The present invention provides methods for producing crystalline anti-PD-1
monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), wherein the mAbs are pembrolizumab or pembrolizumab variants, comprising (1) mixing a solution comprising (a) a mAb, (b)
polyethylene glycol (PEG), and (c) an additive selected from the group consisting of
caffeine,
theophylline, 2'-
deoxyguanosine-5'-monophosphate, a biologically active
gibberellin, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the biologically active
gibberellin to form a
crystallization solution; (2) incubating the
crystallization solution for a time sufficient for
crystal formation; and (3) optionally harvesting the crystalline anti-PD-1 mAb from the solution. In particular embodiments, the PEG is PEG 3350, and the additive is
caffeine. The present invention also relates to novel anti-human PD-1 mAb crystals produced by the methods described herein. Characterization of the resolubilized
crystal suspensions using several biochemical methods indicates that the biophysical properties of the resolubilized mAb crystals are consistent with the intact
antibody starting sample. The crystals and methods of the present invention are suitable for a variety of pharmaceutical applications, such as purification, storage, formulation, and
drug delivery.