(353f) Adsorptive Membranes for Downstream Processing of Biologics

In this talk, I will describe our latest research efforts to develop best-in-class adsorptive membranes for purification of biologics. Using one or more examples, I will illustrate how membrane technologies can enhance load productivity and bed capacity compared to more conventional sorbent materials in wide use by the biopharmaceutical industry. I also will describe the formation, characterization, and performance of a new class of multimodal membranes that we have developed for protein purifications at high ionic strength. Incorporation of functional groups that provide orthogonal modes of interactions dramatically increases the range of ionic strength for operation of these membranes relative to conventional ion-exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography media, and makes them attractive candidates to face emerging challenges in downstream processing of biologics. I will end with an example that illustrates how our multimodal membranes can be used as the primary capture step for purification of monoclonal antibodies from Chinese hamster ovary cell culture supernatant. This ability to perform direct capture in place of Protein A chromatography is a major advancement to the field.

Finally, I would like to thank DB for his many contributions to membrane science and engineering research, the education and training of graduate and undergraduate students, and exemplary service to the separations community. His work is inspirational and his energy is infectious. I am truly grateful for the support and encouragement that he has given to me and my students over the years.