Teamwork Makes the Drug Discovery Dream Work
Between cancer-fighting chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells and neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting COVID-19, the clinical impacts of biologic therapies span far and wide. So exactly how many scientists does it take to bring a new biologic to market? It takes a team.
This article is posted on our Science Snippets Blog
Big Demand for Biologics
Biopharmaceutical products, or biologics, include proteins (e.g., hormones, vaccines, mAbs), engineered cells and viruses that are used to prevent or treat a range of diseases. This is a hot area of research, driven by breakthroughs like CAR-T cell immunotherapies and inhibitory mAbs that target immune checkpoint proteins, like programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1).
Unlike conventional small molecule drugs that are chemically synthesized, biologics are made by living organisms or cells. Human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells and Chinese hamster ovarian (CHO) cells, for example, are two biological factories commonly used to produce mAbs and other therapeutic protein products.
Developing a successful biologic is a very complicated process, and one that requires specialized analytical tools and collaboration between many scientific disciplines.
Navigating a Complex Process
Every biologics story begins with hit identification, where thousands of biologic molecules are screened to identify candidates with therapeutic properties. Lead candidates are then structurally modified to improve activity and minimize undesirable effects. Next, special cell lines are engineered to express large quantities of the lead molecule. The top biologic-producing cells are then harvested and used in ramp-up to manufacturing.
Navigating this process requires financial investment and scientific expertise. At every step, scientists must answer important questions about the biologic molecule or the cell line system, regarding such issues as binding kinetics, product titer and cell line stability. There are also external factors like microbial contamination that can cause expensive setbacks.
To increase the chances of success, companies rely on systems that guide decision making during the biologics development process.
It Takes a Village
Bringing a biologic to market takes teamwork and collaboration between scientists. This is vital for all biologic discovery workflows, regardless of company size or internal capabilities. Having a partner you can count on leverages the expertise of “a village” of scientists. Sartorius has dedicated teams of scientists with expertise in every step of molecule development, including cell line development workflows. The goal is simple: Connect scientists with the solutions they need to translate their research into novel and potentially life-saving therapies.
Sartorius partners with biopharmaceutical companies of any size to support their biologics pipeline with tools ranging from information-rich bioanalytic systems to basic lab essentials like ergonomic pipettes, single-use filtration and purification devices, and ultrapure water. Building a robust workflow from the ground up not only speeds up the discovery process, but also saves cost.
Molecule and Cell Line Development
Developing a biologic drug, like a monoclonal antibody, involves molecule and cell line development workflows. Sartorius helps scientists identify industry-tested technologies and services that will simplify these workflows and accelerate time-to-decision.
Sartorius’ bioanalytics portfolio includes advanced high-throughput cell and protein analysis platforms that facilitate molecule development workflows, from target identification to lead characterization, with rich, biologically-relevant insights.
Companies can choose different paths for cell line development depending on their in-house capabilities. The cell line development experts at Sartorius can help find the right balance between outsourcing options and instrument technologies, like high-content flow cytometry systems for functional analysis or microbioreactor systems for media screening.
We’re on Your Team
Scientific progress, like discovering the next lifesaving biologic treatment, happens when scientists work as a team. Sartorius is part of the extended team that helps biopharmaceutical companies drive science forward by providing innovative solutions and technologies that boost productivity and help improve outcomes of preclinical trials.
