Gunnar Malmquist

Ion exchange chromatography of monoclonal antibodies: Effect of resin ligand density on dynamic binding capacity

Dynamic binding capacity (DBC) of a monoclonal antibody on agarose based strong cation exchange resins is determined as a function of resin ligand density, apparent pore size of the base matrix, and protein charge. The maximum DBC is found to be unaffected by resin ligand density, apparent pore size, or protein charge within the tested range. The critical conductivity (conductivity at maximum DBC) is seen to vary with ligand density. It is hypothesized that the maximum DBC is determined by the effective size of the proteins and the proximity to which they can approach one another. Once a certain minimum resin ligand density is supplied, additional ligand is not beneficial in terms of resin capacity. Additional ligand can provide flexibility in designing ion exchange resins for a particular application as the critical conductivity could be matched to the feedstock conductivity and it may also affect the selectivity.

Surface extenders and an optimal pore size promote high dynamic binding capacities of antibodies on cation exchange resins.

Increased recombinant protein expression yields and a large installed base of manufacturing facilities designed for smaller bulk sizes has led to the need for high capacity chromatographic resins. This work explores the impact of three pore sizes (with dextran distribution coefficients of 0.4, 0.53, and 0.64), dextran surface extender concentration (11-20mg/mL), and ligand density (77-138 micromol H+/mL resin) of cation exchange resins on the dynamic binding capacity of a therapeutic antibody. An intermediate optimal pore size was identified from three pore sizes examined. Increasing ligand density was shown to increase the critical ionic strength, while increasing dextran content increased dynamic binding capacity mainly at the optimal pore size and lower conductivities. Dynamic binding capacity as high as 200mg/mL was obtained at the optimum pore size and dextran content.