High-throughput process development: Chromatography media volume definition

Chromatographic parameter determination for complex biological feedstocks

The application of mechanistic models for chromatography requires accurate model parameters. Especially for complex feedstocks such as a clarified cell harvest, this can still be an obstacle limiting the use of mechanistic models. Another commonly encountered obstacle is a limited amount of sample material and time to determine all needed parameters. Therefore, this study aimed at implementing an approach on a robotic liquid handling system that starts directly with a complex feedstock containing a monoclonal antibody. The approach was tested by comparing independent experimental data sets with predictions generated by the mechanistic model using all parameters determined in this study. An excellent agreement between prediction and experimental data was found verifying the approach. Thus, it can be concluded that RoboColumns with a bed volume of 200 μL can well be used to determine isotherm parameters for predictions of larger scale columns. Overall, this approach offers a new way to determine crucial model input parameters for mechanistic modelling of chromatography for complex biological feedstocks. © 2018 The Authors Biotechnology Progress published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 34:1006–1018, 2018

A versatile noninvasive method for adsorber quantification in batch and column chromatography based on the ionic capacity

Within the Quality by Design (QbD) framework proposed by the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH), high-throughput process development (HTPD) and mechanistic modeling are of outstanding importance for future biopharmaceutical chromatography process development. In order to compare the data derived from different column scales or batch chromatographies, the amount of adsorber has to be quantified with the same noninvasive method. Similarly, an important requirement for the implementation of mechanistic modeling is the reliable determination of column characteristics such as the ionic capacity Λ for ion-exchange chromatography with the same method at all scales and formats. We developed a method to determine the ionic capacity in column and batch chromatography, based on the adsorption/desorption of the natural, uv-detectable amino acid histidine. In column chromatography, this method produces results comparable to those of classical acid-base titration. In contrast to acid-base titration, this method can be adapted to robotic batch chromatographic experiments. We are able to convert the adsorber volumes in batch chromatography to the equivalent volume of a compressed column. In a case study, we demonstrate that this method increases the quality of SMA parameters fitted to batch adsorption isotherms, and the capability to predict column breakthrough experiments. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:666-677, 2016.