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Gregoritza K, Theodorou C, Heitz M, Graf T, Germershaus O, Gregoritza M. Enzymatic degradation pattern of polysorbate 20 impacts interfacial properties of monoclonal antibody formulations. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2024; 194:74-84. [PMID: 38042510 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2023.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Polysorbate 20 (PS20) is widely used to maintain protein stability in biopharmaceutical formulations. However, PS20 is susceptible to hydrolytic degradation catalyzed by trace amounts of residual host cell proteins present in monoclonal antibody (mAb) formulations. The resulting loss of intact surfactant and the presence of PS20 degradation products, such as free fatty acids (FFAs), may impair protein stability. In this study, two hydrolytically-active immobilized lipases, which primarily targeted either monoester or higher-order ester species in PS20, were used to generate partially-degraded PS20. The impact of PS20 degradation pattern on critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension, interfacial rheology parameters and agitation protection was assessed. CMC was slightly increased upon monoester degradation, but significantly increased upon higher-order ester degradation. The PS20 degradation pattern also significantly impacted the dynamic surface tension of a mAb formulation, whereas changes in the equilibrium surface tension were mainly caused by the adsorption of FFAs onto the air-water interface. In an agitation protection study, monoester degradation resulted in the formation of soluble mAb aggregates and proteinaceous particles, suggesting that preferential degradation of PS20 monoester species can significantly impair mAb stability. Additional mAbs should be tested in the future to assess the impact of the protein format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Gregoritza
- Pharmaceutical and Processing Development, Pharma Technical Development Biologics Europe, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Christos Theodorou
- Pharmaceutical and Processing Development, Pharma Technical Development Biologics Europe, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marc Heitz
- Pharmaceutical and Processing Development, Pharma Technical Development Biologics Europe, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Graf
- Analytical Development and Quality Control, Pharma Technical Development Biologics Europe, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | - Oliver Germershaus
- Institute for Pharma Technology, School of Life Sciences, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - Manuel Gregoritza
- Analytical Development and Quality Control, Pharma Technical Development Biologics Europe, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
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2
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Glücklich N, Carle S, Diederichs T, Buske J, Mäder K, Garidel P. How enzymatic hydrolysis of polysorbate 20 influences colloidal protein stability. Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 191:106597. [PMID: 37770006 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Polysorbates (PS) are esters of ethoxylated sorbitol anhydrides of different composition and are widely used surfactants in biologics. PSs are applied to increase protein stability and concomitant shelf-life via shielding against e.g., interfacial stresses. Due to the presence of specific lipolytic host cell protein (HCP) contaminations in the drug substance, PSs can be degraded via enzymatic hydrolysis. Surfactant hydrolysis leads to the formation of degradants, such as free fatty acids that might form fatty acid particles. In addition, PS degradation may reduce surfactant functionality and thus reduce the protection of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Although enzymatic degradation was observed and reported in the last years, less is known about the relationship between certain polysorbate degradation patterns and the increase of mechanical and interfacial stress towards the API. In this study, the impact of specifically hydrolyzed polysorbate 20 (PS20) towards the stabilization of two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) during accelerated shaking stress conditions was investigated. The results show that a specific enzymatic degradation pattern of PS20 can influence the colloidal stability of biopharmaceutical formulations. Furthermore, the kinetics of the appearance of visual phenomena, opalescence, and particle formation depended on the polysorbate degradation fingerprint as induced via the presence of surrogate enzymes. The current case study shows the importance of focusing on specific polysorbate ester fractions to understand the overall colloidal protein stabilizing effect. The performed study gives first insight into the functional properties of PS and helps to evaluate the impact of PS degradation in the formulation development of biopharmaceuticals in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Glücklich
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biosciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Strasse 4, Halle (Saale) 06120, Germany
| | - Stefan Carle
- Innovation Unit, PDB, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, Biberach an der Riss 88397, Germany
| | - Tim Diederichs
- Innovation Unit, PDB, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, Biberach an der Riss 88397, Germany
| | - Julia Buske
- Innovation Unit, PDB, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, Biberach an der Riss 88397, Germany
| | - Karsten Mäder
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Biosciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Wolfgang-Langenbeck-Strasse 4, Halle (Saale) 06120, Germany
| | - Patrick Garidel
- Innovation Unit, PDB, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Straße 65, Biberach an der Riss 88397, Germany; Institute of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Von-Danckelmann-Platz 4, Halle (Saale) 06120, Germany.
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3
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Kopp MRG, Grigolato F, Zürcher D, Das TK, Chou D, Wuchner K, Arosio P. Surface-Induced Protein Aggregation and Particle Formation in Biologics: Current Understanding of Mechanisms, Detection and Mitigation Strategies. J Pharm Sci 2023; 112:377-385. [PMID: 36223809 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Protein stability against aggregation is a major quality concern for the production of safe and effective biopharmaceuticals. Amongst the different drivers of protein aggregation, increasing evidence indicates that interactions between proteins and interfaces represent a major risk factor for the formation of protein aggregates in aqueous solutions. Potentially harmful surfaces relevant to biologics manufacturing and storage include air-water and silicone oil-water interfaces as well as materials from different processing units, storage containers, and delivery devices. The impact of some of these surfaces, for instance originating from impurities, can be difficult to predict and control. Moreover, aggregate formation may additionally be complicated by the simultaneous presence of interfacial, hydrodynamic and mechanical stresses, whose contributions may be difficult to deconvolute. As a consequence, it remains difficult to identify the key chemical and physical determinants and define appropriate analytical methods to monitor and predict protein instability at these interfaces. In this review, we first discuss the main mechanisms of surface-induced protein aggregation. We then review the types of contact materials identified as potentially harmful or detected as potential triggers of proteinaceous particle formation in formulations and discuss proposed mitigation strategies. Finally, we present current methods to probe surface-induced instabilities, which represent a starting point towards assays that can be implemented in early-stage screening and formulation development of biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie R G Kopp
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fulvio Grigolato
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominik Zürcher
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Paolo Arosio
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Yuk IH, Koulis T, Doshi N, Gregoritza K, Hediger C, Lebouc-Haefliger V, Giddings J, Khan TA. Formulation mitigations for particle formation induced by enzymatic hydrolysis of polysorbate 20 in protein-based drug products: insights from a full-factorial longitudinal study. AAPS OPEN 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s41120-022-00064-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Hydrolytic degradation of the polysorbate 20 (PS20) surfactant in protein-based liquid formulations releases free fatty acids (FFAs), which can accumulate to form particles in drug products during real-time (long-term) storage. To identify formulation conditions that mitigate the risk of particle formation, we conducted a longitudinal study using purified recombinant monoclonal antibody (mAb) formulated in 24 conditions. In this real-time stability study at 5 °C, three key formulation parameters—mAb concentration, initial PS20 concentration, and pH—were varied across representative ranges in a full-factorial design. A longitudinal regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of these parameters and their interactions on PS20 degradation (via measurements of PS20, FFAs, and PS20 ester distribution) and on particle formation (via visible particle observations and subvisible particle counts). The time-dependent onset of visible particles trended with the rise in subvisible particle counts and FFA levels and fall in PS20 concentration. In the ranges studied here, lower mAb concentration and higher initial PS20 concentration delayed the onset of particles, whereas pH had a negligible effect. These observations were consistent with the general trends predicted by our previously published FFA solubility model. Taken together, these findings highlight the complex relationships between formulation parameters, PS20 degradation, and particle formation.
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Wuchner K, Yi L, Chery C, Nikels F, Junge F, Crotts G, Rinaldi G, Starkey JA, Bechtold-Peters K, Shuman M, Leiss M, Jahn M, Garidel P, de Ruiter R, Richer SM, Cao S, Peuker S, Huille S, Wang T, Brun VL. Industry Perspective on the Use and Characterization of Polysorbates for Biopharmaceutical Products Part 2: Survey Report on Control Strategy Preparing for the Future. J Pharm Sci 2022; 111:2955-2967. [PMID: 36002077 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2022.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Polysorbate (PS) 20 and 80 are the main surfactants used to stabilize biopharmaceutical products. Industry practices on various aspects of PS based on a confidential survey and following discussions by 16 globally acting major biotechnology companies is presented in two publications. Part 1 summarizes the current practice and use of PS during manufacture in addition to aspects like current understanding of the (in)stability of PS, the routine QC testing and control of PS, and selected regulatory aspects of PS.1 The current part 2 of the survey focusses on understanding, monitoring, prediction, and mitigation of PS degradation pathways in order to propose an effective control strategy. The results of the survey and extensive cross-company discussions are put into relation with currently available scientific literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Wuchner
- Janssen R&D, DPDS BTDS Analytical Development, Hochstr. 201, 8200 Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
| | - Linda Yi
- Analytical Development, Biogen, Morrisville, NC 27709, USA
| | - Cyrille Chery
- UCB, Analytical Development Sciences for Biologicals, Chemin du Foriest, 1420 Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Felix Nikels
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Innovation Unit, Birkendorfer Str. 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Friederike Junge
- Analytical Research and Development, NBE Analytical R&D, AbbVie Deutschland GmbH& Co. KG, Knollstraße, 67061 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - George Crotts
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 S Collegeville Rd, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Gianluca Rinaldi
- Merck Serono SpA, Guidonia Montecelio, Italy, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Jason A Starkey
- Pfizer, Inc. Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical Research and Development 875 W. Chesterfield Parkway, Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA
| | | | - Melissa Shuman
- GlaxoSmithKline, 1250 S Collegeville Rd, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
| | - Michael Leiss
- Pharma Technical Development Analytics, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Nonnenwald 2, Penzberg, 82377, Germany
| | - Michael Jahn
- Lonza AG, Drug Product Services, Hochbergerstr. 60G, CH-4057 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Garidel
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG, Innovation Unit, Birkendorfer Str. 65, 88397 Biberach an der Riss, Germany
| | - Rien de Ruiter
- Byondis B.V., Downstream Processing, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Sarah M Richer
- Bioproduct Research and Development, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Shawn Cao
- Process Development, Amgen Inc., 1 Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320, USA
| | - Sebastian Peuker
- Bayer AG, Product Supply, Analytical Development and Clinical QC for Biotech Products, Friedrich-Ebert-Str. 217-233, 42117 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Sylvain Huille
- Sanofi R&D, Biologics Drug Products Development,13 quai Jules Guesde, 94403 Vitry-sur Seine, France
| | - Tingting Wang
- Bioproduct Research and Development, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Virginie Le Brun
- Lonza AG, Drug Product Services, Hochbergerstr. 60G, CH-4057 Basel, Switzerland
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