Pre-filtration Buffer Adjustment for Immunoglobulin TFF Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tangential flow filtration processes for immunoglobulin concentration face challenges in maintaining predefined solute concentrations and pH values due to thermodynamic non-ideality and unequal partitioning of solutes during ultrafiltration, leading to variations in conductivity and stability issues in the final product.

Innovation Solution

An ultrafiltration method involving pre-filtration solute concentration adjustment using equations 2 and 3 to calculate the necessary buffer substance concentration, maintaining the pH value, and subsequent tangential flow filtration to achieve defined solute concentrations, thereby correcting for changes in conductivity and pH during the concentration process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If tangential flow filtration is used for immunoglobulin concentration, then concentration speed is improved, but solute concentration and pH values deviate from predefined values due to thermodynamic non-ideality and unequal partitioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconcentration speedVSAvoidsolute concentration precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and adjusting the initial solute concentration before ultrafiltration based on equations that account for thermodynamic non-ideality. The method pre-determines the required buffer substance concentration and pH adjustment to compensate for expected deviations during concentration, ensuring final product meets specifications without requiring post-process adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting multiple parameters including initial solute concentration, pH value, and buffer substance composition before ultrafiltration. These parameter modifications are calculated using specific equations that relate protein concentration, charge, and solute partitioning behavior to predict and correct for non-ideal thermodynamic effects during the concentration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If tangential flow filtration is used for immunoglobulin concentration, then productivity is improved, but conductivity and pH values vary leading to stability issues

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidproduct stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary calculations of required buffer substance concentration and pH adjustment before ultrafiltration begins. By pre-determining these parameters based on the specific protein and solute system, the process ensures that conductivity and pH remain within stable ranges throughout concentration, preventing stability issues while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through monitoring of conductivity and pH during ultrafiltration, with calculations that continuously account for changing solute concentrations. This feedback allows for real-time adjustment of process parameters to maintain product stability while preserving high throughput capability.

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

This method ensures consistent solute concentrations and pH values, maintaining the stability of immunoglobulin solutions and preventing aggregate formation, while maintaining the transmembrane flux and concentration time, thus producing high-quality concentrated immunoglobulin preparations.

Implementation Method 1

tangential flow filtration (TFF) processes are used

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrafiltration: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 2

a tangential flow filtration (TFF) process with a pre-filtration solute concentration adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTangential flow filtration: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 3

the ratio between buffer anion/buffer cation and buffer acid is calculated for each pH value determined in the retentate by using the Henderson-Hasselbach-Equation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHenderson-Hasselbach-Equation:

Implementation Method 4

Thermodynamic non-ideality of protein containing solutions during membrane based processes has been reported

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermodynamic non-ideality:

Implementation Method 5

unequal partitioning of solutes during ultrafiltration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUnequal partitioning:

Data Source

PatentEP2483304B1Pre-filtration adjustment of buffer solutes for high concentration immunoglobulin preparation
Publication Date: 2016.05.04 F HOFFMANN LA ROCHE & CO AG
  • EP2483304B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2483304B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2483304B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Herein is reported a tangential flow filtration method with a pre-filtration solute concentration adjustment in order to ensure a defined concentration of the components of the solution after tangential flow filtration.