Continuous Affinity Purification of Adeno-Associated Virus Using Periodic Counter-Current Chromatography

Replacing batch unit operations of biopharmaceuticals by continuous manufacturing is a maturing concept, with periodic counter-current chromatography (PCC) favoured to replace batch chromatography. Continuous affinity capture of adeno-associated virus (AAV) using PCC has the potential to cope with the high doses required for AAV therapies thanks to its inherent high throughput. The implementation of continuous AAV affinity capture using a four-column PCC process is described herein. First, elution buffer screening was used to optimize virus recovery. Second, breakthrough curves were generated and described using a mechanistic model, which was later used to characterize the loading zone of the PCC. The experimental runs achieved a stable cyclic steady state yielding virus recoveries in line with the optimized batch process (>82%), with almost a three-fold improvement in productivity. The PCC affinity capture process developed here can bolster further improvements to process economics and manufacturing footprint, thereby contributing to the integrated continuous manufacturing concept.

Automated summary

Replacing batch unit operations of biopharmaceuticals by continuous manufacturing with periodic counter-current chromatography (PCC) is a mature concept. This study describes the implementation of continuous adeno-associated virus (AAV) affinity capture using a four-column PCC process, which achieved nearly threefold improvement in productivity compared to the optimized batch process.