US 2003/0152966 A1 · Chromatographic method for high yield purification and viral inactivation of antibodies

Abstract

An improved process for the purification of antibodies from human plasma or other sources is disclosed. The process involves suspension of the antibodies at pH 3.8 to 4.5 followed by addition of caprylic acid and a pH shift to pH 5.0 to 5.2. A precipitate of contaminating proteins, lipids and caprylate forms and is removed, while the majority of the antibodies remain in solution. Sodium caprylate is again added to a final concentration of not less than about 15 mM. This solution is incubated for 1 hour at 25° C. to effect viral inactivation. A precipitate (mainly caprylate) is removed and the clear solution is diluted with purified water to reduce ionic strength. Anion exchange chromatography using two different resins is utilized to obtain an exceptionally pure IgG with subclass distribution similar to the starting distribution. The method maximizes yield and produces a gamma globulin with greater than 99% purity. The resin columns used to obtain a high yield of IgG retain IgM and IgA. IgA and IgM may be eluted from these resins in high yield and purity.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A method of obtaining purified IgA from a solution comprising IgA, IgM, IgG, and albumin, the method comprising:

passing the solution over a first size exclusion chromatographic resin;
collecting a first IgA-containing fraction;
passing the first IgA-containing fraction over a second size exclusion chromatographic resin;
and
collecting a second IgA-containing fraction.

2 more elements

A method of preparing a purified, virally inactivated IgA preparation from a starting solution comprising immunoglobulins and other substances, the method comprising the steps of:

a) adjusting the pH of the starting material to be within a range of from about 3.8 to about 4.5 to form an intermediate solution comprising dissolved immunoglobulins;
b) adjusting the intermediate solution of step a) to conditions of pH, temperature, and caprylate concentration such that a first precipitate and a first supernatant comprising immunoglobulins are formed, wherein the conditions under which the first precipitate and first supernatant form comprise a pH within a range of from about 5.0 to about 5.2 and a caprylate concentration within a range of from about 15 mM to about 25 mM;
c) separating the first supernatant from the first precipitate;
d) incubating the first supernatant under conditions of time, pH, temperature and caprylate concentration such that a second precipitate and a second supernatant comprising immunoglobulins are formed, wherein the conditions under which the second precipitate and second supernatant form comprise a pH within a range of about 5.0 to about 5.2 and a caprylate concentration within a range of about 15 mM to about 40 mM;
e) separating the second supernatant from the second precipitate;
f) contacting the second supernatant with a first anion exchange resin under conditions of pH and ionic strength such that substantially no IgG or IgM is bound to the first resin but IgA and other substances are bound to the first resin;
g) separating a fraction containing substantially all of the immunoglobulins other than IgA from the result of step f);
h) eluting IgA from the first anion exchange resin column with a buffered solution having a conductivity in the range of that found in a solution of at least 100 mM sodium chloride;
i) separating the eluted IgA to obtain a purified, virally inactivated IgA preparation;
j) passing the IgA preparation over a first size exclusion chromatographic resin;
k) collecting a first IgA-containing fraction;
l) passing the first IgA-containing fraction over a second size exclusion chromatographic resin;
and
m) collecting a second IgA-containing fraction.

11 more elements

A method of preparing a purified, virally inactivated IgA preparation from a starting solution comprising immunoglobulins and other substances, the method comprising the steps of:

a) adjusting the pH of the starting material to be within a range of from about 3.8 to about 4.5 to form an intermediate solution comprising dissolved immunoglobulins;
b) adjusting the intermediate solution of step a) to conditions of pH, temperature, and caprylate concentration such that a first precipitate and a first supernatant comprising immunoglobulins are formed, wherein the conditions under which the first precipitate and first supernatant form comprise a pH within a range of from about 5.0 to about 5.2 and a caprylate concentration within a range of from about 15 mM to about 25 mM;
c) separating the first supernatant from the first precipitate;
d) incubating the first supernatant under conditions of time, pH, temperature and caprylate concentration such that a second precipitate and a second supernatant comprising immunoglobulins are formed, wherein the conditions under which the second precipitate and second supernatant form comprise a pH within a range of about 5.0 to about 5.2 and a caprylate concentration within a range of about 15 mM to about 40 mM;
e) separating the second supernatant from the second precipitate;
f) contacting the second supernatant with a first anion exchange resin under conditions of pH and ionic strength such that substantially no IgG or IgM is bound to the first resin but IgA and other substances are bound to the first resin;
g) separating a fraction containing substantially all of the immunoglobulins other than IgA from the result of step f);
h) eluting IgA from the first anion exchange resin column with a buffered solution having a conductivity in the range of that found in a solution of at least 100 mM sodium chloride;
i) separating the eluted IgA to obtain a purified, virally inactivated IgA preparation;
j) passing the IgA preparation over a size exclusion chromatographic resin;
k) collecting a first IgA-containing fraction substantially free of contaminants other than IgG and dimeric IgA;
l) passing the first IgA-containing fraction over a protein G-affinity chromatographic resin;
and
m) collecting a second IgA-containing fraction.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Chromatographic method for high yield purification and viral inactivation of antibodies

Life of this patent

Chromatographic method for high yield purification and viral inactivation of antibodies

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23