The utilisation of engineered therapeutic proteins (recombinant proteins/recombinant antibodies) for basic research, clinical diagnostics and therapy continues to expand. Consequently, the efficient expression and production of these valuable biomolecules
face challenges in improving their quantity and quality while minimising time and cost. To meet these demands, an increasing variety of recombinant production platforms called “cell factories” are being developed. Unfortunately, there
is no “universal” production system which can guarantee high yields, particularly as every protein itself causes its own issues in terms of expression and production.
Through case studies, the Optimising Expression Platforms conference offers comparisons, evaluations and solutions that enable protein engineers to efficiently express the therapeutic protein of their choice.
Final Agenda
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WEDNESDAY 14 NOVEMBER
07:45 Registration (Foyer C) and Morning Coffee (Foyer D)
08:30 Chairperson’s Remarks
Richard Altman, MS, Scientist, Protein Technologies, Amgen
08:35 KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Transient Protein (Gene) Expression: From R&D towards Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Florian M. Wurm, Dr. rer. nat., Professor Emeritus, Swiss Federal Institute
of Technology Lausanne (EPFL); Founder, Chairman, ExcellGene SA
Transient protein (gene) expression (TGE) delivers products in days. HEK-293 cell TGE helped to identify a “better than nature” thrombolytic resulting in the approval of (TNKase “Tenecteplase”). Scale-up R&D resulted in the
first 100 Liter–scale production in the late 1990s. Recent progress in transient protein expression, including viral vector production, delivers grams and tens of grams of high-quality protein/virus vector for preclinical research and, for clinical
use soon?
09:05 Stable versus Transient Gene Expression: A Case Study on Antibody Glycosylation
Cleo Kontoravdi, PhD, Reader, Biosystems Engineering, Department
of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London
In this case study, we explored the differences in CHO cell metabolism, antibody productivity and N-linked glycosylation between stable and transient gene expression at physiological temperature and under mild hypothermia. For each system, we identified
bottlenecks for improving antibody quality and have attempted to address them using cell and process engineering.
09:35 How Do We Assemble an Effective and Efficient Protein Production Toolbox?
Richard Altman, MS, Scientist, Protein Technologies, Amgen
A robust, flexible transient protein production facility provides critical support to drug discovery efforts. We review the ongoing evolution of our protein production endeavors focusing on two critical components. The first is the strategic assembly
of mammalian expression “tools” that gives us a toolbox capable of expressing diverse and challenging candidate proteins. The second is the harmonization of the entire protein production process thereby reducing turnaround times and increasing
throughput.
10:05 Selexis’ SUREscan and SUREsignature: Technologies for Assessment of Cell Line Integrity and Clonality
Igor Fisch, CEO, Selexis SA
Selexis’ SUREscan utilizes NGS technologies and proprietary bioinformatics to comprehensively assess the genomic architecture of Selexis-generated cell lines. SUREsignature is a unique, genome-wide collection of genetic markers that establishes
cell line clonality to a probability significance not previously achievable and determines cell line-specific barcodes for better master cell bank quality control. These technologies minimize risk and accelerate biologics development by allowing for
optimal clone selection and monitoring.
10:35 Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Pavilion 1)
11:15 Tracking the Evolution of Transiently Transfected Individual Cells in a Microfluidic Platform
Sébastien Sart, PhD, Research Associate, Genome and Genetics
– Laboratory of Physical Microfluidics and Bioengineering, Institut Pasteur; Laboratoire d’Hydrodynamique, École Polytechnique
A droplet microfluidic platform was used to assess the heterogeneities of CHO-S transiently transfected with cationic liposomes. A single cell analysis of the GFP production kinetics revealed the presence of a subpopulation producing higher levels of
GFP, which was dependent on the cell size, the charge and the amount of plasmid DNA carried by the lipoplexes. This study demonstrates the potential of time resolved single cell measurements to explain population dynamics.
11:45 Discovery of Novel Enhancers for Antibody Expression by Transcriptomics-Based Pathway Analysis
Markus Neubauer, PhD, Head, Cell Culture Research, Pharma Research
& Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich
Expression of antibodies by transient transfection (TT) represents a widely used technology in basic research and drug discovery. Small molecule enhancers of expression are applied to maximize protein yield. This study demonstrates a successful strategy
for identification of expression enhancers using comparative transcriptomics in conjunction with bioinformatics pathway analysis. Both pathways affecting antibody expression and molecules enhancing antibody expression have been discovered. This strategy
may also be relevant for development and optimization of bioprocesses beyond TT.
12:15 High-Throughput Antigen and Antibody Production at the IPI
James Love, PhD, COO, Institute for Protein Innovation, Harvard Institutes of
Medicine
In order to generate open-source monoclonal antibodies against every extracellular and secreted protein in humans, we have developed expression platforms capable of generating high-quality antigens and antibodies in HT format. Optimized transient transfection
is performed via automated processes at 1ml and 30ml scales, and semi-automated for larger scales in HEK and CHO cells. Novel DNA preparation, protein purification and characterization platforms have been implemented to support the expression pipeline.
12:45 Scaling Up and Scaling Out: Pushing the Boundaries of Transient Protein Production
Ian Wilkinson, CSO, Research and Development, Absolute Antibody Ltd.
Whilst transient yields have improved drastically in the last decade, scalable systems are time-consuming and expensive to implement. Absolute Antibody has developed systems which scale up and scale out protein expression and purification, enabling
the rapid and cost-effective production of milligram to gram quantities of large panels of proteins.
13:00 Value Adding Microbial-Based Solutions for the GMP-Production of Recombinant Proteins
Nicole Peuker, PhD, Principal Expert USP Development, BioProcess Development, Wacker Biotech GmbH
Wacker Biotech, known as the microbial CDMO, handles several GMP production sites in Europe with capacities to deliver multiple hundred grams of drug substance per batch. We will present case studies for our innovative and cost-saving E. coli technologies for the production of difficult-to-make biopharmaceuticals.
13:15 Luncheon Presentation I: Host Cell Line Directed Evolution as a Tool to Increase Titres and Reduce Cell Line Development Timelines
Leon Pybus, PhD, Staff Scientist, Mammalian Cell Culture, R&D, FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies
Can directed evolution strategies yield ‘fit-for-purpose’ host cell lines with improved biomanufacturing relevant phenotypes? In this study we audition different strategies and identify those that lead to recombinant cell lines with improved
growth and expression capability whilst maintaining stable production of product with acceptable product quality attributes.
13:45 Luncheon Presentation II: Accelerating Timelines by Integrating Cell Line Development and Manufacturing Programs
Nicole Wakes, Ms, Group Leader, Cell Line Development, Abzena
The start of cell line development represents a significant milestone for biologics innovators, it’s a commitment to a specific molecule, and the start of the journey towards IND. By using the latest technologies such as automated multiple micro-scale
bioreactors and high-throughput analytics, it is possible to interrogate clones more closely to determine productivity, manufacturability and predict performance at scale at an early stage. In addition the data generated can be used to inform
process and analytical development. By viewing CLD and manufacturing as one integrated continuum, it is possible to de-risk manufacturing at scale as well as reduce overall time to IND.
14:15 Session Break
14:30 Chairperson’s Remarks
Henry C. Chiou, PhD, Director, Cell Biology, Life Science Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific
14:35 Synonymous Codon Selection for Enhanced Yield of Functional Proteins
Patricia L. Clark, PhD, O’Hara Professor of Chemistry
& Biochemistry; Concurrent Professor of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame
We have developed a sensitive system to detect effects of synonymous codon substitutions on the co-translational folding of proteins expressed in E. coli, coupling the success of folding to E. coli fitness. We find that position-specific synonymous codon changes can have dramatic effects on folding yield, particularly at those positions that correspond to sub-domain “motif” structures.
15:05 Development of Myceliophthora thermophila into a Highly Productive Biologics Production Host
Marika Vitikainen, PhD, Senior Scientist, Industrial
Biotechnology and Food Solutions, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.
Myceliophthora thermophila is well known as a hyper-productive platform for industrial enzymes. We are further developing a high-level, low-cost production host for biotherapeutics, such as antibodies, Fc-fusion
proteins and vaccines. We have adapted it by modifying regulatory genes, reducing secreted proteases and altering glycosylation pathways needed for adding mammalian glycoforms. As a result, this system has reached antibody productivity levels
over 1.7 g/L/day, much higher than current best-in-class platforms.
15:35 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Pavilion 1)
16:15 Identification and Visualization of Production Bottlenecks in CHO Cells
Kerstin Otte, PhD, Professor, Biotechnology, Biberach University
of Applied Sciences
With the advance of complex format proteins, mammalian expression systems often show low performance. Determining factors may be the accumulation or haltering of heterologous proteins within the different cellular compartments, thus disturbing
transport or secretion. We established a streamlined microscopy-based methodology for CHO production cells investigating the distribution of difficult-to-express proteins within organelles of the secretory pathway to enable identification
of rate-limiting steps. This method was adapted for automated detection of production bottlenecks during industrial cell line development processes.
16:45 Streamlining Monoclonal CHO Cell Line Generation Using Droplet Microfluidics
James White, Senior Scientist, Protein Sciences, UCB Biopharma
To increase the efficiency and speed of selecting high productivity monoclonal stable CHO cell lines, we have evaluated a droplet microfluidics device. This device screens for secreted antibody from millions of single CHO cells in their own pL
volume droplets and to deposit the highest producers at a single cell per well. Our data demonstrates that high productivity clones similar to those generated in our standard processes can be selected, but with reduced resource needs and time
to therapeutic clone selection.
17:15 PANEL DISCUSSION: Transient, Stable, or Both?
Moderator:
Henry C. Chiou, PhD, Director, Cell Biology, Life Science Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Panelists:
Richard Altman, MS, Scientist, Protein Technologies, Amgen
Cleo Kontoravdi, PhD, Reader, Biosystems Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London
James Love, PhD, COO, Institute for Protein Innovation, Harvard Institutes of Medicine
Markus Neubauer, PhD, Head, Cell Culture Research, Pharma Research & Development, Roche Innovation Center Munich
Florian M. Wurm, Dr. rer. nat., Professor Emeritus, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL); Founder, Chairman, ExcellGene SA
17:45 Networking Reception in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Pavilion 1)
18:45 Problem-Solving Breakout Discussions (Foyer E&F)
Common Issues with Transient Protein Production
Moderators: Richard Altman, MS, Scientist, Protein Technologies, Amgen
Henry C. Chiou, PhD, Director, Cell Biology, Life Science Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Scalable and rapid transient protein production in mammalian cells continues its evolution as an integral part of the biotherapeutic drug discovery process as well as an important tool to generate recombinant proteins for a variety of other
applications. What are the current challenges to transient protein production?
- What are the keys to optimizing expression?
- How do we optimize the whole protein expression process?
- How can we maintain volumetric yields while scaling transient expression up or down?
- What cell line(s) should we use and when?
- What parameters can impact the quality or physical attributes of transiently produced proteins?
How to Express Physiologically Relevant Intracellular Target Proteins for Small Molecule Drug Discovery
Moderator: Rick Davies, PhD, Associate Director, Discovery Biology, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
- Most work in the industry is focused on secreted proteins. For drug discovery, expressing complex intracellular proteins is critical. Expressing complex, multi-domain proteins in mammalian/insect/bacterial systems is very challenging. Why
is this?
- What are the blockers for intracellular expression?
- What can we do to develop new systems to enable this work?
The Past and Future of TGE
Moderator: Florian M. Wurm, Dr. rer. nat., Professor Emeritus, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL); Founder, Chairman, ExcellGene SA
- What yield for what protein – past and present?
- Manufacturability – a question to be answered by TGE
- What scale for what type of goals?
- Future of cGMP TGE – is it coming for protein pharmaceuticals?
- What are the regulatory challenges – are the FDA and the industry ready for it?
19:45 End of Day
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THURSDAY 15 NOVEMBER
08:00 Registration (Foyer C) and Morning Coffee (Foyer D)
08:30 Chairperson’s Remarks
Bjørn Voldborg, MSc, Director, CHO Cell Line Development, The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark
08:35 FEATURED PRESENTATION: High-Throughput Expression and Screening of Human Integral Membrane Proteins
Nicola Burgess-Brown, PhD, Principal Investigator,
Biotechnology, Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), University of Oxford
The SGC promotes research advancement through our open access policy, and in the absence of IP. Globally, we have solved more than 2000 human protein structures and 10 novel integral membrane proteins (IMPs). Although we have made a significant
contribution to structural biology and protein production for functional studies, IMPs and protein-protein complexes still remain a challenge to produce. Here, I present our established approaches for eukaryotic expression and screening IMPs
using baculovirus/insect cells and BacMam technology.
09:05 Challenging Molecules in Biopharmaceutical Development: Innovative Tools for Cell Line Development
Martin Gamer, PhD, Associate Director, Early Stage Bioprocess Development,
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG
The increasing number of engineered, often antibody-derived molecule formats entering into biopharmaceutical development poses significant challenges on the generation of high-yielding CHO cell factories. My talk highlights the most recent advances
at Boehringer Ingelheim to improve cell line development of DTE proteins. Our toolbox comprises in silico methods to assess molecule developability leading to tailored development, a rationally designed novel
host cell line ensuring high performances, robustness and scalability as well as innovative genetic elements and screening tools to select for outstanding CHO production cell lines.
09:35 Producing a Glycosylating Escherichia coli Cell Factory
Phillip Wright, PhD, Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Science, Agriculture & Engineering, Newcastle University
With advances in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, it has become possible to perform more complex cellular engineering. In terms of industrial biotechnological exploitation, these tools, coupled with systems biology analyses, have facilitated
improvements in E. coli for the production of protein products. This talk focuses on engineered E. coli for the production of glycosylated proteins. Limitations and opportunities are presented.
Advanced CHO Cell Expression System for Increased Transient Protein Production
Mathieu PORTE, Senior Scientist, Bioproduction, Polyplus-transfection
Transient expression in CHO cells is commonly used to rapidly produce antibodies but is unfortunately limited by transfection efficiency and inherent productivity. To overcome this issue, we developed an advanced transient expression system consisting
in the synergistic association of a novel CHO chemically defined medium and a powerful transfection reagent.
10:20 Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
10:35 Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Pavilion 1)
11:15 Making and Testing the Human Secretome
Rick Davies, PhD, Associate Director, Discovery Biology, AstraZeneca
Pharmaceuticals
The objective of the Human Secretome Project is to produce and screen all human secreted proteins to unlock biology leading to new hypotheses and target discovery. Over 1,000 secreted proteins have been expressed and purified using a mammalian
expression system and screened in a number of cell-based phenotypic assays. The results of this work have revealed differential activities of protein family members in different biological contexts and provided some learning on successes and
failures of recombinant expression of secreted proteins.
11:45 FEATURED PRESENTATION: Engineering CHO Cells for Production of Hard-to-Produce Proteins
Bjørn Voldborg, MSc, Director, CHO Cell Line Development, The
Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark
Through extensive systems biology-based cell line engineering, we have engineered CHO cells for the production of therapeutically relevant proteins that were previously not possible to produce using CHO cells.
12:15 Luncheon Presentation I: Streamlined Discovery and Production of Therapeutic Antibodies
Meelis Kadaja, PhD, MBA, Director, Business Development, Icosagen Cell Factory
We take advantage of the universal HybriFree antibody discovery engine to efficiently discover therapeutic antibodies by direct cloning from B-cells of immunized rabbit, chicken, human, or dog. HybriFree method is further powered by our patented
QMCF expression platform to produce premium-quality recombinant protein antigens, and antibodies cost-effectively for preclinical research (including afucosylated antibodies for enhanced ADCC). Technologies and case studies will be presented
and discussed.
12:45 Luncheon Presentation II (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)
13:15 Dessert Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Pavilion 1)
14:00 End of Optimising Expression Platforms
17:00 Dinner Short Course Registration* (Foyer C)
17:30 – 20:30 Dinner Short Courses
Recommended Short Course*
SC9: Optimising Protein Purification Strategies in Advance: Getting Your Plan Right - View Detailed Agenda
David O’Connell, PhD, Lecturer, Biotherapeutics, Biomolecular & Biomedical Science, University College Dublin
This course addresses creating an effective strategy for purifying protein before beginning a purification project. What are key considerations before you launch an expression campaign? Which host should you select and why (Bacterial/Insect/Mammalian)?
We will examine ways to reduce complexity in your strategy in order to efficiently increase productivity. We will also discuss how to establish redundant steps that support and guide protein purification.
*Separate registration required.
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