Documentation of the manufacturing process

During biologics development, including upscaling and changes to the manufacturing process, you must demonstrate clearance of process-related impurities from the product. Even in trace amounts, residual impurities, such as Host Cell Proteins (HCPs), can affect product quality, efficacy, and safety. HCPs qualify as a critical quality attribute (CQA) in biologics production – and authorities demand that you monitor them closely.

Mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis provides detailed documentation of HCP levels across process samples, and the resulting data provides a valuable tool for designing and evaluating HCP purification strategies. Mass spectrometry information about each HCP identity and quantity enables data-driven removal rather than trial and error experiments. E.g., you can make efficient removal steps for the individual HCP based on attributes like pI and molecular weight.

With MS data, you have solid documentation of removing problematic HCPs and documenting their clearance and control strategy for regulatory license applications.

Uses for LC-MS in process optimization

Troubleshooting & bridging studies

Identify and quantify HCPs and compare different downstream purification strategies for HCP clearance

Comparability testing

Monitor HCP levels during process changes, scale-up, and tech-transfer batches between CMOs

Process Performance Qualification (PPQ) analysis

Demonstrate the consistent clearance of HCPs across multiple GMP PPQ runs

Downstream development is often a matter of trying different purification steps and evaluating the effect of each. Matrix experiments take time, and the success rate may depend on complex matrix experiments or pure luck. Analysis using a standard ELISA only provides a single number representing an estimate for the total HCP amount and does not provide details of the individual amounts.

On the contrary, mass spectrometry analysis provides each protein's identity, quantity, and attributes. Based on the data, you can evaluate the efficiency of current removal steps or design new steps targeting specific HCPs.

MS data can also help increase the yield of the Drug Substance (in some cases 10-20%) by optimization of purification procedures (columns, pH, gradients, fraction-collection), thereby bringing down the cost of produced material (COGS) while monitoring HCPs to ensure that process changes do not increase the content of critical HCPs.

You may already have a custom ELISA developed for your process but then decide to shift CMOs or re-design the purification process. Such changes may affect the ELISA's performance or coverage since the HCP profile may have changed. Often, this results in 1-2 years for developing a new set of anti-HCP antibodies and validating the assay.

Instead, you could consider using LC-MS as an orthogonal method to support your strategy. The current ELISA might still be fit-for-purpose if you can document the changes in the process and ELISA coverage. The method can be used for detailed characterization of the ELISA reagents and to evaluate the coverage of individual HCPs before and after process changes. We can also set up an MS assay to quantify HCP levels for you within weeks. Thereby, you save valuable project time and costs. And in case your HCP ELISA fails, the MS assay may even be validated according to ICH guidelines and used for GMP release testing.

Process performance qualification (PPQ) is essential to process validation during or after clinical phase III manufacturing. With the PPQ runs, you must show that your process can consistently deliver a quality product and document that the HCP level in the end product is consistent. As authorities increasingly ask for detailed data by orthogonal methods to ELISA, i.e., MS, why not include detailed data on individual HCPs clearance across the three PPQ runs?

For each step in the purification process, from the early harvest sample through the different purification steps to the pure drug substance, mass spectrometry provides the quantity of each HCP and shows how they are cleared. Comparing the HCP clearance across PPQ runs gives the complete picture and control of process consistency. Furthermore, the data can form part of regulatory documentation in the Biologics License Application (BLA) for the regulatory agency.

Typical project process

You typically work with
these experts:

Freja Andersen, expert on analyzing HCP levels using MS

Freja Andersen

MSc in Biomedicine
Dean Malte Pedersen, expert on analyzing HCP levels using MS

Dean Malte Pedersen

MSc in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
  • Facilitate meetings

    Project scope

    We like to start with an online meeting to learn more about your project. Based on your needs, you will receive a draft proposal outlining the suggested analyses and expected timeframe.

  • Protein sample

    Samples

    After signing the final project proposal, we will contact you for details about your samples. We will inform you of an estimated report delivery date as soon as we receive your samples.

  • SWATH LC-MS analysis and protein quantification using amino acid analysis

    Execution

    A project leader will oversee the project and send you status updates by email at regular intervals.

    The analysis varies according to the project but typically includes:

    • An optimized sample preparation developed explicitly for HCP samples.
    • Analysis using a robust microflow HPLC and SWATH® MS/MS system to ensure high reproducibility.
    • A database for protein identification specifically for your expression system and drug substance.
    • Spike-in of internal standard proteins (0-2000 ppm), enabling quantification linearity even to low ppm levels.
  • 5000 mass spectrometry reports

    Results

    You will receive the report by email. As standard, the analysis report includes:

    • Objectives, description of analytical procedure, results, and conclusions.
    • List of the total HCPs in the sample.
    • List of individual HCPs and their quantities.
    • Evaluation of HCPs of potential concern.
    • Selected raw data, e.g., excel sheets. You may request additional raw data if needed.
  • Follow up on reports

    Follow up

    Upon completion of the project, your team is invited to review the results at an online meeting.

Curious to know more?

Leading edge technologies

Whatever challenge or question you may have, we are here to help you solve it. One of our protein analysis experts will discuss the best analysis approach or method for your minimizing HCP levels in your project by email or online meeting – without obligation.

Client stories

CDMO could not identify the cause of unstable mAb product

Video: Can your CDMO tackle Host Cell Proteins?

A mAb drug showed poor stability over time and the CDMO could not identify the cause
Mock and harvest HCP profile comparison

Video: Mock and harvest HCP comparison

Custom ELISA antibodies will only be as good as the mock used to immunize
Analyzing individual A549 HCPs by mass spectrometry

Analysis of individual human residual proteins

US-based C&GT developer: "We can follow the reduction of specific A549 HCP in our adenovirus-based product"
Investigating HCPs in mAbs using a native digest

Video: Orthogonal HCPs of mAb product

A native digest approach lowered LOD - to reveal potentially problematic HCPs
HCP purification optimization - from harvest to final DS

Video: HCP purification optimization from harvest to final DS

Optimization of the purification process using PI and MW data of each HCP
Comparison of HCP removal strategies

Video: Comparison of HCP removal strategies

Evaluation of HCPs after 3 different combinations of purification steps
purified mab hcp

Purified mAb with difficult-to-remove HCP impurity (ubiquitin)

CMC Director: "The analysis' level of detail enables risk assessment of Host Cell Proteins in our mAb DS."
process samples by mass spectrometry

White paper: HCP analysis of downstream process samples by LC-MS

written by Rikke Lund, Ejvind Mortz, Thomas Kofoed et. al
Sensitive Host Cell Protein analysis by mass spec

Documenting product quality and process consistency

After analysis of 56 PPQ samples: “The most sensitive and robust HCP analysis we’ve seen!”
elisa alternative

Orthogonal HCP analysis for vaccine development

Statens Serum Institut: "This HCP analysis saved us the development of a new ELISA that may not have worked"

Benefits of applying LC-MS in HCP process optimization

Early detection of HCPs of concern

Identify and quantify
process-related
impurities for
risk assessment

Data-driven process optimization

Compare downstream purification strategies
or create one based on HCP attributes

Faster process development

Evaluate if a
commercial 
ELISA provides
sufficient coverage 

Monitor process Scale-Up

Monitor HCP levels
during scale-up and
tech-transfer
between CMOs

Document Process Performance (PPQ)

Qualify and document production robustness,
consistency, and replicability

Benefits of applying LC-MS in process optimization

Early detection of HCPs of concern

Identify and quantify
process-related
impurities for
risk assessment

Data-driven purification optimization

Compare downstream purification strategies
or create one based on HCP attributes

Faster process development

Evaluate if a
commercial
ELISA provides
sufficient coverage

Monitor process Scale-Up

Monitor HCP levels during scale-up and
tech-transfer
between CMOs

Process Performance Qualification (PPQ)

Document production robustness,
consistency, and replicability

What clients say

Testimonial Alphalyse
"At first, I did not think an HCP-MS assay would be reproducible. I was wrong! And now we have used it to compare batch data during 5 years of process development."

CMC Project Lead
Scandinavian mAb developer
Testimonial Alphalyse
“I found the group at Alphalyse knowledgeable, easy to work with, and helpful in
planning the study”

VP CMC and Quality
US Biotech
Testimonial Alphalyse
“Extremely professional service, high-level quality of the results, and excellent communication”

Program Manager
European Biotech
Testimonial Alphalyse
"Previously, we had no idea which clearance methods would be most efficient. With Alphalyse results, we could intelligently remove the HCPs"

Senior Manager, Process Development
Clinical-stage biotech company
Testimonial Alphalyse
"The mass spec results were extremely detailed and almost identical between replicates and can probably replace ELISA as the HCP analysis approach for our future C&GT projects"

Chief Scientific Officer
European biopharma company
Testimonial Alphalyse
"With the Gag to Gag-Pol ratio determined, we can monitor the consistency of viral capsid formations in our lentivirus-based product"

Head of CMC, C&GT division
UK pharma company
Testimonial Alphalyse
"We now use a mass spectrometry assay to follow the reduction of specific A549 HCPs in our downstream process"

Sr. Research Associate
US-based C&GTs developer
Testimonial Alphalyse
"Honestly, we were astonished to see the mass spec results: The detailed report enables us to optimize our CMC process and remove specific HCPs if we find it relevant."

Director, Regulatory CMC
Oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company
Aicuris logo
"Alphalyse provided a very well-designed and executed HCP analysis, fruitful technical discussions, and flexibility in terms of writing the report."

Thore Schmedt, Associate Director
AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG, Germany
SSI logo
"Alphalyse's HCP analysis saved us the development of an ELISA assay that may not have worked anyway. The HCP team explained test results competently and was very open to discussing the method capabilities."

Max Kristiansen, MSc, Special Consultant Assay Development
Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Denmark
Targovax logo
"They handled the project professionally and rapidly, and the report was very well written, clearly explaining the findings."

Kristiina Hyvärinen, Director QC, viral products
Targovax ASA, Finland

Knowledge center

Why use intact standards to normalize MS data when quantifying HCPs instead of heavy-labeled peptides?

Intact proteins added to the sample undergo the same treatment as the sample proteins. The denaturing conditions, digest conditions, and matrix effects are the same for all proteins in the mix, and we can use the added proteins as trustworthy internal calibration standards.

Heavy-labeled peptides are not affected by the sample preparation in the same way and do not account for the effects of the treatment on the sample proteins. For this reason, heavy-labeled peptides are not our preferred choice.


Is it possible to follow the clearance of a specific HCP in the downstream process?

Analyzing a range of in-process samples using MS makes it possible to compare the sample's ppm levels of an individual HCP through purification steps. The data enables your process development team to adjust the manufacturing to remove specific HCPs from the product entirely.

Talk to us

Whatever protein-related challenge or question you may have, we would love to help. Our experts can help you decide on the best analytical approach for your project by email or online meeting - providing advice without obligation.

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