentation, and can be implemented with ease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam P Rauk
- inVentiv Health Clinical, Princeton, NJ, 08540
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Roberts CJ. Therapeutic protein aggregation: mechanisms, design, and control. Trends Biotechnol 2014; 32:372-80. [PMID: 24908382 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2014.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although it is well known that proteins are only marginally stable in their folded states, it is often less well appreciated that most proteins are inherently aggregation-prone in their unfolded or partially unfolded states, and the resulting aggregates can be extremely stable and long-lived. For therapeutic proteins, aggregates are a significant risk factor for deleterious immune responses in patients, and can form via a variety of mechanisms. Controlling aggregation using a mechanistic approach may allow improved design of therapeutic protein stability, as a complement to existing design strategies that target desired protein structures and function. Recent results highlight the importance of balancing protein environment with the inherent aggregation propensities of polypeptide chains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Roberts
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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