Repurposing fed-batch media and feeds for highly productive CHO perfusion processes.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Bioprocessing
• Cell Culture Technology

Background:

• Perfusion culture is increasingly utilized for monoclonal antibody production.
• Perfusion requires cell culture media that support significantly higher cell densities compared to fed-batch systems.
• Transitioning to perfusion necessitates the development of specialized media for optimal performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for deriving perfusion culture media from existing fed-batch media and feeds.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of the derived media in supporting high-density perfusion cultures.
• To achieve high cell densities, productivity, and favorable product quality in perfusion processes.

Main Methods:

• Adaptation of existing fed-batch media formulations.
• Utilization of established fed-batch feeds for media derivation.
• Implementation of perfusion cultures in a single-use rocking bioreactor system.

Main Results:

• Successfully derived perfusion culture media that support high cell densities.
• Demonstrated the capability of the media to maintain perfusion cultures at low cell-specific perfusion rates (<25 pL/cell/day).
• Achieved high productivities and favorable product quality metrics in the developed perfusion process.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides a viable strategy for creating effective perfusion culture media.
• This approach facilitates the transition from fed-batch to perfusion culture modes for biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
• The derived media enable efficient and high-quality monoclonal antibody production in perfusion systems.