1
|
Hatch HW, Bergonzo C, Blanco MA, Yuan G, Grudinin S, Lund M, Curtis JE, Grishaev AV, Liu Y, Shen VK. Anisotropic coarse-grain Monte Carlo simulations of lysozyme, lactoferrin, and NISTmAb by precomputing atomistic models. J Chem Phys 2024; 161:094113. [PMID: 39234967 DOI: 10.1063/5.0224809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
We develop a multiscale coarse-grain model of the NIST Monoclonal Antibody Reference Material 8671 (NISTmAb) to enable systematic computational investigations of high-concentration physical instabilities such as phase separation, clustering, and aggregation. Our multiscale coarse-graining strategy captures atomic-resolution interactions with a computational approach that is orders of magnitude more efficient than atomistic models, assuming the biomolecule can be decomposed into one or more rigid bodies with known, fixed structures. This method reduces interactions between tens of thousands of atoms to a single anisotropic interaction site. The anisotropic interaction between unique pairs of rigid bodies is precomputed over a discrete set of relative orientations and stored, allowing interactions between arbitrarily oriented rigid bodies to be interpolated from the precomputed table during coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulations. We present this approach for lysozyme and lactoferrin as a single rigid body and for the NISTmAb as three rigid bodies bound by a flexible hinge with an implicit solvent model. This coarse-graining strategy predicts experimentally measured radius of gyration and second osmotic virial coefficient data, enabling routine Monte Carlo simulation of medically relevant concentrations of interacting proteins while retaining atomistic detail. All methodologies used in this work are available in the open-source software Free Energy and Advanced Sampling Simulation Toolkit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harold W Hatch
- Chemical Informatics Research Group, Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8380, USA
| | - Christina Bergonzo
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
- Biomolecular Structure and Function Group, Biomolecular Measurement Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8380, USA
| | - Marco A Blanco
- Discovery Pharmaceutical Sciences, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania 19486, USA
| | - Guangcui Yuan
- Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
| | - Sergei Grudinin
- CNRS, Grenoble INP, LJK, Université Grenoble Alpes, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Mikael Lund
- Division of Computational Chemistry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Joseph E Curtis
- NIST Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
| | - Alexander V Grishaev
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland 20850, USA
- Biomolecular Structure and Function Group, Biomolecular Measurement Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8380, USA
| | - Yun Liu
- Center for Neutron Research, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, USA
- Center for Neutron Science, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19711, USA
| | - Vincent K Shen
- Chemical Informatics Research Group, Chemical Sciences Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8380, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Medina A, Dragulin-Otto S, Cox E, Fuentes N, Wang Y, Flores K, Lent I, Glasser L, Kwok SC, Donegan S, Brown MN, Siapkara A. Drug Product Development and Case Studies for User Centric Pediatric Protein-Based Therapeutics. J Pharm Sci 2024:S0022-3549(24)00260-0. [PMID: 39173743 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2024.07.014] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
The user of a pediatric drug includes not only the patient, but also their caregiver and healthcare provider, including nurses, doctors, and pharmacists. Therefore, adopting a patient-centric approach that focuses on all users is critical for the development of pediatric drug products. This article outlines the quality target product profile parameters and a patient-centric approach for the development of pediatric proteinbased therapies. The use environment, formulation design, and preparation and in use stability considerations are described. An acceptability profile for the various routes of parenteral administration is described with a focus on pediatric age groups. Furthermore, a risk assessment approach is presented for the selection of excipients to be utilized in pediatric protein-based biopharmaceuticals. Several case studies are included which illustrate the selection of drug product parameters such as formulation, dose volume, and route of administration with the pediatric user in mind.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annette Medina
- Dosage Form Design and Development, Biopharmaceutical Development, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
| | - Sonia Dragulin-Otto
- Dosage Form Design and Development, Biopharmaceutical Development, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Emily Cox
- Dosage Form Design and Development, Biopharmaceutical Development, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Nathalie Fuentes
- Dosage Form Design and Development, Biopharmaceutical Development, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Yujing Wang
- Dosage Form Design and Development, Biopharmaceutical Development, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Katiria Flores
- Injectable Drug Product Development, Product Development and Clinical Supply, Alexion AstraZeneca Rare Disease, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ian Lent
- Dosage Form Design and Development, Biopharmaceutical Development, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | - Lisa Glasser
- US Medical Affairs, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceutical Medical, AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Stanley C Kwok
- Dosage Form Design and Development, Biopharmaceutical Development, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA
| | | | - Mary N Brown
- Early Respiratory and Immunology (R&I) Clinical Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Angeliki Siapkara
- CVRM Regulatory Affairs, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Niu F, Hu X, Ritzoulis C, Tu W, Zhao X, Xia Y, Lu Y, Yin J, Pan W. Does arginine aggregate formation in aqueous solutions follow a two-step mechanism? Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:21240-21248. [PMID: 39073462 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp02119c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
The formation of aggregates was studied in arginine aqueous solutions using light scattering. The main driving force for aggregate formation is hydrogen bonding between the arginine (Arg) amino acids, which is partially verified using density functional theory calculations. The measurement of energy loss during this process, coupled with Cryo-EM morphology data, indicates that these aggregates are in the solid state. The aggregation occurs in two steps, with a liquid intermediate stage. The investigation of the effect of pH and solute concentration on aggregate formation for other amino acid aqueous solutions verifies that aggregate formation is amino-acid specific, while small-sized clusters formed by weak interactions lead to large-sized aggregation. The water structure around amino acid molecules sheds light on the prediction of their aggregate formation. Homochirality is observed in the aggregates; its existence sheds light on the origin of protein homochirality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fuge Niu
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
| | - Xinyu Hu
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
| | - Christos Ritzoulis
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
- Department of Food Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki 57400, Greece
| | - Weiwei Tu
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
| | - Xurui Zhao
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Yuanzhi Xia
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Wenzhou University, Chashan University town, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Yinghua Lu
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
| | - Junfeng Yin
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China.
| | - Weichun Pan
- School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gerlt MS, Meier EM, Dingfelder F, Zürcher D, Müller M, Arosio P. Microfluidic Stress Device to Decouple the Synergistic Effect of Shear and Interfaces on Antibody Aggregation. J Pharm Sci 2024; 113:2161-2169. [PMID: 38801973 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2024.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Protein denaturation and aggregation resulting from the effects of interfacial stress, often enhanced by flow and shear stress, pose significant challenges in the production of therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies. The influence of flow on protein stability is closely intertwined with interfacial effects. In this study, we have developed a microfluidic device capable of exposing low volume (< 320 µL) protein solutions to highly uniform shear. To disentangle the synergistic impact of flow and interfaces on protein aggregation, we fabricated two devices composed of different materials, namely poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and stainless steel. Upon application of shear, we observed formation of protein particles in the micron-size range. Notably, The number of particles generated in the steel devices was ∼ 3.5 fold lower than in the PMMA device, hinting at an interface-mediated effect. With increasing the protein concentration from 1 to 50 mg/mL we observed a saturation in the amount of aggregates, further confirming the key role of solid-liquid interfaces in inducing particle formation. Introduction of non-ionic surfactants prevented protein aggregation, even at the highest tested protein concentration and low surfactant concentrations of 0.05 mg/mL. Overall, our findings corroborate the synergistic impact of shear and interface effects on protein aggregation. The device developed in this study offers a small-scale platform for assessing the stability of antibody formulations throughout various stages of the development and manufacturing process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Gerlt
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eduard M Meier
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Dominik Zürcher
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Paolo Arosio
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Puente EG, Sivasankaran RP, Vinciguerra D, Yang J, Lower HAC, Hevener AL, Maynard HD. Uniform trehalose nanogels for glucagon stabilization. RSC APPLIED POLYMERS 2024; 2:473-482. [PMID: 38800515 PMCID: PMC11114568 DOI: 10.1039/d3lp00226h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Glucagon is a peptide hormone that acts via receptor-mediated signaling predominantly in the liver to raise glucose levels by hepatic glycogen breakdown or conversion of noncarbohydrate, 3 carbon precursors to glucose by gluconeogenesis. Glucagon is administered to reverse severe hypoglycemia, a clinical complication associated with type 1 diabetes. However, due to low stability and solubility at neutral pH, there are limitations in the current formulations of glucagon. Trehalose methacrylate-based nanoparticles were utilized as the stabilizing and solubilizing moiety in the system reported herein. Glucagon was site-selectively modified to contain a cysteine at amino acid number 24 to covalently attach to the methacrylate-based polymer containing pyridyl disulfide side chains. PEG2000 dithiol was employed as the crosslinker to form uniform nanoparticles. Glucagon nanogels were monitored in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS) pH 7.4 at various temperatures to determine its long-term stability in solution. Glucagon nanogels were stable up to at least 5 months by size uniformity when stored at -20 °C and 4 °C, up to 5 days at 25 °C, and less than 12 hours at 37 °C. When glucagon stability was studied by either HPLC or thioflavin T assays, the glucagon was intact for at least 5 months at -20 °C and 4 °C within the nanoparticles at -20 °C and 4 °C and up to 2 days at 25 °C. Additionally, the glucagon nanogels were studied for toxicity and efficacy using various assays in vitro. The findings indicate that the nanogels were nontoxic to fibroblast cells and nonhemolytic to red blood cells. The glucagon in the nanogels was as active as glucagon alone. These results demonstrate the utility of trehalose nanogels towards a glucagon formulation with improved stability and solubility in aqueous solutions, particularly useful for storage at cold temperatures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellie G Puente
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles 607 Charles E. Young Drive East Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
- California Nanosystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles 570 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
| | - Rajalakshmi P Sivasankaran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles 607 Charles E. Young Drive East Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
- California Nanosystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles 570 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
| | - Daniele Vinciguerra
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles 607 Charles E. Young Drive East Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
- California Nanosystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles 570 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
| | - Jane Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles 607 Charles E. Young Drive East Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
- California Nanosystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles 570 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
| | - Haillie-Ann C Lower
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles 607 Charles E. Young Drive East Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
- California Nanosystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles 570 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
| | - Andrea L Hevener
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA USA
- Department of Medicine and VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System GRECC Los Angeles CA 90073 USA
| | - Heather D Maynard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles 607 Charles E. Young Drive East Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
- California Nanosystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles 570 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles California 90095-1569 USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sarin D, Krishna K, Nejadnik MR, Suryanarayanan R, Rathore AS. Impact of Excipient Extraction and Buffer Exchange on Recombinant Monoclonal Antibody Stability. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:1872-1883. [PMID: 38422397 PMCID: PMC10988557 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c01157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The foundation of a biosimilar manufacturer's regulatory filing is the demonstration of analytical and functional similarity between the biosimilar product and the pertinent originator product. The excipients in the formulation may interfere with characterization using typical analytical and functional techniques during this biosimilarity exercise. Consequently, the producers of biosimilar products resort to buffer exchange to isolate the biotherapeutic protein from the drug product formulation. However, the impact that this isolation has on the product stability is not completely known. This study aims to elucidate the extent to which mAb isolation via ultrafiltration-diafiltration-based buffer exchange impacts mAb stability. It has been demonstrated that repeated extraction cycles do result in significant changes in higher-order structure (red-shift of 5.0 nm in fluorescence maxima of buffer exchanged samples) of the mAb and also an increase in formation of basic variants from 19.1 to 26.7% and from 32.3 to 36.9% in extracted innovator and biosimilar Tmab samples, respectively. It was also observed that under certain conditions of tertiary structure disruptions, Tmab could be restabilized depending on formulation composition. Thus, mAb isolation through extraction with buffer exchange impacts the product stability. Based on the observations reported in this paper, we recommend that biosimilar manufacturers take into consideration these effects of excipients on protein stability when performing biosimilarity assessments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Sarin
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute
of Technology, Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Kunal Krishna
- School
of Interdisciplinary Research, Indian Institute
of Technology, Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - M. Reza Nejadnik
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Experimental Therapeutics, College
of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, United States
| | - Raj Suryanarayanan
- Department
of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University
of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Anurag S. Rathore
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute
of Technology, Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Harris CT, Cohen S. Reducing Immunogenicity by Design: Approaches to Minimize Immunogenicity of Monoclonal Antibodies. BioDrugs 2024; 38:205-226. [PMID: 38261155 PMCID: PMC10912315 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00641-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have transformed therapeutic strategies for various diseases. Their high specificity to target antigens makes them ideal therapeutic agents for certain diseases. However, a challenge to their application in clinical practice is their potential risk to induce unwanted immune response, termed immunogenicity. This challenge drives the continued efforts to deimmunize these protein therapeutics while maintaining their pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic efficacy. Because mAbs hold a central position in therapeutic strategies against an array of diseases, the importance of conducting comprehensive immunogenicity risk assessment during the drug development process cannot be overstated. Such assessment necessitates the employment of in silico, in vitro, and in vivo strategies to evaluate the immunogenicity risk of mAbs. Understanding the intricacies of the mechanisms that drive mAb immunogenicity is crucial to improving their therapeutic efficacy and safety and developing the most effective strategies to determine and mitigate their immunogenic risk. This review highlights recent advances in immunogenicity prediction strategies, with a focus on protein engineering strategies used throughout development to reduce immunogenicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chantal T Harris
- Department of BioAnalytical Sciences, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080-4990, USA
| | - Sivan Cohen
- Department of BioAnalytical Sciences, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, 94080-4990, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Gooran N, Kopra K. Fluorescence-Based Protein Stability Monitoring-A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1764. [PMID: 38339045 PMCID: PMC10855643 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Proteins are large biomolecules with a specific structure that is composed of one or more long amino acid chains. Correct protein structures are directly linked to their correct function, and many environmental factors can have either positive or negative effects on this structure. Thus, there is a clear need for methods enabling the study of proteins, their correct folding, and components affecting protein stability. There is a significant number of label-free methods to study protein stability. In this review, we provide a general overview of these methods, but the main focus is on fluorescence-based low-instrument and -expertise-demand techniques. Different aspects related to thermal shift assays (TSAs), also called differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) or ThermoFluor, are introduced and compared to isothermal chemical denaturation (ICD). Finally, we discuss the challenges and comparative aspects related to these methods, as well as future opportunities and assay development directions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kari Kopra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turku, Henrikinkatu 2, 20500 Turku, Finland;
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Moino C, Artusio F, Pisano R. Shear stress as a driver of degradation for protein-based therapeutics: More accomplice than culprit. Int J Pharm 2024; 650:123679. [PMID: 38065348 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Protein degradation is a major concern for protein-based therapeutics. It may alter the biological activity of the product and raise the potential for undesirable effects on the patients. Among the numerous drivers of protein degradation, shear stress has been the focus around which much work has revolved since the 1970s. In the pharmaceutical realm, the product is often processed through several unit operations, which include mixing, pumping, filtration, filling, and atomization. Nonetheless, the drug might be exposed to significant shear stresses, which might cooperatively contribute to product degradation, together with interfacial stress. This review presents fundamentals of shear stress about protein structure, followed by an overview of the drivers of product degradation. The impact of shear stress on protein stability in different unit operations is then presented, and recommendations for limiting the adverse effects on the biopharmaceutical formulations are outlined. Finally, several devices used to explore the effects of shear stress are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Moino
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 24 Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, Torino 10129, Italy
| | - Fiora Artusio
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 24 Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, Torino 10129, Italy
| | - Roberto Pisano
- Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, 24 Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, Torino 10129, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Song J, Taraban M, Yu YB, Lu L, Biswas PG, Xu W, Xi H, Bhambhani A, Hu G, Su Y. In-situ biophysical characterization of high-concentration protein formulations using wNMR. MAbs 2024; 16:2304624. [PMID: 38299343 PMCID: PMC10841025 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2024.2304624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
High-concentration protein formulation is of paramount importance in patient-centric drug product development, but it also presents challenges due to the potential for enhanced aggregation and increased viscosity. The analysis of critical quality attributes often necessitates the transfer of samples from their primary containers together with sample dilution. Therefore, there is a demand for noninvasive, in situ biophysical methods to assess protein drug products directly in primary sterile containers, such as prefilled syringes, without dilution. In this study, we introduce a novel application of water proton nuclear magnetic resonance (wNMR) to evaluate the aggregation propensity of a high-concentration drug product, Dupixent® (dupilumab), under stress conditions. wNMR results demonstrate a concentration-dependent, reversible association of dupilumab in the commercial formulation, as well as irreversible aggregation when exposed to accelerated thermal stress, but gradually reversible aggregation when exposed to freeze and thaw cycles. Importantly, these results show a strong correlation with data obtained from established biophysical analytical tools widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. The application of wNMR represents a promising approach for in situ noninvasive analysis of high-concentration protein formulations directly in their primary containers, providing valuable insights for drug development and quality assessment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Song
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Marc Taraban
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Y. Bruce Yu
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Lynn Lu
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Supply, Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Pallavi Guha Biswas
- University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Wei Xu
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Hanmi Xi
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Akhilesh Bhambhani
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Supply, Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Guangli Hu
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Supply, Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA
| | - Yongchao Su
- Analytical Research and Development, Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Supply, Merck & Co., Inc, Rahway, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Chowdhury AA, Manohar N, Lanzaro A, Kimball WD, Witek MA, Woldeyes MA, Majumdar R, Qian KK, Xu S, Gillilan RE, Huang Q, Truskett TM, Johnston KP. Characterizing Protein-Protein Interactions and Viscosity of a Monoclonal Antibody from Low to High Concentration Using Small-Angle X-ray Scattering and Molecular Dynamics Simulations. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:5563-5578. [PMID: 37782765 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Understanding protein-protein interactions and formation of reversible oligomers (clusters) in concentrated monoclonal antibody (mAb) solutions is necessary for designing stable, low viscosity (η) concentrated formulations for processing and subcutaneous injection. Here we characterize the strength (K) of short-range anisotropic attractions (SRA) for 75-200 mg/mL mAb2 solutions at different pH and cosolute conditions by analyzing structure factors (Seff(q)) from small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. Best fit simulations additionally provide cluster size distributions, fractal dimensions, cluster occluded volume, and mAb coordination numbers. These equilibrium properties are utilized in a model to account for increases in viscosity caused by occluded volume in the clusters (packing effects) and dissipation of stress across lubricated fractal clusters. Seff(q) is highly sensitive to K at 75 mg/mL where mAbs can mutually align to form SRA contacts but becomes less sensitive at 200 mg/mL as steric repulsion due to packing becomes dominant. In contrast, η at 200 mg/mL is highly sensitive to SRA and the average cluster size from SAXS/simulation, which is observed to track the cluster relaxation time from shear thinning. By analyzing the distribution of sub-bead hot spots on the 3D mAb surface, we identify a strongly attractive hydrophobic patch in the complementarity determining region (CDR) at pH 4.5 that contributes to the high K and consequently large cluster sizes and high η. Adding NaCl screens electrostatic interactions and increases the impact of hydrophobic attraction on cluster size and raises η, whereas nonspecific binding of Arg attenuates all SRA, reducing η. The hydrophobic patch is absent at higher pH values, leading to smaller K, smaller clusters, and lower η. This work constitutes a first attempt to use SAXS and CG modeling to link both structural and rheological properties of concentrated mAb solutions to the energetics of specific hydrophobic patches on mAb surfaces. As such, our work opens an avenue for future research, including the possibility of designing coarse-grained models with physically meaningful interacting hot spots.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amjad A Chowdhury
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Neha Manohar
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Alfredo Lanzaro
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - William D Kimball
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Marta A Witek
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225, United States
| | | | - Ranajoy Majumdar
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225, United States
| | - Ken K Qian
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225, United States
| | - Shifeng Xu
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Richard E Gillilan
- Center for High Energy X-ray Sciences at CHESS, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Qingqiu Huang
- Center for High Energy X-ray Sciences at CHESS, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Thomas M Truskett
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Keith P Johnston
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Malik DJ, Goncalves-Ribeiro H, GoldSchmitt D, Collin J, Belkhiri A, Fernandes D, Weichert H, Kirpichnikova A. Advanced Manufacturing, Formulation and Microencapsulation of Therapeutic Phages. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 77:S370-S383. [PMID: 37932112 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Manufacturing and formulation of stable, high purity, and high dose bacteriophage drug products (DPs) suitable for clinical usage would benefit from improved process monitoring and control of critical process parameters that affect product quality attributes. Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) for both upstream (USP) and downstream processes (DSP) need mapping of critical process parameters (CPP) and linking these to critical quality attributes (CQA) to ensure quality and consistency of phage drug substance (DS) and DPs development. Single-use technologies are increasingly becoming the go-to manufacturing option with benefits both for phage bioprocess development at the engineering run research stage and for final manufacture of the phage DS. Future phage DPs under clinical development will benefit from implementation of process analytical technologies (PAT) for better process monitoring and control. These are increasingly being used to improve process robustness (to reduce batch-to-batch variability) and productivity (yielding high phage titers). Precise delivery of stable phage DPs that are suitably formulated as liquids, gels, solid-oral dosage forms, and so forth, could significantly enhance efficacy of phage therapy outcomes. Pre-clinical development of phage DPs must include at an early stage of development, considerations for their formulation including their characterization of physiochemical properties (size, charge, etc.), buffer pH and osmolality, compatibility with regulatory approved excipients, storage stability (packaging, temperature, humidity, etc.), ease of application, patient compliance, ease of manufacturability using scalable manufacturing unit operations, cost, and regulatory requirements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danish J Malik
- Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | | | - Dirk GoldSchmitt
- Division of Computing Science and Mathematics, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Collin
- Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Aouatif Belkhiri
- Chemical Engineering Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom
| | - Diogo Fernandes
- Nanomaterials Characterisation, Malvern Panalytical, Malvern, United Kingdom
| | - Henry Weichert
- Process Analytical Technology, Sartorius Stedim Biotech GmbH, Germany
| | - Anya Kirpichnikova
- Division of Computing Science and Mathematics, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kopp KT, Saerens L, Voorspoels J, Van den Mooter G. Solidification and oral delivery of biologics to the colon- A review. Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 190:106523. [PMID: 37429482 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
The oral delivery of biologics such as therapeutic proteins, peptides and oligonucleotides for the treatment of colon related diseases has been the focus of increasing attention over the last years. However, the major disadvantage of these macromolecules is their degradation propensity in liquid state which can lead to the undesirable and complete loss of function. Therefore, to increase the stability of the biologic and reduce their degradation propensity, formulation techniques such as solidification can be performed to obtain a stable solid dosage form for oral administration. Due to their fragility, stress exerted on the biologic during solidification has to be reduced with the incorporation of stabilizing excipients into the formulation. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art solidification techniques required to obtain a solid dosage form for the oral delivery of biologics to the colon and the use of suitable excipients for adequate stabilization upon solidification. The solidifying processes discussed within this review are spray drying, freeze drying, bead coating and also other techniques such as spray freeze drying, electro spraying, vacuum- and supercritical fluid drying. Further, the colon as site of absorption in both healthy and diseased state is critically reviewed and possible oral delivery systems for biologics are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Tatjana Kopp
- Eurofins Amatsigroup, Industriepark-Zwijnaarde 7B, 9052 Gent, Belgium; Drug Delivery and Disposition, KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Campus Gasthuisberg ON2, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lien Saerens
- Eurofins Amatsigroup, Industriepark-Zwijnaarde 7B, 9052 Gent, Belgium
| | - Jody Voorspoels
- Eurofins Amatsigroup, Industriepark-Zwijnaarde 7B, 9052 Gent, Belgium
| | - Guy Van den Mooter
- Drug Delivery and Disposition, KU Leuven, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Campus Gasthuisberg ON2, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Heinemann L, Davies M, Home P, Forst T, Vilsbøll T, Schnell O. Understanding Biosimilar Insulins - Development, Manufacturing, and Clinical Trials. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2023; 17:1649-1661. [PMID: 35818669 PMCID: PMC10658691 DOI: 10.1177/19322968221105864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A wave of expiring patents for first-generation insulin analogues has created opportunities in the global insulin market for highly similar versions of these products, biosimilar insulins. Biologics are generally large, complex molecules produced through biotechnology in a living system, such as a microorganism, plant cell, or animal cell. Since manufacturing processes of biologics vary, biosimilars cannot be exact copies of their reference product but must exhibit a high degree of functional and structural similarity. Biosimilarity is proven by analytical approaches in comparative assessments, preclinical cell-based and animal studies, as well as clinical studies in humans facilitating the accumulation of evidence across all assessments. The approval of biosimilars follows detailed regulatory pathways derived from those of their reference products and established by agencies such as the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration. Regulatory authorities impose requirements to ensure that biosimilars meet high standards of quality, safety, and efficacy and are highly similar to their reference product. PURPOSE This review aims to aid clinical understanding of the high standards of development, manufacturing, and regulation of biosimilar insulins. METHODS Recent relevant studies indexed by PubMed and regulatory documents were included. CONCLUSIONS Driven by price competition, the emergence of biosimilar insulins may help expand global access to current insulin analogues. To maximize the impact of the advantage for falling retail costs of biosimilar insulins compared with that of reference insulins, healthcare professionals and insulin users must gain further awareness and confidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Heinemann
- Science Consulting in Diabetes GmbH, Kaarst, Deutschland
| | - Melanie Davies
- University of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, UK
| | - Philip Home
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Thomas Forst
- CRS Clinical Research Services Mannheim GmbH, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Tina Vilsbøll
- Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Oliver Schnell
- Forschergruppe Diabetes e.V., Neuherberg, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Feddema JJ, Fernald KDS, Schikan HGCP, van de Burgwal LHM. Upscaling vaccine manufacturing capacity - key bottlenecks and lessons learned. Vaccine 2023; 41:4359-4368. [PMID: 37277250 PMCID: PMC10239264 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic put enormous pressure on the vaccine production chain as billions of vaccines had to be produced in the shortest timeframe possible. Vaccine production chains struggled to keep up with demand, resulting in disruptions and production delays. This study aimed to make an inventory of challenges and opportunities that occurred in the production chain of the COVID-19 vaccine. Insights derived through approximately 80 interviews and roundtable discussions were combined with findings from a scoping literature review. Data were analysed through an inductive process where barriers and opportunities were linked to specific facets of the production chain. Key bottlenecks identified include a lack of manufacturing facilities, a lack of tech-transfer personnel, inefficient arrangement of production stakeholders, critical shortages in raw materials, and restricting protectionist measures. A need for a central governing body to map out shortages and to coordinate allocation of available resource became evident. Other suggested solutions were to repurpose existing facilities and to build in more flexibility in the production process by making materials interchangeable. Also, simplification of the production chain could be achieved through geographical reengagement of processes. Three overarching themes were identified, impacting overall functioning of the vaccine production chain: regulatory and visibility, collaboration and communication, and funding and policy. The results in this study showed a multitude of interdependent processes underlying the vaccine production chain, executed by diverse stakeholders with differing objectives. It characterizes the global complexity of the pharmaceutical production chain and highlights its extreme vulnerability to disruptions. More resilience and robustness must be integrated into the vaccine production chain, and low-middle income countries should be empowered to manufacture vaccines themselves. In conclusion, there's a need to rethink the production system for vaccines and other essential medicines in order to become better prepared for future health crises.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jelle J Feddema
- Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
| | - Kenneth D S Fernald
- Athena Institute, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Desai AA, Zupancic JM, Trzeciakiewicz H, Gerson JE, DuBois KN, Skinner ME, Sharkey LM, McArthur N, Ferris SP, Bhatt NN, Makowski EK, Smith MD, Chen H, Huang J, Jerez C, Kane RS, Kanaan NM, Paulson HL, Tessier PM. Flow cytometric isolation of drug-like conformational antibodies specific for amyloid fibrils. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.04.547698. [PMID: 37461643 PMCID: PMC10349928 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.04.547698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Antibodies that recognize specific protein conformational states are broadly important for research, diagnostic and therapeutic applications, yet they are difficult to generate in a predictable and systematic manner using either immunization or in vitro antibody display methods. This problem is particularly severe for conformational antibodies that recognize insoluble antigens such as amyloid fibrils associated with many neurodegenerative disorders. Here we report a quantitative fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) method for directly selecting high-quality conformational antibodies against different types of insoluble (amyloid fibril) antigens using a single, off-the-shelf human library. Our approach uses quantum dots functionalized with antibodies to capture insoluble antigens, and the resulting quantum dot conjugates are used in a similar manner as conventional soluble antigens for multi-parameter FACS selections. Notably, we find that this approach is robust for isolating high-quality conformational antibodies against tau and α-synuclein fibrils from the same human library with combinations of high affinity, high conformational specificity and, in some cases, low off-target binding that rival or exceed those of clinical-stage antibodies specific for tau (zagotenemab) and α-synuclein (cinpanemab). This approach is expected to enable conformational antibody selection and engineering against diverse types of protein aggregates and other insoluble antigens (e.g., membrane proteins) that are compatible with presentation on the surface of antibody-functionalized quantum dots.
Collapse
|
17
|
Mieczkowski CA. The Evolution of Commercial Antibody Formulations. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:1801-1810. [PMID: 37037341 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2023.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
It has been nearly four decades since the first therapeutic monoclonal antibodies were approved and made available for widespread human use. Herein, US and EU approved antibody formulations are reviewed, and their nature and compositions are evaluated over time. From 1986 through Jan 2023, significant formulation trends have occurred and to represent this, 165 commercial antibody therapeutic formulations were binned into 5 different periods of time. Overall, we have observed the following: 1) The average formulation pH has decreased in recent years by over 0.5 units along with a decrease in variability that is largely driven by non-high concentration liquid in vial presentations for IV administration, 2) The use of certain excipients and buffers such as histidine, sucrose, metal chelators, arginine and methionine has become significantly more common, whereas formulations that contain phosphate, salt, no sugar or no surfactant have fallen out of favor, 3) Overall formulation space has increasingly become more homogenous and has converged in terms of formulation pH and excipient preferences regardless of formulation concentration, drug product presentation, and route of administration, 4) The average calculated isoelectric point (pI) has decreased 0.26 units, and 5) Overall, the average formulation pH and calculated pI for all commercial antibodies surveyed was 6.0 and 8.4, respectively. These trends and formulation convergence may be driven by multiple factors such as advancements in high-throughput computational and analytical technologies, the increased emphasis and understanding of certain developability attributes and formulation principles during lead selection and formulation development, and the adoption of low-risk development platform approaches.
Collapse
|
18
|
Frederix GW, Ham RMT. Gene therapies, uncertainty, and decision-making: thinking about the last mile at the first step. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2023; 23:853-856. [PMID: 37539711 DOI: 10.1080/14737167.2023.2245138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Gerardus Wj Frederix
- University Medical Centre Utrecht, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Epidemiology & Health Economics, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renske Mt Ten Ham
- University Medical Centre Utrecht, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Department of Epidemiology & Health Economics, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Masloh S, Culot M, Gosselet F, Chevrel A, Scapozza L, Zeisser Labouebe M. Challenges and Opportunities in the Oral Delivery of Recombinant Biologics. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15051415. [PMID: 37242657 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15051415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant biological molecules are at the cutting-edge of biomedical research thanks to the significant progress made in biotechnology and a better understanding of subcellular processes implicated in several diseases. Given their ability to induce a potent response, these molecules are becoming the drugs of choice for multiple pathologies. However, unlike conventional drugs which are mostly ingested, the majority of biologics are currently administered parenterally. Therefore, to improve their limited bioavailability when delivered orally, the scientific community has devoted tremendous efforts to develop accurate cell- and tissue-based models that allow for the determination of their capacity to cross the intestinal mucosa. Furthermore, several promising approaches have been imagined to enhance the intestinal permeability and stability of recombinant biological molecules. This review summarizes the main physiological barriers to the oral delivery of biologics. Several preclinical in vitro and ex vivo models currently used to assess permeability are also presented. Finally, the multiple strategies explored to address the challenges of administering biotherapeutics orally are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Solene Masloh
- Laboratoire de la Barrière Hémato-Encéphalique (LBHE), Faculté des sciences Jean Perrin, University of Artois, UR 2465, Rue Jean Souvraz, 62300 Lens, France
- Affilogic, 24 Rue de la Rainière, 44300 Nantes, France
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maxime Culot
- Laboratoire de la Barrière Hémato-Encéphalique (LBHE), Faculté des sciences Jean Perrin, University of Artois, UR 2465, Rue Jean Souvraz, 62300 Lens, France
| | - Fabien Gosselet
- Laboratoire de la Barrière Hémato-Encéphalique (LBHE), Faculté des sciences Jean Perrin, University of Artois, UR 2465, Rue Jean Souvraz, 62300 Lens, France
| | - Anne Chevrel
- Affilogic, 24 Rue de la Rainière, 44300 Nantes, France
| | - Leonardo Scapozza
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Magali Zeisser Labouebe
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland, University of Geneva, 1 Rue Michel Servet, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chen Z, Wang X, Chen X, Huang J, Wang C, Wang J, Wang Z. Accelerating therapeutic protein design with computational approaches toward the clinical stage. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:2909-2926. [PMID: 38213894 PMCID: PMC10781723 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic protein, represented by antibodies, is of increasing interest in human medicine. However, clinical translation of therapeutic protein is still largely hindered by different aspects of developability, including affinity and selectivity, stability and aggregation prevention, solubility and viscosity reduction, and deimmunization. Conventional optimization of the developability with widely used methods, like display technologies and library screening approaches, is a time and cost-intensive endeavor, and the efficiency in finding suitable solutions is still not enough to meet clinical needs. In recent years, the accelerated advancement of computational methodologies has ushered in a transformative era in the field of therapeutic protein design. Owing to their remarkable capabilities in feature extraction and modeling, the integration of cutting-edge computational strategies with conventional techniques presents a promising avenue to accelerate the progression of therapeutic protein design and optimization toward clinical implementation. Here, we compared the differences between therapeutic protein and small molecules in developability and provided an overview of the computational approaches applicable to the design or optimization of therapeutic protein in several developability issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhidong Chen
- Department of Pathology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518033, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xinpei Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Xu Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Juyang Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Chenglin Wang
- Shenzhen Qiyu Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Junqing Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518033, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Pardeshi N, Marsiglio D, Padmakumar V, Bernacki J, Rathore N. Investigating and Addressing Challenges Associated with Filling Protein Drug Products. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:954-962. [PMID: 36442684 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The fill-finish process for vials and syringes, although considered standard in the biopharmaceutical industry, comes with numerous technical challenges when manufacturing high concentration products. This paper includes case studies, illustrating the operational challenges associated with the filling unit operation for three of the commonly used filling technologies for biopharmaceutical products - piston pump, time over pressure pump and peristaltic pump. First case study consists of a piston pump filling operation and evaluates impact of product related parameters such as a) protein concentration, b) product viscosity and c) surface tension. The second study encompasses peristaltic pump filling. It delves into characterization of fluid flow and pump parameters while examining failure modes such as product drying. The third case study details challenges with time-pressure filling operation. In summary, for the three filling technologies, the operational challenges encountered during bench-scale and manufacturing operations implicate drug product-nozzle interactions (drying of high-viscosity material), inadequate pump clearances (piston, again, drying + seizure) and lack of optimized control parameters as key factors contributing to filling line stoppages. In each instance, recommendations are provided to mitigate these operational challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neha Pardeshi
- Drug Product Technologies, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Dan Marsiglio
- Drug Product Technologies, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | | | - Joe Bernacki
- Drug Product Technologies, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Nitin Rathore
- Drug Product Technologies, Amgen, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kullmann D, Lema Martinez C, Lümkemann J, Huwyler J. Part II: Matrix based scaffold lyophilization facilitates processing as a prerequisite for an innovative packaging system. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2023; 184:262-273. [PMID: 36565968 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2022.12.007] [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: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
On large manufacturing lines, the fill finish process of drugs is generally accomplished by filling vials and syringes with their respective deliverable doses. Glass as a final container provides excellent protection of the drug product because of its chemical inertia, gas impermeability and relative robustness. However, due to potential needle stitch issues, diluent mix ups, or the required use of complex closed system transfer devices, lyophilizate vials present a significant challenge for healthcare professionals during the correct preparation of intravenous (IV) infusions. A more suitable container could potentially minimize such shortfalls during the preparation of IV infusions. Our investigations aimed at assessing if a novel medication system, consisting of an infusion bag separated into individual dry product and liquid diluent chambers, could facilitate the storage of a lyophilized product equivalently to the current standard, a vial. By incorporating an intermediate process container into two different dual chamber bags (DCB), the stability of a model monoclonal antibody formulation (mAb) was studied. The DCBs were evaluated over a 24-week period against their liquid and lyophilized dosage form equivalents in glass vials. Their stability was assessed through investigations into protein stability, residual moisture uptake of the dry products and permeability of the foil and film materials. It could be demonstrated that the stability of the incorporated drug is highly dependent on the container configuration. Ultimately it could be shown that the storage of lyophilizates is equally possible in DCBs as it is in vials, while being stored next to the diluent within the administration device.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kullmann
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | - Jörg Lümkemann
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jörg Huwyler
- Division of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Chowdhury A, Manohar N, Guruprasad G, Chen AT, Lanzaro A, Blanco M, Johnston KP, Truskett TM. Characterizing Experimental Monoclonal Antibody Interactions and Clustering Using a Coarse-Grained Simulation Library and a Viscosity Model. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:1120-1137. [PMID: 36716270 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c07616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Attractive protein-protein interactions in concentrated monoclonal antibody (mAb) solutions may lead to the formation of clusters that increase viscosity. Here, we propose an analytical model that relates mAb solution viscosity to clustering by accounting for the contributions of suboptimal mAb packing within a cluster and cluster fractal dimension. The influence of short-range, anisotropic attractions and long-range Coulombic repulsion on cluster properties is investigated by analyzing the cluster-size distributions, cluster fractal dimensions, radial distribution functions, and static structure factors from a library of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. The library spans a vast range of mAb charges and attractive interactions in solutions of varying ionic strength. We present a framework for combining the viscosity model and simulation library to successfully characterize the attraction, repulsion, and clustering of an experimental mAb in three different pH and cosolute conditions by fitting the measured viscosity or structure factor from small-angle X-ray scattering. At low ionic strength, the cluster-size distribution is impacted by strong charges, and both the viscosity and net charge or structure factor and net charge must be considered to deconvolute the effects of short-range attraction and long-range repulsion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Chowdhury
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas78712, United States
| | - Neha Manohar
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas78712, United States
| | - Geetika Guruprasad
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas78712, United States
| | - Amy T Chen
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas78712, United States
| | - Alfredo Lanzaro
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas78712, United States
| | - Marco Blanco
- Analytical Enabling Capabilities, Analytical R&D, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey07065, United States
| | - Keith P Johnston
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas78712, United States
| | - Thomas M Truskett
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas78712, United States.,Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas78712, United States
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Rolinger L, Hubbuch J, Rüdt M. Monitoring of ultra- and diafiltration processes by Kalman-filtered Raman measurements. Anal Bioanal Chem 2023; 415:841-854. [PMID: 36651972 PMCID: PMC9883314 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04477-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring the protein concentration and buffer composition during the Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration (UF/DF) step enables the further automation of biopharmaceutical production and supports Real-time Release Testing (RTRT). Previously, in-line Ultraviolet (UV) and Infrared (IR) measurements have been used to successfully monitor the protein concentration over a large range. The progress of the diafiltration step has been monitored with density measurements and Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). Raman spectroscopy is capable of measuring both the protein and excipient concentration while being more robust and suitable for production measurements in comparison to Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). Regardless of the spectroscopic sensor used, the low concentration of excipients poses a challenge for the sensors. By combining sensor measurements with a semi-mechanistic model through an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), the sensitivity to determine the progress of the diafiltration can be improved. In this study, Raman measurements are combined with an EKF for three case studies. The advantages of Kalman-filtered Raman measurements for excipient monitoring are shown in comparison to density measurements. Furthermore, Raman measurements showed a higher measurement speed in comparison to Variable Pathlength (VP) UV measurement at the trade-off of a slightly worse prediction accuracy for the protein concentration. However, the Raman-based protein concentration measurements relied mostly on an increase in the background signal during the process and not on proteinaceous features, which could pose a challenge due to the potential influence of batch variability on the background signal. Overall, the combination of Raman spectroscopy and EKF is a promising tool for monitoring the UF/DF step and enables process automation by using adaptive process control.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rolinger
- Institute of Engineering in Life Sciences, Section IV: Biomolecular Separation Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
- Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Hubbuch
- Institute of Engineering in Life Sciences, Section IV: Biomolecular Separation Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Matthias Rüdt
- Institute of Engineering in Life Sciences, Section IV: Biomolecular Separation Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany.
- Haute Ecole d'Ingénierie (HEI), HES-SO Valais-Wallis, Rue de l'industrie 19, Sion, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Desai M, Kundu A, Hageman M, Lou H, Boisvert D. Monoclonal antibody and protein therapeutic formulations for subcutaneous delivery: high-concentration, low-volume vs. low-concentration, high-volume. MAbs 2023; 15:2285277. [PMID: 38013454 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2285277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biologic drugs are used to treat a variety of cancers and chronic diseases. While most of these treatments are administered intravenously by trained healthcare professionals, a noticeable trend has emerged favoring subcutaneous (SC) administration. SC administration of biologics poses several challenges. Biologic drugs often require higher doses for optimal efficacy, surpassing the low volume capacity of traditional SC delivery methods like autoinjectors. Consequently, high concentrations of active ingredients are needed, creating time-consuming formulation obstacles. Alternatives to traditional SC delivery systems are therefore needed to support higher-volume biologic formulations and to reduce development time and other risks associated with high-concentration biologic formulations. Here, we outline key considerations for SC biologic drug formulations and delivery and explore a paradigm shift: the flexibility afforded by low-to-moderate-concentration drugs in high-volume formulations as an alternative to the traditionally difficult approach of high-concentration, low-volume SC formulation delivery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Desai
- Medical Affairs, Enable Injections, Inc, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - A Kundu
- Manufacturing Sciences, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Brooklyn Park, MN, USA
| | - M Hageman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - H Lou
- Biopharmaceutical Innovation & Optimization Center, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - D Boisvert
- Independent Chemistry Manufacturing & Controls (CMC) Consultant, El Cerrito, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Yu W, Weber DJ, MacKerell AD. Computer-Aided Drug Design: An Update. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2601:123-152. [PMID: 36445582 PMCID: PMC9838881 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2855-3_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Computer-aided drug design (CADD) approaches are playing an increasingly important role in understanding the fundamentals of ligand-receptor interactions and helping medicinal chemists design therapeutics. About 5 years ago, we presented a chapter devoted to an overview of CADD methods and covered typical CADD protocols including structure-based drug design (SBDD) and ligand-based drug design (LBDD) approaches that were frequently used in the antibiotic drug design process. Advances in computational hardware and algorithms and emerging CADD methods are enhancing the accuracy and ability of CADD in drug design and development. In this chapter, an update to our previous chapter is provided with a focus on new CADD approaches from our laboratory and other peers that can be employed to facilitate the development of antibiotic therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenbo Yu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computer-Aided Drug Design Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), Rockville, MD, USA.
- Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics (CBT), School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - David J Weber
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), Rockville, MD, USA
- Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics (CBT), School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alexander D MacKerell
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Computer-Aided Drug Design Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR), Rockville, MD, USA.
- Center for Biomolecular Therapeutics (CBT), School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Ghosh I, Gutka H, Krause ME, Clemens R, Kashi RS. A systematic review of commercial high concentration antibody drug products approved in the US: formulation composition, dosage form design and primary packaging considerations. MAbs 2023; 15:2205540. [PMID: 37243580 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2205540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Three critical aspects that define high concentration antibody products (HCAPs) are as follows: 1) formulation composition, 2) dosage form, and 3) primary packaging configuration. HCAPs have become successful in the therapeutic sector due to their unique advantage of allowing subcutaneous self-administration. Technical challenges, such as physical and chemical instability, viscosity, delivery volume limitations, and product immunogenicity, can hinder successful development and commercialization of HCAPs. Such challenges can be overcome by robust formulation and process development strategies, as well as rational selection of excipients and packaging components. We compiled and analyzed data from US Food and Drug Administration-approved and marketed HCAPs that are ≥100 mg/mL to identify trends in formulation composition and quality target product profile. This review presents our findings and discusses novel formulation and processing technologies that enable the development of improved HCAPs at ≥200 mg/mL. The observed trends can be used as a guide for further advancements in the development of HCAPs as more complex antibody-based modalities enter biologics product development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Indrajit Ghosh
- Sterile Product Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Hiten Gutka
- Sterile Product Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Mary E Krause
- Sterile Product Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Ryan Clemens
- College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Ramesh S Kashi
- Sterile Product Development, Bristol Myers Squibb, Summit, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Mieczkowski C, Zhang X, Lee D, Nguyen K, Lv W, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Way J, Gries JM. Blueprint for antibody biologics developability. MAbs 2023; 15:2185924. [PMID: 36880643 PMCID: PMC10012935 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2023.2185924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Large-molecule antibody biologics have revolutionized medicine owing to their superior target specificity, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, safety and toxicity profiles, and amenability to versatile engineering. In this review, we focus on preclinical antibody developability, including its definition, scope, and key activities from hit to lead optimization and selection. This includes generation, computational and in silico approaches, molecular engineering, production, analytical and biophysical characterization, stability and forced degradation studies, and process and formulation assessments. More recently, it is apparent these activities not only affect lead selection and manufacturability, but ultimately correlate with clinical progression and success. Emerging developability workflows and strategies are explored as part of a blueprint for developability success that includes an overview of the four major molecular properties that affect all developability outcomes: 1) conformational, 2) chemical, 3) colloidal, and 4) other interactions. We also examine risk assessment and mitigation strategies that increase the likelihood of success for moving the right candidate into the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carl Mieczkowski
- Department of Protein Sciences, Hengenix Biotech, Inc, Milpitas, CA, USA
| | - Xuejin Zhang
- Department of Protein Sciences, Hengenix Biotech, Inc, Milpitas, CA, USA
| | - Dana Lee
- Department of Protein Sciences, Hengenix Biotech, Inc, Milpitas, CA, USA
| | - Khanh Nguyen
- Department of Protein Sciences, Hengenix Biotech, Inc, Milpitas, CA, USA
| | - Wei Lv
- Department of Protein Sciences, Hengenix Biotech, Inc, Milpitas, CA, USA
| | - Yanling Wang
- Department of Protein Sciences, Hengenix Biotech, Inc, Milpitas, CA, USA
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Protein Sciences, Hengenix Biotech, Inc, Milpitas, CA, USA
| | - Jackie Way
- Department of Protein Sciences, Hengenix Biotech, Inc, Milpitas, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Michel Gries
- President, Discovery Research, Hengenix Biotech, Inc, Milpitas, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Yang D, Walker LM. Synergistic Effects of Multiple Excipients on Controlling Viscosity of Concentrated Protein Dispersions. J Pharm Sci 2022; 112:1379-1387. [PMID: 36539064 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.12.011] [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: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Viscosity control is essential for the manufacturing and delivery of concentrated therapeutic proteins. Limited availability of the precious protein-based drugs hinders the characterization and screening of the formulation conditions with new types or different combinations of excipients. In this work, a droplet-based microfluidic device with incorporated multiple particle tracking microrheology (MPT) is developed to quantify the effects of two excipients, arginine hydrochloride (ArgHCl) and caffeine, on the viscosity of concentrated bovine gamma globulin (BGG) dispersions at two different values of pH. The effectiveness of both ArgHCl and caffeine show dependence on the BGG concentration and solution pH. The data set with high compositional resolution provides useful information to guide formulation with multiple viscosity-reducing excipients and quantification appropriate to start elucidating the connection to protein-protein interaction mechanisms. Overall, this work has demonstrated that the developed microfluidic approach has the potential to effectively assess the impact of multiple excipients on the viscosity and provide data for computational methods to predict viscosity for high concentration protein formulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deyu Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States
| | - Lynn M Walker
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Heshmati Aghda N, Zhang Y, Wang J, Lu A, Pillai AR, Maniruzzaman M. A Novel 3D Printing Particulate Manufacturing Technology for Encapsulation of Protein Therapeutics: Sprayed Multi Adsorbed-Droplet Reposing Technology (SMART). Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:653. [PMID: 36354564 PMCID: PMC9687125 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9110653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, various innovative technologies have been developed for the enhanced delivery of biologics as attractive formulation targets including polymeric micro and nanoparticles. Combined with personalized medicine, this area can offer a great opportunity for the improvement of therapeutics efficiency and the treatment outcome. Herein, a novel manufacturing method has been introduced to produce protein-loaded chitosan particles with controlled size. This method is based on an additive manufacturing technology that allows for the designing and production of personalized particulate based therapeutic formulations with a precise control over the shape, size, and potentially the geometry. Sprayed multi adsorbed-droplet reposing technology (SMART) consists of the high-pressure extrusion of an ink with a well determined composition using a pneumatic 3D bioprinting approach and flash freezing the extrudate at the printing bed, optionally followed by freeze drying. In the present study, we attempted to manufacture trypsin-loaded chitosan particles using SMART. The ink and products were thoroughly characterized by dynamic light scattering, rheometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) and Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. These characterizations confirmed the shape morphology as well as the protein integrity over the process. Further, the effect of various factors on the production were investigated. Our results showed that the concentration of the carrier, chitosan, and the lyoprotectant concentration as well as the extrusion pressure have a significant effect on the particle size. According to CD spectra, SMART ensured Trypsin's secondary structure remained intact regardless of the ink composition and pressure. However, our study revealed that the presence of 5% (w/v) lyoprotectant is essential to maintain the trypsin's proteolytic activity. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the viability of SMART as a single-step efficient process to produce biologics-based stable formulations with a precise control over the particulate morphology which can further be expanded across numerous therapeutic modalities including vaccines and cell/gene therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Mohammed Maniruzzaman
- Pharmaceutical Engineering and 3D Printing (PharmE3D) Labs, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78705, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Agarwal P, Huckle J, Newman J, Reid DL. Trends in small molecule drug properties: A developability molecule assessment perspective. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:103366. [PMID: 36122862 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Developability molecule assessment is a key interfacial capability across the biopharmaceutical industry, screening and staging molecules discovered by medicinal chemists for successful chemistry manufacturing controls (CMC) development and launch. The breadth of responsibility and expertise such teams possess puts them in a unique position to understand the impact of the physicochemical properties of a drug during its initial discovery and subsequent development. However, most of the publications describing trends in physicochemical properties are written from a medicinal chemistry perspective with the aim to identify molecules with better ADMET profiles that are either lead-like or drug-like, failing to describe the impact these properties have on CMC development. To systematically uncover knowledge obtained from recent trends in physicochemical properties and the corresponding impact on CMC development, a comprehensive analysis was conducted on molecules in the drug repurposing hub dataset. The only physicochemical property that seems to have been preserved in FDA-approved oral molecules over the decades (1900-2020) is a constant H-bond donor count, highlighting the importance this property has on cell permeability and lattice energy. Pharmaceutical attrition analysis suggests that partition-distribution coefficient, H-bond acceptors, polar surface area and the fraction of sp3 carbons are properties that are associated with compound attrition. Looking at pharmaceutical attrition asynchronously with the temporal analysis of FDA-approved oral molecules highlights the opposing trends, risks and diminishing effects some of these physiochemical properties (cLogP, cLogD and Fsp3) have on describing compound attrition during the past decade. Trellising the dataset by target class suggests that certain formulation and drug delivery strategies can be anticipated or put into place based on target class of a molecule. For example, molecules binding to nuclear hormone receptors are amenable to lipid-based drug delivery systems with proven commercial success. Although the poor solubility of kinase inhibitors is a combination of hydrophobicity (due to aromaticity) required to bind to its target and high lattice energy (melting point), they are a challenging target class to formulate. The influence of drug targets on physicochemical properties and the temporal nature of these properties is highlighted when comparing molecules in the drug repurposing dataset to those developed at Amgen. An improved understanding of the impact of molecular properties on performance attributes can accelerate decisions and facilitate risk assessments during candidate selection and development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Agarwal
- Drug Product Technologies, Process Development, Amgen, One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA.
| | - James Huckle
- Drug Product Technologies, Process Development, Amgen, One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Jake Newman
- Drug Product Technologies, Process Development, Amgen, One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Darren L Reid
- Drug Product Technologies, Process Development, Amgen, 360 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Goli VAR, Butreddy A. Biosimilar monoclonal antibodies: Challenges and approaches towards formulation. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 366:110116. [PMID: 36007632 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Many biologic drug products, particularly monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), were off-patented between 2015 and 2020, and this process is continuing as the number of biologics approvals has increased. However, the availability of affordable biosimilars is delayed by secondary patents related to the formulation and manufacturing process. Therefore, an alternative formulation development is required to avoid infringement of formulation related patents. Several variables must be considered while developing alternative non-infringement formulations, including the time gap between the expiration of the molecule patent and the formulation patent, the ability not to infringe other secondary patents (process-related), and project timelines. As a part of life cycle management, innovator companies are adopting multiple strategies to delay biosimilar competition. Biosimilar companies could use the innovator formulation knowledge space to develop alternative formulations at the expense of time and cost. The present review discusses the key approaches in biosimilar formulation development, and further summarizes the use of innovator formulation knowledge space for biosimilar mAbs product development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Venkata Appa Reddy Goli
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S, Nagar, Punjab, 160062, India
| | - Arun Butreddy
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, The University of Mississippi, University, MS, 38677, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Kim NA, Noh GY, Hada S, Na KJ, Yoon HJ, Park KW, Park YM, Jeong SH. Enhanced protein aggregation suppressor activity of N-acetyl-l-arginine for agitation-induced aggregation with silicone oil and its impact on innate immune responses. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 216:42-51. [PMID: 35779650 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.06.176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Previously, N-acetyl-l-arginine (NALA) suppressed the aggregation of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) more effectively and with a minimum decrease in transition temperature (Tm) than arginine monohydrochloride. In this study, we performed a comparative study with etanercept (commercial product: Enbrel®), where 25 mM arginine monohydrochloride (arginine) was added to the prefilled syringe. The biophysical properties were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), and flow-imaging microscopy (FI). NALA retained the transition temperature of etanercept better than arginine, where arginine significantly reduced the Tm by increasing its concentration. End-over-end rotation was applied to each formulation for 5 days to accelerate protein aggregation and subvisible particle formation. Higher monomeric content was retained with NALA with a decrease in particle level. Higher aggregation onset temperature (Tagg) was detected for etanercept with NALA than arginine. The results of this comparative study were consistent with previous study, suggesting that NALA could be a better excipient for liquid protein formulations. Agitated IVIG and etanercept were injected into C57BL/6 J female mice to observe immunogenic response after 24 h. In the presence of silicone oil, NALA dramatically reduced IL-1 expression, implying that decreased aggregation was related to reduced immunogenicity of both etanercept and IVIG.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nam Ah Kim
- BK21 FOUR Team and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Gyeonggi 10326, Republic of Korea; College of Pharmacy, Mokpo National University, Jeonnam 58554, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ga Yeon Noh
- BK21 FOUR Team and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Gyeonggi 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Shavron Hada
- BK21 FOUR Team and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Gyeonggi 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Jun Na
- BK21 FOUR Team and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Gyeonggi 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Jung Yoon
- Division of Health and Kinesiology, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Woong Park
- Division of Health and Kinesiology, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young-Min Park
- Division of Health and Kinesiology, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seong Hoon Jeong
- BK21 FOUR Team and Integrated Research Institute for Drug Development, College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Gyeonggi 10326, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Discovering Novel Small Molecule Compound for Prevention of Monoclonal Antibody Self-Association. Antibodies (Basel) 2022; 11:antib11020040. [PMID: 35735359 PMCID: PMC9219649 DOI: 10.3390/antib11020040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Designing an antibody with the desired affinity to the antigen is challenging, often achieved by lengthening the hydrophobic CDRs, which can lead to aggregation and cause major hindrance to the development of successful biopharmaceutical products. Aggregation can cause immunogenicity, viscosity and stability issues affecting both the safety and quality of the product. As the hydrophobic residues on the CDR are required for direct binding to antigens, it is not always possible to substitute these residues for aggregation-reduction purposes. Therefore, discovery of specific excipients to prevent aggregation is highly desirable for formulation development. Here, we used a combination of in silico screening methods to identify aggregation-prone regions on an aggregation-prone therapeutic antibody. The most aggregation-prone region on the antibody was selected to conduct virtual screening of compounds that can bind to such regions and act as an aggregation breaker. The most promising excipient candidate was further studied alongside plain buffer formulations and formulations with trehalose using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) simulations with MARTINI force field. Mean interaction value between two antibody molecules in each formulation was calculated based on 1024 replicates of 512 ns of such CGMD simulations. Corresponding formulations with an excipient:antibody ratio of 1:5 were compared experimentally by measuring the diffusion interaction parameter kD and accelerated stability studies. Although the compound with the highest affinity score did not show any additional protective effects compared with trehalose, this study proved using a combination of in silico tools can aid excipient design and formulation development.
Collapse
|
35
|
Yoshikawa M, Nakamura H, Oda-Ueda N, Ueda T, Ohkuri T. Effect of an intermolecular disulfide bond introduced into the first loop of CH1 domain of Adalimumab Fab on thermal stability and antigen-binding activity. J Biochem 2022; 172:49-56. [PMID: 35476872 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvac040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The introduction of intermolecular disulfide bonds by amino acid mutations is an effective method for stabilizing dimeric proteins. X-ray crystal structure of Fab of a therapeutic antibody, adalimumab, revealed the first loop of the CH1 domain to be partially unsolved at position 135-141. To find new sites for the introduction of intermolecular disulfide bonds in adalimumab Fab, Fab mutants targeting the unsolved region were predicted using molecular simulation software. Four Fab mutants, H:K137C-L:I117C, H:K137C-L:F209C, H:S138C-L:F116C, and H:S140C-L:S114C, were expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. SDS-PAGE analysis of these mutants indicated that H:K137C-L:F209C, H:S138C-L:F116C, and H:S140C-L:S114C mutants mostly formed intermolecular disulfide bonds, whereas some H:K137C-L:I117C mutants formed intermolecular disulfide bonds and some did not. DSC measurements showed increased thermal stability in all Fab mutants with engineered disulfide bonds. The bio-layer interferometry measurements, for binding of the antigen tumor necrotic factor α, indicated that Fab mutants had less antigen-binding activity than wild-type Fab. In particular, the KD value of H:K137C-L:F209C was approximately 17-times higher than that of wild-type Fab. Thus, we successfully introduced intermolecular disulfide bonds between the first loop region of the CH1 and CL domains and observed that it increases the thermostability of Fab and affects the antigen-binding activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Tadashi Ueda
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Briskot T, Hillebrandt N, Kluters S, Wang G, Studts J, Hahn T, Huuk T, Hubbuch J. Modeling the Gibbs–Donnan effect during ultrafiltration and diafiltration processes using the Poisson–Boltzmann theory in combination with a basic Stern model. J Memb Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2022.120333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
|
37
|
Zrehen A, Hili U, Weil N, Ben-David O, Yosef A, Eitan B. UV surface disinfection in a wearable drug delivery device. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2022; 13:2144-2155. [PMID: 35519282 PMCID: PMC9045911 DOI: 10.1364/boe.453270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The advent of recombinant DNA technology fundamentally altered the drug discovery landscape, replacing traditional small-molecule drugs with protein and peptide-based biologics. Being susceptible to degradation via the oral route, biologics require comparatively invasive injections, most commonly by intravenous infusion (IV). Significant academic and industrial efforts are underway to replace IV transport with subcutaneous delivery by wearable infusion devices. To further complement the ease-of-use and safety of disposable infusion devices, surface disinfection of the drug container can be automated. For ease of use, the desired injector is a combination device, where the drug is inside the injector as a single solution combination device. The main obstacle of the desired solution is the inability to sterilize both injector and drug in the same chamber or using the same method (Gamma for the drug and ETO for the injector). This leads to the assembly of both drug container and injector after sterilization, resulting in at least one transition area that is not sterilized. To automate the delivery of the drug to the patient, a disinfection step before the drug delivery through the injector is required on the none-sterilized interface. As an innovative solution, the autoinjector presented here is designed with a single ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV LED) for surface disinfection of the drug container and injector interface. In order to validate microbial disinfection similar to ethanol swabbing on the injector, a bacterial 3 or 6 log reduction needed to be demonstrated. However, the small disinfection chamber surfaces within the device are incapable of holding an initial bacterial load for demonstrating the 3 or 6 log reduction, complicating the validation method, and presenting a dilemma as to how to achieve the log reduction while producing real chamber conditions. The suggested solution in this paper is to establish a correlation model between the UV irradiance distribution within the disinfection chamber and a larger external test setup, which can hold the required bacterial load and represents a worse-case test scenario. Bacterial log reduction was subsequently performed on nine different microorganisms of low to high UV-tolerance. The procedure defined herein can be adopted for other surface or chamber disinfection studies in which the inoculation space is limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Uri Hili
- Eitan Medical, Netanya 4250529, Israel
| | - Noam Weil
- Eitan Medical, Netanya 4250529, Israel
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Tyagi P, Koskinen M, Mikkola J, Sarkhel S, Leino L, Seth A, Madalli S, Will S, Howard VG, Brant H, Corkill D. Injectable Biodegradable Silica Depot: Two Months of Sustained Release of the Blood Glucose Lowering Peptide, Pramlintide. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14030553. [PMID: 35335929 PMCID: PMC8952239 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14030553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a major healthcare challenge. Pramlintide, a peptide analogue of the hormone amylin, is currently used as an adjunct with insulin for patients who fail to achieve glycemic control with only insulin therapy. However, hypoglycemia is the dominant risk factor associated with such approaches and careful dosing of both drugs is needed. To mitigate this risk factor and compliance issues related to multiple dosing of different drugs, sustained delivery of Pramlintide from silica depot administered subcutaneously (SC) was investigated in a rat model. The pramlintide-silica microparticle hydrogel depot was formulated by spray drying of silica sol-gels. In vitro dissolution tests revealed an initial burst of pramlintide followed by controlled release due to the dissolution of the silica matrix. At higher dosing, pramlintide released from subcutaneously administered silica depot in rats showed a steady concentration of 500 pM in serum for 60 days. Released pramlintide retained its pharmacological activity in vivo, as evidenced by loss of weight. The biodegradable silica matrix offers a sustained release of pramlintide for at least two months in the rat model and shows potential for clinical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Puneet Tyagi
- Dosage Form Design and Development, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD 20874, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-301-398-5532
| | - Mika Koskinen
- DelSiTech Ltd., PharmaCity, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4 B, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.K.); (J.M.); (S.S.); (L.L.)
| | - Jari Mikkola
- DelSiTech Ltd., PharmaCity, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4 B, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.K.); (J.M.); (S.S.); (L.L.)
| | - Sanjay Sarkhel
- DelSiTech Ltd., PharmaCity, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4 B, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.K.); (J.M.); (S.S.); (L.L.)
| | - Lasse Leino
- DelSiTech Ltd., PharmaCity, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4 B, 20520 Turku, Finland; (M.K.); (J.M.); (S.S.); (L.L.)
| | - Asha Seth
- Renal BioScience, Early CVRM, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK; (A.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Shimona Madalli
- Renal BioScience, Early CVRM, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK; (A.S.); (S.M.)
| | - Sarah Will
- Metabolism BioScience, Early CVRM, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA; (S.W.); (V.G.H.)
| | - Victor G. Howard
- Metabolism BioScience, Early CVRM, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA; (S.W.); (V.G.H.)
| | - Helen Brant
- Animal Science & Technologies UK, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK;
| | - Dominic Corkill
- Early R&I BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge CB21 6GP, UK;
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Goel H, Hazel A, Yu W, Jo S, MacKerell AD. Application of Site-Identification by Ligand Competitive Saturation in Computer-Aided Drug Design. NEW J CHEM 2022; 46:919-932. [PMID: 35210743 PMCID: PMC8863107 DOI: 10.1039/d1nj04028f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Site Identification by Ligand Competitive Saturation (SILCS) is a molecular simulation approach that uses diverse small solutes in aqueous solution to obtain functional group affinity patterns of a protein or other macromolecule. This involves employing a combined Grand Canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC)-molecular dynamics (MD) method to sample the full 3D space of the protein, including deep binding pockets and interior cavities from which functional group free energy maps (FragMaps) are obtained. The information content in the maps, which include contributions from protein flexibilty and both protein and functional group desolvation contributions, can be used in many aspects of the drug discovery process. These include identification of novel ligand binding pockets, including allosteric sites, pharmacophore modeling, prediction of relative protein-ligand binding affinities for database screening and lead optimization efforts, evaluation of protein-protein interactions as well as in the formulation of biologics-based drugs including monoclonal antibodies. The present article summarizes the various tools developed in the context of the SILCS methodology and their utility in computer-aided drug design (CADD) applications, showing how the SILCS toolset can improve the drug-development process on a number of fronts with respect to both accuracy and throughput representing a new avenue of CADD applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Goel
- Computer Aided Drug Design Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20, Penn St. Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Anthony Hazel
- Computer Aided Drug Design Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20, Penn St. Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Wenbo Yu
- Computer Aided Drug Design Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20, Penn St. Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States
| | - Sunhwan Jo
- SilcsBio LLC, 1100 Wicomico St. Suite 323, Baltimore, MD, 21230, United States
| | - Alexander D. MacKerell
- Computer Aided Drug Design Center, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, 20, Penn St. Baltimore, Maryland 21201, United States., SilcsBio LLC, 1100 Wicomico St. Suite 323, Baltimore, MD, 21230, United States.,, Tel: 410-706-7442, Fax: 410-706-5017
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Deciphering the high viscosity of a therapeutic monoclonal antibody in high concentration formulations by microdialysis-hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry. J Pharm Sci 2022; 111:1335-1345. [PMID: 34999091 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.12.027] [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: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
High concentration formulations of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are highly desired for subcutaneous injection. However, high concentration formulations can exhibit unusual molecular behaviors, such as high viscosity or aggregation, that present challenges for manufacturing and administration. To understand the molecular mechanism of the high viscosity exhibited by high concentration protein formulations, we analyzed a human IgG4 (mAb1) at high protein concentrations using sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation (SV-AUC), X-ray crystallography, hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), and protein surface patches analysis. Particularly, we developed a microdialysis HDX-MS method to determine intermolecular interactions at different protein concentrations. SV-AUC revealed that mAb1 displayed a propensity for self-association of Fab-Fab, Fab-Fc, and Fc-Fc. mAb1 crystal structure and HDX-MS results demonstrated self-association between complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) and Fc through electrostatic interactions. HDX-MS also indicated Fab-Fab interactions through hydrophobic surface patches constructed by mAb1 CDRs. Our multi-method approach, including fast screening of SV-AUC as well as interface analysis by X-ray crystallography and HDX-MS, helped to elucidate the high viscosity of mAb1 at high concentrations as induced by self-associations of Fab-Fc and Fab-Fab.
Collapse
|
41
|
Dingfelder F, Henriksen A, Wahlund PO, Arosio P, Lorenzen N. Measuring Self-Association of Antibody Lead Candidates with Dynamic Light Scattering. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2313:241-258. [PMID: 34478142 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1450-1_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
In this method chapter, we provide a brief overview of the key methods available to measure self-association of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and explain for which experimental throughputs they are usually applied. We then focus on dynamic light scattering (DLS) and describe experimental details on how to measure the diffusion interaction parameter (kD) which is occasionally referred to as the gold standard for measuring self-association of proteins. The kD is a well-established parameter to predict solution viscosity, which is one of the most critical developability parameters of mAbs. Finally, we present a pH and excipient screen that is designed to measure self-association with DLS under conditions that are relevant for bioprocessing and formulation of mAbs. The presented light scattering methods are well suited for lead candidate selections where it is essential to select mAbs with high developability potential for progression toward first human dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Dingfelder
- Department of Biophysics and Injectable Formulation 2, Global Research Technologies, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark.
| | - Anette Henriksen
- Department of Modelling and Predictive Technologies, Global Research Technologies, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Per-Olof Wahlund
- Department of Biophysics and Injectable Formulation 2, Global Research Technologies, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | - Paolo Arosio
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Institute for Chemical and Bioengineering, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nikolai Lorenzen
- Department of Biophysics and Injectable Formulation 2, Global Research Technologies, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Rando HM, Wellhausen N, Ghosh S, Lee AJ, Dattoli AA, Hu F, Byrd JB, Rafizadeh DN, Lordan R, Qi Y, Sun Y, Brueffer C, Field JM, Ben Guebila M, Jadavji NM, Skelly AN, Ramsundar B, Wang J, Goel RR, Park Y, Boca SM, Gitter A, Greene CS. Identification and Development of Therapeutics for COVID-19. mSystems 2021; 6:e0023321. [PMID: 34726496 PMCID: PMC8562484 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00233-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
After emerging in China in late 2019, the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spread worldwide, and as of mid-2021, it remains a significant threat globally. Only a few coronaviruses are known to infect humans, and only two cause infections similar in severity to SARS-CoV-2: Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, a species closely related to SARS-CoV-2 that emerged in 2002, and Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, which emerged in 2012. Unlike the current pandemic, previous epidemics were controlled rapidly through public health measures, but the body of research investigating severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome has proven valuable for identifying approaches to treating and preventing novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Building on this research, the medical and scientific communities have responded rapidly to the COVID-19 crisis and identified many candidate therapeutics. The approaches used to identify candidates fall into four main categories: adaptation of clinical approaches to diseases with related pathologies, adaptation based on virological properties, adaptation based on host response, and data-driven identification (ID) of candidates based on physical properties or on pharmacological compendia. To date, a small number of therapeutics have already been authorized by regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while most remain under investigation. The scale of the COVID-19 crisis offers a rare opportunity to collect data on the effects of candidate therapeutics. This information provides insight not only into the management of coronavirus diseases but also into the relative success of different approaches to identifying candidate therapeutics against an emerging disease. IMPORTANCE The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving crisis. With the worldwide scientific community shifting focus onto the SARS-CoV-2 virus and COVID-19, a large number of possible pharmaceutical approaches for treatment and prevention have been proposed. What was known about each of these potential interventions evolved rapidly throughout 2020 and 2021. This fast-paced area of research provides important insight into how the ongoing pandemic can be managed and also demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary collaboration to rapidly understand a virus and match its characteristics with existing or novel pharmaceuticals. As illustrated by the continued threat of viral epidemics during the current millennium, a rapid and strategic response to emerging viral threats can save lives. In this review, we explore how different modes of identifying candidate therapeutics have borne out during COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Halie M. Rando
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Center for Health AI, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Nils Wellhausen
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Soumita Ghosh
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexandra J. Lee
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Anna Ada Dattoli
- Department of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Fengling Hu
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James Brian Byrd
- University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Diane N. Rafizadeh
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ronan Lordan
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yanjun Qi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Yuchen Sun
- Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey M. Field
- Department of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marouen Ben Guebila
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nafisa M. Jadavji
- Biomedical Science, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ashwin N. Skelly
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Jinhui Wang
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rishi Raj Goel
- Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - YoSon Park
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - COVID-19 Review Consortium
BansalVikasBartonJohn P.BocaSimina M.BoerckelJoel D.BruefferChristianByrdJames BrianCaponeStephenDasShiktaDattoliAnna AdaDziakJohn J.FieldJeffrey M.GhoshSoumitaGitterAnthonyGoelRishi RajGreeneCasey S.GuebilaMarouen BenHimmelsteinDaniel S.HuFenglingJadavjiNafisa M.KamilJeremy P.KnyazevSergeyKollaLikhithaLeeAlexandra J.LordanRonanLubianaTiagoLukanTemitayoMacLeanAdam L.MaiDavidMangulSergheiManheimDavidMcGowanLucy D’AgostinoNaikAmrutaParkYoSonPerrinDimitriQiYanjunRafizadehDiane N.RamsundarBharathRandoHalie M.RaySandipanRobsonMichael P.RubinettiVincentSellElizabethShinholsterLamonicaSkellyAshwin N.SunYuchenSunYushaSzetoGregory L.VelazquezRyanWangJinhuiWellhausenNils
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Center for Health AI, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Biomedical Science, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- The DeepChem Project
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Innovation Center for Biomedical Informatics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
- Early Biometrics & Statistical Innovation, Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, R & D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Childhood Cancer Data Lab, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Simina M. Boca
- Innovation Center for Biomedical Informatics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
- Early Biometrics & Statistical Innovation, Data Science & Artificial Intelligence, R & D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA
| | - Anthony Gitter
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Morgridge Institute for Research, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Casey S. Greene
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Center for Health AI, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
- Department of Systems Pharmacology & Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Childhood Cancer Data Lab, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Jiskoot W, Hawe A, Menzen T, Volkin DB, Crommelin DJA. Ongoing Challenges to Develop High Concentration Monoclonal Antibody-based Formulations for Subcutaneous Administration: Quo Vadis? J Pharm Sci 2021; 111:861-867. [PMID: 34813800 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Although many subcutaneously (s.c.) delivered, high-concentration antibody formulations (HCAF) have received regulatory approval and are widely used commercially, formulation scientists are still presented with many ongoing challenges during HCAF development with new mAb and mAb-based candidates. Depending on the specific physicochemical and biological properties of a particular mAb-based molecule, such challenges vary from pharmaceutical attributes e.g., stability, viscosity, manufacturability, to clinical performance e.g., bioavailability, immunogenicity, and finally to patient experience e.g., preference for s.c. vs. intravenous delivery and/or preferred interactions with health-care professionals. This commentary focuses on one key formulation obstacle encountered during HCAF development: how to maximize the dose of the drug? We examine methodologies for increasing the protein concentration, increasing the volume delivered, or combining both approaches together. We discuss commonly encountered hurdles, i.e., physical protein instability and solution volume limitations, and we provide recommendations to formulation scientists to facilitate their development of s.c. administered HCAF with new mAb-based product candidates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- W Jiskoot
- Coriolis Pharma Research GmbH, Fraunhoferstr. 18 b, 82152 Martinsried, Germany; Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andrea Hawe
- Coriolis Pharma Research GmbH, Fraunhoferstr. 18 b, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Tim Menzen
- Coriolis Pharma Research GmbH, Fraunhoferstr. 18 b, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - David B Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Daan J A Crommelin
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Gaudelet T, Day B, Jamasb AR, Soman J, Regep C, Liu G, Hayter JBR, Vickers R, Roberts C, Tang J, Roblin D, Blundell TL, Bronstein MM, Taylor-King JP. Utilizing graph machine learning within drug discovery and development. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:bbab159. [PMID: 34013350 PMCID: PMC8574649 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbab159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Graph machine learning (GML) is receiving growing interest within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries for its ability to model biomolecular structures, the functional relationships between them, and integrate multi-omic datasets - amongst other data types. Herein, we present a multidisciplinary academic-industrial review of the topic within the context of drug discovery and development. After introducing key terms and modelling approaches, we move chronologically through the drug development pipeline to identify and summarize work incorporating: target identification, design of small molecules and biologics, and drug repurposing. Whilst the field is still emerging, key milestones including repurposed drugs entering in vivo studies, suggest GML will become a modelling framework of choice within biomedical machine learning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ben Day
- Relation Therapeutics, London, UK
- The Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - Arian R Jamasb
- Relation Therapeutics, London, UK
- The Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jian Tang
- Mila, the Quebec AI Institute, Canada
- HEC Montreal, Canada
| | - David Roblin
- Relation Therapeutics, London, UK
- Juvenescence, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Michael M Bronstein
- Relation Therapeutics, London, UK
- Department of Computing, Imperial College London, UK
- Twitter, UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Effects of Impurities from Sugar Excipient on Filtrate Flux during Ultrafiltration and Diafiltration Process. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11100775. [PMID: 34677543 PMCID: PMC8541299 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11100775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sugar excipients such as sucrose and maltose are widely used for biopharmaceutical formulation to improve protein stability and to ensure isotonicity for administration. However, according to recent literature, pharmaceutical-grade sucrose contained nanoparticulate impurities (NPIs) that result in protein aggregation and degradation. The objective of this study was to evaluate the filtrate flux behavior of sugar solution during ultrafiltration (UF) and diafiltration (DF). Filtrate flux data were obtained using either a tangential flow filtration (TFF) system for DF experiments or a normal flow filtration system for UF experiments. In diafiltration experiments, which were performed using 7 g/L of human immunoglobulin G in a 20 mM histidine buffer with the 100 mM sucrose or maltose, the filtrate flux with sucrose solution decreased significantly. In contrast, the one with maltose solution was in good correspondence with the calculated filtrate flux accounting for the effects of solution viscosity. This large decline in the flux was also observed during UF experiments, in which the presence of NPIs was identified by dynamic light scattering analysis and by capturing an SEM image of the membrane surface after filtration. In addition, highly purified sucrose resulted in a much lower flux decline in TFF in the absence of NPIs. These results provide important insights into the factors governing the optimization of the UF/DF process using appropriate excipients for biopharmaceutical formulation.
Collapse
|
46
|
Huang DE, Zia RN. Toward a flow-dependent phase-stability criterion: Osmotic pressure in sticky flowing suspensions. J Chem Phys 2021; 155:134113. [PMID: 34624990 DOI: 10.1063/5.0058676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Equilibrium phase instability of colloids is robustly predicted by the Vliegenthart-Lekkerkerker (VL) critical value of the second virial efficient, but no such general criterion has been established for suspensions undergoing flow. A transition from positive to negative osmotic pressure is one mechanical hallmark of a change in phase stability in suspensions and provides a natural extension of the equilibrium osmotic pressure encoded in the second virial coefficient. Here, we propose to study the non-Newtonian rheology of an attractive colloidal suspension using the active microrheology framework as a model for focusing on the pair trajectories that underlie flow stability. We formulate and solve a Smoluchowski relation to understand the interplay between attractions, hydrodynamics, Brownian motion, and flow on particle microstructure in a semi-dilute suspension and utilize the results to study the viscosity and particle-phase osmotic pressure. We find that an interplay between attractions and hydrodynamics leads to dramatic changes in the nonequilibrium microstructure, which produces a two-stage flow-thinning of viscosity and leads to pronounced flow-induced negative osmotic pressure. We summarize these findings with an osmotic pressure heat map that predicts where hydrodynamic enhancement of attractive bonds encourages flow-induced aggregation or phase separation. We identify a critical isobar-a flow-induced critical pressure consistent with phase instability and a nonequilibrium extension of the VL criterion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Derek E Huang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94302, USA
| | - Roseanna N Zia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94302, USA
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Yurina ES, Gubarev YA, Lebedeva NS. A study of protein aggregation activators in molecular complexes of cationic porphyrins and chlorin with BSA. J Mol Liq 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.116632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
48
|
Gelb MB, Maynard HD. Effect of Poly(trehalose methacrylate) Molecular Weight and Concentration on the Stability and Viscosity of Insulin. MACROMOLECULAR MATERIALS AND ENGINEERING 2021; 306:2100197. [PMID: 35591895 PMCID: PMC9113406 DOI: 10.1002/mame.202100197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Instability to storage and shipping conditions and injection administration remain major challenges in treating chronic conditions with biopharmaceuticals. Herein, formulations of poly(trehalose methacrylate) (pTrMA) were successfully optimized to stabilize insulin without appreciably increasing viscosity. Polymers were synthesized (2,400 - 29,200 Da), and added to insulin at different concentrations. pTrMA maintained >95% intact insulin against 250 rpm at 37 °C for 3 hours with at least 10 mol. eq. of 5.0 kDa, 7.5 mol. eq. of 9.4 kDa, 5 mol. eq. of 12.8 kDa, 1 mol. eq. of 19.8 kDa, and 0.5 mol. eq. of 29.2 kDa polymers, compared to 13.1% of insulin alone. The lowest pTrMA concentration formulations were more viscous than insulin alone, but the highest viscosity, U-600 with 10 mol. eq. of 5 kDa pTrMA, was only 1.43 cP at 25 °C. This data demonstrates that pTrMA is a promising low viscosity additive to stabilize the diabetes therapeutic insulin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Madeline B Gelb
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, USA
| | - Heather D Maynard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, 607 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, California 90095-1569, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Bramham JE, Davies SA, Podmore A, Golovanov AP. Stability of a high-concentration monoclonal antibody solution produced by liquid-liquid phase separation. MAbs 2021; 13:1940666. [PMID: 34225583 PMCID: PMC8265796 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2021.1940666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Subcutaneous injection of a low volume (<2 mL) high concentration (>100 mg/mL) formulation is an attractive administration strategy for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and other biopharmaceutical proteins. Using concentrated solutions may also be beneficial at various stages of bioprocessing. However, concentrating proteins by conventional techniques, such as ultrafiltration, can be time consuming and challenging. Isolation of the dense fraction produced by macroscopic liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) has been suggested as a means to produce high-concentration solutions, but practicality of this method, and the stability of the resulting protein solution have not previously been demonstrated. In this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate that LLPS can be used to concentrate a mAb solution to >170 mg/mL. We show that the structure of the mAb is not altered by LLPS, and unperturbed mAb is recoverable following dilution of the dense fraction, as judged by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Finally, we show that the physical properties and stability of a model high concentration protein formulation obtained from the dense fraction can be improved, for example through the addition of the excipient arginine·glutamate. This results in a stable high-concentration protein formulation with reduced viscosity and no further macroscopic LLPS. Concentrating mAb solutions by LLPS represents a simple and effective technique to progress toward producing high-concentration protein formulations for bioprocessing or administration. Abbreviations Arginine·glutamate (Arg·Glu), Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG), critical temperature (TC), high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC), liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), monoclonal antibody (mAb), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), transverse relaxation rate (R2)
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jack E Bramham
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Stephanie A Davies
- Dosage Form Design & Development, BioPharmaceuticals Development, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Adrian Podmore
- Dosage Form Design & Development, BioPharmaceuticals Development, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alexander P Golovanov
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Bauer J, Mathias S, Kube S, Otte K, Garidel P, Gamer M, Blech M, Fischer S, Karow-Zwick AR. Rational optimization of a monoclonal antibody improves the aggregation propensity and enhances the CMC properties along the entire pharmaceutical process chain. MAbs 2021; 12:1787121. [PMID: 32658605 PMCID: PMC7531517 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2020.1787121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) primarily focuses on their biological activity favoring the selection of highly potent drug candidates. These candidates, however, may have physical or chemical attributes that lead to unfavorable chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) properties, such as low product titers, conformational and colloidal instabilities, or poor solubility, which can hamper or even prevent development and manufacturing. Hence, there is an urgent need to consider the developability of mAb candidates during lead identification and optimization. This work provides a comprehensive proof of concept study for the significantly improved developability of a mAb variant that was optimized with the help of sophisticated in silico tools relative to its difficult-to-develop parental counterpart. Interestingly, a single amino acid substitution in the variable domain of the light chain resulted in a three-fold increased product titer after stable expression in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Microscopic investigations revealed that wild type mAb-producing cells displayed potential antibody inclusions, while the in silico optimized variant-producing cells showed a rescued phenotype. Notably, the drug substance of the in silico optimized variant contained substantially reduced levels of aggregates and fragments after downstream process purification. Finally, formulation studies unraveled a significantly enhanced colloidal stability of the in silico optimized variant while its folding stability and potency were maintained. This study emphasizes that implementation of bioinformatics early in lead generation and optimization of biotherapeutics reduces failures during subsequent development activities and supports the reduction of project timelines and resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joschka Bauer
- Early Stage Pharmaceutical Development, Pharmaceutical Development Biologicals, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Sven Mathias
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Biberach , Biberach/Riss, Germany.,Early Stage Bioprocess Development, Bioprocess Development Biologicals, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Sebastian Kube
- Early Stage Pharmaceutical Development, Pharmaceutical Development Biologicals, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Kerstin Otte
- Institute of Applied Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Biberach , Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Patrick Garidel
- Early Stage Pharmaceutical Development, Pharmaceutical Development Biologicals, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Martin Gamer
- Early Stage Bioprocess Development, Bioprocess Development Biologicals, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Michaela Blech
- Early Stage Pharmaceutical Development, Pharmaceutical Development Biologicals, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Simon Fischer
- Cell Line Development, Bioprocess Development Biologicals, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Biberach/Riss, Germany
| | - Anne R Karow-Zwick
- Early Stage Pharmaceutical Development, Pharmaceutical Development Biologicals, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG , Biberach/Riss, Germany
| |
Collapse
|