Chiron Corporation

Cetus Corporation

Cetus Oncology Corporation

Duane Inlow

Brian L Maiorella

William Howarth

Andrea E Shauger

A method of determining the optimal level of product expression and cell growth of animal cell culture is described. The method generally comprises culturing cells under conditions of solute stress, that is, under conditions whereby optimal cell growth or growth rate is decreased yet levels of product expression are increased. In a preferred embodiment of the invention is described a method of increasing the yield of monoclonal antibodies comprising culturing hybridoma cells in an environment of solute stress. One approach to the creation of such an environment is the addition of inorganic salts, organic polyols, or metabolic products to the culture medium. One- to three-fold increases in antibody yield have been obtained by these methods.

Method of increasing product expression through solute stress

A method of determining the optimal level of product expression and cell growth of animal cell culture is described. The method generally comprises culturing cells under conditions of solute stress, that is, under conditions whereby optimal cell growth or growth rate is decreased yet levels of product expression are increased. In a preferred embodiment of the invention is described a method of increasing the yield of monoclonal antibodies comprising culturing hybridoma cells in an environment of solute stress. One approach to the creation of such an environment is the addition of inorganic salts, organic polyols, or metabolic products to the culture medium. One-to three-fold increases in antibody yield have been obtained by these methods.

Protein-free cell culture media supplements are described consisting of synergistic combinations of medium components, which when added to cell culture media, either serum supplemented or serum-free, enhance cell growth, culture longevity and product expression.

Cell culture medium for enhanced cell growth, culture longevity, and

Lipid microemulsions which can be added to cell culture media to provide essential lipids in a bioavailable form and their components are disclosed. Methods to disperse lipids in culture media by the use of one or more emulsifiers are described. Further disclosed are media which support growth of cells and production of recombinant, viral and/or native products wherein lipids are supplied in the form of microemulsion.

Lipid microemulsions for culture media

This invention is in the field of cell and/or tissue culture. In particular, this invention relates to methods which adapt cells to a desired phenotype by exposing the cells to high levels of ammonia in culture, and subsequently transferring the adapted cells to a new culture medium in which there is no initial level of ammonia or the initial level of ammonia is below the level to which cells have been exposed to during the adaptation process. In this new culture medium, the adapted cells express the desired phenotype of growing to a higher viable cell density, and/or remaining viable for a longer period of time, and/or producing more of a desired cell product than their non-adapted counterparts grown in the same medium. This invention includes the adapted cells produced thereby and their cell products.

Methods for adapting cells for increased product production through

Serum-free media which support the growth of insect cells and the production thereby of recombinant proteins and viral products are herein disclosed. The serum free media can support insect cell growth at large scale under agitated and/or sparged, preferably well-aerated conditions. The serum free medium disclosed support insect cell growth to cell densities comparable to serum-containing culture and the production of viral and recombinant products to levels equivalent to those found in serum containing culture.

Growing community of inventors

Oakland, CA, United States of America

Duane Inlow