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Merck

Protein Subunit Vaccine Manufacturing

Process train for protein subunit vaccines represented by simple purple line drawings, pink arrows showing process flow on a yellow background.

Process Train for Protein Subunit vaccines

Protein subunit vaccines use purified, recombinant fragments of viral proteins as antigens to stimulate the immune system and create protective immunity. Because viral protein fragments are incapable of causing infection, recombinant protein-based vaccines are considered to be safer than use of live attenuated or inactivated viruses. The immune response generated by protein vaccines may be weaker, however, than that produced by other vaccine types, and use of an adjuvant may therefore be necessary. Recombinant protein subunits can be produced using a variety of methods including microbial fermentation, mammalian cells, and insect cells. A robust downstream process is then required to remove any impurities and contaminants, which is followed by final sterile filtration and filling.


Optimize upstream productivity

While different platforms are available for the upstream production of recombinant proteins for subunit vaccines, the selected approach must be optimized to achieve productivity targets, be reproducible, and scalable.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are preferentially used for recombinant protein production as they are readily transfected and offer high protein yield. Insect cells are another option for production of recombinant proteins and are cost-effective, scalable, and less demanding than mammalian cells.

Maximize Downstream Recovery and Impurity Removal

Downstream purification to capture and concentrate the vaccine antigen and to remove process- and product-related impurities is inherently challenging and costly. Recombinant protein subunits can be particularly difficult to separate from byproducts such as truncated forms during manufacturing. As such, it is essential to have access to a range of downstream solutions to optimize the process and maximize recovery.

Ensure patient safety with sterile filtration, formulation and final fill

To help ensure patient safety, the recombinant protein subunit product must be sterile filtered using a 0.22 µm filter. Single-use components can be used for formulation of the vaccine; single-use bags containing formulation reagents can be connected to any mixer through sterile quick-connects. Following formulation, the vaccine can be aseptically transferred to single-use filling systems for final filling and vialing.

Build quality into the process

Deployment of software for data collection, monitoring, and analysis, along with integration of process analytical technology (PAT) into the manufacturing workflow, provides greater process understanding, agility, flexibility, and improved quality assurance. Raman spectroscopy is among the many tools used as PAT as it enables the molecular composition of a sample to be monitored over time which reflects critical process parameters (CPPs) and critical quality attributes (CQAs).


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Icon of a bioreactor used for upstream cell culture in biotechnology

Upstream Cell Culture

Icon of clarification step in the protein subunit vaccine manufacturing process

Clarification

Clarification is used to separate recombinant proteins from a range of impurities and prepare the feedstream for downstream processing, using pDADMAC 10% solution, new improved depth filters like Millistak+® Pod disposable depth filter system, Millistak+® HC Pro Pod Depth Filters or Clarisolve® Pod disposable depth filter

    The image shows a circular setup with various shapes inside, including circles, triangles, and Y-shaped figures. Arrows are depicted moving tangentially around the perimeter of the circle, representing the flow of molecules across a filter membrane.

    Tangential flow filtration helps to ensure high yield, process efficiency and recombinant protein subunit recovery while contributing to impurity removal. Our portfolio include Ultrafiltration / Diafiltration with Pellicon® 2 Cassettes, ultrafiltration / Diafiltration with Pellicon® 3 Cassettes, or ultrafiltration / Diafiltration with Pellicon® Capsules, and single-use Mobius® TFF 80 systems

      Icon of a chromatography column

      Downstream purification to capture and/or polish chromatography with Mobius® FlexReady Solution for chromatography, and chromatography resins, polish with chromatography membranes. Concentrate the recombinant vaccine antigen, separate unwanted impurities and contaminants, and ensure viral clearance with Viresolve® Pro solutions or with Mobius® FlexReady solution for large scale virus filtration is an essential part of the process.

      • Learn more on Eshmuno CMX resin, a novel mixed mode cation exchange resin for the purification of glycoproteins
        Icon of a blue molecular structure consisting of a central hexagon with six additional hexagons attached to each side. Represents a chemical compound.

        Chemicals are used all along the manufacturing process from upstream to formulation. Our portfolio include all needed buffers and salts, as well as excipients and cleaning in place chemicals.  The right quality grade, together with comprehensive documentation provided by Emprove®  Program are essential for qualification, risk assessment, and process optimization for vaccine development and manufacturing.

          Blue line drawing equipment used for final sterile filtration and filling in pharmaceutical or medical contexts.
          Stylized graphic of a desktop computer with a monitor displaying a line graph with peaks and valleys connected to another device used for analyzing and controlling manufacturing processes in the pharmaceutical industry.

          Process analytical technology (PAT) and Bio4C ProcessPad™ data analytics and Bio4C Orchestrator™ automation softwares can be used to build quality into the protein subunit vaccine manufacturing processes by monitoring and controlling processes inline and in real time.


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