[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2013006224A1 - Methods for freezing and thawing proteins - Google Patents

Methods for freezing and thawing proteins Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2013006224A1
WO2013006224A1 PCT/US2012/033737 US2012033737W WO2013006224A1 WO 2013006224 A1 WO2013006224 A1 WO 2013006224A1 US 2012033737 W US2012033737 W US 2012033737W WO 2013006224 A1 WO2013006224 A1 WO 2013006224A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pellets
protein
freezing medium
droplets
freezing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2012/033737
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Naresh J. Suchak
Prerona Chakravarty
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Linde GmbH
Original Assignee
Linde GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Linde GmbH filed Critical Linde GmbH
Publication of WO2013006224A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013006224A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/14Particulate form, e.g. powders, Processes for size reducing of pure drugs or the resulting products, Pure drug nanoparticles
    • A61K9/16Agglomerates; Granulates; Microbeadlets ; Microspheres; Pellets; Solid products obtained by spray drying, spray freeze drying, spray congealing,(multiple) emulsion solvent evaporation or extraction
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/14Particulate form, e.g. powders, Processes for size reducing of pure drugs or the resulting products, Pure drug nanoparticles
    • A61K9/16Agglomerates; Granulates; Microbeadlets ; Microspheres; Pellets; Solid products obtained by spray drying, spray freeze drying, spray congealing,(multiple) emulsion solvent evaporation or extraction
    • A61K9/1682Processes
    • A61K9/1688Processes resulting in pure drug agglomerate optionally containing up to 5% of excipient
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K38/00Medicinal preparations containing peptides

Definitions

  • the invention provides for a method of uniformly freezing and thawing protein solution to minimize functional damage to the protein. More particularly, the invention provides non-equilibrium heat transfer to the protein solutions.
  • lyophilization is one way to improve stability of final drug products, it is not a practical or economical method for intermediate storage of protein solutions between bulk processing and final dosage formulation.
  • proteins reconstituted from lyophilized state need to be stored for moderate intervals.
  • Manufacturers often use indigenous techniques where such bulk protein solutions are frozen in smaller batches, in sacs, pouches, jars and containers of various sizes and shapes. Freezing is usually carried out in mechanical freezers.
  • the manufacturer finds that the functional activity of a batch of protein from the same mother solution is not the same following a freeze and thaw cycle. Often, even batches of similar size and freezing history differ from each other in protein activity. As such, there is a need to understand what causes such non-uniformity in protein activity during freeze-and -thaw and thereby devise more efficient methods for the same.
  • a protein structure is quantified at three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary.
  • the secondary and tertiary structures are the ones that are susceptible to changes in microenvironments and ultimately cause the protein to change its conformation and lose functional activity.
  • a protein will change its conformation to acquire the lowest energy state. If the microenvironment changes such that free energy of the protein in its unfolded state is lower than the free energy of the protein in its native state, then the protein would transition from its native state and denature. See Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy, 2007, 34(4): 246-252. So any factor that can alter the free energy of the protein can affect its stability, e.g.
  • stabilization methods should aim at modifying the thermodynamic state in the microenvironment of the protein. Proteins experience several stresses during freezing and thawing. Two of the most important stresses that occur are freeze concentration and ice-induced denaturation.
  • Subcooled liquid nitrogen provides very rapid cooling and increased heat flux to precooled droplets.
  • Subcooled liquid nitrogen minimizes formation of nitrogen vapor blanket around the droplet and provides more efficient cooling than liquid nitrogen.
  • Subcooled liquid nitrogen minimizes formation of gaseous nitrogen.
  • Gaseous nitrogen when formed, rises up as bubbles and meets downcoming droplets to cause turbulent contact at air/liquid interface which can damage proteins.
  • the invention provides for a method comprising feeding droplets to a freezing medium thereby freezing the droplets and forming pellets.
  • the droplets comprise a protein solution and the freezing medium is a cryogen selected from the group consisting of liquid nitrogen, oxygen, air and argon.
  • Stabilizers selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, sucrose, trelose, and alenine may be added to the initial protein solution as well as bulking agents and buffers.
  • the bulking agents are selected from the group consisting of glycine and mannitol and the buffers are selected from the group consisting of sodium citrate and sodium phosphate.
  • the protein solution may be pre-cooled to a temperature range of - 20°C to -45°C thereby bringing it in temperature closer to the desired freezing medium temperature of -80°C.
  • the droplets are added to the freezing medium for 0.5 to 15 seconds and result in forming pellets or beads that are 0.5 to 15 millimeters in diameter.
  • the now frozen pellets are separated from said freezing medium and stored at temperatures of -80°C and below.
  • the stored pellets may then be reconstituted by adding the vitrified pellets to a heat transfer fluid.
  • a heat transfer fluid is water
  • reconstituted protein solution is formed and can be recovered for an intended use.
  • both methods for feeding and thawing can be practiced in combination.
  • the invention seeks to minimize the time the protein solution spends between ice-nuc!eation temperature and glass transition temperature so that thee is less time for ice crystals to nucleate and grow.
  • spontaneous ice nucleation requires supercooling and usually occurs between - 20°C to -45°C. Below -80°C, ice crystal formation is not favored so causing the system to transition fast enough from below ice-nucleation temperature to -80°C can minimize the ice crystal formation.
  • the method of free-thaw includes the following steps. [0023] Cooling Method
  • stabilizers such as sorbitol, sucrose, trelose, alenine, etc.
  • bulking agents such as glycine, mannitoi, etc.
  • buffers such as sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, etc.
  • Droplets of pre-cooled protein solution are introduced above or below surface of the subcooled liquid nitrogen for 0.5 to 15 seconds, thus converting the droplets into vitrified pellets or beads of 0.5 to 15 mm diameter.
  • the cryogenic fluid that may be employed in the invention is selected from the group consisting of liquid nitrogen, oxygen, air and argon.
  • the cryogenic fluid may not have to be subcooled should the effects resulting from gas formation not being an issue.
  • the cryogenic fluid may be suitably processed such as by filtration processes to produce sterile fluids.
  • the cryogenic fluid may be maintained sub cooled by periodically subjecting to low pressure for short duration to cause partial boil off of cryogen.
  • the protein solution can be introduced as drops or pellets using any known device for generating droplets or pellets.
  • Pellets can be frozen in batch mode in a sieved vessel from which pellets can be collected at the end of each batch, or in continuous mode using a conveyer belt or other means. Glass transition temperatures are also possible.
  • the protein solution that can be frozen and thawed may be of any type protein susceptible to freezing and thawing.
  • the method of the invention can be used at any stage during drug manufacture.
  • the methods of the invention could be employed by compounds having similar properties to those of protein solutions such as peptides.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic of a freezing operation according
  • Figure 2 is a schematic of a quick thawing process according to the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows a vitrification process for vitrifying protein pellets in liquid nitrogen.
  • a protein solution is fed through line 1 to a heat exchanger A which reduces the temperature of the protein feed stream.
  • a pre-cooied protein 2 solution having a temperature between -2CTC and -45°C is fed into line 3 so the amount of cold necessary to reach -80°C is reduced.
  • the combined pre-cooled protein solution is fed through line 3 into droplet generator 4.
  • the droplets are introduced through line 3A into an immersion bath C which contains sterile liquid nitrogen which is fed through line 4 into the immersion bath C.
  • the pre-cooled protein solution is dropped above or below the surface of the subcooled liquid nitrogen for 0.5 to 15 seconds through line 3A.
  • the droplets are thus converted into vitrified pellets or beads G having a diameter of 0.5 to 15 mm.
  • the vitrified pellets or beads G are carried along a conveyer belt E through tunnel D where the vitrified pellets or beads G will collect in the collection basin F. Gaseous nitrogen leaves the system through line 5.
  • the recovered vitrified pellets or beads G can then be stored at temperatures of -80°C or below.
  • FIG. 2 shows how the vitrified pellets or beads are reconstituted.
  • the vitrified pellets or beads are fed through line 6 into the jacketed stirring vessel H.
  • the jacketed stirring vessel H contains a stirring mechanism 7 and a heat transfer fluid such as aqueous medium used in the formulation of the drug product.
  • the jacketed stirring vessel H is blanketed by a jacket which can contain a heat transfer fluid such as water.
  • Line 8 allows for warm fluid to enter the jacket and line 9 allows for the warm fluid to exit the jacket.
  • the circulating fluid in the jacket provides a heat fiux to the heat transfer fluid and quickly thaws the vitrified pellets or beads which can be recovered through line 10.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Medicinal Chemistry (AREA)
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Peptides Or Proteins (AREA)

Abstract

A method for freezing and thawing proteins is disclosed. The proteins are rapidly frozen by introducing droplets of a protein solution into a cryogenic freezing medium. The frozen pellets thus formed are rapidly thawed by introducing them into a heat transfer fluid to form a reconstitute protein solution.

Description

METHODS FOR FREEZING AND THAWING PROTEINS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention provides for a method of uniformly freezing and thawing protein solution to minimize functional damage to the protein. More particularly, the invention provides non-equilibrium heat transfer to the protein solutions.
[0002] Advances in biotechnology have led to increasing production of protein-based therapeutics. This in turn has led to increased demands for efficient methods to stabilize and store such therapeutic proteins. In a typical biomanufacturing system, the protein obtained from downstream processing and purification is usually in bulk quantity, in aqueous environment, and chemically stabilized by the addition of buffers and excipients. Sometimes additional preformulation studies are required following downstream processing for efficient stabilization. A protein solution that has been chemically stabilized often requires moderate to long periods of storage prior to final dosage formulation.
[0003] Although lyophilization is one way to improve stability of final drug products, it is not a practical or economical method for intermediate storage of protein solutions between bulk processing and final dosage formulation. In addition, sometimes proteins reconstituted from lyophilized state need to be stored for moderate intervals. Manufacturers often use indigenous techniques where such bulk protein solutions are frozen in smaller batches, in sacs, pouches, jars and containers of various sizes and shapes. Freezing is usually carried out in mechanical freezers. In many cases, the manufacturer finds that the functional activity of a batch of protein from the same mother solution is not the same following a freeze and thaw cycle. Often, even batches of similar size and freezing history differ from each other in protein activity. As such, there is a need to understand what causes such non-uniformity in protein activity during freeze-and -thaw and thereby devise more efficient methods for the same.
[0004] A protein structure is quantified at three levels: primary, secondary and tertiary. The secondary and tertiary structures are the ones that are susceptible to changes in microenvironments and ultimately cause the protein to change its conformation and lose functional activity. At the molecular level, a protein will change its conformation to acquire the lowest energy state. If the microenvironment changes such that free energy of the protein in its unfolded state is lower than the free energy of the protein in its native state, then the protein would transition from its native state and denature. See Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy, 2007, 34(4): 246-252. So any factor that can alter the free energy of the protein can affect its stability, e.g. temperature, pressure, pH, presence of co-solutes, salts, preservatives, and surfactants. Hence, stabilization methods should aim at modifying the thermodynamic state in the microenvironment of the protein. Proteins experience several stresses during freezing and thawing. Two of the most important stresses that occur are freeze concentration and ice-induced denaturation.
[0005] Freeze concentration stresses. A protein changes its configuration to conform to a minimum energy state. When the microenvironment of the protein changes and water concentration decreases surrounding the protein, the protein starts unfolding so the inner hydrophobic groups can bind with organic solvents. This causes deactivation of protein function. This is an equilibrium process and occurs over long cooling times.
[0006] Ice-induced denaturation. Proteins may adsorb onto an ice surface which leads to irreversible conformational changes.
[0007] These detrimental stresses can be minimized if cooling and thawing is fast enough that the protein does not have enough time to unfold and if no ice crystals are formed.
[0008] This equilibrium unfolding of the protein during freezing is dearly a problem in terms of the storage and use of proteins. The invention will freeze proteins by vitrification. According to the vitrification mechanism, as a system approaches glassy state, viscosity increases and all dynamic processes slow down. This causes the protein in solution to become virtually immobilized, and the protein denaturation rate is reduced (Pharm. Dev. Technol. 2007, 12(5): 505- 23). As such, if the protein can be made to go into the glassy state fast enough, it may not have time to unfold. The retention of protein activity during thawing will also depend upon a fast enough warming rate, and the invention is designed to favor quick thawing with adequate mixing.
[0009] Previous methods of rapid cooling by introducing protein droplets into liquid nitrogen resulted in fine dendritic ice crystals that increased surface area for ice-induced denaturation. The invention seeks to inhibit the formation of ice crystals by reducing the time the solution spends between ice nucleation and glass transition.
[0010] This is accomplished by:
Precooling the protein solution so that it approaches freezing temperature. This will allow faster cooling on liquid nitrogen contact.
Adding agents that increase the glass transition temperature. This will reduce the cooling required to achieve glassy state.
Using subcooled liquid nitrogen. [0011] Subcooled liquid nitrogen provides very rapid cooling and increased heat flux to precooled droplets.
[0012] Subcooled liquid nitrogen minimizes formation of nitrogen vapor blanket around the droplet and provides more efficient cooling than liquid nitrogen.
[0013] Subcooled liquid nitrogen minimizes formation of gaseous nitrogen. Gaseous nitrogen, when formed, rises up as bubbles and meets downcoming droplets to cause turbulent contact at air/liquid interface which can damage proteins.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The invention provides for a method comprising feeding droplets to a freezing medium thereby freezing the droplets and forming pellets.
[0015] The droplets comprise a protein solution and the freezing medium is a cryogen selected from the group consisting of liquid nitrogen, oxygen, air and argon.
[0016] Stabilizers selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, sucrose, trelose, and alenine may be added to the initial protein solution as well as bulking agents and buffers. The bulking agents are selected from the group consisting of glycine and mannitol and the buffers are selected from the group consisting of sodium citrate and sodium phosphate.
[0017] The protein solution may be pre-cooled to a temperature range of - 20°C to -45°C thereby bringing it in temperature closer to the desired freezing medium temperature of -80°C.
[0018] The droplets are added to the freezing medium for 0.5 to 15 seconds and result in forming pellets or beads that are 0.5 to 15 millimeters in diameter. The now frozen pellets are separated from said freezing medium and stored at temperatures of -80°C and below.
[0019] The stored pellets may then be reconstituted by adding the vitrified pellets to a heat transfer fluid. When the heat transfer fluid is water, a
reconstituted protein solution is formed and can be recovered for an intended use.
[0020] Alternatively both methods for feeding and thawing can be practiced in combination.
[0021] The invention seeks to minimize the time the protein solution spends between ice-nuc!eation temperature and glass transition temperature so that thee is less time for ice crystals to nucleate and grow. In clean environments, spontaneous ice nucleation requires supercooling and usually occurs between - 20°C to -45°C. Below -80°C, ice crystal formation is not favored so causing the system to transition fast enough from below ice-nucleation temperature to -80°C can minimize the ice crystal formation.
[0022] The method of free-thaw includes the following steps. [0023] Cooling Method
Modify the microenvironment of protein to alter the glass transition temperature by adding (a) stabilizers such as sorbitol, sucrose, trelose, alenine, etc., (b) bulking agents such as glycine, mannitoi, etc. and (c ) buffers such as sodium citrate, sodium phosphate, etc.
Pre-cool the protein solution to near but not below ice nucleation temperature so that cold required to reach -80 °C is reduced.
Droplets of pre-cooled protein solution are introduced above or below surface of the subcooled liquid nitrogen for 0.5 to 15 seconds, thus converting the droplets into vitrified pellets or beads of 0.5 to 15 mm diameter.
Separate the pellets from the liquid nitrogen.
Store vitrified pellets at temperatures below -80°C or below.
[0024] Reconstituting/thawing vitrified protein pellets
Prepare the starting solution by warming a small number of pellets in a jacketed stirred vessel.
Provide a heat flux to the solution by circulating heat transfer fluid in the jacket or via internal coil.
Continue adding the pellets slowly to the starting solution to obtain the desired quantity of reconstituted protein solution.
[0025] The cryogenic fluid that may be employed in the invention is selected from the group consisting of liquid nitrogen, oxygen, air and argon. The cryogenic fluid may not have to be subcooled should the effects resulting from gas formation not being an issue. The cryogenic fluid may be suitably processed such as by filtration processes to produce sterile fluids.
[0026] The cryogenic fluid may be maintained sub cooled by periodically subjecting to low pressure for short duration to cause partial boil off of cryogen.
[0027] The protein solution can be introduced as drops or pellets using any known device for generating droplets or pellets.
[0028] A variety of freeze-thaw arrangements are possible within the scope of the present invention. Pellets can be frozen in batch mode in a sieved vessel from which pellets can be collected at the end of each batch, or in continuous mode using a conveyer belt or other means. Glass transition temperatures are also possible.
The protein solution that can be frozen and thawed may be of any type protein susceptible to freezing and thawing. The method of the invention can be used at any stage during drug manufacture.
[0029] Alternatively, the methods of the invention could be employed by compounds having similar properties to those of protein solutions such as peptides.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Figure 1 is a schematic of a freezing operation according
invention, particularly showing vitrifying pellets in liquid nitrogen. [0031] Figure 2 is a schematic of a quick thawing process according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Turning to the figures, the methods of the invention are shown in detail. Figure 1 shows a vitrification process for vitrifying protein pellets in liquid nitrogen. A protein solution is fed through line 1 to a heat exchanger A which reduces the temperature of the protein feed stream. A pre-cooied protein 2 solution having a temperature between -2CTC and -45°C is fed into line 3 so the amount of cold necessary to reach -80°C is reduced. The combined pre-cooled protein solution is fed through line 3 into droplet generator 4. The droplets are introduced through line 3A into an immersion bath C which contains sterile liquid nitrogen which is fed through line 4 into the immersion bath C.
[0033] The pre-cooled protein solution is dropped above or below the surface of the subcooled liquid nitrogen for 0.5 to 15 seconds through line 3A. The droplets are thus converted into vitrified pellets or beads G having a diameter of 0.5 to 15 mm. The vitrified pellets or beads G are carried along a conveyer belt E through tunnel D where the vitrified pellets or beads G will collect in the collection basin F. Gaseous nitrogen leaves the system through line 5. The recovered vitrified pellets or beads G can then be stored at temperatures of -80°C or below.
[0034] Figure 2 shows how the vitrified pellets or beads are reconstituted. The vitrified pellets or beads are fed through line 6 into the jacketed stirring vessel H. The jacketed stirring vessel H contains a stirring mechanism 7 and a heat transfer fluid such as aqueous medium used in the formulation of the drug product. The jacketed stirring vessel H is blanketed by a jacket which can contain a heat transfer fluid such as water. Line 8 allows for warm fluid to enter the jacket and line 9 allows for the warm fluid to exit the jacket. The circulating fluid in the jacket provides a heat fiux to the heat transfer fluid and quickly thaws the vitrified pellets or beads which can be recovered through line 10.
[0035] While this invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it is apparent that numerous other forms and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The appended claims in this invention generally should be construed to cover all such obvious forms and modifications which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

Having thus described the invention, what we claim is:
1. A method comprising feeding droplets to a freezing medium thereby freezing said droplets and forming pellets.
2. The method as claimed in ciaim 1 wherein said droplets comprise a protein.
3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said protein is in solution.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said freezing medium is a cryogen.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cryogen is selected from the group consisting of liquid nitrogen, oxygen, air, and argon.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising adding stabilizers to said freezing medium.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6 wherein said stabilizers are selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, sucrose, trelose, and alenine.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising adding bulking agents and buffers to said freezing medium.
9. The method as claimed in 8 wherein said bulking agents are selected from the group consisting of glycine and mannitol and said buffers are selected from the group consisting of sodium citrate and sodium phosphate.
10. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said protein is pre-cooled to a temperature range of -20°C to -45°C.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the temperature of said freezing medium is -80°C.
12. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said droplets are added to said freezing medium from 0.5 to 15 seconds.
13. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pellets are 0.5 to 15 mm in diameter.
14. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pellets are separated from said freezing medium.
15. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pellets are stored at temperatures of -80°C or below.
16. A method comprising reconstituting vitrified pellets by adding said vitrified pellets to a heat transfer fluid.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16 wherein said vitrified pellets comprise a protein solution.
18. The method as claimed in claim 16 wherein heat transfer fluid is water.
19. The method as claimed in claim 16 wherein said heat transfer fluid is in a stirred vessel.
20. The method as claimed in claim 16 wherein said vitrified pellets are added to said heat transfer fiuid in an amount necessary to form a reconstituted protein solution.
21. A method comprising feeding droplets to a freezing medium thereby freezing said droplets and forming pellets and reconstituting said pellets by adding said pellets to a heat transfer solution.
22. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said droplets comprise a protein.
23. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said protein is in solution.
24. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said freezing medium is a cryogen.
25. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said cryogen is selected from the group consisting of liquid nitrogen, oxygen, air, and argon.
26. The method as claimed in claim 21 further comprising adding stabilizers to said freezing medium.
27. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein said stabilizers are selected from the group consisting of sorbitol, sucrose, trelose, and alenine.
28. The method as claimed in claim 21 further comprising adding bulking agents and buffers to said freezing medium.
29. The method as claimed in 28 wherein said bulking agents are selected from the group consisting of glycine and mannitol and said buffers are selected from the group consisting of sodium citrate and sodium phosphate.
30. The method as claimed in claim 22 wherein said protein is pre-cooled to a temperature range of -20°C to -45°C.
31 . The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein the temperature of said freezing medium is -80°C.
32. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said droplets are added to said freezing medium from 0.5 to 15 seconds.
33. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said pellets are 0.5 to 15 mm in diameter.
34. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said peliets are separated from said freezing medium.
35. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said pellets are stored at temperatures of -80°C or below.
36. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said vitrified pellets comprise a protein solution.
37. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein heat transfer fluid is water.
38. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said heat transfer fluid is in a stirred vessel.
39. The method as claimed in claim 21 wherein said vitrified pellets are added to said heat transfer fluid in an amount necessary to form a reconstituted protein solution.
PCT/US2012/033737 2011-07-07 2012-04-16 Methods for freezing and thawing proteins Ceased WO2013006224A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/177,834 2011-07-07
US13/177,834 US20130008191A1 (en) 2011-07-07 2011-07-07 Methods for freezing and thawing proteins

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2013006224A1 true WO2013006224A1 (en) 2013-01-10

Family

ID=47437340

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2012/033737 Ceased WO2013006224A1 (en) 2011-07-07 2012-04-16 Methods for freezing and thawing proteins

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20130008191A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2013006224A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3638044B1 (en) 2017-06-15 2024-03-13 DSM IP Assets B.V. Frozen enzyme pellets

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4848094A (en) * 1988-04-29 1989-07-18 Union Carbide Corporation Droplet freezing method and apparatus
US5656730A (en) * 1995-04-07 1997-08-12 Enzon, Inc. Stabilized monomeric protein compositions
US6815533B1 (en) * 1998-07-31 2004-11-09 Eli Lilly And Company Cryogranulation of activated protein C
US6821515B1 (en) * 1995-07-27 2004-11-23 Genentech, Inc. Protein formulation
US20050232930A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-10-20 Alk-Abello A/S Processes for the preparation of a batch of an active pharmaceutical ingredient, a container comprising cryogranules of an allergen product, and a cryogranule of an allergen product

Family Cites Families (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3655838A (en) * 1969-03-20 1972-04-11 Organon Method of pelletizing analytical or immunological reagents
JPS5891736A (en) * 1981-11-09 1983-05-31 Sumitomo Chem Co Ltd Granulation of filler
EP0082481B2 (en) * 1981-12-23 1990-09-12 Schering Corporation Stabilised alpha-interferon formulations and their preparation
US5045446A (en) * 1988-08-26 1991-09-03 Cryopharm Corporation Lyophilization of cells
US5445553A (en) * 1993-01-22 1995-08-29 The Corporation Of Mercer University Method and system for cleaning a surface with CO2 pellets that are delivered through a temperature controlled conduit
DE4420936C1 (en) * 1994-06-16 1995-07-20 Buse Gase Gmbh & Co Method of pelletising material
US6709743B1 (en) * 1999-11-24 2004-03-23 Pierce Biotechnology, Inc. Pelletized chromatography media of agarose, dextran or acrylamide/azlactone copolymer
US20020045156A1 (en) * 2000-05-16 2002-04-18 Mehmet Toner Microinjection of cryoprotectants for preservation of cells
AU2001286445A1 (en) * 2000-08-10 2002-02-18 Gtc Biotherapeutics, Inc. Cryopreservation of sperm
CA2436418A1 (en) * 2001-01-30 2002-08-08 Board Of Regents, The University Of Texas Systems Process for production of nanoparticles and microparticles by spray freezing into liquid
AUPR750501A0 (en) * 2001-09-05 2001-09-27 Gauci, Mark Products comprising quantum of bioparticles and method for production thereof
US7419947B2 (en) * 2002-03-27 2008-09-02 Novozymes A/S Process for preparing granules with filamentous coatings
EP1359226B1 (en) * 2002-04-29 2006-11-22 Bayer Innovation GmbH Method and device for detection of biologically active substances
US20060046961A1 (en) * 2004-09-02 2006-03-02 Mckay William F Controlled and directed local delivery of anti-inflammatory compositions
EP1674082A1 (en) * 2004-12-22 2006-06-28 Zentaris GmbH Process for the manufacture of sterile suspensions or lyophilisates of low-soluble basic peptide complexes, pharmaceutical formulations comprising these complexes and their use as medicament
WO2007123720A2 (en) * 2006-03-30 2007-11-01 Cornell Research Foundation, Inc. System and method for increased cooling rates in rapid cooling of small biological samples
WO2008040022A2 (en) * 2006-09-28 2008-04-03 Cornell Research Foundation, Inc. Systems for increased cooling and thawing rates of protein solutions and cells for optimized cryopreservation and recovery
DK2170283T3 (en) * 2007-06-22 2019-04-15 Univ Texas CREATION OF STABLE SUBMICRON Peptide OR PROTEIN PARTICLES BY THIN FILM FREEZING

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4848094A (en) * 1988-04-29 1989-07-18 Union Carbide Corporation Droplet freezing method and apparatus
US5656730A (en) * 1995-04-07 1997-08-12 Enzon, Inc. Stabilized monomeric protein compositions
US6821515B1 (en) * 1995-07-27 2004-11-23 Genentech, Inc. Protein formulation
US6815533B1 (en) * 1998-07-31 2004-11-09 Eli Lilly And Company Cryogranulation of activated protein C
US20050232930A1 (en) * 2003-12-19 2005-10-20 Alk-Abello A/S Processes for the preparation of a batch of an active pharmaceutical ingredient, a container comprising cryogranules of an allergen product, and a cryogranule of an allergen product

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20130008191A1 (en) 2013-01-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR101265381B1 (en) Freeze drying apparatus and method
Oetjen et al. Freeze-drying
EP1982133B1 (en) Method of inducing nucleation of a material
US6684524B1 (en) Lyopohilization method
EP0246824B1 (en) Biological cryoprotection
BR0111627A (en) Cryogenic preservation of biologically active material using high temperature freezing
Searles Freezing and annealing phenomena in lyophilization
EP2877795B1 (en) Directional freezing
AU2005225000A1 (en) Lyophilization method to improve excipient crystallization
Searles Freezing and annealing phenomena in lyophilization
US20130008191A1 (en) Methods for freezing and thawing proteins
Takahashi et al. Growth of snow crystals from frozen water droplets
RU2017435C1 (en) Method for producing aqueous solution of honey
CN102309744B (en) Composition of glycoprotein contains hardly subunit
WO2016201608A1 (en) Method capable of being independently used for protein renaturation or capable of being used for preceding operations of protein renaturation
Ponomareva et al. Investigation of ice particle formation points during fish sperm cryopreservation
CN102309746B (en) High purity menopausal gonadotropin freeze-dried injection
CN102309745B (en) Glycoprotein composition which almost does not contain subunit
JPH0344329A (en) Freeze-drying formulation of phosphomycinsodium and production thereof
CN102309747B (en) High purity menopause gonadotropin freeze drying injection
Shul'ga Cryoconcentration of blood serum
Sareen et al. Overview of Cryobiology in ART
Li et al. Protein stability and critical stabilizers in frozen solutions
ES2266863T3 (en) PROCEDURE FOR CONTROLLING THE HYDRATION MIXTURE OF THE DISODIC SALT OF FOSFLUCONAZOL.
JPH0255410B2 (en)

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 12808213

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 12808213

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1