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Hauptmann A, Hoelzl G, Mueller M, Bechtold-Peters K, Loerting T. Raman Marker Bands for Secondary Structure Changes of Frozen Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody Formulations During Thawing. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:51-60. [PMID: 36279956 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In this work we use Raman spectroscopy for protein characterization in the frozen state. We investigate the behavior of frozen therapeutic monoclonal antibody IgG1 formulation upon thawing by Raman spectroscopy. Secondary and tertiary structure of the protein in three different mab formulations in the frozen state are followed through observation of marker bands for α-helix, β-sheet and random coil. We identify the tyrosine intensity ratio I856/I830 as a marker for mab aggregation. Upon fast cooling (40 °C/min) to -80 °C we observe a significant increase of random coil and α -helical structures, while this is not the case for slower cooling (20 °C/min) to -80 °C. Most changes in the protein's secondary structure are observed in the course of thawing in the range up to -20 °C, when passing through the glass transitions and cold-crystallization of the two types of freeze-concentrated solutions formed through macro- and microcryoconcentration. An increase of protein concentration and the addition of mannitol suppress secondary structural changes but do no impact on aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Loerting
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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Bluemel O, Anuschek M, Buecheler JW, Hoelzl G, Bechtold-Peters K, Friess W. The effect of mAb and excipient cryoconcentration on long-term frozen storage stability – Part 1: Higher molecular weight species and subvisible particle formation. Int J Pharm X 2022; 4:100108. [PMID: 35024603 PMCID: PMC8724966 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpx.2021.100108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryoconcentration upon large-scale freezing of monoclonal antibody (mAb) solutions leads to regions of different ratios of low molecular weight excipients, like buffer species or sugars, to protein. This study focused on the impact of the buffer species to mAb ratio on aggregate formation after frozen storage at −80 °C, −20 °C, and − 10 °C after 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months. An optimised sample preparation was established to measure Tg′ of samples with different mAb to histidine ratios via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). After storage higher molecular weight species (HMWS) and subvisible particles (SVPs) were detected using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and FlowCam, respectively. For all samples, sigmoidal curves in DSC thermograms allowed to precisely determine Tg′ in formulations without glass forming sugars. Storage below Tg′ did not lead to mAb aggregation. Above Tg′, at −20 °C and − 10 °C, small changes in mAb and buffer concentration markedly impacted stability. Samples with lower mAb concentration showed increased formation of HMWS. In contrast, higher concentrated samples led to more SVPs. A shift in the mAb to histidine ratio towards mAb significantly increased overall stability. Cryoconcentration upon large-scale freezing affects mAb stability, although relative changes compared to the initial concentration are small. Storage below Tg′ completely prevents mAb aggregation and particle formation.
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Bluemel O, Buecheler JW, Hauptmann A, Hoelzl G, Bechtold-Peters K, Friess W. The effect of mAb and excipient cryoconcentration on long-term frozen storage stability – part 2: Aggregate formation and oxidation. Int J Pharm X 2022; 4:100109. [PMID: 35024604 PMCID: PMC8724956 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpx.2021.100109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the impact of monoclonal antibody (mAb) and buffer concentration, mimicking the cryoconcentration found upon freezing in a 2 L bottle, on mAb stability during frozen storage. Upon cryoconcentration, larger protein molecules and small excipient molecules freeze-concentrate differently, resulting in different protein to stabiliser ratios within a container. Understanding the impact of these shifted ratios on protein stability is essential. For two mAbs a set of samples with constant mAb (5 mg/mL) or buffer concentration (medium histidine/adipic acid) was prepared and stored for 6 months at −10 °C. Stability was evaluated via size-exclusion chromatography, flow imaging microscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy at 350 nm, and protein A chromatography. Dynamic light scattering was used to determine kD values. Soluble aggregate levels were unaffected by mAb concentration, but increased with histidine concentration. No trend in optical density could be identified. In contrast, increasing mAb or buffer concentration facilitated the formation of subvisible particles. A trend towards attractive protein-protein interactions was seen with higher ionic strength. MAb oxidation levels were negatively affected by increasing histidine concentration, but became less with higher mAb concentration. Small changes in mAb and buffer composition had a significant impact on stability during six-month frozen storage. Thus, preventing cryoconcentration effects in larger freezing containers may improve long-term stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Bluemel
- Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jakob W. Buecheler
- Technical Research and Development, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Wolfgang Friess
- Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Corresponding author.
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Bluemel O, Rodrigues MA, Buecheler JW, Geraldes V, Hoelzl G, Hauptmann A, Bechtold-Peters K, Friess W. Evaluation of Two Novel Scale-Down Devices for Testing Monoclonal Antibody Aggregation During Large-Scale Freezing. J Pharm Sci 2022; 111:1973-1983. [PMID: 35007568 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
There is a need for representative small volume devices that reflect monoclonal antibody (mAb) aggregation during freezing and thawing (FT) in large containers. We characterised two novel devices that aim to mimic the stress in rectangular 2 L bottles. The first scale-down device (SDD) consists of a 125 mL bottle surrounded by a 3D printed cover that manipulates heat exchange. The second device, a micro scale-down device (mSDD), adapts cooling and heating of 10 mL vials to extend stress time. MAb aggregation upon repeated FT was evaluated considering formation of higher molecular weight species, subvisible particles, and the increase in hydrodynamic radius, polydispersity index, and optical density at 350 nm. Three different mAb solutions were processed. Both an unshielded 125 mL bottle and the SDD can be used to predict aggregation during FT in 2 L bottles. In specific cases the unshielded 125 mL bottle underestimates whereas the SDD slightly overestimates soluble aggregate formation. The mSDD increases aggregation compared to 10 mL vials but is less representative than the SDD. Ultimately, both SDDs enable characterisation of protein sensitivity to large-scale FT with two orders of magnitude less volume and are superior to simply using smaller bottles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Bluemel
- Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Miguel A Rodrigues
- Centro de Química Estrutural, Department of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | - Jakob W Buecheler
- Technical Research and Development, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Vitor Geraldes
- CeFEMA, Department of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa 1049-001, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Wolfgang Friess
- Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Department of Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen, 81377 Munich, Germany
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Bluemel O, Buecheler JW, Hauptmann A, Hoelzl G, Bechtold-Peters K, Friess W. Scaling Down Large-Scale Thawing of Monoclonal Antibody Solutions: 3D Temperature Profiles, Changes in Concentration, and Density Gradients. Pharm Res 2021; 38:1977-1989. [PMID: 34729702 PMCID: PMC8688388 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-021-03117-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Scale-down devices (SDD) are designed to simulate large-scale thawing of protein drug substance, but require only a fraction of the material. To evaluate the performance of a new SDD that aims to predict thawing in large-scale 2 L bottles, we characterised 3D temperature profiles and changes in concentration and density in comparison to 125 mL and 2 L bottles. Differences in diffusion between a monoclonal antibody (mAb) and histidine buffer after thawing were examined. METHODS Temperature profiles at six distinct positions were recorded with type T thermocouples. Size-exclusion chromatography allowed quantification of mAb and histidine. Polysorbate 80 was quantified using a fluorescent dye assay. In addition, the solution's density at different locations in bottles and the SDD was identified. RESULTS The temperature profiles in the SDD and the large-scale 2 L bottle during thawing were similar. Significant concentration gradients were detected in the 2 L bottle leading to marked density gradients. The SDD slightly overestimated the dilution in the top region and the maximum concentrations at the bottom. Fast diffusion resulted in rapid equilibration of histidine. CONCLUSION The innovative SDD allows a realistic characterisation and helps to understand thawing processes of mAb solutions in large-scale 2 L bottles. Only a fraction of material is needed to gain insights into the thawing behaviour that is associated with several possible detrimental limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Bluemel
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Jakob W Buecheler
- Technical Research and Development, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Wolfgang Friess
- Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Muenchen, 81377, Munich, Germany.
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Hauptmann A, Hoelzl G, Loerting T. Optical cryomicroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry of buffer solutions containing cryoprotectants. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2021; 163:127-140. [PMID: 33813056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2021.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In the pharmaceutical industry, cryoprotectants are added to buffer formulations to protect the active pharmaceutical ingredient from freeze- and thaw damage. We investigated the freezing and thawing of aqueous sodium citrate buffer with various cryoprotectants, specifically amino acids (cysteine, histidine, arginine, proline and lysine), disaccharides (trehalose and sucrose), polyhydric alcohols (glycerol and mannitol) and surfactants (polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80). Hereby, we employed optical cryomicroscopy in combination with differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range to -80 °C. The effect of cryoprotectants on the morphology of the ice crystals, the glass transition temperature and the initial melting temperature is presented. Some of the cryoprotectants have a significant impact on ice crystal size. Disaccharides restrict ice crystal growth, whereas surfactants and glycerol allow ice crystals to increase in size. Cysteine and mannitol cause dehydration after thawing. Either one or two glass transition temperatures were detected, where arginine, surfactants, glycerol, proline and lysine suppress the second, implying a uniform freeze-concentrated solution. The initial melting temperature of pure buffer solution can be shifted up by adding mannitol, both disaccharides and both surfactants; but down by glycerol, proline and lysine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Hauptmann
- Sandoz GmbH, Biochemiestrasse 10, 6336 Langkampfen, Austria; Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Georg Hoelzl
- Sandoz GmbH, Biochemiestrasse 10, 6336 Langkampfen, Austria.
| | - Thomas Loerting
- Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52c, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Hauptmann A, Hoelzl G, Loerting T. Distribution of Protein Content and Number of Aggregates in Monoclonal Antibody Formulation After Large-Scale Freezing. AAPS PharmSciTech 2019; 20:72. [PMID: 30631964 PMCID: PMC6373418 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-018-1281-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryoconcentration of an in-house IgG1 and number of aggregates in a formulation containing trehalose were determined in dependence on freezing protocol and volume. Morphology changes of ice crystals depending on cooling rates were captured by optical cryomicroscopy (OCM) images. UV-Vis and affinity chromatography (ALC) was used to determine protein content and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) for detection of aggregates. Cooling to - 80°C rather than - 20°C is beneficial in avoiding hot spots of high protein concentration. An upscaling of 250 ml to 2 L bottles results in an up to fourfold increase of macroscopic cryoconcentration. There is no direct correlation between number of aggregates and macroscopic cryoconcentration. Aggregate formation of that specific mAb is not caused by macroscopic cryoconcentration but can be directly linked to microscopic cryoconcentration in between the ice dendrites. Slower cooling with set-point and storage temperatures below Tg' has proven to be advantageous for the prevention of aggregate formation. We reveal that the subcooling prior to freezing plays a key role in avoiding aggregates. The lower the solution is supercooled the more likely aggregates form. As a consequence, we suggest controlled initiation of the freezing process to avoid large supercooling.
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