Challenges and solutions for the downstream purification of therapeutic proteins

Antib Ther. 2023 Nov 19;7(1):1-12. doi: 10.1093/abt/tbad028. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Abstract

The innovation in recombinant protein technology has brought forth a host of challenges related to the purification of these therapeutic proteins. This article delves into the intricate landscape of developing purification processes for artificially designed therapeutic proteins. The key hurdles include controlling protein reduction, protein capture, ensuring stability, eliminating aggregates, removing host cell proteins and optimizing protein recovery. In this review, we outline the purification strategies in order to obtain products of high purity, highlighting the corresponding solutions to circumvent the unique challenges presented by recombinant therapeutic proteins, and exemplify the practical applications by case studies. Finally, a perspective towards future purification process development is provided.

Keywords: bispecific antibody; fusion protein; process development; protein purification; recombinant protein.

Publication types

  • Review