An integrated continuous downstream process with real-time control: A case study with periodic countercurrent chromatography and continuous virus inactivation.

Integrated continuous downstream processes with process analytical technology offer a promising opportunity to reduce production costs and increase process flexibility and adaptability. In this case study, an integrated continuous process was used to purify a recombinant protein on laboratory scale in a two-system setup that can be used as a general downstream setup offering multiproduct and multipurpose manufacturing capabilities. The process consisted of continuous solvent/detergent virus inactivation followed by periodic countercurrent chromatography in the capture step, and a final chromatographic polishing step.

Integration of a complete downstream process for the automated lab-scale production of a recombinant protein.

In this work, an automated downstream process for the purification and formulation of a recombinant protein was integrated at lab scale in a single chromatography unit. The purification chain consists of three bind-and-elute chromatography columns, a flow-through membrane chromatography step, and a final ultrafiltration-diafiltration (UFDF) step to concentrate and formulate the sample. An integrated downstream process increases productivity and decreases process time and hold-up volume.