Molecular design and downstream processing of turoctocog alfa (NovoEight), a B-domain truncated factor VIII molecule

Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2016 Jul;27(5):568-75. doi: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000000477.

Abstract

Turoctocog alfa (NovoEight) is a third-generation recombinant factor VIII (rFVIII) with a truncated B-domain that is manufactured in Chinese hamster ovary cells. No human or animal-derived materials are used in the process. The aim of this study is to describe the molecular design and purification process for turoctocog alfa. A five-step purification process is applied to turoctocog alfa: protein capture on mixed-mode resin; immunoaffinity chromatography using a unique, recombinantly produced anti-FVIII mAb; anion exchange chromatography; nanofiltration and size exclusion chromatography. This process enabled reduction of impurities such as host cell proteins (HCPs) and high molecular weight proteins (HMWPs) to a very low level. The immunoaffinity step is very important for the removal of FVIII-related degradation products. Manufacturing scale data shown in this article confirmed the robustness of the purification process and a reliable and consistent reduction of the impurities. The contribution of each step to the final product purity is described and shown for three manufacturing batches. Turoctocog alfa, a third-generation B-domain truncated rFVIII product is manufactured in Chinese hamster ovary cells without the use of animal or human-derived proteins. The five-step purification process results in a homogenous, highly purified rFVIII product.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence*
  • Animals
  • CHO Cells
  • Chromatography, Affinity
  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Chromatography, Ion Exchange
  • Cricetulus
  • Drug Design
  • Factor VIII / biosynthesis
  • Factor VIII / genetics*
  • Factor VIII / isolation & purification*
  • Gene Expression*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Plasmids / chemistry
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Domains
  • Recombinant Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Sequence Deletion*

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • recombinant factor VIII N8
  • Factor VIII