Unique Advantages of New Mixed-Mode Sorbents in Process Chromatography

East Hills, NY (May 16, 2006) - - Although hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) is an established production method for large-scale protein purification, the need to add lyotropic salts during binding and elution makes it both costly and environmentally challenging. Peter R, Levison, Ph.D., Technology Development Director, Pall Corporation (NYSE: PLL) is presenting data on a unique new mixed-mode chromatography method combining hydrophobic and ionic components that give process chromatographers unprecedented versatility in protein purification, while also significantly reducing costs and environmental burdens.  He is presenting the results of this study as part of the scientific program at the 19^th International PREP Symposia in Baltimore, Maryland today.

 

The new Pall BioSepra® PPA HyperCel™ and HEA HyperCel™ mixed-mode chromatography sorbents are capable of interacting with a range of proteins under physiological-type conditions (pH and ionic strength) without the need to add lyotropic salts at concentrations typical of those required for traditional HIC.  The added lyotropes require disposal following the adsorption and wash stages, resulting in additional expense beyond initial reagent costs, and can also significantly impact the environment, especially with large-scale production.

 

Dr. Levison explains that the combined characteristics of HIC and ion exchange chromatography (IEX) in the new sorbents allow process chromatographers to adjust modalities to capture virtually any protein.  He shared data that shows the superior binding capacity of the new sorbents compared to conventional HIC sorbents. For example, the mixed mode sorbents exhibited a binding capacity of ~50mg/ml for BSA in phosphate buffered saline, whereas no significant BSA binding capacity was observed for HIC chromatography under similar physiological conditions.

 

“HEA HyperCel and PPA HyperCel add universal protein purification tools to the Pall process chromatography toolbox,” says Dr. Levison.  “These sorbents answer the need for innovation in downstream processing, the source of most of today’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing bottlenecks due to increasingly larger yields produced upstream.”

 

The study evaluated the binding and elution properties of PPA and HEA HyperCel with a variety of proteins and more complex feedstreams.  It also included a comparison of PPA and HEA HyperCel with anion exchange, HIC and HCIC sorbents.  The effect of temperature on adsorption of BSA and ovalbumin was also investigated. It was found that protein-binding capacity using the new sorbents increases as temperatures rise, demonstrating a similarity to HIC processes, even in the absence of lyotropes.

 

“Eliminating the need to add lyotropic salts provides a considerable economic and environmental benefit for chromatography operations,” says Dr. Levison. “These sorbents also provide a higher yield and recovery under selected conditions.”

About Pall Corporation

Pall Corporation is the global leader in the rapidly growing field of filtration, separations and purification.  Pall's business is organized around two broad markets: Life Sciences and Industrial.  The Company provides leading-edge products to meet the demanding needs of customers in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, transfusion medicine, semiconductor, water purification, aerospace and broad industrial markets.  Total revenues for fiscal 2005 were $1.9 billion.  The Company headquarters is in East Hills, New York with extensive operations throughout the world. Visit Pall at http://www.pall.com.

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Editor’s Notes:

• Pall is exhibiting at the 19^th International PREP Symposia in Baltimore, May 14-17, 2006 at booths 105 &107.
• Peter R. Levison, PhD. will present the study “Physiological Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography. A New Technique for Process Applications” on May 16 from 4:30pm-4:50pm.
• Photos are available at http://www.pall.com/corporate_39862.asp