908 Devices and CPI Partner to Optimize Cell Culture Media for Improved Process Control

908 Devices, a US-based company specializing in chemical and biomolecular analytical devices, has formed a collaboration with CPI to optimize mammalian cell-culture media and feeding strategies. The aim of the project is to improve growth, protein titer, and protein quality attributes.

Under the agreement, CPI researchers will employ 908 Devices’ REBEL desktop analytical device for at-line cell-culture media analysis, which will help to identify and subsequently control key process parameters in bioprocessing workflows, the companies stated in an April 21, 2022 press release. Currently, 908 Devices and CPI scientists are implementing at-line media analysis for a Chinese hamster ovary cell line expressing a monoclonal antibody in small-volume cell culture bioreactor systems through to process scale-up. The scientists are monitoring nutrient levels critical to process stability and product quality and are ultimately controlling outcomes through the design of media formulations and the implementation of optimized feeding strategies, according to the release.

Time course data from the REBEL device provides information and insights into the cell metabolism, in addition to typical cell-culture parameters, such as cell count, viability, and basic metabolite data. These data sets are being mined with the goal of understanding specific amino acid depletion. Amino acid depletion could correlate with low titer and growth as well as potential protein quality attributes.

“The measurements from the REBEL device have enabled us to gain an improved understanding of the cell culture environment within a bioreactor,” said Bethany Kerr, team leader, Upstream Development at CPI, in the press release. “It has also enabled us to assess the impact of additional control over key process parameters. Data generated from the REBEL can be used to develop predictive models for feed control.”

Source: 908 Devices

Editors Note: A previous version of this story errenously stated that the companies partnered to develop cell culture media. This has been updated to clarify that the companies are partnering to optimize cell culture media.