Validation of LC–MS Multi-Attribute Method Supporting Biopharma Process Characterization
Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
- Europe
Country
- France
Product
- Genedata Expressionist
Tech Stack
- Mass Spectrometry
- Automated Workflows
- Data Processing
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Productivity Improvements
- Innovation Output
Technology Category
- Analytics & Modeling - Data-as-a-Service
Applicable Industries
- Pharmaceuticals
- Healthcare & Hospitals
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
- Quality Assurance
Use Cases
- Predictive Quality Analytics
- Process Control & Optimization
Services
- Data Science Services
- System Integration
About The Customer
Merck KGaA is a major biopharmaceutical manufacturer based in Martillac, France. The company's Microbial Process Development Group is responsible for developing and producing recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. The group includes scientists and experts in microbial processing analytics. They use mass spectrometry as a routine tool for supporting process development in recombinant protein production and are involved in developing original mass spectrometry-based approaches that enable better understanding of protein expression in microorganisms for biopharmaceutical development. Once a process is developed, it can be transferred to a manufacturing unit, where GMP specialists manage production, from pre-clinical stages through to commercial batch manufacturing of a drug substance.
The Challenge
The Microbial Process Development Group at Merck KGaA was tasked with developing and producing recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris. They used mass spectrometry (MS) as a routine tool for supporting process development in recombinant protein production. However, routine use of Multi-attribute method (MAM) in this environment meant overcoming various scientific, technological, and methodological challenges. These challenges included managing large amounts of data, producing unbiased audited results, and meeting process validation requirements. The overall production process for recombinant proteins involves multiple processing steps that are driven by defined process parameters. The characteristics of the resulting protein product must be such that the final drug substance is both safe and efficient. Studying the desired protein characteristics, then defining, monitoring, and managing critical quality attributes (CQAs) is key to success.
The Solution
The team at Merck KGaA implemented a flexible software solution with automated workflows that enabled them to address the challenges and reap the benefits of using MAM analyses routinely. They developed a peptide matching LC–MS method capable of monitoring four CQAs—oxidation, deamidation, gluconoylation, and truncation. The method was optimized to monitor the four identified CQAs, which reduced the run time from 120 minutes to just 30 minutes, quadrupling sample throughput. They also implemented an enterprise software solution (Genedata Expressionist, Genedata AG) to handle large and complex experimental MS datasets. The software enabled them to develop automated data workflows and provided full transparency throughout, with the ability to review results or export to final reports.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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