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Stibbs DJ, Silva Couto P, Takeuchi Y, Rafiq QA, Jackson NB, Rayat AC. Quasi-perfusion studies for intensified lentiviral vector production using a continuous stable producer cell line. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101264. [PMID: 38827249 PMCID: PMC11141457 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Quasi-perfusion culture was employed to intensify lentiviral vector (LV) manufacturing using a continuous stable producer cell line in an 8-day process. Initial studies aimed to identify a scalable seeding density, with 3, 4, and 5 × 104 cells cm-2 providing similar specific productivities of infectious LV. Seeding at 3 × 104 cells cm-2 was selected, and the quasi-perfusion was modulated to minimize inhibitory metabolite accumulation and vector exposure at 37°C. Similar specific productivities of infectious LV and physical LV were achieved at 1, 2, and 3 vessel volumes per day (VVD), with 1 VVD selected to minimize downstream processing volumes. The optimized process was scaled 50-fold to 1,264 cm2 flasks, achieving similar LV titers. However, scaling up beyond this to a 6,320 cm2 multilayer flask reduced titers, possibly from suboptimal gas exchange. Across three independent processes in 25 cm2 to 6,320 cm2 flasks, reproducibility was high with a coefficient of variation of 7.7% ± 2.9% and 11.9% ± 3.0% for infectious and physical LV titers, respectively. The optimized flask process was successfully transferred to the iCELLis Nano (Cytiva) fixed-bed bioreactor, with quasi-perfusion at 1 VVD yielding 1.62 × 108 TU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale J. Stibbs
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Pedro Silva Couto
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Yasuhiro Takeuchi
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Biotherapeutics and Advanced Therapies, Scientific Research and Innovation, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, South Mimms EN6 3QC, Potters Bar, UK
| | - Qasim A. Rafiq
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Nigel B. Jackson
- Cytiva, 5 Harbourgate Business Park, Southampton Road, Portsmouth PO6 4BQ, UK
| | - Andrea C.M.E. Rayat
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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2
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Stibbs DJ, Silva Couto P, Takeuchi Y, Rafiq QA, Jackson NB, Rayat AC. Continuous manufacturing of lentiviral vectors using a stable producer cell line in a fixed-bed bioreactor. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101209. [PMID: 38435128 PMCID: PMC10907162 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Continuous manufacturing of lentiviral vectors (LVs) using stable producer cell lines could extend production periods, improve batch-to-batch reproducibility, and eliminate costly plasmid DNA and transfection reagents. A continuous process was established by expanding cells constitutively expressing third-generation LVs in the iCELLis Nano fixed-bed bioreactor. Fixed-bed bioreactors provide scalable expansion of adherent cells and enable a straightforward transition from traditional surface-based culture vessels. At 0.5 vessel volume per day (VVD), the short half-life of LVs resulted in a low total infectious titer at 1.36 × 104 TU cm-2. Higher perfusion rates increased titers, peaking at 7.87 × 104 TU cm-2 at 1.5 VVD. The supernatant at 0.5 VVD had a physical-to-infectious particle ratio of 659, whereas this was 166 ± 15 at 1, 1.5, and 2 VVD. Reducing the pH from 7.20 to 6.85 at 1.5 VVD improved the total infectious yield to 9.10 × 104 TU cm-2. Three independent runs at 1.5 VVD and a culture pH of 6.85 showed low batch-to-batch variability, with a coefficient of variation of 6.4% and 10.0% for total infectious and physical LV yield, respectively. This study demonstrated the manufacture of high-quality LV supernatant using a stable producer cell line that does not require induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale J. Stibbs
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Pedro Silva Couto
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Yasuhiro Takeuchi
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Biotherapeutics and Advanced Therapies, Scientific Research and Innovation, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, South Mimms, Potters Bar EN6 3QC, UK
| | - Qasim A. Rafiq
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Nigel B. Jackson
- Cytiva, 5 Harbourgate Business Park, Southampton Road, Portsmouth PO6 4BQ, UK
| | - Andrea C.M.E. Rayat
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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3
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Leikas AJ, Ylä-Herttuala S, Hartikainen JEK. Adenoviral Gene Therapy Vectors in Clinical Use-Basic Aspects with a Special Reference to Replication-Competent Adenovirus Formation and Its Impact on Clinical Safety. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16519. [PMID: 38003709 PMCID: PMC10671366 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216519] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenoviral vectors are commonly used in clinical gene therapy. Apart from oncolytic adenoviruses, vector replication is highly undesired as it may pose a safety risk for the treated patient. Thus, careful monitoring for the formation of replication-competent adenoviruses (RCA) during vector manufacturing is required. To render adenoviruses replication deficient, their genomic E1 region is deleted. However, it has been known for a long time that during their propagation, some viruses will regain their replication capability by recombination in production cells, most commonly HEK293. Recently developed RCA assays have revealed that many clinical batches contain more RCA than previously assumed and allowed by regulatory authorities. The clinical significance of the higher RCA content has yet to be thoroughly evaluated. In this review, we summarize the biology of adenovirus vectors, their manufacturing methods, and the origins of RCA formed during HEK293-based vector production. Lastly, we share our experience using minimally RCA-positive serotype 5 adenoviral vectors based on observations from our clinical cardiovascular gene therapy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksi J. Leikas
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland; (S.Y.-H.); (J.E.K.H.)
- Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland; (S.Y.-H.); (J.E.K.H.)
- Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Juha E. K. Hartikainen
- Heart Center, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland; (S.Y.-H.); (J.E.K.H.)
- Gene Therapy Unit, Kuopio University Hospital, 70200 Kuopio, Finland
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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4
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Leon-Astudillo C, Trivedi PD, Sun RC, Gentry MS, Fuller DD, Byrne BJ, Corti M. Current avenues of gene therapy in Pompe disease. Curr Opin Neurol 2023; 36:464-473. [PMID: 37639402 PMCID: PMC10911405 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001187] [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: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Pompe disease is a rare, inherited, devastating condition that causes progressive weakness, cardiomyopathy and neuromotor disease due to the accumulation of glycogen in striated and smooth muscle, as well as neurons. While enzyme replacement therapy has dramatically changed the outcome of patients with the disease, this strategy has several limitations. Gene therapy in Pompe disease constitutes an attractive approach due to the multisystem aspects of the disease and need to address the central nervous system manifestations. This review highlights the recent work in this field, including methods, progress, shortcomings, and future directions. RECENT FINDINGS Recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) and lentiviral vectors (LV) are well studied platforms for gene therapy in Pompe disease. These products can be further adapted for safe and efficient administration with concomitant immunosuppression, with the modification of specific receptors or codon optimization. rAAV has been studied in multiple clinical trials demonstrating safety and tolerability. SUMMARY Gene therapy for the treatment of patients with Pompe disease is feasible and offers an opportunity to fully correct the principal pathology leading to cellular glycogen accumulation. Further work is needed to overcome the limitations related to vector production, immunologic reactions and redosing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Leon-Astudillo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Prasad D Trivedi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Ramon C Sun
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville FL, United States
- Lafora Epilepsy Cure Initiative, United States
| | - Matthew S Gentry
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville FL, United States
- Lafora Epilepsy Cure Initiative, United States
| | | | - Barry J Byrne
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Manuela Corti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
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Fiol CR, Collignon ML, Welsh J, Rafiq QA. Optimizing and developing a scalable, chemically defined, animal component-free lentiviral vector production process in a fixed-bed bioreactor. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:221-234. [PMID: 37528866 PMCID: PMC10388200 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LVVs) play a critical role in gene delivery for ex vivo gene-modified cell therapies. However, the lack of scalable LVV production methods and the high cost associated with them may limit their use. In this work, we demonstrate the optimization and development of a scalable, chemically defined, animal component-free LVV production process using adherent human embryonic kidney 293T cells in a fixed-bed bioreactor. The initial studies focused on the optimization of the culture process in 2D static cultures. Process changes such as decreasing cell seeding density on day 0 from 2.5 × 104 to 5 × 103 cells/cm2, delaying the transient transfection from 24 to 120 h post-seeding, reducing plasmid DNA to 167 ng/cm2, and adding 5 mM sodium butyrate 6 h post-transfection improved functional LVV titers by 26.9-fold. The optimized animal component-free production process was then transferred to the iCELLis Nano bioreactor, a fixed-bed bioreactor, where titers of 1.2 × 106 TU/cm2 were achieved when it was operated in perfusion. In this work, comparable functional LVV titers were obtained with FreeStyle 293 Expression medium and the conventional Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum both at small and large scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Ripoll Fiol
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT London, UK
| | - Marie-Laure Collignon
- Department of Scientific and Laboratory Services (SLS), Pall Corporation, Reugelstraat 2, 3320 Hoegaarden, Belgium
| | - John Welsh
- Department of Research and Development (R&D), Pall Corporation, 5 Harbourgate Business Park, Southampton Road, PO6 4BQ Portsmouth, UK
| | - Qasim A. Rafiq
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT London, UK
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6
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Young P. Treatment to cure: advancing AAV gene therapy manufacture. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103610. [PMID: 37169134 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103610] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Advanced therapy medicinal products are a reality. With the opportunity to treat patients at the genetic level, the pharmaceutical industry has extended the treatment paradigm to innovative and potentially curative approaches. Gene therapy modifies or manipulates the expression of a gene, through gene repair, replacement, or modification, to alter living cells for therapeutic use, requiring delivery mechanisms through viral vectors. Market analysis not only demonstrates that the gene therapy sector has strong growth potential, but also indicates infancy with the number of currently approved products. Within gene therapy, adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) have high prominence, allowing for the targeted delivery of a transgene for therapeutic effect. To be able to realise the full potential of AAV-based gene therapy, focus has shifted to the ability to manufacture and deliver high titre, high quality, and efficacious product. However, manufacturing is not simple, with multiple complex challenges ranging from starting material generation, ensuring cellular production of high titres of viral vectors, to purification, where not all AAV particles contain the intended genetic payload. As an industry, we must learn from established manufacturing processes, such as for monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), to deliver rapidly scalable, robust, and cost-effective platform solutions that can be truly multiproduct, while working hand-in-hand with regulatory agencies. Additionally future innovation remains important and there are several opportunities for disruptive and further advanced manufacturing approaches. With a true end in mind approach, can we turn the tide from treatment to cure? Teaser: The gene therapy market shows considerable opportunity for growth, with the potential to change the treatment paradigm toward curative approaches. However, manufacture remains a challenge. Focussing on AAV, we look what is required for these products to be delivered to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Young
- Process Sciences, Pharmaron Gene Therapy, Liverpool, UK.
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7
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Bergin A, Carvell J, Butler M. Applications of bio-capacitance to cell culture manufacturing. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 61:108048. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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8
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Thampi P, Samulski RJ, Grieger JC, Phillips JN, McIlwraith CW, Goodrich LR. Gene therapy approaches for equine osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:962898. [PMID: 36246316 PMCID: PMC9558289 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.962898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
With an intrinsically low ability for self-repair, articular cartilage injuries often progress to cartilage loss and joint degeneration resulting in osteoarthritis (OA). Osteoarthritis and the associated articular cartilage changes can be debilitating, resulting in lameness and functional disability both in human and equine patients. While articular cartilage damage plays a central role in the pathogenesis of OA, the contribution of other joint tissues to the pathogenesis of OA has increasingly been recognized thus prompting a whole organ approach for therapeutic strategies. Gene therapy methods have generated significant interest in OA therapy in recent years. These utilize viral or non-viral vectors to deliver therapeutic molecules directly into the joint space with the goal of reprogramming the cells' machinery to secrete high levels of the target protein at the site of injection. Several viral vector-based approaches have demonstrated successful gene transfer with persistent therapeutic levels of transgene expression in the equine joint. As an experimental model, horses represent the pathology of human OA more accurately compared to other animal models. The anatomical and biomechanical similarities between equine and human joints also allow for the use of similar imaging and diagnostic methods as used in humans. In addition, horses experience naturally occurring OA and undergo similar therapies as human patients and, therefore, are a clinically relevant patient population. Thus, further studies utilizing this equine model would not only help advance the field of human OA therapy but also benefit the clinical equine patients with naturally occurring joint disease. In this review, we discuss the advancements in gene therapeutic approaches for the treatment of OA with the horse as a relevant patient population as well as an effective and commonly utilized species as a translational model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvathy Thampi
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - R. Jude Samulski
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Joshua C. Grieger
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jennifer N. Phillips
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - C. Wayne McIlwraith
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Laurie R. Goodrich
- Orthopaedic Research Center, C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States,*Correspondence: Laurie R. Goodrich
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9
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Shupe J, Zhang A, Odenwelder DC, Dobrowsky T. Gene therapy: challenges in cell culture scale-up. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2022; 75:102721. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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10
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Suleman S, Schrubaji K, Filippou C, Ignatova S, Hewitson P, Huddleston J, Karda R, Waddington SN, Themis M. Rapid and inexpensive purification of adenovirus vectors using an optimised aqueous two-phase technology. J Virol Methods 2022; 299:114305. [PMID: 34626684 PMCID: PMC9757833 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2021.114305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Adenoviruses (AdVs) are used as gene therapy vectors to treat human diseases and as vaccines against COVID-19. AdVs are produced by transfecting human embryonic kidney 239 (HEK293) or PER.C6 virus producer cells with AdV plasmid vectors or infecting these cells withcell lysates containing replication-defective AdV. Cell lysates can be purified further by caesium chloride or chromatographic protocols to research virus seed stocks (RVSS) for characterisation to high quality master virus seed stocks (MVSS) and working virus seed stocks (WVSS) before downstream production of pure, high titre AdV. Lysates are poorly infectious, block filtration columns and have limited storage capability. Aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) are an alternative method for AdV purification that rapidly generates cleaner RVSS for characterisation to MVSS. After testing multiple ATPS formulations, an aqueous mixture of 20 % PEG 600 and 20 % (NH4)2SO4 (w/w) was found most effective for AdV partitioning, producing up to 97+3% yield of high-titre virus that was devoid of aggregates both effective in vitro and in vivo with no observable cytotoxicity. Importantly, AdV preparations stored at -20 °C or 4 °C show negligible loss of titre and are suitable for downstream processing to clinical grade to support the need for AdV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saqlain Suleman
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - Kuteiba Schrubaji
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - Chrysovalanto Filippou
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK
| | - Svetlana Ignatova
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Design & Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Peter Hewitson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Design & Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Jonathan Huddleston
- Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Design & Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 3PH, UK
| | - Rajvinder Karda
- Gene Transfer Technology, EGA Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, WC1E 6HX, UK
| | - Simon N. Waddington
- Gene Transfer Technology, EGA Institute for Women’s Health, University College London, London, WC1E 6HX, UK,MRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Michael Themis
- Division of Biosciences, Department of Life Sciences, College of Health, Medicine & Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK; Division of Ecology and Evolution, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
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11
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Dobrowsky T, Gianni D, Pieracci J, Suh J. AAV manufacturing for clinical use: Insights on current challenges from the upstream process perspective. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2021.100353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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12
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Leinonen HM, Lepola S, Lipponen EM, Heikura T, Koponen T, Parker N, Ylä-Herttuala S, Lesch HP. Benchmarking of Scale-X Bioreactor System in Lentiviral and Adenoviral Vector Production. Hum Gene Ther 2021; 31:376-384. [PMID: 32075423 PMCID: PMC7087403 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2019.247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously produced viral vectors (lentiviral vector, adenoviral vector, and adeno-associated viral vector) in small and in commercial scale in adherent cells using Pall fixed-bed iCELLis® bioreactor. Recently, a company called Univercells has launched a new fixed-bed bioreactor with the same cell growth surface matrix material, but with different fixed-bed structure than is used in iCELLis bioreactor. We sought to compare the new scale-X™ hydro bioreactor (2.4 m2) and iCELLis Nano system (2.67 m2) to see if the difference has any effect on cell growth or lentiviral vector and adenoviral vector productivity. Runs were performed using parameters optimized for viral vector production in iCELLis Nano bioreactor. Cell growth was monitored by counting nuclei, as well as by following glucose consumption and lactate production. In both bioreactor systems, cells grew well, and the cell distribution was found quite homogeneous in scale-X bioreactor. Univercells scale-X bioreactor was proven to be at least equally efficient or even improved in both lentiviral vector and adenoviral vector production. Based on the results, the same protocol and parameters used in viral vector production in iCELLis bioreactor can also be successfully used for the production in scale-X bioreactor system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna M Leinonen
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, Finland.,FinVector, Kuopio, Finland; and
| | - Saana Lepola
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, Finland.,FinVector, Kuopio, Finland; and
| | - Eevi M Lipponen
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, Finland.,FinVector, Kuopio, Finland; and
| | - Tommi Heikura
- Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tiina Koponen
- Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nigel Parker
- Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- Molecular Medicine, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hanna P Lesch
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, Finland.,FinVector, Kuopio, Finland; and
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13
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Offersgaard A, Duarte Hernandez CR, Pihl AF, Costa R, Venkatesan NP, Lin X, Van Pham L, Feng S, Fahnøe U, Scheel TKH, Ramirez S, Reichl U, Bukh J, Genzel Y, Gottwein JM. SARS-CoV-2 Production in a Scalable High Cell Density Bioreactor. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:706. [PMID: 34209694 PMCID: PMC8310283 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has demonstrated the value of pursuing different vaccine strategies. Vaccines based on whole viruses, a widely used vaccine technology, depend on efficient virus production. This study aimed to establish SARS-CoV-2 production in the scalable packed-bed CelCradleTM 500-AP bioreactor. CelCradleTM 500-AP bottles with 0.5 L working volume and 5.5 g BioNOC™ II carriers were seeded with 1.5 × 108 Vero (WHO) cells, approved for vaccine production, in animal component-free medium and infected at a multiplicity of infection of 0.006 at a total cell number of 2.2-2.5 × 109 cells/bottle seven days post cell seeding. Among several tested conditions, two harvests per day and a virus production temperature of 33 °C resulted in the highest virus yield with a peak SARS-CoV-2 infectivity titer of 7.3 log10 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50)/mL at 72 h post-infection. Six harvests had titers of ≥6.5 log10 TCID50/mL, and a total of 10.5 log10 TCID50 were produced in ~5 L. While trypsin was reported to enhance virus spread in cell culture, addition of 0.5% recombinant trypsin after infection did not improve virus yields. Overall, we demonstrated successful animal component-free production of SARS-CoV-2 in well-characterized Vero (WHO) cells in a scalable packed-bed bioreactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Offersgaard
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; (A.O.); (C.R.D.H.); (A.F.P.); (R.C.); (L.V.P.); (S.F.); (U.F.); (T.K.H.S.); (S.R.); (J.B.)
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carlos Rene Duarte Hernandez
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; (A.O.); (C.R.D.H.); (A.F.P.); (R.C.); (L.V.P.); (S.F.); (U.F.); (T.K.H.S.); (S.R.); (J.B.)
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Finne Pihl
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; (A.O.); (C.R.D.H.); (A.F.P.); (R.C.); (L.V.P.); (S.F.); (U.F.); (T.K.H.S.); (S.R.); (J.B.)
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rui Costa
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; (A.O.); (C.R.D.H.); (A.F.P.); (R.C.); (L.V.P.); (S.F.); (U.F.); (T.K.H.S.); (S.R.); (J.B.)
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Xiangliang Lin
- Esco Aster Pte Ltd., Singapore 486 777, Singapore; (N.P.V.); (X.L.)
| | - Long Van Pham
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; (A.O.); (C.R.D.H.); (A.F.P.); (R.C.); (L.V.P.); (S.F.); (U.F.); (T.K.H.S.); (S.R.); (J.B.)
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shan Feng
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; (A.O.); (C.R.D.H.); (A.F.P.); (R.C.); (L.V.P.); (S.F.); (U.F.); (T.K.H.S.); (S.R.); (J.B.)
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ulrik Fahnøe
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; (A.O.); (C.R.D.H.); (A.F.P.); (R.C.); (L.V.P.); (S.F.); (U.F.); (T.K.H.S.); (S.R.); (J.B.)
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Troels Kasper Høyer Scheel
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; (A.O.); (C.R.D.H.); (A.F.P.); (R.C.); (L.V.P.); (S.F.); (U.F.); (T.K.H.S.); (S.R.); (J.B.)
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Santseharay Ramirez
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; (A.O.); (C.R.D.H.); (A.F.P.); (R.C.); (L.V.P.); (S.F.); (U.F.); (T.K.H.S.); (S.R.); (J.B.)
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Udo Reichl
- Bioprocess Engineering, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (U.R.); (Y.G.)
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; (A.O.); (C.R.D.H.); (A.F.P.); (R.C.); (L.V.P.); (S.F.); (U.F.); (T.K.H.S.); (S.R.); (J.B.)
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yvonne Genzel
- Bioprocess Engineering, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; (U.R.); (Y.G.)
| | - Judith Margarete Gottwein
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital–Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark; (A.O.); (C.R.D.H.); (A.F.P.); (R.C.); (L.V.P.); (S.F.); (U.F.); (T.K.H.S.); (S.R.); (J.B.)
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Experimental Evaluation of an Interferometric Light Microscopy Particle Counter for Titering and Characterization of Virus Preparations. Viruses 2021; 13:v13050939. [PMID: 34069520 PMCID: PMC8160961 DOI: 10.3390/v13050939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus particle concentration is a critical piece of information for virology, viral vaccines and gene therapy research. We tested a novel nanoparticle counting device, “Videodrop”, for its efficacy in titering and characterization of virus particles. The Videodrop nanoparticle counter is based on interferometric light microscopy (ILM). The method allows the detection of particles under the diffraction limit capabilities of conventional light microscopy. We analyzed lenti-, adeno-, and baculovirus samples in different concentrations and compared the readings against traditional titering and characterization methods. The tested Videodrop particle counter is especially useful when measuring high-concentration purified virus preparations. Certain non-purified sample types or small viruses may be impossible to characterize or may require the use of standard curve or background subtraction methods, which increases the duration of the analysis. Together, our testing shows that Videodrop is a reasonable option for virus particle counting in situations where a moderate number of samples need to be analyzed quickly.
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15
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Hamidi A, Hoeksema F, Velthof P, Lemckert A, Gillissen G, Luitjens A, Bines JE, Pullagurla SR, Kumar P, Volkin DB, Joshi SB, Havenga M, Bakker WAM, Yallop C. Developing a manufacturing process to deliver a cost effective and stable liquid human rotavirus vaccine. Vaccine 2021; 39:2048-2059. [PMID: 33744044 PMCID: PMC8062787 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.03.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite solid evidence of the success of rotavirus vaccines in saving children from fatal gastroenteritis, more than 82 million infants worldwide still lack access to a rotavirus vaccine. The main barriers to global rotavirus vaccine coverage include cost, manufacturing capacity and suboptimal efficacy in low- and lower-middle income countries. One vaccine candidate with the potential to address the latter is based on the novel, naturally attenuated RV3 strain of rotavirus, RV3-BB vaccine administered in a birth dose strategy had a vaccine efficacy against severe rotavirus gastroenteritis of 94% at 12 months of age in infants in Indonesia. To further develop this vaccine candidate, a well-documented and low-cost manufacturing process is required. A target fully loaded cost of goods (COGs) of ≤$3.50 per course of three doses was set based on predicted market requirements. COGs modelling was leveraged to develop a process using Vero cells in cell factories reaching high titers, reducing or replacing expensive reagents and shortening process time to maximise output. Stable candidate liquid formulations were developed allowing two-year storage at 2-8 °C. In addition, the formulation potentially renders needless the pretreatment of vaccinees with antacid to ensure adequate gastric acid neutralization for routine oral vaccination. As a result, the formulation allows small volume dosing and reduction of supply chain costs. A dose ranging study is currently underway in Malawi that will inform the final clinical dose required. At a clinical dose of ≤6.3 log10 FFU, the COGs target of ≤$3.50 per three dose course was met. At a clinical dose of 6.5 log10 FFU, the final manufacturing process resulted in a COGs that is substantially lower than the current average market price, 2.44 USD per dose. The manufacturing and formulation processes were transferred to BioFarma in Indonesia to enable future RV3-BB vaccine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahd Hamidi
- Batavia Biosciences BV, Zernikedreef 16, 2333CL Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Femke Hoeksema
- Batavia Biosciences BV, Zernikedreef 16, 2333CL Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Pim Velthof
- Batavia Biosciences BV, Zernikedreef 16, 2333CL Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Gert Gillissen
- Batavia Biosciences BV, Zernikedreef 16, 2333CL Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Alfred Luitjens
- Batavia Biosciences BV, Zernikedreef 16, 2333CL Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Julie E Bines
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Department of Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Swathi R Pullagurla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - David B Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Sangeeta B Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Menzo Havenga
- Batavia Biosciences BV, Zernikedreef 16, 2333CL Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Christopher Yallop
- Batavia Biosciences BV, Zernikedreef 16, 2333CL Leiden, the Netherlands.
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16
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Comisel RM, Kara B, Fiesser FH, Farid SS. Lentiviral vector bioprocess economics for cell and gene therapy commercialization. Biochem Eng J 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2020.107868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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17
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Perry C, Rayat ACME. Lentiviral Vector Bioprocessing. Viruses 2021; 13:268. [PMID: 33572347 PMCID: PMC7916122 DOI: 10.3390/v13020268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are potent tools for the delivery of genes of interest into mammalian cells and are now commonly utilised within the growing field of cell and gene therapy for the treatment of monogenic diseases and adoptive therapies such as chimeric antigen T-cell (CAR-T) therapy. This is a comprehensive review of the individual bioprocess operations employed in LV production. We highlight the role of envelope proteins in vector design as well as their impact on the bioprocessing of lentiviral vectors. An overview of the current state of these operations provides opportunities for bioprocess discovery and improvement with emphasis on the considerations for optimal and scalable processing of LV during development and clinical production. Upstream culture for LV generation is described with comparisons on the different transfection methods and various bioreactors for suspension and adherent producer cell cultivation. The purification of LV is examined, evaluating different sequences of downstream process operations for both small- and large-scale production requirements. For scalable operations, a key focus is the development in chromatographic purification in addition to an in-depth examination of the application of tangential flow filtration. A summary of vector quantification and characterisation assays is also presented. Finally, the assessment of the whole bioprocess for LV production is discussed to benefit from the broader understanding of potential interactions of the different process options. This review is aimed to assist in the achievement of high quality, high concentration lentiviral vectors from robust and scalable processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Perry
- The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
- Division of Advanced Therapies, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, South Mimms EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Andrea C. M. E. Rayat
- The Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
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18
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van Overbeeke E, Michelsen S, Toumi M, Stevens H, Trusheim M, Huys I, Simoens S. Market access of gene therapies across Europe, USA, and Canada: challenges, trends, and solutions. Drug Discov Today 2020; 26:399-415. [PMID: 33242695 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This review can inform gene therapy developers on challenges that can be encountered when seeking market access. Moreover, it provides an overview of trends among challenges and potential solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline van Overbeeke
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box 521, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sissel Michelsen
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box 521, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Healthcare Management Centre, Vlerick Business School, Reep 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mondher Toumi
- Public Health Department, Aix Marseille University, 27 bd Jean Moulin, Marseille, France
| | - Hilde Stevens
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Innovation in Healthcare (I(3)h), Université libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mark Trusheim
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 100 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Isabelle Huys
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box 521, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven Simoens
- Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box 521, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Martínez-Molina E, Chocarro-Wrona C, Martínez-Moreno D, Marchal JA, Boulaiz H. Large-Scale Production of Lentiviral Vectors: Current Perspectives and Challenges. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:pharmaceutics12111051. [PMID: 33153183 PMCID: PMC7693937 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12111051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LVs) have gained value over recent years as gene carriers in gene therapy. These viral vectors are safer than what was previously being used for gene transfer and are capable of infecting both dividing and nondividing cells with a long-term expression. This characteristic makes LVs ideal for clinical research, as has been demonstrated with the approval of lentivirus-based gene therapies from the Food and Drug Administration and the European Agency for Medicine. A large number of functional lentiviral particles are required for clinical trials, and large-scale production has been challenging. Therefore, efforts are focused on solving the drawbacks associated with the production and purification of LVsunder current good manufacturing practice. In recent years, we have witnessed the development and optimization of new protocols, packaging cell lines, and culture devices that are very close to reaching the target production level. Here, we review the most recent, efficient, and promising methods for the clinical-scale production ofLVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Martínez-Molina
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada (D.M.), 18016 Granada, Spain; (E.M.-M.); (C.C.-W.); (D.M.-M.); (J.A.M.)
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Carlos Chocarro-Wrona
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada (D.M.), 18016 Granada, Spain; (E.M.-M.); (C.C.-W.); (D.M.-M.); (J.A.M.)
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit “Modeling Nature” (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Daniel Martínez-Moreno
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada (D.M.), 18016 Granada, Spain; (E.M.-M.); (C.C.-W.); (D.M.-M.); (J.A.M.)
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit “Modeling Nature” (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Juan A. Marchal
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada (D.M.), 18016 Granada, Spain; (E.M.-M.); (C.C.-W.); (D.M.-M.); (J.A.M.)
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit “Modeling Nature” (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Houria Boulaiz
- Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), University of Granada (D.M.), 18016 Granada, Spain; (E.M.-M.); (C.C.-W.); (D.M.-M.); (J.A.M.)
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit “Modeling Nature” (MNat), University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), SAS-Universidad de Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-958-241-271
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20
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Lesch HP, Valonen P, Karhinen M. Evaluation of the Single-Use Fixed-Bed Bioreactors in Scalable Virus Production. Biotechnol J 2020; 16:e2000020. [PMID: 32971565 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The accelerating development of gene therapy from research towards clinical trials and beyond has elevated the demand for practical viral vector-manufacturing solutions. The use of disposable upstream technology is gaining traction in clinical manufacturing. Packed-bed or fixed-bed reactors, where column is packed with immobilized biocatalyst particles providing surface to constrain the cells in a particular region of the reactor, have been widely used in bioprocessing applications since mid-1900s. However, the world's first single-use, fully integrated, high cell density, fixed-bed bioreactor was launched only approximately a decade ago. By now, several single-use, fixed-bed technology solutions have been developed in a small scale. Scaling-up the manufacturing can be challenging and for commercial-scale manufacturing, there is practically only one single-use, good manufacturing practice-compliant option available. This study reviews the latest, fully disposable, fixed-bed bioreactors; compares the virus production in the different systems; and discusses important manufacturing cost-related topics. It is predicted that single-use, fixed-bed bioreactors will receive even more attention in the field of viral vector manufacturing and commercialization, especially with the need for higher virus titers and virus yields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna P Lesch
- Kuopio Center for Gene and Cell Therapy, Kuopio, FI-70210, Finland.,FinVector, Kuopio, 70210, Finland
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21
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Lentiviral Vector Production from a Stable Packaging Cell Line Using a Packed Bed Bioreactor. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2020; 19:1-13. [PMID: 32995355 PMCID: PMC7490643 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Self-inactivating lentiviral vectors (LVVs) are used regularly for genetic modification of cells, including T cells and hematopoietic stem cells for cellular gene therapy. As vector demand grows, scalable and controllable methods are needed for production. LVVs are typically produced in HEK293T cells in suspension bioreactors using serum-free media or adherent cultures with serum. The iCELLis® is a packed-bed bioreactor for adherent or entrained cells with surface areas from 0.53 to 500 m2. Media are pumped through the fixed bed and overflows, creating a thin film that is replenished with oxygen and depleted of CO2 as media return to the reservoir. We describe the optimization and scale-up of the production of GPRTG-EF1α-hγc-OPT LVV using a stable packaging cell line in the iCELLis Nano 2-cm to the 10-cm bed height low compaction bioreactors (0.53 and 2.6 m2 surface area) and compare to the productivity and efficacy of GPRTG-EF1α-hγc-OPT LVV manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) using 10-layer cell factories for the treatment of X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency. By optimizing fetal bovine serum (FBS) concentration, pH post-induction, and day of induction, we attain viral yields of more than 2 × 107 transducing units/mL. We compared transduction efficiency between LVVs produced from the iCELLis Nano and cell factories on healthy, purified CD34+ cells and found similar results.
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22
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Kiesslich S, Kamen AA. Vero cell upstream bioprocess development for the production of viral vectors and vaccines. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 44:107608. [PMID: 32768520 PMCID: PMC7405825 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Vero cell line is considered the most used continuous cell line for the production of viral vectors and vaccines. Historically, it is the first cell line that was approved by the WHO for the production of human vaccines. Comprehensive experimental data on the production of many viruses using the Vero cell line can be found in the literature. However, the vast majority of these processes is relying on the microcarrier technology. While this system is established for the large-scale manufacturing of viral vaccine, it is still quite complex and labor intensive. Moreover, scale-up remains difficult and is limited by the surface area given by the carriers. To overcome these and other drawbacks and to establish more efficient manufacturing processes, it is a priority to further develop the Vero cell platform by applying novel bioprocess technologies. Especially in times like the current COVID-19 pandemic, advanced and scalable platform technologies could provide more efficient and cost-effective solutions to meet the global vaccine demand. Herein, we review the prevailing literature on Vero cell bioprocess development for the production of viral vectors and vaccines with the aim to assess the recent advances in bioprocess development. We critically underline the need for further research activities and describe bottlenecks to improve the Vero cell platform by taking advantage of recent developments in the cell culture engineering field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Kiesslich
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada
| | - Amine A Kamen
- Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, 817 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0C3, Canada.
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23
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Kiesslich S, Vila-Chã Losa JP, Gélinas JF, Kamen AA. Serum-free production of rVSV-ZEBOV in Vero cells: Microcarrier bioreactor versus scale-X™ hydro fixed-bed. J Biotechnol 2020; 310:32-39. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2020.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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24
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Moleirinho MG, Silva RJS, Alves PM, Carrondo MJT, Peixoto C. Current challenges in biotherapeutic particles manufacturing. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2019; 20:451-465. [PMID: 31773998 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1693541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The development of novel complex biotherapeutics led to new challenges in biopharmaceutical industry. The potential of these particles has been demonstrated by the approval of several products, in the different fields of gene therapy, oncolytic therapy, and tumor vaccines. However, their manufacturing still presents challenges related to the high dosages and purity required.Areas covered: The main challenges that biopharmaceutical industry faces today and the most recent developments in the manufacturing of different biotherapeutic particles are reported here. Several unit operations and downstream trains to purify virus, virus-like particles and extracellular vesicles are described. Innovations on the different purification steps are also highlighted with an eye on the implementation of continuous and integrated processes.Expert opinion: Manufacturing platforms that consist of a low number of unit operations, with higher-yielding processes and reduced costs will be highly appreciated by the industry. The pipeline of complex therapeutic particles is expanding and there is a clear need for advanced tools and manufacturing capacity. The use of single-use technologies, as well as continuous integrated operations, are gaining ground in the biopharmaceutical industry and should be supported by more accurate and faster analytical methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda G Moleirinho
- IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado, Oeiras, Portugal.,ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ricardo J S Silva
- IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Paula M Alves
- IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado, Oeiras, Portugal.,ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Manuel J T Carrondo
- IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Cristina Peixoto
- IBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Apartado, Oeiras, Portugal.,ITQB NOVA, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, Oeiras, Portugal
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25
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Ma F, Zhang A, Chang D, Velev OD, Wiltberger K, Kshirsagar R. Real-time monitoring and control of CHO cell apoptosis by in situ multifrequency scanning dielectric spectroscopy. Process Biochem 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2019.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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26
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Optimization of Early Steps in Oncolytic Adenovirus ONCOS-401 Production in T-175 and HYPERFlasks. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030621. [PMID: 30709038 PMCID: PMC6387112 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic adenoviruses can trigger lysis of tumor cells, induce an antitumor immune response, bypass classical chemotherapeutic resistance strategies of tumors, and provide opportunities for combination strategies. A major challenge is the development of scalable production methods for viral seed stocks and sufficient quantities of clinical grade viruses. Because of promising clinical signals in a compassionate use program (Advanced Therapy Access Program) which supported further development, we chose the oncolytic adenovirus ONCOS-401 as a testbed for a new approach to scale up. We found that the best viral production conditions in both T-175 flasks and HYPERFlasks included A549 cells grown to 220,000 cells/cm² (80% confluency), with ONCOS-401 infection at 30 multiplicity of infection (MOI), and an incubation period of 66 h. The Lysis A harvesting method with benzonase provided the highest viral yield from both T-175 and HYPERFlasks (10,887 ± 100 and 14,559 ± 802 infectious viral particles/cell, respectively). T-175 flasks and HYPERFlasks produced up to 2.1 × 10⁸ ± 0.2 and 1.75 × 10⁸ ± 0.08 infectious particles of ONCOS-401 per cm² of surface area, respectively. Our findings suggest a suitable stepwise process that can be applied to optimizing the initial production of other oncolytic viruses.
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Manceur AP, Kim H, Misic V, Andreev N, Dorion-Thibaudeau J, Lanthier S, Bernier A, Tremblay S, Gélinas AM, Broussau S, Gilbert R, Ansorge S. Scalable Lentiviral Vector Production Using Stable HEK293SF Producer Cell Lines. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2017; 28:330-339. [PMID: 28826344 PMCID: PMC5734158 DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2017.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LV) represent a key tool for gene and cell therapy applications. The production of these vectors in sufficient quantities for clinical applications remains a hurdle, prompting the field toward developing suspension processes that are conducive to large-scale production. This study describes a LV production strategy using a stable inducible producer cell line. The HEK293 cell line employed grows in suspension, thus offering direct scalability, and produces a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing lentiviral vector in the 106 transduction units (TU)/mL range without optimization. The stable producer cell line, called clone 92, was derived by stable transfection from a packaging cell line with a plasmid encoding the transgene GFP. The packaging cell line expresses all the other necessary components to produce LV upon induction with cumate and doxycycline. First, the study demonstrated that LV production using clone 92 is scalable from 20 mL shake flasks to 3 L bioreactors. Next, two strategies were developed for high-yield LV production in perfusion mode using acoustic cell filter technology in 1–3 L bioreactors. The first approach uses a basal commercial medium and perfusion mode both pre- and post-induction for increasing cell density and LV recovery. The second approach makes use of a fortified medium formulation to achieve target cell density for induction in batch mode, followed by perfusion mode after induction. Using these perfusion-based strategies, the titer was improved to 3.2 × 107 TU/mL. As a result, cumulative functional LV titers were increased by up to 15-fold compared to batch mode, reaching a cumulative total yield of 8 × 1010 TU/L of bioreactor culture. This approach is easily amenable to large-scale production and commercial manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aziza P Manceur
- 1 Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, Canada
| | - Howard Kim
- 2 BridGE, Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine , Toronto, Canada
| | - Vanja Misic
- 2 BridGE, Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine , Toronto, Canada
| | - Nadejda Andreev
- 2 BridGE, Centre for Commercialization of Regenerative Medicine , Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Stéphane Lanthier
- 1 Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, Canada
| | - Alice Bernier
- 1 Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, Canada
| | - Sonia Tremblay
- 1 Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, Canada
| | - Anne-Marie Gélinas
- 1 Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, Canada
| | - Sophie Broussau
- 1 Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, Canada
| | - Rénald Gilbert
- 1 Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, Canada
| | - Sven Ansorge
- 1 Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, Canada
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Optimization of lentiviral vector production for scale-up in fixed-bed bioreactor. Gene Ther 2017; 25:39-46. [PMID: 29345252 PMCID: PMC5817386 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2017.91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are promising tools for gene therapy. However, scaling up the production methods of LVs in order to produce high-quality vectors for clinical purposes has proven to be difficult. In this article, we present a scalable and efficient method to produce LVs with transient transfection of adherent 293T cells in a fixed-bed bioreactor. The disposable iCELLis bioreactors are scalable with a large three-dimensional (3D) growth area range between 0.53 and 500 m2, an integrated perfusion system, and a controllable environment for production. In this study, iCELLis Nano (2.67–4 m2) was used for optimizing production parameters for scale-up. Transfections were first done using traditional calcium phosphate method, but in later runs polyethylenimine was found to be more reliable and easier to use. For scalable LV production, perfusion rate control by measuring cell metabolite concentrations in the bioreactor leads to higher productivity and reduced costs. Optimization of cell seeding density for targeted cell concentration during transfection, use of low compaction fixed-bed and lowering the culture pH have a positive effect on LV productivity. These results show for the first time that iCELLis bioreactor is scalable from bench level to clinical scale LV production.
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Powers AD, Piras BA, Clark RK, Lockey TD, Meagher MM. Development and Optimization of AAV hFIX Particles by Transient Transfection in an iCELLis®Fixed-Bed Bioreactor. Hum Gene Ther Methods 2016; 27:112-21. [DOI: 10.1089/hgtb.2016.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alicia D. Powers
- Department of Therapeutics Production & Quality, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Bryan A. Piras
- Department of Therapeutics Production & Quality, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Robert K. Clark
- Department of Therapeutics Production & Quality, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Timothy D. Lockey
- Department of Therapeutics Production & Quality, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Michael M. Meagher
- Department of Therapeutics Production & Quality, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
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van der Loo JCM, Wright JF. Progress and challenges in viral vector manufacturing. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:R42-52. [PMID: 26519140 PMCID: PMC4802372 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Promising results in several clinical studies have emphasized the potential of gene therapy to address important medical needs and initiated a surge of investments in drug development and commercialization. This enthusiasm is driven by positive data in clinical trials including gene replacement for Hemophilia B, X-linked Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, Leber's Congenital Amaurosis Type 2 and in cancer immunotherapy trials for hematological malignancies using chimeric antigen receptor T cells. These results build on the recent licensure of the European gene therapy product Glybera for the treatment of lipoprotein lipase deficiency. The progress from clinical development towards product licensure of several programs presents challenges to gene therapy product manufacturing. These include challenges in viral vector-manufacturing capacity, where an estimated 1-2 orders of magnitude increase will likely be needed to support eventual commercial supply requirements for many of the promising disease indications. In addition, the expanding potential commercial product pipeline and the continuously advancing development of recombinant viral vectors for gene therapy require that products are well characterized and consistently manufactured to rigorous tolerances of purity, potency and safety. Finally, there is an increase in regulatory scrutiny that affects manufacturers of investigational drugs for early-phase clinical trials engaged in industry partnerships. Along with the recent increase in biopharmaceutical funding in gene therapy, industry partners are requiring their academic counterparts to meet higher levels of GMP compliance at earlier stages of clinical development. This chapter provides a brief overview of current progress in the field and discusses challenges in vector manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes C M van der Loo
- The Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA and
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Moving oncolytic viruses into the clinic: clinical-grade production, purification, and characterization of diverse oncolytic viruses. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2016; 3:16018. [PMID: 27088104 PMCID: PMC4822647 DOI: 10.1038/mtm.2016.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are unique anticancer agents based on their pleotropic modes of action, which include, besides viral tumor cell lysis, activation of antitumor immunity. A panel of diverse viruses, often genetically engineered, has advanced to clinical investigation, including phase 3 studies. This diversity of virotherapeutics not only offers interesting opportunities for the implementation of different therapeutic regimens but also poses challenges for clinical translation. Thus, manufacturing processes and regulatory approval paths need to be established for each OV individually. This review provides an overview of clinical-grade manufacturing procedures for OVs using six virus families as examples, and key challenges are discussed individually. For example, different virus features with respect to particle size, presence/absence of an envelope, and host species imply specific requirements for measures to ensure sterility, for handling, and for determination of appropriate animal models for toxicity testing, respectively. On the other hand, optimization of serum-free culture conditions, increasing virus yields, development of scalable purification strategies, and formulations guaranteeing long-term stability are challenges common to several if not all OVs. In light of the recent marketing approval of the first OV in the Western world, strategies for further upscaling OV manufacturing and optimizing product characterization will receive increasing attention.
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