Bristol-Myers Squibb Compnay

Stephen G Zegarelli

Jonathan D Basch

Bernhard M Schilling

Linda Matlock

Christoph E Joosten

Sivakesava Sakhamuri

Steven S Lee

Kirk J Leister

William V Burnett

Scott Gangloff

Dharti Kothari

Jonathan O Basch

The present invention describes methods and processes for the production of proteins, particularly glycoproteins, by animal cell or mammalian cell culture, preferably, but not limited to, fed-batch cell cultures. In one aspect, the methods comprise at least two temperature shifts performed during the culturing period, in which the temperature is lower at the end of the culturing period than at the time of initial cell culture. Throughout their duration, the culturing processes of the invention involving two or more downward shifts in temperature sustain a high viability of the cultured cells, and can yield an increased end titer of protein product, and a high quality of protein product, as determined, e.g., by sialic acid content of the produced protein. In another aspect, the methods comprise the delayed addition of polyanionic compound during the culturing period. The delayed addition of polyanionic compound sustains a high viability of the cultured cells, and can extend the growth phase, delay the onset of the death phase, and arrest the death phase.

Mammalian cell culture processes for protein production

The present invention describes methods and processes for the production of proteins, particularly glycoproteins, by animal cell or mammalian cell culture, illustratively, but not limited to, fed-batch cell cultures. The methods comprise feeding the cells with D-galactose, preferably with feed medium containing D-galactose, preferably daily, to sustain a sialylation effective level of D-galactose in the culture for its duration, thus increasing sialylation of the produced proteins. The methods can also comprise at least two temperature shifts performed during the culturing period, in which the temperature is lower at the end of the culturing period than at the time of initial cell culture. The cell culture processes of the invention involving two or more temperature shifts sustain a high cell viability, and can allow for an extended protein production phase. The methods can also comprise the delayed addition of polyanionic compound at a time after innoculation. Supplementation of the cultures with D-galactose, preferably in a feed medium, to sustain galactose at sialylation effective levels in the cultures until the end of a culture run reverses a decline in sialylation that accompanies culture scale up, and is advantageous for large scale culturing processes.

Product quality enhancement in mammalian cell culture processes for protein production

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North Syracuse, NY, United States of America

Stephen G Zegarelli