Optimization of protein G chromatography for biopharmaceutical monoclonal antibodies

Compared to more stable chromatographic media the use of affinity media with biological ligands such as Protein G Sepharose 4 Fast Flow poses special challenges regarding regeneration and sanitization. This is especially critical for the purification of pharmaceutical proteins, where complete regeneration of the column between runs is of paramount importance. Here, the problems encountered during process development and upscaling of regeneration methods for a Protein G Sepharose Fast Flow column intended for the large-scale purification of pharmaceutical monoclonal antibodies are reported. The initially chosen alkaline regeneration buffer led to an increase in the affinity of Protein G towards antibodies which made elution increasingly difficult. A combination of urea and acetic acid was selected to ensure efficient cleaning of the matrix without affecting ligand properties. Validation experiments were done to demonstrate the functional integrity of the matrix after repeated cycles of use and regeneration, as well as the efficiency of the cleaning process.