Process development and optimization of continuous capture with three-column periodic counter-current chromatography

Continuous capture with affinity chromatography is one of the most important units for continuous manufacturing of monoclonal antibody (mAb). Due to the complexity of three-column periodic counter-current chromatography (3C-PCC), three approaches (experimental, model-based, and simplified approaches) were studied for process development and optimization. The effects of residence time for interconnected load (RT _C ), breakthrough percentage of the first column for interconnected load (s) and feed protein concentration (c ₀ ) on productivity and capacity utilization were focused. The model-based approach was found superior to the experimental approach in process optimization and evaluation. Two phases of productivity were observed and the optimal RT _C for the maximum productivity was located at the boundary of the two phases. The comprehensive effects of the operating parameters (RT _C , s, and c ₀ ) were evaluated by the model-based approach, and the operation space was predicted. The best performance of 34.5 g/L/h productivity and 97.6% capacity utilization were attained for MabSelect SuRe LX resin under 5 g/L concentration at RT _C  = 2.8 min and s = 87.5%. Moreover, a simplified approach was suggested to obtain the optimal RT _C for the maximum productivity. The results demonstrated that model-assisted tools are useful to determine the optimum conditions for 3C-PCC continuous capture with high productivity and capacity utilization.