Antibody-Nanoparticle Conjugate Purification via High Ionic Strength Chromatography

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Purification of antibody-nanoparticle conjugates from free antibodies is challenging due to their similar size and density, leading to competition for target binding and difficulties in separation, especially in high ionic strength environments.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mixture of antibody-nanoparticle conjugates, free antibodies, a poloxamer surfactant, and a buffer with an ionic strength of at least 50 mM, using a polysaccharide-based size exclusion medium or nanomembrane filter to separate and purify the conjugates, with poloxamer surfactants like Pluronic F-68 preventing aggregation and precipitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If size exclusion chromatography is used to separate antibody-nanoparticle conjugates from free antibody, then separation is achieved, but the similar size and density of conjugates and free antibody result in poor resolution and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation resolutionVSAvoidpurification process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the ionic strength parameter of the buffer from conventional low ionic strength to high ionic strength (at least 50 mM, preferably 100-500 mM). This parameter change fundamentally alters the separation mechanism in size exclusion chromatography, enabling resolution of antibody-nanoparticle conjugates from free antibody based on their different effects on ionic strength, rather than relying solely on size differences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces high ionic strength buffer as an intermediary medium that facilitates separation. The buffer acts as a mediator that exploits the differential ionic strength contributions of conjugates versus free antibody, creating conditions where standard size exclusion media can effectively resolve the two components despite their similar physical dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If excess antibody is used in conjugation reactions to ensure optimal conjugation ratio, then conjugation efficiency is improved, but purification becomes more difficult due to increased amount of free antibody to remove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconjugation efficiencyVSAvoidpurification purity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the ionic strength parameter to high levels (at least 50 mM), the invention creates a separation condition where even large excesses of free antibody can be effectively resolved from conjugates. This allows conjugation reactions to use excess antibody for optimal efficiency while still achieving high purification purity through the enhanced separation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional size exclusion chromatography is used with low ionic strength buffer, then standard purification protocol is maintained, but aggregation and precipitation of nanoparticle-conjugates occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification protocol simplicityVSAvoidconjugate solubility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the ionic strength parameter from conventional low levels to high levels (at least 50 mM), which simultaneously prevents aggregation and precipitation of nanoparticle-conjugates while maintaining a relatively simple purification protocol. The high ionic strength stabilizes the conjugates in solution throughout the purification process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The high ionic strength buffer serves as an intermediary medium that prevents aggregation and precipitation of conjugates during purification. This buffer condition acts as a protective environment that maintains conjugate solubility and stability while enabling effective separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If high ionic strength buffer is used to prevent aggregation, then conjugate solubility is maintained, but separation resolution may be compromised without proper optimization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconjugate solubilityVSAvoidseparation resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the ionic strength parameter to specific ranges (at least 50 mM, preferably 100-500 mM) that simultaneously maintain conjugate solubility and enable effective separation resolution. This precise parameter optimization ensures both stability and separation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs feedback by monitoring and optimizing ionic strength conditions to achieve the dual goals of preventing aggregation and enabling separation. The buffer composition is adjusted based on the specific conjugation mixture characteristics to maintain optimal separation resolution while preventing precipitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively separates and purifies antibody-nanoparticle conjugates from free antibodies, maintaining solubility and achieving high purity, with up to 99% removal of free antibodies, using high ionic strength buffers and poloxamer surfactants in conjunction with size exclusion media or nanomembrane filters.

Implementation Method 1

contacting the mixture to a polysaccharide-based size exclusion medium to separate the antibody-nanoparticle conjugate from the free antibody

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSize exclusion chromatography: Chromatography

Implementation Method 2

a poloxamer surfactant, and a buffer, wherein the ionic strength of the mixture is at least 50 mM; contacting the mixture to a polysaccharide-based size exclusion medium to separate the antibody-nanoparticle conjugate from the free antibody

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

contacting the mixture to nanomembrane filter to separate the antibody-nanoparticle conjugate from the free antibody

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3001833B1Purification of nanoparticle-antibody conjugates
Publication Date: 2019.01.23 BIO RAD LABORATORIES INC
  • EP3001833B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3001833B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3001833B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods of purifying antibody-nanoparticle conjugates with size exclusion chromatography are provided.