Real Time Cell Density Measurements During Production of Biologics and Other Biotech Products

DESCRIPTION provided by applicant This Phase I SBIR proposal targets an unmet critical need in Process Analytical Technology PAT the on line quantitation of cell density during the development and manufacture of biopharmaceuticals A non destructive optical method is proposed that operates continuously and in real time during production of biologics in yeast and mammalian cell based bioprocesses This approach leverages an existing innovative Bioprocess Monitor that automatically measures the concentration of key chemicals during production in yeast Pichia pastoris and mammalian cell CHO expression platforms Using near infrared spectroscopic methods this measurement system has demonstrated unprecedented robustness in bioprocess chemical quantitation including industrial operations over a year without need for additional calibration A research plan is proposed to establish the technical and commercial feasibility of quantifying cell density measurements cells mL using this Bioprocess Monitor for Pichia pastoris and CHO cell platforms Specific Aims for this proposal include Evaluation of critical parameters affecting cell density quantitation and alternative measurement combinations Assessment of calibration robustness during live protein expression bioprocesses In addition to the high value of this measurement by itself the combination of quantitative cell density with key nutrient and metabolite concentrations opens an impressive range of fundamental and engineering opportunities For example fundamental measurements of nutrient metabolite utilization per cell can now be evaluated and optimized in real time during the complex bioprocess operation Significant advances in product yield as well as product consistency are anticipated as a result of this technology decreasing the cost and time to market for these complex and valuable medicines PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Biopharmaceuticals are one of the fastest growing market segments and often the only means for producing medications needed to fight complex diseases like rheumatoid arthritis Crohnandapos s disease and cancer This proposal targets the development and commercialization of a non destructive method for continuously quantifying the cell density during the development and production of biotherapeutics This advanced real time monitoring capability will bridge a critical gap in Process Analytical Technology ultimately reducing costs and time to market of novel and game changing drugs