mini-BIOMAN 2017: Upstream Processing- Mab Production in CHO cells

Recent trends have seen a rise in the use of monoclonal antibody therapeutics (mAbs) as the medical community strives towards a more personalized approach to treating diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders.  mAbs continue to be the top category of biologic drug on the market, accounting for over $52 billion in annual sales in the US. In 2015 five of the top ten revenue producing drugs were mAbs. This trend looks set to continue, and will demand a skilled technical workforce as new facilities are built to meet market needs.

Production of mAbs in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells is a common practice in pharmaceutical companies. This miniBIOMAN hands-on workshop will cover the upstream processing stage of the mAb manufacturing process. Participants will follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) and production batch records to perform each stage of the process, from inoculation of a seed culture through growth, maintenance and monitoring, to seeding a bioreactor. Laboratory activities will include, CHO culture in spin flasks and bioreactors, sampling and monitoring growth parameters such as cell viability, optical density, glucose and lactate levels, as well as performing ELISA for active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) detection. Culture harvest by centrifugation and media concentration by tangential flow filtration will also be covered. 

At the conclusion of the mini-BIOMAN, participants will have a comprehensive, ready-to-insert curriculum module to utilize in their own classrooms. Curricular materials include PowerPoint slides and links to helpful resources and references as well as hands on activities. Breakfast and lunch will be provided each day of the conference, and transportation to off-site venues is included. Participation in all three days of the workshop is required.

* A limited number of travel stipends are available for out-of-town participants. *