Chiron Corporation

Cetus Oncology Corporation

William Howarth

Brian L Maiorella

Duane Inlow

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.

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Richmond, CA, United States of America

William Howarth