U.S. patent application number 17/169835 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-10 for separation of vwf and vwf propeptide by chromatographic methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. Invention is credited to Christian Fiedler, Meinhard Hasslacher, Christa Mayer.
Application Number | 20220041693 17/169835 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005916093 |
Filed Date | 2022-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220041693 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fiedler; Christian ; et
al. |
February 10, 2022 |
SEPARATION OF VWF AND VWF PROPEPTIDE BY CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHODS
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for separating a
mature von Willebrand Factor (mat-VWF) from von Willebrand Factor
pro-peptide (VWF-PP) by incubating a composition comprising
inducing dissociation of mat-VWF and VWF-PP by disruption of the
non-covalently associated mat-VWF and VWF-PP, wherein said
dissociation is induced by: (i) addition of at least one chelating
agent, or (ii) increasing the pH to a pH of at least 7, and then
collecting said mat-VWF to obtain a high purity, propeptide
depleted mature VWF (mat-VWF).
Inventors: |
Fiedler; Christian; (Vienna,
AT) ; Hasslacher; Meinhard; (Vienna, AT) ;
Mayer; Christa; (Wolfsthal, AT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005916093 |
Appl. No.: |
17/169835 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16359939 |
Mar 20, 2019 |
10934340 |
|
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17169835 |
|
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62646109 |
Mar 21, 2018 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01D 15/3809 20130101;
B01D 15/363 20130101; B01D 15/34 20130101; A61K 38/00 20130101;
C07K 14/755 20130101; C07K 1/22 20130101; C07K 1/18 20130101; C07K
1/36 20130101; B01D 15/362 20130101; C07K 1/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C07K 14/755 20060101
C07K014/755; B01D 15/34 20060101 B01D015/34; B01D 15/36 20060101
B01D015/36; B01D 15/38 20060101 B01D015/38; C07K 1/16 20060101
C07K001/16; C07K 1/18 20060101 C07K001/18; C07K 1/22 20060101
C07K001/22; C07K 1/36 20060101 C07K001/36 |
Claims
1.-78. (canceled)
79. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a high purity mat-rVWF
and a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer, wherein the high purity
mat-rVWF is produced by a method comprising: a) loading a solution
comprising mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and rVWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP) onto a size exclusion column; b) washing said size
exclusion column with a buffer, thereby dissociating said
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex in said solution in step (a) into mat-rVWF
and rVWF-PP, wherein said dissociation occurs by disruption of the
non-covalently associated mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP, wherein said buffer
comprises at least one chelating agent and exhibits a pH of at
least 7; and c) collecting said mat-rVWF to obtain a high purity,
mat-rVWF, wherein said high purity, mat-rVWF composition comprises
at least 95% mature rVWF and less than 5% rVWF-PP.
80. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein the
composition comprises 50 mM Glycine, 10 mM Taurine, 5% (w/w)
Sucrose, 5% (w/w) D-Mannitol, 0.1% Polysorbate 80, 2 mM
CaCl.sub.2), 150 mM NaCl, wherein said composition has a pH of
about pH 7.4.
81. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein said high
purity, mat-rVWF composition comprises at least 96% mat-rVWF and
less than 4% rVWF-PP, at least 97% mat-rVWF and less than 3%
rVWF-PP, at least 98% mat-rVWF and less than 2% rVWF-PP, at least
99% mat-rVWF and less than 1% rVWF-PP, or at least 99.5% mat-rVWF
and less than 0.5% rVWF-PP, or 99.9% mat-rVWF and less than 0.1%
rVWF-PP.
82. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein said
solution of step (b) is selected from the group consisting of a
cell culture medium, an antibody column flow-through solution, and
a buffered solution.
83. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein said
solution has been treated with furin prior to step (a) and/or
wherein said solution is an antibody column flow-through
solution.
84. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein said at
least one chelating agent of step (b) is a divalent cation
chelating agent.
85. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 84, wherein said
divalent cation chelating agent is selected from the group
consisting of EDTA, EGTA, CDTA, and citrate
86. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein said pH is
at least 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1,
8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, or 9.0.
87. The pharmaceutical of claim 79, wherein said pH is increased by
the addition of basic amino acids, Tris, NaOH, Tricine, or
ethanolamine.
88. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein said buffer
comprises a buffering agent selected from the group consisting of
glycine, HEPES (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic
acid), TrisHCl (Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane), histidine,
imidazole, acetate citrate, MES, and 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic
acid.
89. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein said buffer
further comprises one or more monovalent cations.
90. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 89, wherein said one or
more monovalent cations are selected from the group consisting of
Na+, K+, Li+, and Cs+.
91. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein said buffer
further comprises one or more monovalent, divalent and/or trivalent
anion.
92. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 91, wherein said one or
more monovalent, divalent and/or trivalent anions are selected from
the group consisting of Cl.sup.-, acetate.sup.-, SO.sub.4.sup.2-,
Br.sup.-, and citrate.sup.3-.
93. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein said
solution comprising mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and rVWF-PP
is derived from a capture step for rVWF or derived from a method
comprising a FVIII immunoaffinity step and anion exchange
chromatography step.
94. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein said buffer
comprises a buffering agent(s) selected from the group consisting
of (i) Na citrate, (ii) NaCl, and (iii) HEPES, Na citrate, and
NaCl.
95. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 79, wherein said method
further comprises lyophilizing said high purity, mat-rVWF
composition after step (c).
96. A method for obtaining a composition comprising a high purity,
propeptide depleted mature recombinant rVWF (mat-rVWF), said method
comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution comprising
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and rVWF propeptide (rVWF-PP);
b) inducing dissociation of said mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex in said
solution in a) into mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP, wherein said dissociation
occurs by disruption of the non-covalently associated mat-rVWF and
rVWF-PP, wherein said dissociation is induced by: i. addition of at
least one chelating agent, or ii. increasing the pH to a pH of at
least 7; and c) collecting said mat-rVWF to obtain a high purity,
mat-rVWF composition, wherein said high purity, mat-rVWF
composition comprises at least 95% mature rVWF and less than 5%
rVWF-PP.
97. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a high purity mat-rVWF
generated by the method according to claim 96.
98. A method for obtaining a composition comprising a high purity,
propeptide depleted mature recombinant rVWF (high purity mat-rVWF),
said method comprising the steps of: a) loading a solution
comprising pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or
rVWF propeptide (rVWF-PP) onto an anion exchange column, wherein
said pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and mat-rVWF are bound to
said anion exchange column; b) washing said anion exchange column
in a) containing said bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and
mat-rVWF with one or more wash buffers; c) treating said column in
b) comprising the bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and
mat-rVWF with furin, wherein said furin cleaves said pro-rVWF into
mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP; d) eluting said bound pro-rVWF,
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and mat-rVWF from the column in c) with
an elution buffer, wherein said elution buffer induces dissociation
of said rVWF-PP from mat-rVWF non-covalently associated with said
rVWF-PP, and wherein said dissociation is induced by: i. addition
of at least one chelating agent into said elution buffer, or ii.
increasing the pH of said elution buffer to a pH of at least 7; and
e) collecting said mat-rVWF separately from said rVWF-PP to obtain
a high purity mat-rVWF composition, wherein said high purity
mat-rVWF composition comprises at least 95% mature rVWF and less
than 5% rVWF-PP.
99. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a high purity mat-rVWF
generated by the method according to claim 98 and a
pharmaceutically acceptable buffer.
100. A method for obtaining a composition comprising a high purity,
propeptide depleted mature recombinant rVWF (mat-rVWF), said method
comprising the steps of: a) loading a solution comprising
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and rVWF propeptide (rVWF-PP)
onto a size exclusion column; b) washing said size exclusion column
with a buffer, thereby dissociating said mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex
in said solution in a) into mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP, wherein said
dissociation occurs by disruption of the non-covalently associated
mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP,
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 16/359,939 filed Mar. 20, 2019, which claims priority to
U.S. Provisional No. 62/646,109, filed on Mar. 21, 2018, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
REFERENCE TO A "SEQUENCE LISTING," A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM,
LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK
[0002] This disclosure incorporates by reference the Sequence
Listing text copy submitted herewith via EFS-Web, which was created
on Apr. 5, 2021, entitled 008073-5187-US01_Sequence_Listing.txt
which is 100,206 bytes in size.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to methods for separating
mature von Willebrand Factor VWF) from von Willebrand Factor
pro-peptide (VWF-PP).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In the course of protein maturation within a cell, the
protein to be matured undergoes posttranslational modifications.
These modifications include among others acetylation, methylation,
glycosylation and proteolytic cleavage. These modifications are in
many cases necessary for the protein function and activity and they
may also influence the efficiency of proteins, in particular of
enzymes.
[0005] Pro-proteins or protein precursors are inactive proteins
that are turned into an active form by one or more of these
post-translational modifications, in particular, by the cleavage of
a pro-peptide from the pro-protein.
[0006] The active form of these proteins may be useful therapeutic
and/or diagnostic proteins. However, the active proteins are
usually available at very low amounts in living organisms. As such,
the active proteins are produced recombinantly from their
pro-proteins which are preferably activated in vitro by contacting
them with recombinant activation enzymes (e.g., proteases).
[0007] von Willebrand Factor (VWF) is a glycoprotein circulating in
plasma as a series of multimers ranging in size from about 500 to
20,000 kD. The full length of cDNA of VWF has been cloned; the
propolypeptide corresponds to amino acid residues 23 to 764 of the
full length prepro-VWF (Eikenboom et al (1995) Haemophilia, 1,
77-90). Multimeric forms of VWF are composed of 250 kD polypeptide
subunits linked together by disulfide bonds. VWF mediates the
initial platelet adhesion to the sub-endothelium of the damaged
vessel wall, with the larger multimers exhibiting enhanced
hemostatic activity. Multimerized VWF binds to the platelet surface
glycoprotein Gp1b.alpha., through an interaction in the A1 domain
of VWF, facilitating platelet adhesion. Other sites on VWF mediate
binding to the blood vessel wall. Thus, VWF forms a bridge between
the platelet and the vessel wall that is essential to platelet
adhesion and primary hemostasis under conditions of high shear
stress. Normally, endothelial cells secrete large polymeric forms
of VWF and those forms of VWF that have a lower molecular weight
arise from proteolytic cleavage. The multimers of exceptionally
large molecular masses are stored in the Weibel-Pallade bodies of
the endothelial cells and liberated upon stimulation by agonists
such as thrombin and histamine.
[0008] Industrially, VWF, in particular recombinant VWF (rVWF), is
synthesized and expressed together with rFVIII in a genetically
engineered cell lines, such as an engineered CHO cell line. The
function of the co-expressed rVWF is to stabilize rFVIII in the
cell culture process. rVWF is synthesized in the cell as
pre-propeptide VWF (prepro-VWF), containing a large pro-peptide
(VWF-PP) attached to the N-terminus of the mature VWF (matVWF)
subunit. Upon maturation in the endoplasmatic reticulum and Golgi
apparatus, the VWF-PP is cleaved off by the action of the cellular
protease furin and is secreted as a homopolymer of identical
subunits, consisting of dimers of the expressed protein. In some
cases, furin cleavage produces a heterodimeric complex comprising a
mature VWF non-covalently associated with a VWF pro-peptide.
[0009] VWF-PP can be separated from mature VWF by in vitro
treatment with furin or furin-like proteases (Schlokat U. et al.
(1996) Biotechnol. Appl. Biochem. 24:257-267; Preininger A. et al.
(1999) Cytotechnology 30:1-15). Furin belongs to the family of the
pro-protein convertases and is dependent on Ca.sup.2+. This enzyme
specifically cleaves the C-terminal peptide bond of arginine within
a specific sequence, containing arginine at positions -1 and -4.
This sequence can be found in numerous human proteins, showing that
furin plays a major role in the maturation of a number of human
pro-peptide-proteins. Furin used in the method of the present
invention is preferably of recombinant origin. Recombinantly
produced proteases are advantageously employed because they can be
produced in high quantities. In some embodiments, furin is obtained
from crude cell culture supernatant of a cell line secreting said
protease or cell extract.
[0010] Current conventional methods produce mature VWF by either
incubating the pre-propeptide VWF with proteases in a liquid phase
whereby the maturation itself (e.g., the cleavage of the
pro-peptide from the pro-protein) occurs in an unbound state in
free solution, or as described for example in WO2000/049047, by
immobilizing the protease on a solid carrier, which is contacted
and incubated with a preparation comprising VWF-PP (see, e.g.,
WO2000/049047). VWF is synthesized by endothelial cells and
megakaryocytes as pre-propeptide VWF ("prepro-VWF") that consists
to a large extent of repeated domains. Upon cleavage of the signal
peptide, prepro-VWF dimerizes through disulfide linkages at the
carboxy-terminus region in the endoplasmic reticulum. Additional
disulfide linkages are formed near the amino-terminus of the
subunits to form multimers in the Golgi. The assembly to multimers
is followed by the proteolytic cleavage of the VWF pro-peptide by
the pro-peptide processing protease furin. After cleavage, the VWF
pro-peptide remains non-covalently associated with the VWF multimer
to form a mature VWF/VWF-PP complex. Upon stimulation, the complex
is secreted into the blood and the VWF pro-peptide dissociates from
the VWF multimers. Therapeutically effective mature VWF multimers
can be produced by recombinantly expressing pro-VWF in mammalian
cell lines and processing the pro-VWF protein to mature VWF through
a series of in vitro cleavage and purification steps. However,
there remains a need in the art for producing high purity,
therapeutically effective mature VWF multimer preparations
(mat-rVWF) and the present invention meets this need by providing
methods for obtaining high purity, mat-rVWF preparations, where the
method comprises, for example, after furin maturation, the addition
of a chelating agent and/or increasing the pH to a pH of at least 7
during the purification process to facilitate separation of the
VWF-propeptide from mat-rVWF.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides a method for obtaining a
composition comprising a high purity, propeptide depleted mature
recombinant rVWF (mat-rVWF), said method comprising the steps of:
[0012] a) providing a solution comprising mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex,
mat-rVWF, and rVWF propeptide (rVWF-PP); [0013] b) inducing
dissociation of said mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex in said solution in
a) into mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP, wherein said dissociation occurs by
disruption of the non-covalently associated mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP,
wherein said dissociation is induced by: [0014] i. addition of at
least one chelating agent, or [0015] ii. increasing the pH to a pH
of at least 7; and [0016] c) collecting said mat-rVWF to obtain a
high purity, mat-rVWF composition, wherein said high purity,
mat-rVWF composition comprises at least 95% mature rVWF and less
than 5% rVWF-PP.
[0017] In some embodiments, the high purity, mat-rVWF composition
comprises at least 96% mat-rVWF and less than 4% rVWF-PP, at least
97% mat-rVWF and less than 3% rVWF-PP, at least 98% mat-rVWF and
less than 2% rVWF-PP, at least 99% mat-rVWF and less than 1%
rVWF-PP, or at least 99.5% mat-rVWF and less than 0.5% rVWF-PP, or
99.9% mat-rVWF and less than 0.1% rVWF-PP.
[0018] In some embodiments, the solution is selected from the group
consisting of a cell culture medium, an antibody column
flow-through solution, and a buffered solution.
[0019] In some embodiments, the solution has been treated with
furin prior to step a).
[0020] In some embodiments, the solution is an antibody column
flow-through solution.
[0021] In some embodiments, the at least one chelating agent is a
divalent cation chelating agent. In some embodiments, the divalent
cation chelating agent is selected from the group consisting of
EDTA, EGTA, CDTA, and citrate.
[0022] In some embodiments, the pH is increased to at least 7.1,
7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4,
8.5, 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, or 9.0. In some embodiments, the pH is
increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some embodiments,
the pH is increased to at least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the
pH is increased by the addition of basic amino acids, Tris, NaOH,
Tricine, or ethanolamine.
[0023] In some embodiments, the collecting in step b) of the method
described herein comprises one or more protein separation methods.
In some embodiments, the one or more protein separation methods is
selected from the group consisting of ion exchange chromatography
(IEC), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), physical size
separation by membrane technology, and affinity chromatography. In
some embodiments, the protein separation method is size exclusion
chromatography (SEC). In some embodiments, the one or more protein
separation method is ion exchange chromatography (IEC). In some
embodiments, the ion exchange chromatography (IEC) is cation
exchange chromatography. In some embodiments, the ion exchange
chromatography (IEC) is a combination of anion exchange
chromatography and cation exchange chromatography.
[0024] In some embodiments, the one or more protein separation
methods comprise a buffer system, wherein said buffer system
comprises one or more buffers. In some embodiments, the said one or
more buffers includes wash buffers, wherein said one or more wash
buffers include one, two, three, four, and/or five wash buffers,
wherein when said one or more buffers includes five wash buffers,
the first, second, third, and/or fifth wash buffers have a higher
pH than the fourth wash buffer, and when said one or more buffers
includes four wash buffers, the first, second, and/or fourth wash
buffers have a higher pH than the third wash buffer. In some
embodiments, the method further comprises a viral inactivation
treatment step after the first wash buffer, and optionally the pH
of the viral inactivation treatment step has a higher pH than said
third and/or fourth wash buffer. In some embodiments, the one or
more buffers comprise said one or more chelating agents. In some
embodiments, the one or more buffers exhibit a pH of at least
7.
[0025] In some embodiments, the or more protein separation methods
comprise a buffer system, wherein said buffer system comprises one
or more loading buffers. In some embodiments, the one or more
loading buffers comprise said one or more chelating agents. In some
embodiments, the one or more loading buffers exhibit a pH of at
least 7.
[0026] In some embodiments, the one or more protein separation
methods comprise a buffer system, wherein said buffer system
comprises one or more load, wash, and/or elution buffers. In some
embodiments, the one or more load, wash, and/or elution buffers
comprise said one or more chelating agents. In some embodiments,
the one or more load, wash, and/or elution buffers exhibit a pH of
at least 7. In some embodiments, the one or more load, wash, and/or
elution buffers comprise said one or more chelating agents and
exhibit a pH of at least 7.
[0027] In some embodiments, the buffering system is selected from
the group consisting of glycine HEPES
(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid), TrisHCl
(Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane), histidine, imidazole, acetate
citrate, MES, and 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid.
[0028] In some embodiments, the buffer further comprises one or
more monovalent cations. In some embodiments, the one or more
monovalent cations are selected from the group consisting of Na+,
K+, Li+, and Cs+. In some embodiments, the monovalent cation is
Na+.
[0029] In some embodiments, the buffer further comprises one or
more monovalent, divalent and/or trivalent anions. In some
embodiments, the one or more monovalent, divalent and/or trivalent
anions are selected from the group consisting of Cl.sup.-,
acetate.sup.-, SO.sub.4.sup.2-, Br, and citrate.sup.3-.
[0030] In some embodiments, the buffer system comprises at least
one buffer exhibiting a conductivity of .gtoreq.0.5 mS/cm at
25.degree. C. In some embodiments, the buffer system comprises at
least one buffer exhibiting a conductivity of 15.0.+-.0.2 mS/cm at
25.degree. C.
[0031] In some embodiments, the buffer further comprises one or
more nonionic detergents. In some embodiments, the nonionic
detergent is selected from the group consisting of Triton X100,
Tween 80, and Tween 20.
[0032] In some embodiments, the buffer further comprises one or
more additional substances selected from the group consisting of
non-reducing sugars, sugar alcohols, and polyols.
[0033] In some embodiments, the high purity mat-rVWF composition
comprises a host cell (HC) impurity level of .ltoreq.2.0%. In some
embodiments, the high purity, mat-rVWF composition comprises a host
cell (HC) impurity level of .ltoreq.0.6%.
[0034] In some embodiments, the solution comprising
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and rVWF-PP is derived from a
capture step for rVWF.
[0035] In some embodiments, the solution comprising
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and rVWF-PP is derived from a
method comprising a FVIII immunoaffinity step and anion exchange
chromatography step.
[0036] The present invention also provides a method for obtaining a
composition comprising a high purity, propeptide depleted mature
recombinant rVWF (high purity mat-rVWF), said method comprising the
steps of: [0037] a) loading a solution comprising pro-rVWF,
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP) onto an anion exchange column, wherein said pro-rVWF,
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and mat-rVWF are bound to said anion
exchange column; [0038] b) washing said anion exchange column in a)
containing said bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and
mat-rVWF with one or more wash buffers; [0039] c) treating said
column in b) comprising the bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP
complex, and mat-rVWF with furin, wherein said furin cleaves said
pro-rVWF into mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP; [0040] d) eluting said bound
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and mat-rVWF from the column in
c) with an elution buffer, wherein said elution buffer induces
dissociation of said rVWF-PP from mat-rVWF non-covalently
associated with said rVWF-PP, and wherein said dissociation is
induced by: [0041] i. addition of at least one chelating agent into
said elution buffer, or [0042] ii. increasing the pH of said
elution buffer to a pH of at least 7; and [0043] e) collecting said
mat-rVWF separately from said rVWF-PP to obtain a high purity
mat-rVWF composition, wherein said high purity mat-rVWF composition
comprises at least 95% mature rVWF and less than 5% rVWF-PP.
[0044] In some embodiments, a) and b) occur simultaneously in a
single step.
[0045] In some embodiments, the said one or more buffers includes
wash buffers, wherein said one or more wash buffers include one,
two, three, four, and/or five wash buffers, wherein when said one
or more buffers includes five wash buffers, the first, second,
third, and/or fifth wash buffers have a higher pH than the fourth
wash buffer, and when said one or more buffers includes four wash
buffers, the first, second, and/or fourth wash buffers have a
higher pH than the third wash buffer. In some embodiments, the
method further comprises a viral inactivation treatment step after
the first wash buffer, and optionally the pH of the viral
inactivation treatment step has a higher pH than said third and/or
fourth wash buffer.
[0046] In some embodiments, the solution in a) comprises the flow
through from a monoclonal antibody column, wherein said monoclonal
antibody is a FVIII monoclonal antibody.
[0047] In some embodiments, the solution in a) is selected from the
group consisting of a cell culture medium, an antibody column
flow-through solution, and a buffered solution.
[0048] In some embodiments, the at least one chelating agent is a
divalent cation chelating agent. In some embodiments, the divalent
cation chelating agent is selected from the group consisting of
EDTA, EGTA, CDTA, and citrate.
[0049] In some embodiments, the pH is increased to at least 7.1,
7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, or 8.0. In some
embodiments, the pH is increased to at least about 7.2 to about
7.8. In some embodiments, the pH is increased to at least about
7.6. In some embodiments, the pH is increased by the addition of
basic amino acids. In some embodiments, the one or more wash
buffers in b) comprise said one or more chelating agents. In some
embodiments, the one or more wash buffers in b) exhibit a pH of at
least 7. In some embodiments, the one or more wash buffers in b)
comprise said one or more chelating agents and exhibit a pH of at
least 7.
[0050] In some embodiments, the method further comprises a step of
viral inactivation, wherein said viral inactivation occurs before,
after, or concurrently with the washing step and/or the elution
step, but before the collecting step. In some embodiments, the
viral inactivation treatment inactivates lipid enveloped viruses.
In some embodiments, the viral inactivation treatment is a solvent
and detergent (S/D) treatment.
[0051] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers comprise a
buffer selected from the group consisting of glycine HEPES
(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid), TrisHCl
(Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane), histidine, imidazole, acetate
citrate, MES, and 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid.
[0052] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers further
comprise one or more monovalent cations. In some embodiments, the
one or more monovalent cations are selected from the group
consisting of Na+, K+, Li+, and Cs+. In some embodiments, the
monovalent cation is Na+.
[0053] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers further
comprise one or more monovalent, divalent, and/or trivalent anions.
In some embodiments, the one or more monovalent, divalent and/or
trivalent anions are selected from the group consisting of
Cl.sup.-, acetate.sup.-, SO.sub.4.sup.2-, Br.sup.-, and
citrate.sup.3-.
[0054] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers comprise at
least one buffer exhibiting a conductivity of .gtoreq.0.5 mS/cm at
25.degree. C. In some embodiments, the one or more buffers comprise
at least one buffer exhibiting a conductivity of 15.0.+-.0.2 mS/cm
at 25.degree. C.
[0055] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers further
comprise one or more nonionic detergents. In some embodiments, the
nonionic detergent is selected from the group consisting of Triton
X100, Tween 80, and Tween 20.
[0056] In some embodiments, the said one or more buffers further
comprise one or more additional substances selected from the group
consisting of non-reducing sugars, sugar alcohols, and polyols.
[0057] In some embodiments, the high purity mat-rVWF composition
comprises a host cell (HC) impurity level of .ltoreq.2.0%. In some
embodiments, the high purity mat-rVWF composition comprises a host
cell (HC) impurity level of .ltoreq.0.6%.
[0058] In some embodiments, the high purity mat-rVWF composition is
used for the production of a pharmaceutical composition.
[0059] The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical
composition comprising high purity mat-rVWF generated by the method
according to any of the preceding claims and a pharmaceutically
acceptable buffer. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical
composition comprises 50 mM Glycine, 10 mM Taurine, 5% (w/w)
Sucrose, 5% (w/w) D-Mannitol, 0.1% Polysorbate 80, 2 mM CaCl.sub.2,
150 mM NaCl, wherein said composition has a pH of about pH 7.4.
[0060] Other objects, advantages and embodiments of the invention
will be apparent from the detailed description following.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0061] FIG. 1 shows purification of maturated rVWF on a cation
exchanger as represented in Example 1.
[0062] FIG. 2 provides a table of the purification results.
[0063] FIG. 3 shows a silver stained protein gel and a western blot
illustrating the separation of mat-VWF and r-VWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP) by the method of Example 1.
[0064] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of the experimental set-up for
Examples 2 and 3.
[0065] FIG. 5 shows a chromatogram for Example 2 and a
chromatography scheme used for Examples 2 and 3
[0066] FIG. 6 provides a table of the reagents used and a table of
the results for Example 2.
[0067] FIG. 7 shows another chromatogram for Example 2 and a table
of the results for Example 3.
[0068] FIG. 8 shows a silver stained protein gel illustrating the
separation of mat-rVWF and rVWF propeptide (rVWF-PP) by the method
of Example 2 and Example 3.
[0069] FIG. 9 shows a western blot illustrating the separation of
rVWF and rVWF propeptide by the method of Example 2 and Example
3.
[0070] FIG. 10 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions for Example 4.
[0071] FIG. 11 provides a table of the results for Example 4.
[0072] FIG. 12 shows a silver stained protein gel and a western
blot illustrating the separation of mat-rVWF and rVWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP) by the method of Example 4.
[0073] FIG. 13 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions for Example 5.
[0074] FIG. 14 provides a table of the results for Example 5.
[0075] FIG. 15 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions for Example 6.
[0076] FIG. 16 provides a table of the results for Example 6.
[0077] FIG. 17 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions for Example 7.
[0078] FIG. 18 provides a table of the results for Example 7.
[0079] FIG. 19 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions for Example 8.
[0080] FIG. 20 provides a table of the results for Example 8.
[0081] FIG. 21 shows a silver stained protein gel illustrating the
separation of mat-rVWF and rVWF propeptide (rVWF-PP) by the method
of Example 8.
[0082] FIG. 22 shows a western blot illustrating the separation of
rVWF and rVWF propeptide by the method of Example 8. The 1% agarose
gel shows the multimeric pattern of the products.
[0083] FIG. 23 shows a western blot illustrating the separation of
mat-rVWF and rVWF propeptide (rVWF-PP) by the method of Example
8.
[0084] FIG. 24 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions for Example 9.
[0085] FIG. 25 provides a table of the results for Example 9.
[0086] FIG. 26 provides a table of the products for Example 9.
[0087] FIG. 27 shows a silver stained protein gel illustrating the
separation of rVWF and rVWF propeptide by the method of Example
9.
[0088] FIG. 28 shows a western blot illustrating the separation of
rVWF and rVWF propeptide by the method of Example 9. The 1% agarose
gel shows the multimeric pattern of the products.
[0089] FIG. 29 shows a western blot illustrating the separation of
rVWF and rVWF propeptide by the method of Example 9.
[0090] FIG. 30 shows the purity of the product containing fractions
obtained for enhanced cation exchange chromatography (CEX) as used
for Examples 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 9.
[0091] FIG. 31 shows the depletion factor of product related
impurities for Examples 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 9.
[0092] FIG. 32 shows the purity of the product containing fractions
obtained for enhanced size exclusion chromatography (SEC) as used
for Examples 4 and 5.
[0093] FIG. 33 shows the depletion factor of product related
impurities for Examples 4 and 5.
[0094] FIG. 34 shows the buffer formulations and materials used in
the TMAE separation method.
[0095] FIG. 35 shows the loading conditions for the furin-processed
mature VWF/VWF-propeptide complex.
[0096] FIG. 36 shows the details of the buffers, conditions,
parameters, and flow rates of the chromatography method.
[0097] FIG. 37 shows a chromatogram of the dissociation of
furin-processed mature VWF/VWF-propeptide complex into mature VWF
and VWF-propeptide (VWF-PP). It shows depletion of VWF-PP from the
fraction containing mature VWF.
[0098] FIG. 38 shows another chromatogram of the separation of
mature VWF and VWF-propeptide (VWF-PP). It shows depletion of
VWF-PP from the fraction containing mature VWF.
[0099] FIG. 39A and FIG. 39B provide schematic diagrams of
exemplary methods for the purification of mature VWF including
separation of mature VWF and VWF-PP.
[0100] FIG. 40 provides a table highlighting some of the advantages
of the cation exchange chromatography method described herein.
[0101] FIG. 41 shows a schematic of two chromatograms showing the
separation of rVWF propeptide using the size exclusion
chromatography described herein using either a SQA running buffer
or a SQC running buffer that contains citrate. The change in SEC
parameters (SEC buffers) did not result in a change in the
purification of mature VWF besides increased removal/separation of
residual VWF-PP.
[0102] FIG. 42 provides a table highlighting some of the advantages
of the optimized SEC buffer (SQC buffer). The SQC buffer includes
at least one chelating agent and was shown to reduce the amount of
VWF-PP in the purified mature VWF fraction.
[0103] FIG. 43A and FIG. 43B provide flowcharts of downstream
processing protocols for rVWF. FIG. 43A shows the currently used
process. FIG. 43B shows the process described herein which includes
an improved CAT (UNO_S) step.
[0104] FIG. 44 provides a table of the chromatography hardware of
step CAT in the first generation (Gen 1) process and the second
generation (Gen 2) process.
[0105] FIG. 45 depicts a table of wash and elution conditions of
the Gen 2 process.
[0106] FIG. 46 shows a comparison table of the 1.sup.st and
2.sup.nd generation rVWF small scale polishing steps on UNO_Sphere
S (step CAT).
[0107] FIG. 47 depicts a table of the cleaning and sanitization
procedure for the UNO_Sphere S column.
[0108] FIG. 48 depicts a table of the composition of buffers for
the CAT polishing step.
[0109] FIG. 49A and FIG. 49B show chromatograms of run VW_USS_05.
FIG. 49A shows the entire chromatogram, including the CIP
procedure. FIG. 49B depicts the 36% buffer B wash and the gradient
elution phase. The UV absorption is shown in blue (280 nm) and
magenta (254 nm).
[0110] FIG. 50 depicts SDS-PAGE silver stain gel and Western blot
of run VW_UUS_05.
[0111] FIG. 51 depicts a multimer agarose gel of run VW_UUS_05.
[0112] FIG. 52 shows rVWF:Ag data of the different runs of the
study.
[0113] FIG. 53 shows rVWF Risto Co activity data of the different
runs of the study.
[0114] FIG. 54 shows pro-peptide concentration (pro-peptide
(.mu.g/mg rVWF:Ag)) data of the different runs of the study.
[0115] FIG. 55 shows pro-peptide concentration (pro-peptide (.mu.g
PP/1000 U Risto)) data of the different runs of the study.
[0116] FIG. 56 shows analytical key results in the eluate pools of
the different runs of the study.
[0117] FIG. 57 shows the targeted CAT-E criteria for a successful
method development.
[0118] FIG. 58 provides exemplary embodiments of the anion
exchange, cation exchange, and size exclusion chromatography
methods for us in separation of mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP.
[0119] FIG. 59 shows the various VWF forms: pro-VWF (also referred
to as pro-rVWF), matVWF/VWF-PP complex (also referred to as
mat-rVWF/VWF-PP complex), matVWF (also referred to as mat-rVWF),
and VWF-PP (also referred to as rVWF-PP).
[0120] FIG. 60A-60S shows VWF nucleic acid and amino acid
sequences.
[0121] FIG. 61 shows the DF3338/042 western blot and raw data for
analysis.
[0122] FIG. 62 shows the DF3362/023 western blot and raw data for
analysis.
[0123] FIG. 63 shows the comparison of the data from FIG. 61 and
FIG. 62.
[0124] FIG. 64A-64C shows the amino acid sequence for an exemplary
VWF-FVIII fusion protein wherein an active FVIII is embedded in an
VWF motif (VWF 764 to 1336-FVIII heavy chain 24 to 760-VWF 2218 to
2593-FVIII light chain 1333 to 2351-VWF 2620 to 2813).
[0125] FIG. 65A-65C shows the amino acid sequence for an exemplary
VWF-FVIII fusion protein wherein the n-glycosylation rich domain
replaces the FVIII-B-domain (FVIII heavy chain 19 to 760-vWF 2218
to 2593-FVIII light chain 1333 to 2351).
[0126] FIG. 66 depicts a table of buffers and compositions used in
the variant vWF purification process described in Example 14.
[0127] FIG. 67 shows a chromatogram and chromatogram scheme of the
run VW_USS_07.
[0128] FIG. 68 shows analytical key results of the run.
[0129] FIG. 69 shows SDS-PAGE silver stain gel of the
representative run. Depletion of rvWF-propeptide was observed
during the wash steps Wash 1, WSD, and Wash 2.
[0130] FIG. 70 depicts a table of buffers and compositions used in
the variant vWF purification process described in Example 15. This
example provides an alternate, variant embodiment for separation of
the r-vWF propeptide from the r-VWF polypeptide after furin
cleavage in order to test for additional sialylation.
[0131] FIG. 71 shows a chromatogram and chromatogram scheme of the
run VW_USS_06.
[0132] FIG. 72 shows analytical key results of the run.
[0133] FIG. 73 shows SDS-PAGE silver stain gel of the
representative run.
[0134] FIG. 74 depicts a table of buffers and compositions used in
the variant vWF purification process described in Example 16.
[0135] FIG. 75 shows a chromatogram and chromatogram scheme of the
run VW_USS_08.
[0136] FIG. 76 shows analytical key results of the run including
yield sialylation.
[0137] FIG. 77 shows a SDS-PAGE silver stain gel DFM07247 of the
representative run.
[0138] FIG. 78A-78B depicts sialylation profiles of the eluates
from the VW_USS_06 and VW_USS_08 runs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
I. Introduction
[0139] The method described herein separates mature VWF and VWF
propeptide that have been dissociated from the non-covalently
linked heterodimeric complex comprising the mature VWF and VWF
propeptide. This separation is facilitated (induced) by the
addition of at least one chelating agent and/or by increasing the
pH to at least 7.0 of the solution comprising the mature VWF and
VWF propeptide to a protein separation method. All enhanced anion
exchange (AEX), cation exchange (CEX) and/or size exclusion
chromatography (SEC) methods as described herein can be combined in
any variation to obtain r-vWF with improved properties.
II. Select Definitions
[0140] The term "recombinant" when used with reference, e.g., to a
cell, or nucleic acid, protein, or vector, indicates that the cell,
nucleic acid, protein or vector, has been modified by the
introduction of a heterologous nucleic acid or protein or the
alteration of a native nucleic acid or protein, or that the cell is
derived from a cell so modified. Thus, for example, recombinant
cells express genes that are not found within the native
(non-recombinant) form of the cell or express native genes that are
otherwise abnormally expressed, under expressed or not expressed at
all.
[0141] As used herein, "recombinant VWF" or "rVWF" includes VWF
obtained via recombinant DNA technology. In certain embodiments,
rVWF proteins of the invention can comprise a construct, for
example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,597,910, which is
incorporated herein by reference with respect to the methods of
producing recombinant VWF. The VWF in the present invention can
include all potential forms, including the monomeric and multimeric
forms. It should also be understood that the present invention
encompasses different forms of VWF to be used in combination. For
example, the VWF of the present invention may include different
multimers, different derivatives and both biologically active
derivatives and derivatives not biologically active.
[0142] In the context of the present invention, the recombinant VWF
embraces any member of the VWF family from, for example, a mammal
such as a primate, human, monkey, rabbit, pig, rodent, mouse, rat,
hamster, gerbil, canine, feline, and biologically active
derivatives thereof. Mutant and variant VWF proteins having
activity are also embraced, as are functional fragments and fusion
proteins of the VWF proteins. Furthermore, the VWF of the invention
may further comprise tags that facilitate purification, detection,
or both. The VWF described herein may further be modified with a
therapeutic moiety or a moiety suitable imaging in vitro or in
vivo.
[0143] The term "VWF multimer" refers to VWF comprising at least 10
subunits, or 12, 14, or 16 subunits, to about 20, 22, 24 or 26
subunits or more. The term "subunit" refers to a monomer of VWF. As
is known in the art, it is generally dimers of VWF that polymerize
to form the larger order multimers. (see, e.g., Turecek et al.,
Semin. Thromb. Hemost., 2010, 36(5): 510-521 which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes and in
particular for all teachings regarding multimer analysis of
VWF).
[0144] The term "pre-propeptide VWF," "prepro-VWF" or "pro-VWF"
refers to a non-mature VWF polypeptide comprising a signal peptide
of about 22 amino acid residues, a VWF propeptide of about 741
amino acid residues, and a mature VWF subunit of about 2050 amino
acid residues. Pro-VWF subunits can dimerize through disulfide
bonds near their carboxyl termini in the endoplasmic reticulum to
form tail-to tail dimers which are then transported to the Golgi.
In the Golgi, additional head-to-head disulfide bonds are formed
near the amino-termini of the subunits, thereby forming multimers.
Proteolytic cleavage of the VWF propeptide occurs via the
processing protease furin, thus producing a mature VWF/VWF-PP
complex. When "r" is included prior to the VWF designation, this
refers to the recombinant version. In some embodiments, the methods
described herein apply to recombinant VWF (rVWF).
[0145] The term "VWF complex" or "mat-VWF/VWF-PP complex" refers to
a non-covalently linked heterodimeric structure comprising a mature
VWF subunit and VWF propeptide. The VWF complex can be generated as
a product of furin cleavage between the propeptide portion and
mature VWF portion of the pre-propeptide VWF. When "r" is included
prior to the VWF designation, this refers to the recombinant
version. In some embodiments, the methods described herein apply to
recombinant VWF (rVWF).
[0146] The term "mature VWF" or "mat-VWF," refers to a mature VWF
subunit of about 2050 amino acid residues. A mature VWF subunit can
be part of a pre-propeptide VWF or a VWF complex. Mature VWF can be
referred to as "free VWF" upon separation (isolation) from a VWF
propeptide. When "r" is included prior to the VWF designation, this
refers to the recombinant version. In some embodiments, the methods
described herein apply to recombinant VWF (rVWF).
[0147] The term "VWF propeptide" or "VWF-PP," refers to a VWF
propeptide of about 741 amino acid residues. A VWF propeptide can
be part of a pre-propeptide VWF or a VWF complex. For instance, in
a VWF complex a VWF propeptide is non-covalently associated with a
mature VWF subunit. A VWF propeptide can be referred to as "free
VWF propeptide" upon separation (isolation) from a mature VWF. When
"r" is included prior to the VWF designation, this refers to the
recombinant version. In some embodiments, the methods described
herein apply to recombinant VWF (rVWF).
[0148] The terms "isolated," "purified," or "biologically pure"
refer to material that is substantially or essentially free from
components that normally accompany it as found in its native state.
Purity and homogeneity are typically determined using analytical
chemistry techniques such as polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or
high performance liquid chromatography. VWF is the predominant
species present in a preparation is substantially purified. The
term "purified" in some embodiments denotes that a nucleic acid or
protein gives rise to essentially one band in an electrophoretic
gel. In other embodiments, it means that the nucleic acid or
protein is at least 50% pure, more preferably at least 60%, 65%,
70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or more pure.
"Purify" or "purification" in other embodiments means removing at
least one contaminant from the composition to be purified. In this
sense, purification does not require that the purified compound be
homogenous, e.g., 100% pure.
[0149] As used herein, the term "about" denotes an approximate
range of plus or minus 10% from a specified value. For instance,
the language "about 20%" encompasses a range of 18-22%.
III. Detailed Description of Embodiments
[0150] The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a
highly pure composition comprising free mature recombinant von
Willebrand Factor (rVWF) comprising the steps: dissociating mature
rVWF from rVWF pro-peptide using a solution (e.g., dissociation
solution) comprising at least one chelating agent or having a pH of
at least 7; separating the free mature rVWF from the rVWF
pro-peptide; and collecting the free mature rVWF composition
comprising at least 95% free mature rVWF and less than 5% rVWF
pro-peptide.
[0151] The method of the present invention is particularly suited
for the in vitro separation of mature VWF from its VWF propeptide.
In some embodiments, the separation is induced by adding one or
more chelating agents to a solution comprising mature VWF and
VWF-PP, increasing the pH of the solution to at least 7.0, or a
combination thereof. In some embodiments, the pH is increased to a
range from pH 7.0 to pH 9.0.
[0152] The separation method may include using one or more protein
separation methods, such as, but not limited to, chromatographic
methods for isolating mature VWF from VWF-PP. The method can
produce a high purity, free mature rVWF composition. In some
embodiments, the free mature rVWF composition comprises at least
95% free mature rVWF and less than 5% free rVWF-PP and/or
matVWF/VWF-PP complex. In some cases, the free mature rVWF
composition comprises at least 96% free mature rVWF and less than
4% free rVWF-PP and/or matVWF/VWF-PP complex, at least 97% free
mature rVWF and less than 3% free rVWF-PP and/or matVWF/VWF-PP
complex, at least 98% free mature rVWF and less than 2% free
rVWF-PP and/or matVWF/VWF-PP complex, at least 99% free mature rVWF
and less than 1% free rVWF-PP and/or matVWF/VWF-PP complex, at
least 99.5% free mature rVWF and less than 0.5% free rVWF-PP and/or
matVWF/VWF-PP complex.
[0153] a. Anion Exchange Chromatography Purification
[0154] In one aspect of the present method, mature rVWF (mat-rVWF)
is separated from rVWF-PP using anion exchange (AEX)
chromatography. In some cases, remaining host cell derived
impurities such as CHO host cell proteins, process related
impurities such as recombinant furin and low molecular weight viral
inactivation reagents, media compounds such as soy peptone, and
other product related impurities are removed from the mature
VWF
[0155] In another aspect of the present method, mature rVWF is
separated from rVWF-PP such as residual rVWF-PP or free rVWF-PP
using anion exchange chromatography. For separation, the starting
composition, loading solution, or loading composition can comprise
a low pH and at least one chelating agent. The loading composition
can be applied to an anion exchanger operated in flow through mode.
In some embodiments, the loading solution comprises pro-rVWF,
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP). In some embodiments, the anion exchanger is operated in
binding mode and mature VWF and VWF-PP are separated using a
gradient elution buffer comprising at least one chelating agent. In
other embodiments, the gradient elution buffer has a neutral to
high pH, such as a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0. In another
embodiment, the gradient elution buffer comprises one or more
chelating agents and has a pH of 7.0 or higher, e.g., pH 7.0 to pH
9.0. For instance, the gradient elution buffer can include EDTA and
have a pH of 8.5.
[0156] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method
for obtaining a composition comprising a high purity, propeptide
depleted mature recombinant rVWF (high purity mat-rVWF), said
method comprising the steps of: (a) loading a solution comprising
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF
propeptide (rVWF-PP) onto an anion exchange column, wherein said
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and mat-rVWF are bound to said
anion exchange column; (b) washing said anion exchange column in a)
containing said bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and
mat-rVWF with one or more wash buffers; (c) treating said column in
b) comprising the bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and
mat-rVWF with furin, wherein said furin cleaves said pro-rVWF into
mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP; (d) eluting said bound pro-rVWF,
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and mat-rVWF from the column in c) with
an elution buffer, wherein said elution buffer induces dissociation
of said rVWF-PP from mat-rVWF non-covalently associated with said
rVWF-PP, and wherein said dissociation is induced by: (i) addition
of at least one chelating agent into said elution buffer, or (ii)
increasing the pH of said elution buffer to a pH of at least 7; and
(e) collecting said mat-rVWF separately from said rVWF-PP to obtain
a high purity mat-rVWF composition, wherein said high purity
mat-rVWF composition comprises at least 95% mature rVWF and less
than 5% rVWF-PP.
[0157] In some embodiments, a) and b) occur simultaneously in a
single step. In some embodiments, the solution in a) comprises the
flow through from a immunoaffinity purification method. In some
embodiments, the solution in a) comprises the flow through from a
monoclonal antibody column, wherein said monoclonal antibody is a
FVIII monoclonal antibody. In some embodiments, the solution in a)
is selected from the group consisting of a cell culture medium, an
antibody column flow-through solution, and a buffered solution.
[0158] In some embodiments of step (b) washing said anion exchange
column in a) containing said bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP
complex, and mat-rVWF employs washing with one or more wash
buffers, wherein one or more wash buffers includes one, two, three,
four, and/or five wash buffers. In some embodiments, the second
wash buffer comprises components for viral inactivation. In some
embodiments, when four or five wash buffers are employed, the
second wash buffer comprises components for viral inactivation. In
some embodiments, when four or five wash buffers are employed, the
second or third wash buffer comprises components for viral
inactivation treatment. In some embodiments, the viral inactivation
treatment is a solvent and detergent (S/D) treatment. In some
embodiments, when five wash buffers are employed the first, second,
third, and/or fifth wash buffers have a higher pH than the fourth
wash buffer. In some embodiments, when five wash buffers are
employed the first, second, third, and fifth wash buffers have a pH
of about pH 7 to pH 8, and the fourth wash buffer has a pH of about
pH 5 to 6. In some embodiments, when five wash buffers are employed
the first, second, third, and/or fifth wash buffers have a pH of
around pH 7.4 to pH 7.5, and the fourth wash buffer has a pH of
about pH 5.5. In some embodiments, the viral inactivation treatment
step occurs with a buffer that has a pH higher than the fourth wash
buffer. In some embodiments, when four wash buffers are employed, a
viral inactivation treatment step is employed after the first wash
buffer. In some embodiments, when four wash buffers are employed,
the first, second, and fourth wash buffers have a higher pH than
the third wash buffer. In some embodiments, the viral inactivation
treatment step occurs with a buffer that has a pH higher than the
third wash buffer. In some embodiments, the viral inactivation step
occurs with a buffer that has the same pH as the first, second,
and/or fourth wash buffers. In some embodiments, when four wash
buffers are employed the first, second, and fourth wash buffers
have a pH of about pH 7 to about pH 8, and the third wash buffer
has a pH of about pH 5 to about pH 6. In some embodiments, when
four wash buffers are employed the first, second, and fourth wash
buffers have a pH of about pH 7.4 to pH 7.5, and the third wash
buffer has a pH of about pH 5.5.
[0159] Anion exchange chromatography can be performed as recognized
by those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the anion
exchanger includes, but is not limited to, a STREAMLINE Q XL.TM.,
POROS 50 PI.TM., Q SEPHAROSE.TM., Emphase.TM. AEX Hybrid Purifier,
Nuvia Q, POROS 50 HQ, Capto Q, Capto Q impress, Unosphere Q, Q
Ceramic HYPERD.RTM. F, TOYOPEARL.RTM. Q, TOYOPEARL.RTM. Super Q,
mixed mode AEX resins (e.g., Capto Adhere, Capto adhere impress, or
MEP Hypercell), as well as any DEAE, TMAE, tertiary or quaternary
amine, or PEI-based resins. In some embodiments, the anion
exchanger is a membrane anion exchanger. In some embodiments, the
membrane anion exchanger includes, but is not limited to, a
Sartobind Q.RTM., Sartobind STIC.RTM. PA, Mustang Q.RTM., or
ChromaSorb.RTM.. In some embodiments, the anion exchanger is a
Fractogel TMAE column (Merck--Millipore) or an equivalent
thereof.
[0160] In some embodiments, the loading concentration of pro-VWF is
from about 90 IU/ml to about 270 IU/ml resin, e.g., about 90
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 110
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 130
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 140
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 90
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 110
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 130
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 140
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 90
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 110
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 130
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 140
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 90
IU/ml-about 100 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 150 IU/ml, about 150
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 200 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, or about
250 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml resin.
[0161] In some embodiments, the anion exchange method comprises a
buffer system. In some embodiments, the buffer system comprised one
or more elution buffers. In some embodiments, the buffer system
comprises one or more wash buffers. In some embodiments, the buffer
system comprises at least one elution buffer and at least one wash
buffer. In some embodiments, the buffer system comprises at least
two elution buffers and at least two wash buffers.
[0162] In some embodiments, the loading concentration is from about
90 IU/ml to about 270 IU/ml resin, e.g., about 90 IU/ml-about 270
IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 110 IU/ml-about 270
IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 270
IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 140 IU/ml-about 270
IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 90 IU/ml-about 250
IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 110 IU/ml-about 250
IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 250
IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 140 IU/ml-about 250
IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 90 IU/ml-about 200
IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 110 IU/ml-about 200
IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 200
IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 140 IU/ml-about 200
IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 90 IU/ml-about 100
IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 150 IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 200
IU/ml, about 200 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, or about 250 IU/ml-about
270 IU/ml resin.
[0163] In some embodiments, the pH of the starting composition,
loading solution, or loading composition comprises pro-rVWF,
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP) is from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, e.g., pH 6.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.3-pH
9.0, pH 6.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.0-pH 9.0, pH 7.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.7.0-pH 9.0,
pH 8.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.0-pH 8.5, pH 6.5-pH 8.5, pH 7.0-pH 8.5, pH
7.5-pH 8.5, pH 6.0-pH 8.0, pH 6.5-pH 8.0, pH 7.0-pH 8.0, pH 7.5-pH
8.0, pH 6.0, pH 6.1, pH 6.2, pH 6.3, pH 6.4, pH 6.5, pH 6.6, pH
6.7, pH 6.8, pH 6.9, pH 7.0, pH 7.1, pH 7.2, pH 7.3, pH 7.4, pH
7.5, pH 7.6, pH 7.7, pH 7.8, pH 7.9, pH 8.0, pH 8.1, pH 8.2, pH
8.3, pH 8.4, pH 8.5, pH 8.6, pH 8.7, pH 8.8, pH 8.9, or pH 9.0.
[0164] In some embodiments, the conductivity of the starting
composition, loading solution, or loading composition comprises
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF
propeptide (rVWF-PP) is from about 5 mS/cm to about 40 mS/cm, e.g.,
about 5 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about
15 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 20 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 25
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 30 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 5
mS/cm-about 15 mS/cm, about 15 mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, or about 20
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm.
[0165] In some embodiments, the starting composition, loading
solution, or loading composition comprises pro-rVWF,
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP) is diluted with a buffer comprising sodium citrate, such
as, but not limited to, 10 mM-80 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-80 mM
sodium citrate, 10 mM-80 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-60 mM sodium
citrate, 20 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM
sodium citrate, 30 mM sodium citrate, 40 mM sodium citrate, 50 mM
sodium citrate, 55 mM sodium citrate, 60 mM sodium citrate, 65 mM
sodium citrate, 70 mM sodium citrate, 75 mM sodium citrate, 80 mM
sodium citrate, or the like.
[0166] In some embodiments, the first wash buffer comprises at
least one chelating agent, and optionally has a pH ranging from pH
6.0 to pH 9.0. In some embodiments, the first wash buffer has a pH
ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, and optionally comprises at least
one chelating agent. In some embodiments, the first wash buffer has
a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 6.9. In some embodiments, the second
wash buffer has a pH ranging from pH 7.0 to pH 9.0. In some
embodiments, the first wash buffer can comprise at least one
chelating agent and has a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 6.9. In some
embodiments, the wash elution buffer has a pH of less than 7. In
one embodiments, the second wash buffer has a pH of greater than 7.
In some embodiments, when two wash buffers are employed, the first
wash buffer has a pH of less than 7 and the second wash buffer has
a pH of greater than 7.
[0167] In some embodiments, the one or more wash buffers comprise a
NaCl concentration of 120 mM to 200 mM, 130 mM to 200 mM, 140 mM to
200 mM, 150 mM to 200 mM, 120 mM to 190 mM, 130 mM to 190 mM, 140
mM to 190 mM, 150 mM to 190 mM, 120 mM to 180 mM, 130 mM to 180 mM,
140 mM to 180 mM, 150 mM to 180 mM, 120 mM, 125 mM, 130 mM, 135 mM,
140 mM, 145 mM, 150 mM, 155 mM, 160 mM, 165 mM, 170 mM, 175 mM, 180
mM, 185 mM, 190 mM, 195 mM, or 200 mM.
[0168] In some embodiments, the starting composition, loading
solution, or loading composition comprising mature VWF and VWF-PP
is contacted with a buffer comprising at least one chelating agent,
and optionally the buffer has a pH of ranging from pH 6.0 to pH
9.0. In some embodiments, the starting composition, loading
solution, or loading composition is contacted with a buffer having
a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, and optionally the buffer
comprises at least one chelating agent. In some embodiments, the
buffer has a pH ranging from pH 7.0 to pH 9.0. In some embodiments
the buffer is a wash buffer. In some embodiments, the buffer is an
elution buffer. In some embodiments the buffer is a wash buffer
with a pH of 6.0 to 6.9. In some embodiments, the buffer is an
elution buffer with a pH of 7.0 to 9.0. In some embodiments, the
starting composition, loading solution, or loading composition
comprising mature VWF and VWF-PP is contacted first with a wash
buffer having a pH from 6.0 to 6.9 and a second with at least one
elution buffer having a pH from 7.0 to 9.0.
[0169] In some embodiments, mature VWF is eluted in the anion
exchange chromatography step using one elution buffer. In some
embodiments, mature VWF is eluted in the anion exchange
chromatography step using a gradient elution method comprising more
than one elution buffer. For example, the elution can be performed
using two elution buffers, such as, for example, a first elution
buffer and a second elution buffer. In some embodiments, the first
elution buffer comprises at least one chelating agent, and
optionally has a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0. In some
embodiments, the first elution buffer has a pH ranging from pH 6.0
to pH 9.0, and optionally comprises at least one chelating agent.
In some embodiments, the first elution buffer has a pH ranging from
pH 6.0 to pH 6.9. In some embodiments, the second elution buffer
has a pH ranging from pH 7.0 to pH 9.0. In some embodiments, the
first elution buffer can comprise at least one chelating agent and
has a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 6.9. In some embodiments, the
first elution buffer has a pH of less than 7. In one embodiments,
the second elution buffer has a pH of greater than 7. In some
embodiments, when two elution buffers are employed, the first
elution buffer has a pH of less than 7 and the second elution
buffer has a pH of greater than 7.
[0170] In some embodiments, the pH of the wash buffer for the anion
exchange chromatography step is from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, e.g., pH
6.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.3-pH 9.0, pH 6.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.0-pH 9.0, pH 7.5-pH
9.0, pH 7.7.0-pH 9.0, pH 8.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.0-pH 8.5, pH 6.5-pH 8.5,
pH 7.0-pH 8.5, pH 7.5-pH 8.5, pH 6.0-pH 8.0, pH 6.5-pH 8.0, pH
7.0-pH 8.0, pH 7.5-pH 8.0, pH 6.0, pH 6.1, pH 6.2, pH 6.3, pH 6.4,
pH 6.5, pH 6.6, pH 6.7, pH 6.8, pH 6.9, pH 7.0, pH 7.1, pH 7.2, pH
7.3, pH 7.4, pH 7.5, pH 7.6, pH 7.7, pH 7.8, pH 7.9, pH 8.0, pH
8.1, pH 8.2, pH 8.3, pH 8.4, pH 8.5, pH 8.6, pH 8.7, pH 8.8, pH
8.9, pH 9.0. In some embodiments, this includes when there are two
elution buffers, for example a first and second elution buffer.
[0171] In some embodiments, the pH of the elution buffer for the
anion exchange chromatography step is from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, e.g.,
pH 6.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.3-pH 9.0, pH 6.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.0-pH 9.0, pH
7.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.7.0-pH 9.0, pH 8.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.0-pH 8.5, pH
6.5-pH 8.5, pH 7.0-pH 8.5, pH 7.5-pH 8.5, pH 6.0-pH 8.0, pH 6.5-pH
8.0, pH 7.0-pH 8.0, pH 7.5-pH 8.0, pH 6.0, pH 6.1, pH 6.2, pH 6.3,
pH 6.4, pH 6.5, pH 6.6, pH 6.7, pH 6.8, pH 6.9, pH 7.0, pH 7.1, pH
7.2, pH 7.3, pH 7.4, pH 7.5, pH 7.6, pH 7.7, pH 7.8, pH 7.9, pH
8.0, pH 8.1, pH 8.2, pH 8.3, pH 8.4, pH 8.5, pH 8.6, pH 8.7, pH
8.8, pH 8.9, pH 9.0. In some embodiments, this includes when there
are two elution buffers, for example a first and second elution
buffer.
[0172] In some embodiments, the pH of the elution buffer is
increased as compared to the starting solution in step a), is
increased as compared to a first elution buffer when two elution
buffers are employed, and/or is increased as compared to a wash
buffer when a wash buffer is employed. In some embodiments, when a
wash buffer and an elution buffer is employed, the wash buffer has
a pH of less than 7 and the elution buffer has a pH of greater than
7. In some embodiments, when two elution buffers are employed, one
elution buffer has a pH of less than 7 and the other elution buffer
has a pH of greater than 7. In some embodiments, when a wash buffer
and two elution buffers are employed, the wash buffer has a pH of
less than 7 and both the elution buffers have a pH of greater than
7. In some embodiments, when a wash buffer and two elution buffers
are employed, the wash buffer and the first elution buffer have a
pH of less than 7 and the second elution buffer has a pH of greater
than 7. In some embodiments, when two wash buffers and two elution
buffers are employed, the wash buffers and the first elution buffer
have a pH of less than 7 and the second elution buffer has a pH of
greater than 7. In some embodiments, when two wash buffers and two
elution buffers are employed, both wash buffers have a pH of less
than 7 and both the elution buffers have a pH of greater than 7. In
some embodiments, when two wash buffers and two elution buffers are
employed, the first wash buffer has a pH of less than 7 and the
second wash buffer and both elution buffers have a pH of greater
than 7.
[0173] In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more wash and/or
elution buffers is increased to at least 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5,
7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, or 8.0, as compared to the loading solution
comprising pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or
rVWF propeptide (rVWF-PP), as recited in step (a) of the method. In
some embodiments, the pH of the buffer is increased to at least
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, or 8.0 in order to
induce dissociation of the mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex in the solution
in step (a) of the method into mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP, wherein said
dissociation occurs by disruption of the non-covalently associated
mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP. In some embodiments, the pH of the loading
solution is increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some
embodiments, the pH of the loading solution is increased to at
least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the pH of the loading
solution is increased by the addition of basic amino acids. In some
embodiments, the pH of at the loading solution is increased to at
least 7. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more wash
buffers is increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some
embodiments, the pH of the one or more wash buffers is increased to
at least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more
wash buffers is increased by the addition of basic amino acids. In
some embodiments, the one or more wash buffers exhibit a pH of at
least 7. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more elution
buffers is increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some
embodiments, the pH of the one or more elution buffers is increased
to at least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or
more elution buffers is increased by the addition of basic amino
acids. In some embodiments, the one or more elution buffers exhibit
a pH of at least 7.
[0174] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers (including wash
and/or elution buffers) comprise one or more chelating agents. In
some embodiments, the elution buffer includes at least one
chelating agent. The chelating agent can be a divalent cation
chelating agent. In some embodiments, the at least one chelating
agent is a divalent cation chelating agent. In some embodiments,
the divalent cation chelating agent is selected from the group
consisting of EDTA, EGTA, CDTA, and citrate. In some embodiments,
the divalent cation chelating agent is selected from the group
consisting of NTA, DTPA, EDDS, EDTA, EGTA, CDTA, and citrate. In
some embodiments, the chelating agent is NTA. In some embodiments,
the chelating agent is DTPA. In some embodiments, the chelating
agent is EDDS. In some embodiments, the chelating agent is EDTA. In
some embodiments, the chelating agent is EGTA In some embodiments,
the chelating agent is CDTA. In some embodiments, the chelating
agent is citrate. In some embodiments, the one or more wash buffers
in b) comprise said one or more chelating agents and exhibit a pH
of at least 7.
[0175] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers (including wash
and/or elution buffers) comprise sodium citrate in a range
including but not limited to, 10 mM-80 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-80
mM sodium citrate, 10 mM-80 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-60 mM sodium
citrate, 20 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM
sodium citrate, 30 mM sodium citrate, 40 mM sodium citrate, 50 mM
sodium citrate, 55 mM sodium citrate, 60 mM sodium citrate, 65 mM
sodium citrate, 70 mM sodium citrate, 75 mM sodium citrate, 80 mM
sodium citrate, or the like.
[0176] In some embodiments, a first elution buffer further
comprises sodium citrate, in a range including but not limited to,
10 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM-50 mM
sodium citrate, 15 mM-50 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM-60 mM sodium
citrate, 10 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM sodium citrate, 30 mM sodium
citrate, 40 mM sodium citrate, 50 mM sodium citrate, 60 mM sodium
citrate, or the like.
[0177] In some embodiments, a second elution buffer further
comprises sodium citrate, such as, but not limited to, 10 mM-60 mM
sodium citrate, 15 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM-50 mM sodium
citrate, 15 mM-50 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 10
mM sodium citrate, 20 mM sodium citrate, 30 mM sodium citrate, 40
mM sodium citrate, 50 mM sodium citrate, 60 mM sodium citrate, or
the like.
[0178] In some embodiments, the elution buffer A and/or elution
buffer B of the anion exchange chromatography step comprises about
0.5 mM to about 20 mM EDTA, e.g., about 0.5 mM-about 20 mM, about 1
mM-about 20 mM, about 1.5 mM-about 20 mM, about 2 mM-about 20 mM,
about 3 mM-about 20 mM, about 5 mM-about 20 mM, about 0.5 mM-about
15 mM, about 1 mM-about 10 mM, about 1 mM-about 5 mM, about 5 mM,
about 0.5 mM, about 1 mM, about 2 mM, about 3 mM, about 4 mM, about
5 mM, about 6 mM, about 7 mM, about 8 mM, about 9 mM, about 10 mM,
about 11 mM, about 12 mM, about 13 mM, about 14 mM, about 15 mM,
about 16 mM, about 17 mM, about 18 mM, about 19 mM, about 20 mM, or
the like.
[0179] In some embodiments, the citrate can be found in the eluent
after the rVWF-propeptide has been removed using an anion exchange
method. In some embodiments, the citrate can be found in the eluent
after the rVWF-propeptide has been removed using a stepwise anion
exchange elution method. In some embodiments, the citrate can be
found in the eluent after the rVWF-propeptide has been removed
using a gradient anion exchange elution method. In some
embodiments, the anion exchange counter-ion is citrate.sup.3-.
[0180] Any of the buffers (buffer systems) described herein can be
selected from the group consisting of glycine, HEPES
(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid), TrisHCl
(Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane), histidine, imidazole, acetate
citrate, citrate, acetate, MES, phosphate, TrisHCl, Bis-Tris,
Histidine, Imidazol, ArgininHCl, LysinHCl, and
2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid, as single buffers or as a
combination of two or more buffers. In some embodiments, the buffer
comprises glycine. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises HEPES
(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid). In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises TrisHCl
(Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane). In some embodiments, the buffer
comprises histidine. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
imidazole. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises acetate
citrate. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises citrate. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises acetate. In some embodiments, the
buffer comprises MES. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
phosphate. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises TrisHCl. In
some embodiments, the buffer comprises Bis-Tris. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises Histidine. In some embodiments,
the buffer comprises Imidazole. In some embodiments, the buffer
comprises Arginine HCl. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
LysinHCl. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid. In some embodiments, the
buffer comprises one, two, three, or four of the buffers listed
herein.
[0181] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers are selected
from the group consisting of glycine HEPES
(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid), TrisHCl
(Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane), histidine, imidazole, acetate
citrate, MES, and 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid.
[0182] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers comprise at
least one buffer exhibiting a conductivity of .gtoreq.0.5 mS/cm at
25.degree. C. In some embodiments, the one or more buffers comprise
at least one buffer exhibiting a conductivity of 20.0.+-.0.2 mS/cm
at 25.degree. C. In some embodiments, the one or more buffers
comprise at least one buffer exhibiting a conductivity of
17.0.+-.0.2 mS/cm at 25.degree. C. In some embodiments, the one or
more buffers comprise at least one buffer exhibiting a conductivity
of 15.0.+-.0.2 mS/cm at 25.degree. C. In some embodiments, the one
or more buffers comprise at least one buffer exhibiting a
conductivity of 12.0.+-.0.2 mS/cm at 25.degree. C. In some
embodiments, the one or more buffers comprise at least one buffer
exhibiting a conductivity of 10.0.+-.0.2 mS/cm at 25.degree. C. In
some embodiments, the one or more buffers comprise at least one
buffer exhibiting a conductivity of 5.0.+-.0.2 mS/cm at 25.degree.
C. In some embodiments, the one or more buffers comprise at least
one buffer exhibiting a conductivity of 2.0.+-.0.2 mS/cm at
25.degree. C.
[0183] In some embodiments, the flow rate of one or more wash steps
of the present method is about 10 cm/h to about 200 cm/h, e.g.,
about 10 cm/h, about 15 cm/h, about 20 cm/h, about 25 cm/h, about
30 cm/h, about 35 cm/h, about 40 cm/h, about 45 cm/h, about 50
cm/h, about 55 cm/h, about 60 cm/h, about 65 cm/h, about 70 cm/h,
about 75 cm/h, about 80 cm/h, about 85 cm/h, about 90 cm/h, about
95 cm/h, about 100 cm/h, about 105 cm/h, about 110 cm/h, about 115
cm/h, about 120 cm/h, about 125 cm/h, about 130 cm/h, about 135
cm/h, about 140 cm/h, about 145 cm/h, about 150 cm/h, about 155
cm/h, about 160 cm/h, about 165 cm/h, about 170 cm/h, about 175
cm/h, about 180 cm/h, about 185 cm/h, about 190 cm/h, about 195
cm/h, or about 200 cm/h. Depending on the resin, in some
embodiments the flow rate can be up to 600 cm/h.
[0184] In some embodiments, the flow rate of one or more elution
steps of the present method is about 10 cm/h to about 200 cm/h,
e.g., about 10 cm/h, about 15 cm/h, about 20 cm/h, about 25 cm/h,
about 30 cm/h, about 35 cm/h, about 40 cm/h, about 45 cm/h, about
50 cm/h, about 55 cm/h, about 60 cm/h, about 65 cm/h, about 70
cm/h, about 75 cm/h, about 80 cm/h, about 85 cm/h, about 90 cm/h,
about 95 cm/h, about 100 cm/h, about 105 cm/h, about 110 cm/h,
about 115 cm/h, about 120 cm/h, about 125 cm/h, about 130 cm/h,
about 135 cm/h, about 140 cm/h, about 145 cm/h, about 150 cm/h,
about 155 cm/h, about 160 cm/h, about 165 cm/h, about 170 cm/h,
about 175 cm/h, about 180 cm/h, about 185 cm/h, about 190 cm/h,
about 195 cm/h, or about 200 cm/h. Depending on the resin, in some
embodiments the flow rate can be up to 600 cm/h.
[0185] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers further
comprise one or more nonionic detergents. In some embodiments, the
nonionic detergent is selected from the group consisting of Triton
X-100, Tween 80, and Tween 20. In some embodiments, the nonionic
detergent is Triton X-100. In some embodiments, the nonionic
detergent is Tween 80. In some embodiments, the nonionic detergent
is Tween 20.
[0186] In some embodiments, the said one or more buffers further
comprise one or more additional substances selected from the group
consisting of non-reducing sugars, sugar alcohols, and polyols. In
some embodiments, the one or more buffers further comprises one or
more non-reducing sugars. In some embodiments, the non-reducing
sugar includes but is not limited to sucrose, trehalose, mannitol,
sorbitol, galactitol, and/or xylitol. In some embodiments, the one
or more buffers further comprises one or more sugar alcohols. In
some embodiments, the one or more buffers further comprises one or
more polyols. In some embodiments, the sugar alcohol or polyol
includes but is not limited to mannitol, xylitol, erythritol,
threitol, sorbitol, and/or glycerol. In some embodiments, the
buffers further comprise ethylene glycol, propylene glycol,
glycerol, 1,2,3-Propanetriol), meso-erythritol, and/or erythritol
(meso-1,2,3,4-Butantetrol).
[0187] In some embodiments, the buffer can include one or more
monovalent cations. In some embodiments, the one or more monovalent
cations are selected from the group consisting of Na.sup.+,
K.sup.+, Li.sup.+, Cs.sup.+, and NH.sub.4.sup.+. For instance, the
monovalent cation can be Na.sup.+. In other embodiments, the buffer
includes one or more monovalent, divalent and/or trivalent anions.
The one or more monovalent, divalent and/or trivalent anions can be
selected from the group consisting of Cl.sup.-, acetate.sup.-,
SO.sub.4.sup.2-, Br, citrate.sup.3-, PO.sub.4.sup.3-, and
BO.sub.3.sup.3-. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises one or
more additional substances selected from the group consisting of
non-reducing sugars, and sugar alcohols. In some embodiments, the
one or more buffers further comprise one or more monovalent
cations. In some embodiments, the one or more monovalent cations
are selected from the group consisting Na.sup.+, K.sup.+, Li.sup.+,
and Cs.sup.+. In some embodiments, the monovalent cation is Na+. In
some embodiments, the one or more buffers further comprise one or
more monovalent, divalent, and/or trivalent anions. In some
embodiments, the one or more monovalent, divalent and/or trivalent
anions are selected from the group consisting of Cl.sup.-,
acetate.sup.-, SO.sub.4.sup.2-, Br.sup.-, and citrate.sup.3-.
[0188] The pH of any of the buffers can be adjusted (increased) by
adding an amino acid, Tris, NaOH, ethanolamine, and the like.
[0189] In some embodiments, the anion exchange method buffer
chelator combination comprises citrate, malate (malic acid), and
tartrate (tartaric acid).
[0190] b. Cation Exchange Chromatography Purification
[0191] In one aspect of the present method, mature VWF (matVWF) is
separated from VWF-PP using cation exchange (CEX) chromatography.
In some cases, remaining host cell derived impurities such as CHO
host cell proteins, process related impurities such as recombinant
furin and low molecular weight viral inactivation reagents, media
compounds such as soy peptone, and other product related impurities
are removed from the mature VWF.
[0192] In another aspect of the present method, mature VWF is
separated from VWF-PP such as residual VWF-PP or free VWF-PP using
cation exchange chromatography. For separation, the starting
composition, loading solution, or loading composition can comprise
a low pH and at least one chelating agent. In some embodiments, the
starting composition, loading solution, or loading composition
comprises pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF
propeptide (rVWF-PP). In some embodiments, the cation exchanger is
operated in binding mode and mature VWF and VWF-PP are separated
using a gradient elution buffer comprising at least one chelating
agent. In other embodiments, the gradient elution buffer has a
neutral to high pH, such as a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0. In
another embodiment, the gradient elution buffer comprises one or
more chelating agents and has a pH of 7.0 or higher, e.g., pH 7.0
to pH 9.0. For instance, the gradient elution buffer can include
EDTA and have a pH of 8.5.
[0193] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method
for obtaining a composition comprising a high purity, propeptide
depleted mature recombinant rVWF (high purity mat-rVWF), said
method comprising the steps of: (a) loading a solution comprising
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF
propeptide (rVWF-PP) onto a cation exchange column, wherein said
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and mat-rVWF are bound to said
cation exchange column; (b) washing said cation exchange column in
a) containing said bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and
mat-rVWF with one or more wash buffers; (c) treating said column in
b) comprising the bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and
mat-rVWF with furin, wherein said furin cleaves said pro-rVWF into
mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP; (d) eluting said bound pro-rVWF,
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and mat-rVWF from the column in c) with
an elution buffer, wherein said elution buffer induces dissociation
of said rVWF-PP from mat-rVWF non-covalently associated with said
rVWF-PP, and wherein said dissociation is induced by: (i) addition
of at least one chelating agent into said elution buffer, or (ii)
increasing the pH of said elution buffer to a pH of at least 7; and
(e) collecting said mat-rVWF separately from said rVWF-PP to obtain
a high purity mat-rVWF composition, wherein said high purity
mat-rVWF composition comprises at least 95% mature rVWF and less
than 5% rVWF-PP.
[0194] In some embodiments, a) and b) occur simultaneously in a
single step. In some embodiments, the solution in a) comprises the
flow through from a immunoaffinity purification method. In some
embodiments, the solution in a) comprises the flow through from a
monoclonal antibody column, wherein said monoclonal antibody is a
FVIII monoclonal antibody. In some embodiments, the solution in a)
is selected from the group consisting of a cell culture medium, an
antibody column flow-through solution, and a buffered solution.
[0195] The cation exchanger can be operated in binding mode to
separate the mature VWF and VWF-PP. Cation exchange chromatography
can be performed as recognized by those skilled in the art. In some
embodiments, the cation exchanger includes, but is not limited to,
POROS.RTM. S (Applied Biosystems), Convective Interaction Media
(CIM.RTM.; BIA Separation), Toyopearl Gigacap S (Tosoh Bioscience,
Montgomeryville, Pa.), Toyopearl Gigacap CM (Tosoh), Toyopearl SP
(Tosoha), Toyopearl CM (Tosoh), MacroPrep S (Bio-rad, Hercules,
Calif.), UNOsphereS (Bio-rad, Hercules, Calif.), MacroprepCM
((Bio-rad, Hercules, Calif.), Fractogel EMD SO3 (Merck), Fractogel
EMD COO (Merck), Fractogel EMD SE Hicap (Merck), Cellufine Sulfate
(JNC), CM and SP Trisacryl (Pall), CM and S HyperD (Pall), S and CM
Sepharose CL (GE Healthcare), S and CM Sepharose FF (GE
Healthcare), S and CM CAPTO.TM. (GE Healthcare), MonoS (GE
Healthcare), Source S (GE Healthcare), Nuvia S(Merck), or Cellufine
phosphate (JNC). In some embodiments, the cation exchanger is a
membrane cation exchanger. In some embodiments, the membrane cation
exchanger includes, but is not limited to, Mustang S (Pall) or
Sartobind.RTM. S. In some embodiments, the cation exchanger is a
UNO_Sphere S column (Bio-Rad) or an equivalent thereof.
[0196] In some embodiments of step (b) washing said cation exchange
column in a) containing said bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP
complex, and mat-rVWF employs washing with one or more wash
buffers, wherein one or more wash buffers includes one, two, three,
four, and/or five wash buffers. In some embodiments, the second
wash buffer comprises components for viral inactivation. In some
embodiments, when four or five wash buffers are employed, the
second wash buffer comprises components for viral inactivation. In
some embodiments, when four or five wash buffers are employed, the
second or third wash buffer comprises components for viral
inactivation treatment. In some embodiments, the viral inactivation
treatment is a solvent and detergent (S/D) treatment. In some
embodiments, when five wash buffers are employed the first, second,
third, and/or fifth wash buffers have a higher pH than the fourth
wash buffer. In some embodiments, when five wash buffers are
employed the first, second, third, and fifth wash buffers have a pH
of about pH 7 to pH 8, and the fourth wash buffer has a pH of about
pH 5 to 6. In some embodiments, when five wash buffers are employed
the first, second, third, and/or fifth wash buffers have a pH of
around pH 7.4 to pH 7.5, and the fourth wash buffer has a pH of
about pH 5.5. In some embodiments, the viral inactivation treatment
step occurs with a buffer that has a pH higher than the fourth wash
buffer. In some embodiments, when four wash buffers are employed, a
viral inactivation treatment step is employed after the first wash
buffer. In some embodiments, when four wash buffers are employed,
the first, second, and fourth wash buffers have a higher pH than
the third wash buffer. In some embodiments, the viral inactivation
treatment step occurs with a buffer that has a pH higher than the
third wash buffer. In some embodiments, the viral inactivation step
occurs with a buffer that has the same pH as the first, second,
and/or fourth wash buffers. In some embodiments, when four wash
buffers are employed the first, second, and fourth wash buffers
have a pH of about pH 7 to about pH 8, and the third wash buffer
has a pH of about pH 5 to about pH 6. In some embodiments, when
four wash buffers are employed the first, second, and fourth wash
buffers have a pH of about pH 7.4 to pH 7.5, and the third wash
buffer has a pH of about pH 5.5.
[0197] In some embodiments, the loading concentration of pro-VWF is
from about 90 IU/ml to about 270 IU/ml resin, e.g., about 90
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 110
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 130
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 140
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 90
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 110
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 130
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 140
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 90
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 110
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 130
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 140
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 90
IU/ml-about 100 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 150 IU/ml, about 150
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 200 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, or about
250 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml resin.
[0198] In some embodiments, the cation exchange method comprises a
buffer system. In some embodiments, the buffer system comprised one
or more elution buffers. In some embodiments, the buffer system
comprises one or more wash buffers. In some embodiments, the buffer
system comprises at least one elution buffer and at least one wash
buffer. In some embodiments, the buffer system comprises at least
two elution buffers and at least two wash buffers.
[0199] In some embodiments, the first wash buffer comprises at
least one chelating agent, and optionally has a pH ranging from pH
6.0 to pH 9.0. In some embodiments, the first wash buffer has a pH
ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, and optionally comprises at least
one chelating agent. In some embodiments, the first wash buffer has
a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 6.9. In some embodiments, the second
wash buffer has a pH ranging from pH 7.0 to pH 9.0. In some
embodiments, the first wash buffer can comprise at least one
chelating agent and has a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 6.9. In some
embodiments, the wash elution buffer has a pH of less than 7. In
one embodiments, the second wash buffer has a pH of greater than 7.
In some embodiments, when two wash buffers are employed, the first
wash buffer has a pH of less than 7 and the second wash buffer has
a pH of greater than 7.
[0200] In some embodiments, the one or more wash buffers comprise a
NaCl concentration of 120 mM to 200 mM, 130 mM to 200 mM, 140 mM to
200 mM, 150 mM to 200 mM, 120 mM to 190 mM, 130 mM to 190 mM, 140
mM to 190 mM, 150 mM to 190 mM, 120 mM to 180 mM, 130 mM to 180 mM,
140 mM to 180 mM, 150 mM to 180 mM, 120 mM, 125 mM, 130 mM, 135 mM,
140 mM, 145 mM, 150 mM, 155 mM, 160 mM, 165 mM, 170 mM, 175 mM, 180
mM, 185 mM, 190 mM, 195 mM, or 200 mM.
[0201] In some embodiments, the starting composition, loading
solution, or loading composition comprising mature VWF and VWF-PP
is contacted with a buffer comprising at least one chelating agent,
and optionally the buffer has a pH of ranging from pH 6.0 to pH
9.0. In some embodiments, the starting composition, loading
solution, or loading composition is contacted with a buffer having
a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, and optionally the buffer
comprises at least one chelating agent. In some embodiments, the
buffer has a pH ranging from pH 7.0 to pH 9.0. In some embodiments
the buffer is a wash buffer. In some embodiments, the buffer is an
elution buffer. In some embodiments the buffer is a wash buffer
with a pH of 6.0 to 6.9. In some embodiments, the buffer is an
elution buffer with a pH of 7.0 to 9.0. In some embodiments, the
starting composition, loading solution, or loading composition
comprising mature VWF and VWF-PP is contacted first with a wash
buffer having a pH from 6.0 to 6.9 and a second with at least one
elution buffer having a pH from 7.0 to 9.0.
[0202] In some embodiments, mature VWF is eluted in the anion
exchange chromatography step using one elution buffer. In some
embodiments, mature VWF is eluted in the anion exchange
chromatography step using a gradient elution method comprising more
than one elution buffer. For example, the elution can be performed
using two elution buffers, such as, for example, a first elution
buffer and a second elution buffer. In some embodiments, the first
elution buffer comprises at least one chelating agent, and
optionally has a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0. In some
embodiments, the first elution buffer has a pH ranging from pH 6.0
to pH 9.0, and optionally comprises at least one chelating agent.
In some embodiments, the first elution buffer has a pH ranging from
pH 6.0 to pH 6.9. In some embodiments, the second elution buffer
has a pH ranging from pH 7.0 to pH 9.0. In some embodiments, the
first elution buffer can comprise at least one chelating agent and
has a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 6.9. In some embodiments, the
first elution buffer has a pH of less than 7. In one embodiments,
the second elution buffer has a pH of greater than 7. In some
embodiments, when two elution buffers are employed, the first
elution buffer has a pH of less than 7 and the second elution
buffer has a pH of greater than 7.
[0203] In some embodiments, the pH of the wash buffer for the
cation exchange chromatography step is from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, e.g.,
pH 6.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.3-pH 9.0, pH 6.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.0-pH 9.0, pH
7.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.7.0-pH 9.0, pH 8.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.0-pH 8.5, pH
6.5-pH 8.5, pH 7.0-pH 8.5, pH 7.5-pH 8.5, pH 6.0-pH 8.0, pH 6.5-pH
8.0, pH 7.0-pH 8.0, pH 7.5-pH 8.0, pH 6.0, pH 6.1, pH 6.2, pH 6.3,
pH 6.4, pH 6.5, pH 6.6, pH 6.7, pH 6.8, pH 6.9, pH 7.0, pH 7.1, pH
7.2, pH 7.3, pH 7.4, pH 7.5, pH 7.6, pH 7.7, pH 7.8, pH 7.9, pH
8.0, pH 8.1, pH 8.2, pH 8.3, pH 8.4, pH 8.5, pH 8.6, pH 8.7, pH
8.8, pH 8.9, pH 9.0. In some embodiments, this includes when there
are two elution buffers, for example a first and second elution
buffer.
[0204] In some embodiments, the pH of the elution buffer for the
cation exchange chromatography step is from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, e.g.,
pH 6.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.3-pH 9.0, pH 6.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.0-pH 9.0, pH
7.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.7.0-pH 9.0, pH 8.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.0-pH 8.5, pH
6.5-pH 8.5, pH 7.0-pH 8.5, pH 7.5-pH 8.5, pH 6.0-pH 8.0, pH 6.5-pH
8.0, pH 7.0-pH 8.0, pH 7.5-pH 8.0, pH 6.0, pH 6.1, pH 6.2, pH 6.3,
pH 6.4, pH 6.5, pH 6.6, pH 6.7, pH 6.8, pH 6.9, pH 7.0, pH 7.1, pH
7.2, pH 7.3, pH 7.4, pH 7.5, pH 7.6, pH 7.7, pH 7.8, pH 7.9, pH
8.0, pH 8.1, pH 8.2, pH 8.3, pH 8.4, pH 8.5, pH 8.6, pH 8.7, pH
8.8, pH 8.9, pH 9.0. In some embodiments, this includes when there
are two elution buffers, for example a first and second elution
buffer.
[0205] In some embodiments, the pH of the elution buffer is
increased as compared to the starting solution in step a), is
increased as compared to a first elution buffer when two elution
buffers are employed, and/or is increased as compared to a wash
buffer when a wash buffer is employed. In some embodiments, when a
wash buffer and an elution buffer is employed, the wash buffer has
a pH of less than 7 and the elution buffer has a pH of greater than
7. In some embodiments, when two elution buffers are employed, one
elution buffer has a pH of less than 7 and the other elution buffer
has a pH of greater than 7. In some embodiments, when a wash buffer
and two elution buffers are employed, the wash buffer has a pH of
less than 7 and both the elution buffers have a pH of greater than
7. In some embodiments, when a wash buffer and two elution buffers
are employed, the wash buffer and the first elution buffer have a
pH of less than 7 and the second elution buffer has a pH of greater
than 7. In some embodiments, when two wash buffers and two elution
buffers are employed, the wash buffers and the first elution buffer
have a pH of less than 7 and the second elution buffer has a pH of
greater than 7. In some embodiments, when two wash buffers and two
elution buffers are employed, both wash buffers have a pH of less
than 7 and both the elution buffers have a pH of greater than 7. In
some embodiments, when two wash buffers and two elution buffers are
employed, the first wash buffer has a pH of less than 7 and the
second wash buffer and both elution buffers have a pH of greater
than 7.
[0206] In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more wash and/or
elution buffers is increased to at least 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5,
7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, or 8.0, as compared to the loading solution
comprising pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or
rVWF propeptide (rVWF-PP), as recited in step (a) of the method. In
some embodiments, the pH of the buffer is increased to at least
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, or 8.0 in order to
induce dissociation of the mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex in the solution
in step (a) of the method into mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP, wherein said
dissociation occurs by disruption of the non-covalently associated
mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP. In some embodiments, the pH of the loading
solution is increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some
embodiments, the pH of the loading solution is increased to at
least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the pH of the loading
solution is increased by the addition of basic amino acids. In some
embodiments, the pH of at the loading solution is increased to at
least 7. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more wash
buffers is increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some
embodiments, the pH of the one or more wash buffers is increased to
at least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more
wash buffers is increased by the addition of basic amino acids. In
some embodiments, the one or more wash buffers exhibit a pH of at
least 7. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more elution
buffers is increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some
embodiments, the pH of the one or more elution buffers is increased
to at least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or
more elution buffers is increased by the addition of basic amino
acids. In some embodiments, the one or more elution buffers exhibit
a pH of at least 7.
[0207] In some embodiments, the pH of the loading solution
comprising pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or
rVWF propeptide (rVWF-PP) is from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, e.g., pH 6.0-pH
9.0, pH 6.3-pH 9.0, pH 6.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.0-pH 9.0, pH 7.5-pH 9.0, pH
7.7.0-pH 9.0, pH 8.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.0-pH 8.5, pH 6.5-pH 8.5, pH
7.0-pH 8.5, pH 7.5-pH 8.5, pH 6.0-pH 8.0, pH 6.5-pH 8.0, pH 7.0-pH
8.0, pH 7.5-pH 8.0, pH 6.0, pH 6.1, pH 6.2, pH 6.3, pH 6.4, pH 6.5,
pH 6.6, pH 6.7, pH 6.8, pH 6.9, pH 7.0, pH 7.1, pH 7.2, pH 7.3, pH
7.4, pH 7.5, pH 7.6, pH 7.7, pH 7.8, pH 7.9, pH 8.0, pH 8.1, pH
8.2, pH 8.3, pH 8.4, pH 8.5, pH 8.6, pH 8.7, pH 8.8, pH 8.9, or pH
9.0.
[0208] In some embodiments, the conductivity of the starting
composition, loading solution, or loading composition comprising
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF
propeptide (rVWF-PP) is from about 5 mS/cm to about 40 mS/cm, e.g.,
about 5 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about
15 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 20 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 25
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 30 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 5
mS/cm-about 15 mS/cm, about 15 mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, or about 20
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm.
[0209] In some embodiments, the loading solution comprising
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF
propeptide (rVWF-PP) is diluted with a buffer comprising sodium
citrate, such as, but not limited to, 10 mM-80 mM sodium citrate,
15 mM-80 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM-80 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-60 mM
sodium citrate, 20 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM sodium citrate,
20 mM sodium citrate, 30 mM sodium citrate, 40 mM sodium citrate,
50 mM sodium citrate, 55 mM sodium citrate, 60 mM sodium citrate,
65 mM sodium citrate, 70 mM sodium citrate, 75 mM sodium citrate,
80 mM sodium citrate, or the like.
[0210] In some embodiments, the pH of the wash buffer for the
cation exchange chromatography step is from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, e.g.,
pH 6.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.3-pH 9.0, pH 6.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.0-pH 9.0, pH
7.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.7.0-pH 9.0, pH 8.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.0-pH 8.5, pH
6.5-pH 8.5, pH 7.0-pH 8.5, pH 7.5-pH 8.5, pH 6.0-pH 8.0, pH 6.5-pH
8.0, pH 7.0-pH 8.0, pH 7.5-pH 8.0, pH 6.0, pH 6.1, pH 6.2, pH 6.3,
pH 6.4, pH 6.5, pH 6.6, pH 6.7, pH 6.8, pH 6.9, pH 7.0, pH 7.1, pH
7.2, pH 7.3, pH 7.4, pH 7.5, pH 7.6, pH 7.7, pH 7.8, pH 7.9, pH
8.0, pH 8.1, pH 8.2, pH 8.3, pH 8.4, pH 8.5, pH 8.6, pH 8.7, pH
8.8, pH 8.9, or pH 9.0.
[0211] In some embodiments, the pH of the elution buffer for the
cation exchange chromatography step is from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, e.g.,
pH 6.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.3-pH 9.0, pH 6.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.0-pH 9.0, pH
7.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.7.0-pH 9.0, pH 8.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.0-pH 8.5, pH
6.5-pH 8.5, pH 7.0-pH 8.5, pH 7.5-pH 8.5, pH 6.0-pH 8.0, pH 6.5-pH
8.0, pH 7.0-pH 8.0, pH 7.5-pH 8.0, pH 6.0, pH 6.1, pH 6.2, pH 6.3,
pH 6.4, pH 6.5, pH 6.6, pH 6.7, pH 6.8, pH 6.9, pH 7.0, pH 7.1, pH
7.2, pH 7.3, pH 7.4, pH 7.5, pH 7.6, pH 7.7, pH 7.8, pH 7.9, pH
8.0, pH 8.1, pH 8.2, pH 8.3, pH 8.4, pH 8.5, pH 8.6, pH 8.7, pH
8.8, pH 8.9, or pH 9.0.
[0212] In some embodiments, the pH of the elution buffer is
increased as compared to the starting solution in step a), is
increased as compared to a first elution buffer when two elution
buffers are employed, and/or is increased as compared to a wash
buffer when a wash buffer is employed. In some embodiments, when a
wash buffer and an elution buffer is employed, the wash buffer has
a pH of less than 7 and the elution buffer has a pH of greater than
7. In some embodiments, when two elution buffers are employed, one
elution buffer has a pH of less than 7 and the other elution buffer
has a pH of greater than 7. In some embodiments, when a wash buffer
and two elution buffers are employed, the wash buffer has a pH of
less than 7 and both the elution buffers have a pH of greater than
7. In some embodiments, when a wash buffer and two elution buffers
are employed, the wash buffer and the first elution buffer have a
pH of less than 7 and the second elution buffer has a pH of greater
than 7. In some embodiments, when two wash buffers and two elution
buffers are employed, the wash buffers and the first elution buffer
have a pH of less than 7 and the second elution buffer has a pH of
greater than 7. In some embodiments, when two wash buffers and two
elution buffers are employed, both wash buffers have a pH of less
than 7 and both the elution buffers have a pH of greater than 7. In
some embodiments, when two wash buffers and two elution buffers are
employed, the first wash buffer has a pH of less than 7 and the
second wash buffer and both elution buffers have a pH of greater
than 7.
[0213] In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more wash and/or
elution buffers is increased to at least 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5,
7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, or 8.0, as compared to the loading solution
comprising pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or
rVWF propeptide (rVWF-PP), as recited in step (a) of the method. In
some embodiments, the pH of the buffer is increased to at least
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, or 8.0 in order to
induce dissociation of the mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex in the solution
in step (a) of the method into mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP, wherein said
dissociation occurs by disruption of the non-covalently associated
mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP. In some embodiments, the pH of the loading
solution is increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some
embodiments, the pH of the loading solution is increased to at
least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the pH of the loading
solution is increased by the addition of basic amino acids. In some
embodiments, the pH of at the loading solution is increased to at
least 7. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more wash
buffers is increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some
embodiments, the pH of the one or more wash buffers is increased to
at least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more
wash buffers is increased by the addition of basic amino acids. In
some embodiments, the one or more wash buffers exhibit a pH of at
least 7. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more elution
buffers is increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some
embodiments, the pH of the one or more elution buffers is increased
to at least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or
more elution buffers is increased by the addition of basic amino
acids. In some embodiments, the one or more elution buffers exhibit
a pH of at least 7.
[0214] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers (including wash
and/or elution buffers) comprise one or more chelating agents. In
some embodiments, the elution buffer includes at least one
chelating agent. The chelating agent can be a divalent cation
chelating agent. In some embodiments, the at least one chelating
agent is a divalent cation chelating agent. In some embodiments,
the divalent cation chelating agent is selected from the group
consisting of EDTA, EGTA, CDTA, and citrate. In some embodiments,
the divalent cation chelating agent is selected from the group
consisting of NTA, DTPA, EDDS, EDTA, EGTA, CDTA, and citrate. In
some embodiments, the divalent cation chelating agent is selected
from the group consisting of citrate, EDTA, DTPA, NTA, and EDDS. In
some embodiments, the chelating agent is NTA. In some embodiments,
the chelating agent is DTPA. In some embodiments, the chelating
agent is EDDS. In some embodiments, the chelating agent is EDTA. In
some embodiments, the chelating agent is EGTA. In some embodiments,
the chelating agent is CDTA. In some embodiments, the chelating
agent is citrate. In some embodiments, the one or more wash buffers
in b) comprise said one or more chelating agents and exhibit a pH
of at least 7.
[0215] Any of the buffers (buffer systems) described herein can be
selected from the group consisting of glycine, HEPES
(4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid), TrisHCl
(Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane), histidine, imidazole, acetate
citrate, citrate, acetate, MES, phosphate, TrisHCl, Bis-Tris,
Histidine, Imidazol, ArgininHCl, LysinHCl, and
2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid, as single buffers or as a
combination of two or more buffers. In some embodiments, the one or
more buffers are selected from the group consisting of glycine
HEPES (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid), TrisHCl
(Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane), histidine, imidazole, acetate
citrate, MES, and 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises citrate, acetate, MES, HEPES,
Phosphate, TrisHCl, and/or Bis-Tris. In some embodiments, the
buffer comprises glycine. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
HEPES (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid). In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises TrisHCl
(Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane). In some embodiments, the buffer
comprises histidine. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
imidazole. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises acetate
citrate. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises citrate. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises acetate. In some embodiments, the
buffer comprises MES. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
HEPES. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises phosphate. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises Tris-HCl. In some embodiments,
the buffer comprises Bis-Tris. In some embodiments, the buffer
comprises Histidine. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
Imidazole. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises Arginine HCl.
In some embodiments, the buffer comprises Lysine HCl. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic
acid. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises one, two, three, or
four of the buffers listed herein.
[0216] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers (including wash
and/or elution buffers) comprise sodium citrate in a range
including but not limited to, 10 mM-80 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-80
mM sodium citrate, 10 mM-80 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-60 mM sodium
citrate, 20 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM
sodium citrate, 30 mM sodium citrate, 40 mM sodium citrate, 50 mM
sodium citrate, 55 mM sodium citrate, 60 mM sodium citrate, 65 mM
sodium citrate, 70 mM sodium citrate, 75 mM sodium citrate, 80 mM
sodium citrate, or the like.
[0217] In some embodiments, a first elution buffer further
comprises sodium citrate, in a range including but not limited to,
10 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM-50 mM
sodium citrate, 15 mM-50 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM-60 mM sodium
citrate, 10 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM sodium citrate, 30 mM sodium
citrate, 40 mM sodium citrate, 50 mM sodium citrate, 60 mM sodium
citrate, or the like.
[0218] In some embodiments, a second elution buffer further
comprises sodium citrate, such as, but not limited to, 10 mM-60 mM
sodium citrate, 15 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM-50 mM sodium
citrate, 15 mM-50 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM-60 mM sodium citrate, 10
mM sodium citrate, 20 mM sodium citrate, 30 mM sodium citrate, 40
mM sodium citrate, 50 mM sodium citrate, 60 mM sodium citrate, or
the like.
[0219] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers (including wash
and/or elution buffers) of the cation exchange chromatography step
comprise EDTA, so long as the desired rVWF species remains bound to
the cation exchange resin. In some embodiments, the one or more
buffers (including wash and/or elution buffers) of the cation
exchange chromatography step comprises about 0.5 mM to about 20 mM
EDTA, e.g., about 0.5 mM-about 20 mM, about 1 mM-about 20 mM, about
1.5 mM-about 20 mM, about 2 mM-about 20 mM, about 3 mM-about 20 mM,
about 5 mM-about 20 mM, about 0.5 mM-about 15 mM, about 1 mM-about
10 mM, about 1 mM-about 5 mM, about 5 mM, about 0.5 mM, about 1 mM,
about 2 mM, about 3 mM, about 4 mM, about 5 mM, about 6 mM, about 7
mM, about 8 mM, about 9 mM, about 10 mM, about 11 mM, about 12 mM,
about 13 mM, about 14 mM, about 15 mM, about 16 mM, about 17 mM,
about 18 mM, about 19 mM, about 20 mM, or the like, so long as the
desired rVWF species remains bound to the cation exchange resin. In
some embodiments, the buffers comprising EDTA are employed as part
of a stepwise cation exchange elution. In some embodiments, the
buffers comprising EDTA are employed as part of a gradient cation
exchange elution. In some embodiments, when EDTA is employed as
part of the buffers used in a stepwise cation exchange elution the
counter-ion in Na+. In some embodiments, when EDTA is employed as
part of the buffers used in a gradient cation exchange elution the
counter-ion in Na+.
[0220] In some embodiments, the citrate can be found in the eluent
after the rVWF-propeptide has been removed using a cation exchange
method. In some embodiments, the citrate can be found in the eluent
after the rVWF-propeptide has been removed using a stepwise cation
exchange elution method. In some embodiments, the citrate can be
found in the eluent after the rVWF-propeptide has been removed
using a gradient cation exchange elution method. In some
embodiments, the cation exchange counter-ion is Na.sup.+.
[0221] In some embodiments, the conductivity of the buffers
(including wash and/or elution buffers), ranges from 5 mS/cm to 40
mS/cm, e.g., 5 mS/cm-40 mS/cm, 10 mS/cm-40 mS/cm, 15 mS/cm-40
mS/cm, 20 mS/cm-40 mS/cm, 5 mS/cm-15 mS/cm, 10 mS/cm-25 mS/cm, 15
mS/cm-30 mS/cm, 20 mS/cm-30 mS/cm, or 30 mS/cm-40 mS/cm.
[0222] In some embodiments, the conductivity of at least one wash
buffer is from about 5 mS/cm to about 40 mS/cm, e.g., about 5
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 15
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 20 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 25
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 30 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 5
mS/cm-about 13 mS/cm, about 5 mS/cm-about 15 mS/cm, about 15
mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 18 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, or about 20
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm. In other embodiments, the conductivity of two
or more wash buffers is from about 5 mS/cm to about 40 mS/cm, e.g.,
about 5 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about
15 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 20 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 25
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 30 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 5
mS/cm-about 13 mS/cm, about 5 mS/cm-about 15 mS/cm, about 15
mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 18 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, or about 20
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm.
[0223] In some embodiments, the conductivity of at least one
elution buffer is from about 5 mS/cm to about 40 mS/cm, e.g., about
5 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 15
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 20 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 25
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 30 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 5
mS/cm-about 13 mS/cm, about 5 mS/cm-about 15 mS/cm, about 15
mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 18 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, or about 20
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm. In other embodiments, the conductivity of two
or more wash buffers is from about 5 mS/cm to about 40 mS/cm, e.g.,
about 5 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about
15 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 20 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 25
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 30 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 5
mS/cm-about 13 mS/cm, about 5 mS/cm-about 15 mS/cm, about 15
mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 18 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, or about 20
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm.
[0224] In some embodiments, the pH of the wash buffer is from pH
6.0 to pH 9.0, e.g., pH 6.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.3-pH 9.0, pH 6.5-pH 9.0,
pH 7.0-pH 9.0, pH 7.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.7.0-pH 9.0, pH 8.0-pH 9.0, pH
6.0-pH 8.5, pH 6.5-pH 8.5, pH 7.0-pH 8.5, pH 7.5-pH 8.5, pH 6.0-pH
8.0, pH 6.5-pH 8.0, pH 7.0-pH 8.0, pH 7.5-pH 8.0, pH 6.0, pH 6.1,
pH 6.2, pH 6.3, pH 6.4, pH 6.5, pH 6.6, pH 6.7, pH 6.8, pH 6.9, pH
7.0, pH 7.1, pH 7.2, pH 7.3, pH 7.4, pH 7.5, pH 7.6, pH 7.7, pH
7.8, pH 7.9, pH 8.0, pH 8.1, pH 8.2, pH 8.3, pH 8.4, pH 8.5, pH
8.6, pH 8.7, pH 8.8, pH 8.9, pH 9.0.
[0225] In one aspect, the method described herein includes a
gradient elution step. The gradient elution step can remove product
impurities and process-related impurities to optimize yield of
mature VWF. In some cases, the gradient elution step separates a
higher percentage of VWF pro-peptide from mature VWF compared to a
prior art method.
[0226] In some embodiments, the conductivity of the one or more
elution buffers is from about 5 mS/cm to about 40 mS/cm, e.g.,
about 5 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about
15 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 20 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 25
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 30 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 5
mS/cm-about 13 mS/cm, about 5 mS/cm-about 15 mS/cm, about 15
mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 18 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, or about 20
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm. In other embodiments, the conductivity of two
or more wash buffers is from about 5 mS/cm to about 40 mS/cm, e.g.,
about 5 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about
15 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 20 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 25
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 30 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 5
mS/cm-about 13 mS/cm, about 5 mS/cm-about 15 mS/cm, about 15
mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 18 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, or about 20
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm.
[0227] In some embodiments, the flow rate of one or more wash steps
of the present method is about 10 cm/h to about 200 cm/h, e.g.,
about 10 cm/h, about 15 cm/h, about 20 cm/h, about 25 cm/h, about
30 cm/h, about 35 cm/h, about 40 cm/h, about 45 cm/h, about 50
cm/h, about 55 cm/h, about 60 cm/h, about 65 cm/h, about 70 cm/h,
about 75 cm/h, about 80 cm/h, about 85 cm/h, about 90 cm/h, about
95 cm/h, about 100 cm/h, about 105 cm/h, about 110 cm/h, about 115
cm/h, about 120 cm/h, about 125 cm/h, about 130 cm/h, about 135
cm/h, about 140 cm/h, about 145 cm/h, about 150 cm/h, about 155
cm/h, about 160 cm/h, about 165 cm/h, about 170 cm/h, about 175
cm/h, about 180 cm/h, about 185 cm/h, about 190 cm/h, about 195
cm/h, or about 200 cm/h. Depending on the resin, in some
embodiments the flow rate can be up to 600 cm/h.
[0228] In some embodiments, the flow rate of one or more elution
steps of the present method is about 10 cm/h to about 200 cm/h,
e.g., about 10 cm/h, about 15 cm/h, about 20 cm/h, about 25 cm/h,
about 30 cm/h, about 35 cm/h, about 40 cm/h, about 45 cm/h, about
50 cm/h, about 55 cm/h, about 60 cm/h, about 65 cm/h, about 70
cm/h, about 75 cm/h, about 80 cm/h, about 85 cm/h, about 90 cm/h,
about 95 cm/h, about 100 cm/h, about 105 cm/h, about 110 cm/h,
about 115 cm/h, about 120 cm/h, about 125 cm/h, about 130 cm/h,
about 135 cm/h, about 140 cm/h, about 145 cm/h, about 150 cm/h,
about 155 cm/h, about 160 cm/h, about 165 cm/h, about 170 cm/h,
about 175 cm/h, about 180 cm/h, about 185 cm/h, about 190 cm/h,
about 195 cm/h, or about 200 cm/h. Depending on the resin, in some
embodiments the flow rate can be up to 600 cm/h.
[0229] In some embodiments, the one or more buffers further
comprise one or more nonionic detergents. In some embodiments, the
nonionic detergent is selected from the group consisting of Triton
X-100, Tween 80, and Tween 20. In some embodiments, the nonionic
detergent is Triton X-100. In some embodiments, the nonionic
detergent is Tween 80. In some embodiments, the nonionic detergent
is Tween 20.
[0230] In some embodiments, the said one or more buffers further
comprise one or more additional substances selected from the group
consisting of non-reducing sugars, sugar alcohols, and polyols. In
some embodiments, the one or more buffers further comprises one or
more non-reducing sugars. In some embodiments, the non-reducing
sugar includes but is not limited to sucrose, trehalose, mannitol,
sorbitol, galactitol, and/or xylitol. In some embodiments, the one
or more buffers further comprises one or more sugar alcohols. In
some embodiments, the one or more buffers further comprises one or
more polyols. In some embodiments, the sugar alcohol or polyol
includes but is not limited to mannitol, xylitol, erythritol,
threitol, sorbitol, and/or glycerol. In some embodiments, the
buffers further comprise sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, sucrose,
trehalose, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol,
1,2,3-Propanetriol, meso-erythritol, and/or erythritol
(meso-1,2,3,4-Butantetrol).
[0231] The pH of any of the buffers can be adjusted (increased) by
adding an amino acid, Tris, NaOH, ethanolamine, and the like.
[0232] Any of the buffers (buffer systems) described herein can be
selected from the group consisting of Citrate, Acetate, MES, HEPES,
Phosphate, TrisHCl, Bis-Tris, as single buffers or as a combination
of two or more buffers. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
glycine. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises Citrate. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises Acetate. In some embodiments, the
buffer comprises MES. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
HEPES. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises phosphate. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises TrisHCl. In some embodiments, the
buffer comprises Bis-Tris. In some embodiments, the buffer
comprises one, two, three, or four of the buffers listed
herein.
[0233] In some embodiments, the cation exchange method buffer
chelator combination comprises citrate, malate (malic acid), and
tartrate (tartaric acid).
[0234] c. Size Exclusion Chromatography Purification
[0235] In one aspect of the present invention, mature VWF and
VWF-PP are separated by way of size exclusion chromatography (SEC).
In some cases, remaining host cell derived impurities such as CHO
host cell proteins, process related impurities such as recombinant
furin and low molecular weight viral inactivation reagents, media
compounds such as soy peptone, and other product related impurities
are removed from the mature VWF.
[0236] In another aspect of the present method, mature VWF is
separated from VWF-PP such as residual VWF-PP or free VWF-PP using
size exclusion chromatography. For separation, the starting or
loading composition can comprise a low pH and at least one
chelating agent. In other embodiments, the gradient elution buffer
has a neutral to high pH, such as a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH
9.0. In another embodiment, the gradient elution buffer comprises
one or more chelating agents and has a pH of 7.0 or higher, e.g.,
pH 7.0 to pH 9.0. For instance, the gradient elution buffer can
include EDTA and have a pH of 8.5.
[0237] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method
for obtaining a composition comprising a high purity, propeptide
depleted mature recombinant rVWF (high purity mat-rVWF), said
method comprising the steps of: (a) loading a solution comprising
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF
propeptide (rVWF-PP) onto an size exclusion column, wherein said
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and mat-rVWF are bound to said
size exclusion column; (b) washing said size exclusion column in a)
containing said bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and
mat-rVWF with one or more wash buffers; (c) treating said column in
b) comprising the bound pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and
mat-rVWF with furin, wherein said furin cleaves said pro-rVWF into
mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP; (d) eluting said bound pro-rVWF,
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, and mat-rVWF from the column in c) with
an elution buffer, wherein said elution buffer induces dissociation
of said rVWF-PP from mat-rVWF non-covalently associated with said
rVWF-PP, and wherein said dissociation is induced by: (i) addition
of at least one chelating agent into said elution buffer, or (ii)
increasing the pH of said elution buffer to a pH of at least 7; and
(e) collecting said mat-rVWF separately from said rVWF-PP to obtain
a high purity mat-rVWF composition, wherein said high purity
mat-rVWF composition comprises at least 95% mature rVWF and less
than 5% rVWF-PP.
[0238] In some embodiments, a) and b) occur simultaneously in a
single step. In some embodiments, the solution in a) comprises the
flow through from a immunoaffinity purification method. In some
embodiments, the solution in a) comprises the flow through from a
monoclonal antibody column, wherein said monoclonal antibody is a
FVIII monoclonal antibody. In some embodiments, the solution in a)
is selected from the group consisting of a cell culture medium, an
antibody column flow-through solution, and a buffered solution.
[0239] In some embodiments, the separation buffer has a neutral to
high pH. In other embodiments, the buffer comprises at least one
chelating agent. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises at least
one chelating agent and has a neutral to high pH. For example, the
separation buffer can contain a chelating agent and have a pH of
6.0 or higher, or in some cases, a pH of 7.0 or higher.
[0240] In some embodiments, the loading concentration of pro-VWF is
from about 90 IU/ml to about 270 IU/ml resin, e.g., about 90
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 110
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 130
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 140
IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml, about 90
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 110
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 130
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 140
IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, about 90
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 110
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 120 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 130
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 130 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 140
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 150 IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 90
IU/ml-about 100 IU/ml, about 100 IU/ml-about 150 IU/ml, about 150
IU/ml-about 200 IU/ml, about 200 IU/ml-about 250 IU/ml, or about
250 IU/ml-about 270 IU/ml resin.
[0241] In some embodiments, the pH of the starting composition,
loading solution, or loading composition comprises pro-rVWF,
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP) is from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, e.g., pH 6.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.3-pH
9.0, pH 6.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.0-pH 9.0, pH 7.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.7.0-pH 9.0,
pH 8.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.0-pH 8.5, pH 6.5-pH 8.5, pH 7.0-pH 8.5, pH
7.5-pH 8.5, pH 6.0-pH 8.0, pH 6.5-pH 8.0, pH 7.0-pH 8.0, pH 7.5-pH
8.0, pH 6.0, pH 6.1, pH 6.2, pH 6.3, pH 6.4, pH 6.5, pH 6.6, pH
6.7, pH 6.8, pH 6.9, pH 7.0, pH 7.1, pH 7.2, pH 7.3, pH 7.4, pH
7.5, pH 7.6, pH 7.7, pH 7.8, pH 7.9, pH 8.0, pH 8.1, pH 8.2, pH
8.3, pH 8.4, pH 8.5, pH 8.6, pH 8.7, pH 8.8, pH 8.9, or pH 9.0.
[0242] In some embodiments, the size exclusion method comprises a
buffer system. In some embodiments, the buffer system comprises one
or more separation buffers. In some embodiments, the buffer system
comprises at least one separation buffer. In some embodiments, the
buffer system comprises at least two separation buffers. In some
embodiments the buffer system comprises at least a first separation
buffer and at least a second separation buffer.
[0243] In some embodiments, the first separation buffer comprises
at least one chelating agent, and optionally has a pH ranging from
pH 6.0 to pH 9.0. In some embodiments, the separation wash buffer
has a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, and optionally comprises at
least one chelating agent. In some embodiments, the first
separation buffer has a pH ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 6.9. In some
embodiments, the second separation buffer has a pH ranging from pH
7.0 to pH 9.0. In some embodiments, the first separation buffer can
comprise at least one chelating agent and has a pH ranging from pH
6.0 to pH 6.9. In some embodiments, the first separation buffer has
a pH of less than 7. In some embodiments, the second separation
buffer has a pH of greater than 7. In some embodiments, when two
separation buffers are employed, the first separation buffer has a
pH of less than 7 and the second separation buffer has a pH of
greater than 7.
[0244] In some embodiments, the starting solution comprising mature
rVWF and rVWF-PP is contacted with a separation buffer comprising
at least one chelating agent, and optionally the buffer has a pH of
ranging from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0. In some embodiments, the starting
solution is contacted with a buffer having a pH ranging from pH 6.0
to pH 9.0, and optionally the buffer comprises at least one
chelating agent. In some embodiments, the buffer has a pH ranging
from pH 7.0 to pH 9.0. In some embodiments the buffer is a first
separation buffer with a pH of 6.0 to 6.9. In some embodiments, the
buffer is a second separation buffer with a pH of 7.0 to 9.0. In
some embodiments, the starting solution comprising mature rVWF and
rVWF-PP is contacted first with a first buffer having a pH from 6.0
to 6.9 and a second separation buffer having a pH from 7.0 to
9.0.
[0245] In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more separation
buffers is from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0, e.g., pH 6.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.3-pH
9.0, pH 6.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.0-pH 9.0, pH 7.5-pH 9.0, pH 7.7.0-pH 9.0,
pH 8.0-pH 9.0, pH 6.0-pH 8.5, pH 6.5-pH 8.5, pH 7.0-pH 8.5, pH
7.5-pH 8.5, pH 6.0-pH 8.0, pH 6.5-pH 8.0, pH 7.0-pH 8.0, pH 7.5-pH
8.0, pH 6.0, pH 6.1, pH 6.2, pH 6.3, pH 6.4, pH 6.5, pH 6.6, pH
6.7, pH 6.8, pH 6.9, pH 7.0, pH 7.1, pH 7.2, pH 7.3, pH 7.4, pH
7.5, pH 7.6, pH 7.7, pH 7.8, pH 7.9, pH 8.0, pH 8.1, pH 8.2, pH
8.3, pH 8.4, pH 8.5, pH 8.6, pH 8.7, pH 8.8, pH 8.9, or pH 9.0.
[0246] In some embodiments, the pH of the elution buffer is
increased as compared to the starting solution in step a), is
increased as compared to a first separation buffer when two
separation buffers are employed, and/or is increased as compared to
a first separation buffer when a second separation buffer is
employed. In some embodiments, when a first separation buffer and
as second separation buffer are employed, the first separation
buffer has a pH of less than 7 and the second separation buffer has
a pH of greater than 7.
[0247] In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more separation
buffers is increased to at least 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7,
7.8, 7.9, or 8.0, as compared to the loading solution comprising
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF
propeptide (rVWF-PP), as recited in step (a) of the method. In some
embodiments, the pH of the buffer is increased to at least 7.1,
7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, or 8.0 in order to induce
dissociation of the mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex in the solution in
step (a) of the method into mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP, wherein said
dissociation occurs by disruption of the non-covalently associated
mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP. In some embodiments, the pH of the loading
solution is increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some
embodiments, the pH of the loading solution is increased to at
least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the pH of the loading
solution is increased by the addition of basic amino acids. In some
embodiments, the pH of at the loading solution is increased to at
least 7. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more wash
buffers is increased to at least about 7.2 to about 7.8. In some
embodiments, the pH of the one or more wash buffers is increased to
at least about 7.6. In some embodiments, the pH of the one or more
separation buffers is increased by the addition of basic amino
acids. In some embodiments, the one or more separation buffers
exhibit a pH of at least 7.
[0248] In some embodiments, the one or more separation buffers
comprise one or more chelating agents. In some embodiments, the
elution buffer includes at least one chelating agent. The chelating
agent can be a divalent cation chelating agent. In some
embodiments, the at least one chelating agent is a divalent cation
chelating agent. In some embodiments, the divalent cation chelating
agent is selected from the group consisting of EDTA, EGTA, CDTA,
and citrate. In some embodiments, the divalent cation chelating
agent is selected from the group consisting of NTA, DTPA, EDDS,
EDTA, EGTA, CDTA, and citrate. In some embodiments, the chelating
agent is NTA. In some embodiments, the chelating agent is DTPA. In
some embodiments, the chelating agent is EDDS. In some embodiments,
the chelating agent is EDTA. In some embodiments, the chelating
agent is EGTA. In some embodiments, the chelating agent is CDTA. In
some embodiments, the chelating agent is citrate. In some
embodiments, the one or more wash buffers in b) comprise said one
or more chelating agents and exhibit a pH of at least 7.
[0249] In some embodiments, the one or more separation buffers
include at least one chelating agent. The chelating agent can be a
divalent cation chelating agent. In some embodiments, the divalent
cation chelating agent is selected from the group consisting of
nitrilo-2,2',2''-triacetic acid (NTA),
Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid;
Diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N',N''-pentaacetic acid (DTPA),
Ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS),
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), EGTA, CDTA, and citrate. In
some embodiments, the divalent cation chelating agent is selected
from the group consisting of NTA, DTPA, EDDS, EDTA, and citrate. In
some embodiments, the chelating agent is NTA. In some embodiments,
the chelating agent is DTPA. In some embodiments, the chelating
agent is EDDS. In some embodiments, the chelating agent is EDTA. In
some embodiments, the chelating agent is EGTA. In some embodiments,
the chelating agent is CDTA. In some embodiments, the chelating
agent is citrate.
[0250] In some embodiments, the elution buffer A and/or elution
buffer B of the anion exchange chromatography step comprises about
0.5 mM to about 20 mM EDTA, e.g., about 0.5 mM-about 20 mM, about 1
mM-about 20 mM, about 1.5 mM-about 20 mM, about 2 mM-about 20 mM,
about 3 mM-about 20 mM, about 5 mM-about 20 mM, about 0.5 mM-about
15 mM, about 1 mM-about 10 mM, about 1 mM-about 5 mM, about 5 mM,
about 0.5 mM, about 1 mM, about 2 mM, about 3 mM, about 4 mM, about
5 mM, about 6 mM, about 7 mM, about 8 mM, about 9 mM, about 10 mM,
about 11 mM, about 12 mM, about 13 mM, about 14 mM, about 15 mM,
about 16 mM, about 17 mM, about 18 mM, about 19 mM, about 20 mM, or
the like.
[0251] In some embodiments, the one or more separation buffers
comprise sodium citrate in a range including but not limited to, 10
mM-500 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-400 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM-400 mM
sodium citrate, 15 mM-350 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM-350 mM sodium
citrate, 10 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM sodium citrate, 30 mM sodium
citrate, 40 mM sodium citrate, 50 mM sodium citrate, 55 mM sodium
citrate, 60 mM sodium citrate, 65 mM sodium citrate, 70 mM sodium
citrate, 75 mM sodium citrate, 80 mM sodium citrate, 90 mM sodium
citrate, 100 mM sodium citrate, 110 mM sodium citrate, 120 mM
sodium citrate, 130 mM sodium citrate, 140 mM sodium citrate, 150
mM sodium citrate, 160 mM sodium citrate, 170 mM sodium citrate,
180 mM sodium citrate, 190 mM sodium citrate, 200 mM sodium
citrate, 210 mM sodium citrate, 220 mM sodium citrate, 230 mM
sodium citrate, 240 mM sodium citrate, 250 mM sodium citrate, 260
mM sodium citrate, 270 mM sodium citrate, 280 mM sodium citrate,
290 mM sodium citrate, 300 mM sodium citrate, 310 mM sodium
citrate, 320 mM sodium citrate, 330 mM sodium citrate, 340 mM
sodium citrate, 350 mM sodium citrate, 360 mM sodium citrate, 370
mM sodium citrate, 380 mM sodium citrate, 390 mM sodium citrate,
400 mM sodium citrate, 410 mM sodium citrate, 420 mM sodium
citrate, 430 mM sodium citrate, 440 mM sodium citrate, 450 mM
sodium citrate, 460 mM sodium citrate, 470 mM sodium citrate, 480
mM sodium citrate, 490 mM sodium citrate, 500 mM sodium citrate,
510 mM sodium citrate, 520 mM sodium citrate, 530 mM sodium
citrate, 540 mM sodium citrate, 550 mM sodium citrate, 560 mM
sodium citrate, 570 mM sodium citrate, 580 mM sodium citrate, 590
mM sodium citrate, or 600 mM sodium citrate, or the like.
[0252] In some embodiments, the one or more separation buffers
further comprises sodium citrate, in a range including but not
limited to, 10 mM-500 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-400 mM sodium
citrate, 10 mM-400 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-350 mM sodium citrate,
20 mM-350 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM sodium
citrate, 30 mM sodium citrate, 40 mM sodium citrate, 50 mM sodium
citrate, 55 mM sodium citrate, 60 mM sodium citrate, 65 mM sodium
citrate, 70 mM sodium citrate, 75 mM sodium citrate, 80 mM sodium
citrate, 90 mM sodium citrate, 100 mM sodium citrate, 110 mM sodium
citrate, 120 mM sodium citrate, 130 mM sodium citrate, 140 mM
sodium citrate, 150 mM sodium citrate, 160 mM sodium citrate, 170
mM sodium citrate, 180 mM sodium citrate, 190 mM sodium citrate,
200 mM sodium citrate, 210 mM sodium citrate, 220 mM sodium
citrate, 230 mM sodium citrate, 240 mM sodium citrate, 250 mM
sodium citrate, 260 mM sodium citrate, 270 mM sodium citrate, 280
mM sodium citrate, 290 mM sodium citrate, 300 mM sodium citrate,
310 mM sodium citrate, 320 mM sodium citrate, 330 mM sodium
citrate, 340 mM sodium citrate, 350 mM sodium citrate, 360 mM
sodium citrate, 370 mM sodium citrate, 380 mM sodium citrate, 390
mM sodium citrate, 400 mM sodium citrate, 410 mM sodium citrate,
420 mM sodium citrate, 430 mM sodium citrate, 440 mM sodium
citrate, 450 mM sodium citrate, 460 mM sodium citrate, 470 mM
sodium citrate, 480 mM sodium citrate, 490 mM sodium citrate, 500
mM sodium citrate, 510 mM sodium citrate, 520 mM sodium citrate,
530 mM sodium citrate, 540 mM sodium citrate, 550 mM sodium
citrate, 560 mM sodium citrate, 570 mM sodium citrate, 580 mM
sodium citrate, 590 mM sodium citrate, or 600 mM sodium citrate, or
the like.
[0253] In some embodiments, the one or more separation buffers
further comprises sodium citrate, such as, but not limited to, 10
mM-500 mM sodium citrate, 15 mM-400 mM sodium citrate, 10 mM-400 mM
sodium citrate, 15 mM-350 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM-350 mM sodium
citrate, 10 mM sodium citrate, 20 mM sodium citrate, 30 mM sodium
citrate, 40 mM sodium citrate, 50 mM sodium citrate, 55 mM sodium
citrate, 60 mM sodium citrate, 65 mM sodium citrate, 70 mM sodium
citrate, 75 mM sodium citrate, 80 mM sodium citrate, 90 mM sodium
citrate, 100 mM sodium citrate, 110 mM sodium citrate, 120 mM
sodium citrate, 130 mM sodium citrate, 140 mM sodium citrate, 150
mM sodium citrate, 160 mM sodium citrate, 170 mM sodium citrate,
180 mM sodium citrate, 190 mM sodium citrate, 200 mM sodium
citrate, 210 mM sodium citrate, 220 mM sodium citrate, 230 mM
sodium citrate, 240 mM sodium citrate, 250 mM sodium citrate, 260
mM sodium citrate, 270 mM sodium citrate, 280 mM sodium citrate,
290 mM sodium citrate, 300 mM sodium citrate, 310 mM sodium
citrate, 320 mM sodium citrate, 330 mM sodium citrate, 340 mM
sodium citrate, 350 mM sodium citrate, 360 mM sodium citrate, 370
mM sodium citrate, 380 mM sodium citrate, 390 mM sodium citrate,
400 mM sodium citrate, 410 mM sodium citrate, 420 mM sodium
citrate, 430 mM sodium citrate, 440 mM sodium citrate, 450 mM
sodium citrate, 460 mM sodium citrate, 470 mM sodium citrate, 480
mM sodium citrate, 490 mM sodium citrate, 500 mM sodium citrate,
510 mM sodium citrate, 520 mM sodium citrate, 530 mM sodium
citrate, 540 mM sodium citrate, 550 mM sodium citrate, 560 mM
sodium citrate, 570 mM sodium citrate, 580 mM sodium citrate, 590
mM sodium citrate, or 600 mM sodium citrate, or the like.
[0254] In some embodiments, the conductivity of the separation
buffer is from about 5 mS/cm to about 40 mS/cm, e.g., about 5
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 15
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 20 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 25
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 30 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, about 10 mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 5
mS/cm-about 13 mS/cm, about 5 mS/cm-about 15 mS/cm, about 15
mS/cm-about 30 mS/cm, about 18 mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm, or about 20
mS/cm-about 40 mS/cm.
[0255] Any of the buffers (buffer systems) described herein can be
selected from the group consisting of Citrate, Acetate, MES, HEPES,
phosphate, TrisHCl, Bis-Tris, Histidine, Imidazole, Arginine HCl,
Lysine HCl, Glycine, Glycylglycine, borate, MOPS, bicine, tricine,
TAPS, TAPSO, and PIPES, as single buffers or as a combination of
two or more buffers. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
glycine. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises Citrate,
Acetate, MES, HEPES, Phosphate, TrisHCl, Bis-Tris, Histidine,
Imidazol, ArgininHCl, LysinHCl, Glycine, Glycylglycine, borate,
MOPS, bicine, tricine, TAPS, TAPSO, and/or PIPES. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises Citrate. In some embodiments, the
buffer comprises Acetate. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
MES. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises HEPES. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises phosphate. In some embodiments,
the buffer comprises Tris-HCl. In some embodiments, the buffer
comprises Bis-Tris.
[0256] In some embodiments, the buffer comprises Histidine. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises Imidazole. In some embodiments,
the buffer comprises Arginine HCl. In some embodiments, the buffer
comprises Lysine HCl. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
Glycine. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises Glycylglycine.
In some embodiments, the buffer comprises borate. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises MOPS. In some embodiments, the
buffer comprises bicine. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises
tricine. In some embodiments, the buffer comprises TAPS. In some
embodiments, the buffer comprises TAPSO. In some embodiments, the
buffer comprises and PIPES. In some embodiments, the buffer
comprises one, two, three, or four of the buffers listed
herein.
[0257] In some embodiments, the one or more separation buffers
further comprise one or more nonionic detergents. In some
embodiments, the nonionic detergent is selected from the group
consisting of Triton X-100, Tween 80, and Tween 20. In some
embodiments, the nonionic detergent is Triton X-100. In some
embodiments, the nonionic detergent is Tween 80. In some
embodiments, the nonionic detergent is Tween 20.
[0258] In some embodiments, the flow rate use during the one or
more separation buffer steps of the present method is about 10 cm/h
to about 200 cm/h, e.g., about 10 cm/h, about 15 cm/h, about 20
cm/h, about 25 cm/h, about 30 cm/h, about 35 cm/h, about 40 cm/h,
about 45 cm/h, about 50 cm/h, about 55 cm/h, about 60 cm/h, about
65 cm/h, about 70 cm/h, about 75 cm/h, about 80 cm/h, about 85
cm/h, about 90 cm/h, about 95 cm/h, about 100 cm/h, about 105 cm/h,
about 110 cm/h, about 115 cm/h, about 120 cm/h, about 125 cm/h,
about 130 cm/h, about 135 cm/h, about 140 cm/h, about 145 cm/h,
about 150 cm/h, about 155 cm/h, about 160 cm/h, about 165 cm/h,
about 170 cm/h, about 175 cm/h, about 180 cm/h, about 185 cm/h,
about 190 cm/h, about 195 cm/h, or about 200 cm/h. Depending on the
resin, in some embodiments the flow rate can be up to 600 cm/h.
[0259] In some embodiments, the flow rate use during the one or
more separation buffer steps of the present method is about 10 cm/h
to about 200 cm/h, e.g., about 10 cm/h, about 15 cm/h, about 20
cm/h, about 25 cm/h, about 30 cm/h, about 35 cm/h, about 40 cm/h,
about 45 cm/h, about 50 cm/h, about 55 cm/h, about 60 cm/h, about
65 cm/h, about 70 cm/h, about 75 cm/h, about 80 cm/h, about 85
cm/h, about 90 cm/h, about 95 cm/h, about 100 cm/h, about 105 cm/h,
about 110 cm/h, about 115 cm/h, about 120 cm/h, about 125 cm/h,
about 130 cm/h, about 135 cm/h, about 140 cm/h, about 145 cm/h,
about 150 cm/h, about 155 cm/h, about 160 cm/h, about 165 cm/h,
about 170 cm/h, about 175 cm/h, about 180 cm/h, about 185 cm/h,
about 190 cm/h, about 195 cm/h, or about 200 cm/h. Depending on the
resin, in some embodiments the flow rate can be up to 600 cm/h.
[0260] In some embodiments, the said one or more buffers further
comprise one or more additional substances selected from the group
consisting of non-reducing sugars, sugar alcohols, and polyols. In
some embodiments, the one or more buffers further comprises one or
more non-reducing sugars. In some embodiments, the non-reducing
sugar includes but is not limited to sucrose, trehalose, mannitol,
sorbitol, galactitol, and/or xylitol. In some embodiments, the one
or more buffers further comprises one or more sugar alcohols. In
some embodiments, the one or more buffers further comprises one or
more polyols. In some embodiments, the sugar alcohol or polyol
includes but is not limited to mannitol, xylitol, erythritol,
threitol, sorbitol, and/or glycerol. In some embodiments, the
buffers further comprise sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, sucrose,
trehalose, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol,
1,2,3-Propanetriol, meso-erythritol, and/or erythritol
(meso-1,2,3,4-Butantetrol).
[0261] In some embodiments, the size exclusion chromatography
method buffer chelator combination comprises citrate, malate (malic
acid), and tartrate (tartaric acid).
[0262] D. Immunoaffinity Purification
[0263] In some embodiments, the solution comprising pro-rVWF,
mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP) is obtained from an immunoaffinity purification method,
including for example, a monoclonal antibody column. In some
embodiments, the monoclonal antibody column comprises a FVIII
monoclonal antibody. In some embodiments, the monoclonal antibody
column comprises a VWF monoclonal antibody. Such columns and
methods are known in the art and have been described. See, for
example, Zimmerman et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,361,509; incorporated by
reference herein for all purposes) which describes a method of
purifying factor VIII, wherein factor VIII/VWF complex is bound to
a monoclonal anti-VWF antibody, and factor VIII is dissociated from
the complex by means of CaCl.sub.2 ions. The immunoaffinity carrier
to which vWF is still adsorbed is regenerated by means of a
chaotropic agent, in particular NaSCN, a vWF/NaSCN solution being
incurred as a by-product and being discarded.
[0264] Other methods include those described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,579,723, also incorporated by reference herein in its entirety,
which describes a method for recovering highly purified vWF or
factor VIII/vWF-complex, using an immunoaffinity chromatography
procedure. Such method employs recovery of VWF from an
immunoaffinity adsorbent by using an eluting agent containing a
zwitterionic species. The presence of the zwitterionic species
allows for the use of mild conditions throughout the preparation,
facilitating retention of molecular integrity, activity, and
incorporation of the recovered proteins into pharmaceutical
preparations without the need for additional stabilizers or
preservatives.
[0265] Any such methods can be employed with the current
purification method in order to obtain the solution comprising
pro-rVWF, mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP complex, mat-rVWF, and/or rVWF
propeptide (rVWF-PP). IN some embodiments, the immunoaffinity
purification optionally occurs prior to step (a) in any of the
described purification procedures described herein, including those
based on cation exchanged, anion exchange, and/or size exclusion
chromatography procedures.
[0266] E. Free Mature VWF
[0267] In some embodiments, the host cell (HC) impurity level of
the composition provided herein is equal to or less than 2.0 ppm,
e.g., 2.0 ppm, 1.9 ppm, 1.8 ppm, 1.7 ppm, 1.6 ppm, 1.5 ppm, 1.4
ppm, 0.3 ppm, 1.2 ppm, 1.1 ppm, 1.0 ppm, 0.9 ppm, 0.8 ppm, 0.7 ppm,
0.6 ppm, 0.5 ppm, 0.4 ppm, 0.3 ppm, 0.2 ppm, 0.1 ppm, 0.09 ppm,
0.08 ppm, 0.07 ppm, 0.06 ppm, 0.05 ppm, 0.04 ppm, 0.03 ppm, 0.02
ppm, 0.01 ppm or less. In other embodiments, the host cell impurity
level of the composition provided herein is equal to or less than
0.6 ppm, e.g., 0.6 ppm, 0.5 ppm, 0.4 ppm, 0.3 ppm, 0.2 ppm, 0.1
ppm, 0.09 ppm, 0.08 ppm, 0.07 ppm, 0.06 ppm, 0.05 ppm, 0.04 ppm,
0.03 ppm, 0.02 ppm, 0.01 ppm, or less.
[0268] In some embodiments, the host cell (HC) impurity level of
the composition provided herein is equal to or less than 5.0%
(e.g., .ltoreq.5.0%). In some embodiments, the host cell (HC)
impurity level of the composition provided herein is equal to or
less than 4.0% (e.g., .ltoreq.4.0%). In some embodiments, the host
cell (HC) impurity level of the composition provided herein is
equal to or less than 3.0% (e.g., .ltoreq.3.0%). In some
embodiments, the host cell (HC) impurity level of the composition
provided herein is equal to or less than 2.0% (e.g., .ltoreq.1.0%).
In some embodiments, the host cell (HC) impurity level of the
composition provided herein is equal to or less than 2.0% (e.g.,
.ltoreq.1.0%). In some embodiments, the a host cell (HC) impurity
level is equal to or less than 0.9% (e.g., .ltoreq.0.9%). In some
embodiments, the host cell (HC) impurity level is equal to or less
than 0.8% (e.g., .ltoreq.0.8%). In some embodiments, the host cell
(HC) impurity level is equal to or less than 0.7% (e.g.,
.ltoreq.0.7%). In some embodiments, the host cell (HC) impurity
level is equal to or less than 0.6% (e.g., .ltoreq.0.6%). In some
embodiments, the host cell (HC) impurity level is equal to or less
than 0.5% (e.g., .ltoreq.0.5%). In some embodiments, the host cell
(HC) impurity level is equal to or less than 0.4% (e.g.,
.ltoreq.0.4%). In some embodiments, the host cell (HC) impurity
level is equal to or less than 0.3% (e.g., .ltoreq.0.3%). In some
embodiments, the host cell (HC) impurity level is equal to or less
than 0.2% (e.g., .ltoreq.0.2%). In some embodiments, the host cell
(HC) impurity level is equal to or less than 0.1% (e.g.,
.ltoreq.0.1%).
[0269] In some embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 15%,
less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 4%, less than 3%, less than
2%, less than 1%, less than 0.5%, less than 0.4%, less than 0.3%,
less than 0.2%, less than 0.1%, or less than 0.05%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 15%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 10%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 5%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 4%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 3%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 2%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 1%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 0.5%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 0.4%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 0.3%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 0.2%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 0.1%. In some
embodiments, the rVWF-PP impurity is less than 0.05%.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Exemplary VWF-PP removal capacity Load,
VWF-PP impurity Eluate, VWF-PP impurity Step % (w/w) % (w/w) AEX
~30%* .sup. ~12% CEX ~30% ~<0.1% SEC ~12% ~<0.1% *either
pre-maturated before load or maturated to completion by in-vitro
maturation on column (as currently done in the process and part of
a claim of a different patent)
[0270] F. Recombinant VWF Production
[0271] The free mature recombinant von Willebrand Factor (rVWF) of
the present invention can be produced recombinantly. One skilled in
the art recognizes useful methods for expressing a recombinant
protein in a host cell. In some instances, the method includes
expressing a nucleic acid sequence encoding rVWF in a host cell
such as a CHO cell and culturing the resulting host cell under
certain conditions to produce rVWF, prepro-VWF, pro-VWF, and the
like.
[0272] In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid sequence comprising
a sequence coding for VWF can be an expression vector. The vector
can be delivered by a virus or can be a plasmid. The nucleic acid
sequence coding for the protein can be a specific gene or a
biologically functional part thereof. In one embodiment, the
protein is at least a biologically active part of VWF. The nucleic
acid sequence can further comprise other sequences suitable for a
controlled expression of a protein such as promoter sequences,
enhancers, TATA boxes, transcription initiation sites, polylinkers,
restriction sites, poly-A-sequences, protein processing sequences,
selection markers, and the like which are generally known to a
person of ordinary skill in the art.
[0273] A wide variety of vectors can be used for the expression of
the VWF and can be selected from eukaryotic expression vectors.
Examples of vectors for eukaryotic expression include: (i) for
expression in yeast, vectors such as pAO, pPIC, pYES, pMET, using
promoters such as AOX1, GAP, GAL1, AUG1, etc; (ii) for expression
in insect cells, vectors such as pMT, pAc5, pIB, pMIB, pBAC, etc.,
using promoters such as PH, p10, MT, Ac5, OpIE2, gp64, polh, etc.,
and (iii) for expression in mammalian cells, vectors such as pSVL,
pCMV, pRc/RSV, pcDNA3, pBPV, etc., and vectors derived from viral
systems such as vaccinia virus, adeno-associated viruses, herpes
viruses, retroviruses, etc., using promoters such as CMV, SV40,
EF-1, UbC, RSV, ADV, BPV, and .beta.-actin.
[0274] In some aspects, the rVWF used in the methods of the present
invention is produced by expression in a mammalian cell culture
using methods known in the art. In particular embodiments, the
mammalian culture comprises CHO cells. In further embodiments, the
rVWF is co-expressed with recombinant Factor VIII (rFVIII) in the
same culture. In such embodiments, the rVWF and the rFVIII are
purified together (co-purified) or separately using methods known
in the art. In other embodiments, the rVWF is expressed in a
culture that does not contain rFVIII.
[0275] In some embodiments, rVWF is expressed and isolated from a
suitable eukaryotic host system. Examples of eukaryotic cells
include, without limitation, mammalian cells, such as CHO, COS, HEK
293, BHK, SK-Hep, and HepG2; insect cells, e.g., SF9 cells, SF21
cells, S2 cells, and High Five cells; and yeast cells, e.g.,
Saccharomyces or Schizosaccharomyces cells. In one embodiment, the
VWF can be expressed in yeast cells, insect cells, avian cells,
mammalian cells, and the like. For example, in a human cell line, a
hamster cell line, or a murine cell line. In one particular
embodiment, the cell line is a CHO, BHK, or HEK cell line.
Typically, mammalian cells, e.g., CHO cell from a continuous cell
line, can be used to express the VWF of the present invention. In
certain instances, VWF protein is expressed and isolated from a CHO
cell expression system.
[0276] VWF can be produced in a cell culture system or according to
any cell culture method recognized by those in the art. In some
embodiments, the cell cultures can be performed in large
bioreactors under conditions suitable for providing high
volume-specific culture surface areas to achieve high cell
densities and protein expression. One means for providing such
growth conditions is to use microcarriers for cell-culture in
stirred tank bioreactors. The concept of cell-growth on
microcarriers was first described by van Wezel (van Wezel, A. L.,
Nature, 1967, 216:64-5) and allows for cell attachment on the
surface of small solid particles suspended in the growth medium.
These methods provide for high surface-to-volume ratios and thus
allow for efficient nutrient utilization. Furthermore, for
expression of secreted proteins in eukaryotic cell lines, the
increased surface-to-volume ratio allows for higher levels of
secretion and thus higher protein yields in the supernatant of the
culture. Finally, these methods allow for the easy scale-up of
eukaryotic expression cultures.
[0277] The cells expressing VWF can be bound to a spherical or a
porous microcarrier during cell culture growth. The microcarrier
can be a microcarrier selected from the group of microcarriers
based on dextran, collagen, plastic, gelatine and cellulose and
others as described in Butler (1988. In: Spier & Griffiths,
Animal Cell Biotechnology 3:283-303). It is also possible to grow
the cells to a biomass on spherical microcarriers and subculture
the cells when they have reached final fermenter biomass and prior
to production of the expressed protein on a porous microcarrier or
vice versa. Suitable spherical microcarriers can include smooth
surface microcarriers, such as Cytodex.TM. 1, Cytodex.TM. 2, and
Cytodex.TM. 3 (GE Healthcare) and macroporous microcarriers such as
Cytopore.TM. 1, Cytopore.TM. 2, Cytoline.TM. 1, and Cytoline.TM. 2
(GE Healthcare).
[0278] In a further embodiment, the VWF propeptide is cleaved from
the non-mature VWF in vitro through exposure of the pro-VWF to
furin. In some embodiments, the furin used for propeptide cleavage
is recombinant furin.
[0279] In certain embodiments, rVWF is expressed in cells cultured
in cell culture media that produces high molecular weight rVWF. The
terms "cell culture solution," "cell culture medium or media," and
"cell culture supernatant" refer to aspects of cell culture
processes generally well known in the art. In the context of the
present invention, a cell culture solution can include cell culture
media and cell culture supernatant. The cell culture media are
externally added to the cell culture solution, optionally together
with supplements, to provide nutrients and other components for
culturing the cells expressing VWF. The cell culture supernatant
refers to a cell culture solution comprising the nutrients and
other components from the cell culture medium as well as products
released, metabolized, and/or excreted from the cells during
culture. In further embodiments, the media can be animal
protein-free and chemically defined. Methods of preparing animal
protein-free and chemically defined culture media are known in the
art, for example in US 2006/0094104, US 2007/0212770, and US
2008/0009040, which are both incorporated herein for all purposes
and in particular for all teachings related to cell culture media.
"Protein free" and related terms refers to protein that is from a
source exogenous to or other than the cells in the culture, which
naturally shed proteins during growth. In another embodiment, the
culture medium is polypeptide free. In another embodiment, the
culture medium is serum free. In another embodiment the culture
medium is animal protein free. In another embodiment the culture
medium is animal component free. In another embodiment, the culture
medium contains protein, e.g., animal protein from serum such as
fetal calf serum. In another embodiment, the culture has
recombinant proteins exogenously added. In another embodiment, the
proteins are from a certified pathogen free animal. The term
"chemically defined" as used herein shall mean, that the medium
does not comprise any undefined supplements, such as, for example,
extracts of animal components, organs, glands, plants, or yeast.
Accordingly, each component of a chemically defined medium is
accurately defined. In a preferred embodiment, the media are
animal-component free and protein free.
[0280] In certain embodiments, the culture of cells expressing VWF
can be maintained for at least about 7 days, or at least about 14
days, 21 days, 28 days, or at least about 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7
weeks, or at least about 2 months, or 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 months or longer. The cell density at
which a cell-culture is maintained at for production of a
recombinant VWF protein will depend upon the culture-conditions and
medium used for protein expression. One of skill in the art will
readily be able to determine the optimal cell density for a
cell-culture producing an VWF. In one embodiment, the culture is
maintained at a cell density of between about 0.5.times.10.sup.6
and 4.times.10.sup.7 cells/ml for an extended period of time. In
other embodiments, the cell density is maintained at a
concentration of between about 1.0.times.10.sup.6 and about
1.0.times.10.sup.7 cells/ml for an extended period of time. In
other embodiments, the cell density is maintained at a
concentration of between about 1.0.times.10.sup.6 and about
4.0.times.10.sup.6 cells/ml for an extended period of time. In
other embodiments, the cell density is maintained at a
concentration of between about 1.0.times.10.sup.6 and about
4.0.times.10.sup.6 cells/ml for an extended period of time. In yet
other embodiments, the cell density may be maintained at a
concentration between about 2.0.times.10.sup.6 and about
4.0.times.10.sup.6, or between about 1.0.times.10.sup.6 and about
2.5.times.10.sup.6, or between about 1.5.times.10.sup.6 and about
3.5.times.10.sup.6, or any other similar range, for an extended
period of time. After an appropriate time in cell culture, the rVWF
can be isolated from the expression system using methods known in
the art.
[0281] In a specific embodiment, the cell density of the continuous
cell culture for production of rVWF is maintained at a
concentration of no more than 2.5.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL for an
extended period. In other specific embodiments, the cell density is
maintained at no more than 2.0.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL,
1.5.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL, 1.0.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL,
0.5.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL, or less. In one embodiment, the cell
density is maintained at between 1.5.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL and
2.5.times.10.sup.6 cells/mL.
[0282] In one embodiment of the cell cultures described above, the
cell culture solution comprises a medium supplement comprising
copper. Such cell culture solutions are described, for example, in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,852,888 and 9,409,971, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes and in
particular for all teachings related to cell culture methods and
compositions for producing recombinant VWF.
[0283] The polynucleotide and amino acid sequences of prepro-VWF
are set out in SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2, respectively, and are
available at GenBank Accession Nos. NM_000552 (Homo sapiens von
Willebrand factor (VWF) mRNA) and NP_000543, respectively. The
amino acid sequence corresponding to the mature VWF protein is set
out in SEQ ID NO: 3 (corresponding to amino acids 764-2813 of the
full length prepro-VWF amino acid sequence). In some embodiments,
the VWF exhibits at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least
95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at
least 100% identity to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:3. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF of the invention exhibits at least 80%,
at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least
97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, or at least 100% identity to the
sequence of SEQ ID NO:3. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,597,910,
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0129090, as well as FIG. 60.
[0284] One form of useful rVWF has at least the property of in
vivo-stabilizing, e.g. binding, of at least one Factor VIII (FVIII)
molecule and having optionally a glycosylation pattern which is
pharmacologically acceptable. Specific examples thereof include VWF
without the A2 domain thus resistant to proteolysis (Lankhof et
al., Thromb. Haemost. 77: 1008-1013, 1997), and a VWF fragment from
Val 449 to Asn 730 including the glycoprotein 1b-binding domain and
binding sites for collagen and heparin (Pietu et al., Biochem.
Biophys. Res. Commun. 164: 1339-1347, 1989). The determination of
the ability of a VWF to stabilize at least one FVIII molecule is,
in one aspect, carried out in VWF-deficient mammals according to
methods known in the state in the art.
[0285] The rVWF of the present invention can be produced by any
method known in the art. One specific example is disclosed in
WO86/06096 published on Oct. 23, 1986 and U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 07/559,509, filed on Jul. 23, 1990, which is incorporated
herein by reference with respect to the methods of producing
recombinant VWF. Thus, methods are known in the art for (i) the
production of recombinant DNA by genetic engineering, e.g. via
reverse transcription of RNA and/or amplification of DNA, (ii)
introducing recombinant DNA into prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells by
transfection, e.g. via electroporation or microinjection, (iii)
cultivating the transformed cells, e.g. in a continuous or
batchwise manner, (iv) expressing VWF, e.g. constitutively or upon
induction, and (v) isolating the VWF, e.g. from the culture medium
or by harvesting the transformed cells, in order to (vi) obtain
purified rVWF, e.g. via anion exchange chromatography or affinity
chromatography. A recombinant VWF is, in one aspect, made in
transformed host cells using recombinant DNA techniques well known
in the art. For instance, sequences coding for the polypeptide
could be excised from DNA using suitable restriction enzymes.
Alternatively, the DNA molecule is, in another aspect, synthesized
using chemical synthesis techniques, such as the phosphoramidate
method. Also, in still another aspect, a combination of these
techniques is used.
[0286] The invention also provides vectors encoding polypeptides of
the invention in an appropriate host. The vector comprises the
polynucleotide that encodes the polypeptide operatively linked to
appropriate expression control sequences. Methods of effecting this
operative linking, either before or after the polynucleotide is
inserted into the vector, are well known. Expression control
sequences include promoters, activators, enhancers, operators,
ribosomal binding sites, start signals, stop signals, cap signals,
polyadenylation signals, and other signals involved with the
control of transcription or translation. The resulting vector
having the polynucleotide therein is used to transform an
appropriate host. This transformation may be performed using
methods well known in the art.
[0287] Any of a large number of available and well-known host cells
are used in the practice of this invention. The selection of a
particular host is dependent upon a number of factors recognized by
the art, including, for example, compatibility with the chosen
expression vector, toxicity of the peptides encoded by the DNA
molecule, rate of transformation, ease of recovery of the peptides,
expression characteristics, bio-safety and costs. A balance of
these factors must be struck with the understanding that not all
host cells are equally effective for the expression of a particular
DNA sequence. Within these general guidelines, useful microbial
host cells include, without limitation, bacteria, yeast and other
fungi, insects, plants, mammalian (including human) cells in
culture, or other hosts known in the art.
[0288] Transformed host cells are cultured under conventional
fermentation conditions so that the desired compounds are
expressed. Such fermentation conditions are well known in the art.
Finally, the polypeptides are purified from culture media or the
host cells themselves by methods well known in the art.
[0289] Depending on the host cell utilized to express a compound of
the invention, carbohydrate (oligosaccharide) groups are optionally
attached to sites that are known to be glycosylation sites in
proteins. Generally, O-linked oligosaccharides are attached to
serine (Ser) or threonine (Thr) residues while N-linked
oligosaccharides are attached to asparagine (Asn) residues when
they are part of the sequence Asn-X-Ser/Thr, where X can be any
amino acid except proline. X is preferably one of the 19 naturally
occurring amino acids not counting proline. The structures of
N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides and the sugar residues found
in each type are different. One type of sugar that is commonly
found on both N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides is
N-acetylneuraminic acid (referred to as sialic acid). Sialic acid
is usually the terminal residue of both N-linked and O-linked
oligosaccharides and, by virtue of its negative charge, in one
aspect, confers acidic properties to the glycosylated compound.
Such site(s) may be incorporated in the linker of the compounds of
this invention and are preferably glycosylated by a cell during
recombinant production of the polypeptide compounds (e.g., in
mammalian cells such as CHO, BHK, COS). In other aspects, such
sites are glycosylated by synthetic or semi-synthetic procedures
known in the art.
[0290] In some embodiments, sialysation (also referred to as
sialylation), can be performed on the column as part of the
purification procedures described herein (including the anion
exchange, cation exchange, size exclusion, and/or immunoaffinity
methods). In some embodiments, the sialylation results in increased
stability of the rVWF as compared to rVWF that has not undergone
sialylation. In some embodiments, the sialylation results in
increased stability of the rVWF in blood circulation (for example,
after administration to a subject) as compared to rVWF that has not
undergone sialylation. In some embodiments, the increased stability
of salivated rVWF results in an increase of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%,
50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more as compared rVWF that has not
undergone sialylation. In some embodiments, the sialylation results
in increased half-life for the rVWF as compared to rVWF that has
not undergone sialylation. In some embodiments, the sialylation
results in increased half-life for the rVWF in blood circulation
(for example, after administration to a subject) as compared to
rVWF that has not undergone sialylation. In some embodiments, the
increased half-life of sialylated rVWF results in an increase of
10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more as compared
rVWF that has not undergone sialylation. In some embodiments, the
increased half-life of sialylated rVWF results in rVWF that is
stable for 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24
hours or more in blood circulation (for example, after
administration to a subject) as compared to rVWF that has not
undergone sialylation. In some embodiments, sialylation increases
the number of 2,3 sialylation and/or 2,6 sialylation. In some
embodiments, sialylation is increased by the addition of 2,3
sialyltransferase and/or 2,6 sialyltransferase and CMP-NANA
(Cytidine-5'-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid sodium salt) as an
additional buffer step. In some embodiments, sialylation is
increased by the addition of 2,3 sialyltransferase and CMP-NANA
(Cytidine-5'-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid sodium salt) as an
additional buffer step. In some embodiments, 2,3 sialylation is
increased by the addition of 2,3 sialyltransferase and CMP-NANA
(Cytidine-5'-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid sodium salt) as an
additional buffer step. In some embodiments, in order to increase
sialylation, the bound protein (for example, bound rVWF) is treated
with sialidase (e.g., neuraminidase) to remove the 2,3 sialylation
and then a wash step is applied to remove the sialidase and
introduce 2,6 sialylation. In some embodiments, the 2,6 sialylation
in introduced by the addition of 2,6 sialyltransferase and
CMP-NANA
[0291] In some embodiments, 2,6 sialylation is increased by the
addition of 2,6 sialyltransferase and CMP-NANA
(Cytidine-5'-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid sodium salt) as an
additional buffer step. In some embodiments, 2,3 sialylation and/or
2,6 sialylation are increased by the addition of 2,3
sialyltransferase and/or 2,6 sialyltransferase and CMP-NANA
(Cytidine-5'-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid sodium salt) as an
additional buffer step. In some embodiments, CMP-NANA is chemically
or enzymatic modified to transfer modified sialic acid to potential
free position. In some embodiments, sialylation is performed by
loading rVWF onto the resin, washing with one or more buffers as
described herein to deplete unwanted impurities, apply one or more
buffers containing sialyltransferase and CMP-NANA at conditions
that allow additional sialylation, and washing with one or more
buffers to deplete excess of the sialylation reagents, and eluting
with one or more buffers the enhanced rVWF (e.g., the rVWF with
increased sialylation). In some embodiments, the sialylation
process is performed as part of a cation exchange method, an anion
exchange method, a size exclusion method, or an immunoaffinity
purification method, as described herein.
[0292] Alternatively, the compounds are made by synthetic methods
using, for example, solid phase synthesis techniques. Suitable
techniques are well known in the art, and include those described
in Merrifield (1973), Chem. Polypeptides, pp. 335-61 (Katsoyannis
and Panayotis eds.); Merrifield (1963), J. Am. Chem. Soc. 85: 2149;
Davis et al. (1985), Biochem. Intl. 10: 394-414; Stewart and Young
(1969), Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis; U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,763;
Finn et al. (1976), The Proteins (3rd ed.) 2: 105-253; and Erickson
et al. (1976), The Proteins (3rd ed.) 2: 257-527`. Solid phase
synthesis is the preferred technique of making individual peptides
since it is the most cost-effective method of making small
peptides
[0293] Fragments, variants and analogs of VWF can be produced
according to methods that are well-known in the art. Fragments of a
polypeptide can be prepared using, without limitation, enzymatic
cleavage (e.g., trypsin, chymotrypsin) and also using recombinant
means to generate a polypeptide fragments having a specific amino
acid sequence. Polypeptide fragments may be generated comprising a
region of the protein having a particular activity, such as a
multimerization domain or any other identifiable VWF domain known
in the art.
[0294] Methods of making polypeptide analogs are also well-known.
Amino acid sequence analogs of a polypeptide can be substitutional,
insertional, addition or deletion analogs. Deletion analogs,
including fragments of a polypeptide, lack one or more residues of
the native protein which are not essential for function or
immunogenic activity. Insertional analogs involve the addition of,
e.g., amino acid(s) at a non-terminal point in the polypeptide.
This analog may include, for example and without limitation,
insertion of an immunoreactive epitope or simply a single residue.
Addition analogs, including fragments of a polypeptide, include the
addition of one or more amino acids at either or both termini of a
protein and include, for example, fusion proteins. Combinations of
the aforementioned analogs are also contemplated.
[0295] Substitutional analogs typically exchange one amino acid of
the wild-type for another at one or more sites within the protein,
and may be designed to modulate one or more properties of the
polypeptide without the complete loss of other functions or
properties. In one aspect, substitutions are conservative
substitutions. "Conservative amino acid substitution" is
substitution of an amino acid with an amino acid having a side
chain or a similar chemical character. Similar amino acids for
making conservative substitutions include those having an acidic
side chain (glutamic acid, aspartic acid); a basic side chain
(arginine, lysine, histidine); a polar amide side chain (glutamine,
asparagine); a hydrophobic, aliphatic side chain (leucine,
isoleucine, valine, alanine, glycine); an aromatic side chain
(phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine); a small side chain (glycine,
alanine, serine, threonine, methionine); or an aliphatic hydroxyl
side chain (serine, threonine).
[0296] In one aspect, analogs are substantially homologous or
substantially identical to the recombinant VWF from which they are
derived. Analogs include those which retain at least some of the
biological activity of the wild-type polypeptide, e.g. blood
clotting activity.
[0297] Polypeptide variants contemplated include, without
limitation, polypeptides chemically modified by such techniques as
ubiquitination, glycosylation, including polysialation (or
polysialylation), conjugation to therapeutic or diagnostic agents,
labeling, covalent polymer attachment such as pegylation
(derivatization with polyethylene glycol), introduction of
non-hydrolyzable bonds, and insertion or substitution by chemical
synthesis of amino acids such as ornithine, which do not normally
occur in human proteins. Variants retain the same or essentially
the same binding properties of non-modified molecules of the
invention. Such chemical modification may include direct or
indirect (e.g., via a linker) attachment of an agent to the VWF
polypeptide. In the case of indirect attachment, it is contemplated
that the linker may be hydrolyzable or non-hydrolyzable.
[0298] Preparing pegylated polypeptide analogs will in one aspect
comprise the steps of (a) reacting the polypeptide with
polyethylene glycol (such as a reactive ester or aldehyde
derivative of PEG) under conditions whereby the binding construct
polypeptide becomes attached to one or more PEG groups, and (b)
obtaining the reaction product(s). In general, the optimal reaction
conditions for the acylation reactions are determined based on
known parameters and the desired result. For example, the larger
the ratio of PEG:protein, the greater the percentage of
poly-pegylated product. In some embodiments, the binding construct
has a single PEG moiety at the N-terminus. Polyethylene glycol
(PEG) may be attached to the blood clotting factor to, for example,
provide a longer half-life in vivo. The PEG group may be of any
convenient molecular weight and is linear or branched. The average
molecular weight of the PEG ranges from about 2 kiloDalton ("kD")
to about 100 kDa, from about 5 kDa to about 50 kDa, or from about 5
kDa to about 10 kDa. In certain aspects, the PEG groups are
attached to the blood clotting factor via acylation or reductive
alkylation through a natural or engineered reactive group on the
PEG moiety (e.g., an aldehyde, amino, thiol, or ester group) to a
reactive group on the blood clotting factor (e.g., an aldehyde,
amino, or ester group) or by any other technique known in the
art.
[0299] Methods for preparing polysialylated polypeptide are
described in United States Patent Publication 20060160948,
Fernandes et Gregoriadis; Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1341: 26-34, 1997,
and Saenko et al., Haemophilia 12:42-51, 2006. Briefly, a solution
of colominic acid (CA) containing 0.1 M NaIO.sub.4 is stirred in
the dark at room temperature to oxidize the CA. The activated CA
solution is dialyzed against, e.g., 0.05 M sodium phosphate buffer,
pH 7.2 in the dark and this solution was added to a rVWF solution
and incubated for 18 h at room temperature in the dark under gentle
shaking. Free reagents are optionally be separated from the
rVWF-polysialic acid conjugate by, for example,
ultrafiltration/diafiltration. Conjugation of rVWF with polysialic
acid is achieved using glutaraldehyde as cross-linking reagent
(Migneault et al., Biotechniques 37: 790-796, 2004).
[0300] It is further contemplated in another aspect that a
polypeptide of the invention is a fusion protein with a second
agent which is a polypeptide. In one embodiment, the second agent
which is a polypeptide, without limitation, is an enzyme, a growth
factor, an antibody, a cytokine, a chemokine, a cell-surface
receptor, the extracellular domain of a cell surface receptor, a
cell adhesion molecule, or fragment or active domain of a protein
described above. In a related embodiment, the second agent is a
blood clotting factor such as Factor VIII, Factor VII, and/or
Factor IX. In some embodiments, the second agent is a fusion
protein. The fusion protein contemplated is made by chemical or
recombinant techniques well-known in the art. In some embodiments,
the fusion protein is a rVWF-FVIII fusion protein. In some
embodiments, the fusion protein is a rVWF-FVIII fusion protein,
wherein an active FVIII is embedded in an VWF motif. In some
embodiments, the fusion protein is a rVWF-FVIII fusion protein,
wherein an active FVIII is embedded in an VWF motif such that the
VWF is full length. In some embodiments, the fusion protein is a
rVWF-FVIII fusion protein, wherein an active FVIII is embedded in
an VWF motif, wherein parts of the VWF sequence are deleted and
replaced by a FVIII-sequence. In some embodiments of the rVWF-FVIII
fusion protein, the FVIII is a B-domain deleted FVIII. In some
embodiments of the rVWF-FVIII fusion protein, the N-glycosylation
rich domain replaces the FVIII-B-domain. In some embodiments of the
rVWF-FVIII fusion protein, the vWF-N glycosylation rich domain is
fused to the full length FVIII and/or truncated forms thereof.
[0301] In some embodiments of the rVWF-FVIII fusion protein, the
fusion protein comprises: [0302] a VWF peptide comprising positions
764 to 1336 of the VWF peptide, [0303] a FVIII peptide comprising
positions 24 to 760 of the FVIII heavy chain peptide, [0304] a VWF
peptide comprising positions 2218 to 2593 of the VWF peptide,
[0305] a FVIII peptide comprising positions 1333 to 2351 of the
FVIII light chain peptide, and [0306] a VWF peptide comprising
positions 2620 to 2813 of the VWF peptide. In this embodiment of
the rVWF-FVIII fusion protein, the position of amino acids is
counted from the first position--including Pro and/or signal
peptide. In this embodiment of the rVWF-FVIII fusion protein,
position 764 in VWF corresponds to position 1 of the mature rVWF
(mat-rVWF) and position 20 in FVIII corresponds to position 1 of
the mature FVIII peptide. In some embodiments of the rVWF-FVIII
fusion protein, the fusion protein sequence is provided in FIG.
64.
[0307] In some embodiments of the rVWF-FVIII fusion protein, the
fusion protein comprises: [0308] a FVIII peptide comprising
positions FVIII heavy chain 19 to 760 of the FVIII heavy chain
peptide, [0309] a VWF peptide comprising positions 2218 to 2593 of
the VWF peptide, and [0310] a FVIII peptide comprising positions
1333 to 2351 of the FVIII light chain peptide. In this embodiment
of the rVWF-FVIII fusion protein, the position of amino acids is
counted from the first position--including Pro and/or signal
peptide. In this embodiment of the rVWF-FVIII fusion protein,
position 764 in VWF corresponds to position 1 of the mature rVWF
(mat-rVWF) and position 20 in FVIII corresponds to position 1 of
the mature FVIII peptide. In some embodiments of the rVWF-FVIII
fusion protein, the fusion protein sequence is provided in FIG.
65.
[0311] It is also contemplated in another aspect that prepro-VWF
and pro-VWF polypeptides will provide a therapeutic benefit in the
formulations of the present invention. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
7,005,502 describes a pharmaceutical preparation comprising
substantial amounts of pro-VWF that induces thrombin generation in
vitro. In addition to recombinant, biologically active fragments,
variants, or other analogs of the naturally-occurring mature VWF,
the present invention contemplates the use of recombinant
biologically active fragments, variants, or analogs of the
prepro-VWF (set out in SEQ ID NO:2) or pro-VWF polypeptides (amino
acid residues 23 to 764 of SEQ ID NO: 2) in the formulations
described herein.
[0312] Polynucleotides encoding fragments, variants and analogs may
be readily generated by a worker of skill to encode biologically
active fragments, variants, or analogs of the naturally-occurring
molecule that possess the same or similar biological activity to
the naturally-occurring molecule. In various aspects, these
polynucleotides are prepared using PCR techniques,
digestion/ligation of DNA encoding molecule, and the like. Thus,
one of skill in the art will be able to generate single base
changes in the DNA strand to result in an altered codon and a
missense mutation, using any method known in the art, including,
but not limited to site-specific mutagenesis. As used herein, the
phrase "moderately stringent hybridization conditions" means, for
example, hybridization at 42.degree. C. in 50% formamide and
washing at 60.degree. C. in 0.1.times.SSC, 0.1% SDS. It is
understood by those of skill in the art that variation in these
conditions occurs based on the length and GC nucleotide base
content of the sequences to be hybridized. Formulas standard in the
art are appropriate for determining exact hybridization conditions.
See Sambrook et al., 9.47-9.51 in Molecular Cloning, Cold Spring
Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989).
[0313] G. Viral Inactivation
[0314] In some embodiments, the method described herein further
comprises a step of viral inactivation. The viral inactivation step
can occur before, after, or concurrently with the washing step
and/or the elution step, but before the collecting step. The viral
inactivation treatment can inactivate lipid enveloped viruses. In
some embodiments, the viral inactivation treatment is a solvent and
detergent (S/D) treatment. In some embodiments, the viral
inactivation treatment includes the use of ethylene glycol,
propylenglyol in section alcohols and/or one or more organic
solvent(s).
[0315] As used herein, the term "inactivating virus" or "virus
inactivation" refers to a process where a virus can no longer
infect cells, replicate, and propagate, and per se virus removal.
As such, the term "virus inactivation" refers generally to the
process of making a fluid disclosed herein completely free of
infective viral contaminants. Any degree of viral inactivation
using the methods disclosed herein is desirable. However, it is
desirable to achieve the degree of viral inactivation necessary to
meet strict safety guidelines for pharmaceuticals. These guidelines
are set forth by the WHO and well known to those of skill in the
art.
[0316] The methods disclosed herein, may further comprise a step of
removing a virus from the mixture after incubation. As used herein,
the term "removing a virus" or "virus removal" refers to a process
that depletes a virus from a mixture disclosed herein, such that
the virus particles are effectively extracted from the mixture. The
virus can be a viable virus or an inactivated virus. Removal is
typically accomplished by size exclusion chromatography or positive
adsorption chromatography where the protein of interest binds to a
chromatographic resin, including for example, an anion exchange
resin or cation exchange resin as described herein. After removal,
the amount of a virus remaining is an amount that has substantially
no long term or permanent detrimental effect when administered to a
subject in need thereof, including for example, a human being.
[0317] In one embodiment, a mixture after removal of virus is
essentially free of the virus. As used herein, the term
"essentially free of a virus" means that only trace amounts of a
virus can be detected or confirmed by the instrument or process
being used to detect or confirm the presence or activity of the
virus and that such trace amount of the virus is insufficient to be
deleterious to the health of the human being. In an aspect of this
embodiment, a mixture after removal of virus is entirely free of
the virus. As used herein, the term "entirely free of a virus"
means that the presence of virus cannot be detected or confirmed
within the detection range of the instrument or process being used
to detect or confirm the presence or activity of the virus. A
protein contained within a mixture that is essentially free or
entirely free of a virus can be used to make a pharmaceutical
composition that is safe to administer to a human being because the
virus is insufficient to be deleterious to the health of the human
being.
[0318] In other aspects of this embodiment, a mixture after removal
of virus comprises less than 10 PFU/mL of a virus, such as, e.g.,
less than 1 PFU/mL of a virus, less than 1.times.10.sup.-1 PFU/mL
of a virus, 1.times.10.sup.-2 PFU/mL of a virus, or
1.times.10.sup.-3 PFU/mL of a virus.
[0319] In yet other aspects of this embodiment, a mixture after
removal of virus comprises less than an ID50 for a virus, such as,
e.g., at least 10-fold less than the ID50 for a virus, at least
100-fold less than the ID50 for a virus, at least 200-fold less
than the ID50 for a virus, at least 300-fold less than the ID50 for
a virus, at least 400-fold less than the ID50 for a virus, at least
500-fold less than the ID50 for a virus, at least 600-fold less
than the ID50 for a virus, at least 700-fold less than the ID50 for
a virus, at least 800-fold less than the ID50 for a virus, at least
900-fold less than the ID50 for a virus, or at least 1000-fold less
than the ID50 for a virus.
[0320] The viral inactivation may be carried out in conjunction
with protein purification or not. In some embodiments, the method
comprises immobilizing the protein on a support; and treating the
immobilized protein with a detergent-solvent mixture comprising a
non-ionic detergent and an organic solvent. In some embodiments,
the support is a chromatographic resin. In certain embodiments, the
detergent-solvent mixture comprises 1% Triton X-100, 0.3%
Tri-N-butyl phosphate, and 0.3% Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80). The
solvent-detergent mixture treatment can continue for a prolonged
time, e.g., for 30 minutes to 1 hour, while the protein remains
immobilized on the chromatographic resin, e.g., on a cation
exchange resin; and/or solvent-detergent treatment may occur at
2.degree. C. to 10.degree. C. This approach to virus inactivation
surprisingly can reduce the formation of protein aggregates during
treatment with a detergent-solvent mixture by a significant amount,
e.g., by more than 50%, as compared to treatment with a
solvent-detergent mixture while the protein is not immobilized in
solution.
[0321] In some embodiments, the method of inactivating a lipid-coat
containing virus comprises the steps of: i) providing a fluid
comprising a protein having an activity; ii) mixing an organic
solvent and a surfactant with the fluid, thereby creating a
mixture; and iii) incubating the mixture for no more than about 120
minutes; wherein both steps (ii) and (iii) are performed at a
temperature of no higher than about 20.degree. C.; wherein the
mixture after incubation is essentially free of a viable lipid-coat
containing virus; and wherein the protein after incubation has an
activity of at least 25% of the activity provided in step (i).
[0322] In other embodiments, a protein essentially free of a
lipid-coat containing virus can be obtained from a method
comprising the steps of: i) providing a fluid comprising a protein
having an activity; ii) mixing an organic solvent and a surfactant
with the fluid, thereby creating a mixture; and iii) incubating the
mixture for no more than about 120 minutes; wherein both steps (ii)
and (iii) are performed at a temperature of no higher than about
20.degree. C.; wherein the mixture after incubation is essentially
free of a viable lipid-coat containing virus; and wherein the
protein after incubation has an activity of at least 25% of the
activity provided in step (a).
[0323] In another embodiment, the method of inactivating a
lipid-coat containing virus comprises the steps of: i) providing a
fluid comprising a blood coagulation protein having an activity
(e.g., VWF); ii) mixing an organic solvent and a surfactant with
the fluid, thereby creating a mixture; and iii) incubating the
mixture for no more than about 120 minutes; wherein both steps (ii)
and (iii) are performed at a temperature of no higher than about
20.degree. C.; wherein the mixture after incubation is essentially
free of a viable lipid-coat containing virus; and wherein the
Factor VIII after incubation has an activity of at least 25% of the
activity provided in step (i).
[0324] In some instances, the organic solvent is an ether, an
alcohol, a dialkylphosphate or a trialkylphosphate. In certain
embodiments, the ether is selected from dimethyl ether, diethyl
ether, ethyl propyl ether, methyl-butyl ether, methyl isopropyl
ether, and/or methyl isobutyl ether.
[0325] In some embodiments, the alcohol is selected from methanol,
ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isobutanol, n-pentanol,
and/or isopentanol. In some embodiments, the dialkylphosphate is
selected from di-(n-butyl)phosphate, di-(t-butyl)phosphate,
di-(n-hexyl)phosphate, di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate,
di-(n-decyl)phosphate, and/or ethyl di(n-butyl) phosphate. In some
embodiments, the trialkylphosphate is selected from
tri-(n-butyl)phosphate, tri-(t-butyl)phosphate,
tri-(n-hexyl)phosphate, tri-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate, and/or
tri-(n-decyl)phosphate.
[0326] In some instances, the final concentration of the organic
solvent is from about 0.1% (v/v) to about 5.0% (v/v), about 0.1%
(v/v) to about 1.0% (v/v), about 0.2% (v/v) to about 0.5% (v/v), or
about 0.2% (v/v) to about 0.4% (v/v), about 0.3% (v/v).
[0327] In some instances, the surfactant is selected from an ionic
surfactant, a zwitterionic (amphoteric) surfactant, and/or a
non-ionic surfactant. The ionic surfactant can be an anion
surfactant or cationic surfactant.
[0328] In certain embodiments, the anionic surfactant is selected
from an alkyl sulfate, an alkyl ether sulfate, a docusate, a
sulfonate fluorosurfactant, an alkyl benzene sulfonate, an alkyl
aryl ether phosphate, an alkyl ether phosphate, an; alkyl
carboxylate, a sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, and/or a carboxylate
fluorosurfactant. In some embodiments, the alkyl sulfate is
selected from ammonium lauryl sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate
(SDS). In other embodiments, the alkyl ether sulfate is sodium
laureth sulfate and/or sodium myreth sulfate. In some embodiments,
the docusate is dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate.
[0329] In some embodiments, the sulfonate fluorosurfactant is
selected from perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and/or
perfluorobutanesulfonate. In some embodiments, the alkyl
carboxylate is selected from a fatty acid salt and/or sodium
stearate. In some embodiments, the carboxylate fluorosurfactant is
perfluorononanoate and peril uoroocta noate. In some embodiments,
the cationic surfactant is selected from an alkyltrimethylammonium
salt, cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), polyethoxylated tallow amine
(POEA), benzalkonium chloride (BAC), benzethonium chloride (BZT),
5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, dimethyldioctadecylammonium chloride,
dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB), a pH-dependent primary
amine, a pH-dependent secondary amine, and/or a pH-dependent
tertiary amine. In some embodiments, the alkyltrimethylammonium
salt is selected from cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and/or
cetyl trimethylammonium chloride (CTAC). In some embodiments, the
primary amine becomes positively charged at pH<10 or the
secondary amine becomes charged at pH<4.
[0330] In some embodiments, the cationic surfactant is octenidine
dihydrochloride.
[0331] In some embodiments, the zwitterionic surfactant is selected
from 3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate
(CHAPS), a sultaine, a betaine, and/or a lecithin. In some
embodiments, the sultaine is cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine. In
some embodiments, the betaine is cocamidopropyl betaine.
[0332] In some embodiments, the non-ionic surfactant is selected
from a polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl ester, a poloxamer, an
alkyl phenol polyglycol ether, a polyethylene glycol alkyl aryl
ether, a polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ether, 2-dodecoxyethanol
(LUBROL.RTM.-PX), a polyoxyethylene glycol octylphenol ether, a
polyoxyethylene glycol alkylphenol ether, a
phenoxypolyethoxylethanol, a glucoside alkyl ether, a maltoside
alkyl ether, a thioglucoside alkyl ether, a digitonin, a glycerol
alkyl ester, an alkyl aryl polyether sulfate, an alcohol sulfonate,
a sorbitan alkyl ester, a cocamide ethanolamine, sucrose
monolaurate, dodecyl dimethylamine oxide, and/or sodium cholate. In
some embodiments, the polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl ester
is selected from polysorbate 20 sorbitan monooleate (TWEEN.RTM.
20), polysorbate 40 sorbitan monooleate (TWEEN.RTM. 40),
polysorbate 60 sorbitan monooleate (TWEEN.RTM. 60), polysorbate 61
sorbitan monooleate (TWEEN.RTM. 61), polysorbate 65 sorbitan
monooleate (TWEEN.RTM. 65), polysorbate 80 sorbitan monooleate
(TWEEN.RTM. 80), and/or polysorbate 81 sorbitan monooleate
(TWEEN.RTM. 81).
[0333] In some embodiments, the poloxamer is selected from
Poloxamer 124 (PLURONIC.RTM. L44), Poloxamer 181 (PLURONIC.RTM.
L61), Poloxamer 182 (PLURONIC.RTM. L62), Poloxamer 184
(PLURONIC.RTM. L64), Poloxamer 188 (PLURONIC.RTM. F68), Poloxamer
237 (PLURONIC.RTM. F87), Poloxamer 338 (PLURONIC.RTM. L108), and/or
Poloxamer 407 (PLURONIC.RTM. F127).
[0334] In some embodiments, the polyoxyethylene glycol alkyl ether
is selected from octaethylene glycol monododecyl ether,
pentaethylene glycol monododecyl ether, BRIJ.RTM. 30, and/or
BRIJ.RTM. 35.
[0335] In some cases, the polyoxyethylene glycol octylphenol ether
is selected from polyoxyethylene (4-5) p-t-octyl phenol
(TRITON.RTM. X-45), and/or polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether
(TRITON.RTM. X-100). In some embodiments, the polyoxyethylene
glycol alkylphenol ether is nonoxynol-9.
[0336] In some embodiments, the phenoxypolyethoxylethanol is
selected from nonyl phenoxypolyethoxylethanol and/or octyl
phenoxypolyethoxylethanol.
[0337] In some embodiments, the glucoside alkyl ether is octyl
glucopyranoside. In some embodiments, the maltoside alkyl ether is
dodecyl maltopyranoside. In some embodiments, the thioglucoside
alkyl ether is heptyl thioglucopyranoside. In some embodiments, the
glycerol alkyl ester is glyceryl laurate. In some embodiments, the
cocamide ethanolamine is selected from cocamide monoethanolamine
and/or cocamide diethanolamine.
[0338] In some embodiments, the final concentration of the
surfactant is from about 0.1% (v/v) to about 10.0% (v/v), or about
0.5% (v/v) to about 5.0% (v/v). In some cases, the surfactant is a
plurality of surfactants.
[0339] Useful methods for viral inactivation are described, for
example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,190,609 and 9,315,560, and U.S. Appl.
Publication No. 2017/0327559, the disclosures of which are herein
incorporated by reference in their entireties.
[0340] Viral inactivation can be performed as recognized by those
skilled in the art. For instance, the solvent tri(n-butyl)
phosphate (TNBP) and detergents such as, but not limited to,
polysorbate 80 and triton X-100 are effective for inactivating
lipid enveloped viruses. Viral inactivation can be performed at
room temperatures such as 14.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C. for
about 1 hour or more. In some cases, the incubation time is not
longer than two hours.
[0341] In some embodiments, the viral inactivation treatment is
stopped by adding a buffer comprising a sodium citrate buffer to
the virus inactivated material. In some instances, the sodium
citrate buffer comprises from about 40 mM to about 100 mM sodium
citrate buffer, e.g., about 40 mM, about 50 mM, about 60 mM, about
70 mM, about 80 mM, about 90 mM, or about 100 mM sodium citrate
buffer.
[0342] H. VWF Maturation
[0343] Furin is part of a protein family referred to as SPC
(subtilisin-like proprotein convertases), PC (proprotein
convertases) or in some cases PACE (paired basic amino acid
cleaving enzyme). Members of the furin protein family include but
are not limited to Furin, Kex2, PC2, PC1/PC3, PACE4, PC4, PC5
and/or PC7. As part of the present invention, methods provides
methods for maturation of pro-VWF (pro-rVWF) into a mat-VWF/VWF-PP
(mat-rVWF/rVWF-PP) complex by treatment with furin. Any of these
furin family members can be employed in the methods of VWF
maturation.
[0344] In some embodiments, the pro-VWF is furin matured on an
anion exchange column or resin, on a cation exchange column or
resin, or as part of a size separation chromatography method. In
some embodiments, the pro-VWF is furin matured on an anion exchange
column or resin and/or as part of an anion exchange chromatography
procedure. In some embodiments, the pro-VWF is furin matured on a
cation exchange column or resin and/or as part of a cation exchange
chromatography procedure. In some embodiments, the pro-VWF is furin
matured as part of a size exclusion chromatography procedure. Such
methods have been described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.
8,058,411, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all
purposes.
[0345] In order to facilitate the maturation process and to provide
pro-VWF immobilized on the resin at an elevated concentration, in
some embodiments of the invention, the chromatographic resin is
packed in a chromatographic column. Since the concentration of
pro-VWF in the course of its in vitro maturation influences the
maturation efficiency, it is advantageous to pack the
chromatographic resin in a column. Furthermore, the use of
chromatographic columns allows the efficient control of the
parameters of maturation in a more reproducible manner and makes it
simpler to perform the maturation of VWF in vitro. In some
embodiments, the furin concentration is about 1, about 2, about 3,
or about 4 units of recombinant active furin per IU of VWF:Ag (10
.mu.g of pro-rVWF). In some embodiments, the furin concentration is
about 2-3 units of recombinant active furin per IU of VWF:Ag (10
.mu.g of pro-rVWF). In some embodiments, the furin concentration is
about 1-2 units of recombinant active furin per IU of VWF:Ag (10
.mu.g of pro-rVWF). In some embodiments, the furin concentration is
about 2 units of recombinant active furin per IU of VWF:Ag (10
.mu.g of pro-rVWF).
[0346] In some embodiments, when the pro-VWF is immobilized on an
anion exchange resin and incubated with a solution exhibiting
pro-VWF convertase activity, the conductivity measured at
25.degree. C. is below 25 mS/cm. In some embodiments, when the
pro-VWF is immobilized on an anion exchange resin and incubated
with a solution exhibiting pro-VWF convertase activity, the
conductivity measured at 25.degree. C. is below 20 mS/cm. In some
embodiments, when the pro-VWF is immobilized on an anion exchange
resin and incubated with a solution exhibiting pro-VWF convertase
activity, the conductivity measured at 25.degree. C. is below 16
mS/cm. In some embodiments, when the pro-VWF is immobilized on an
anion exchange resin and incubated with a solution exhibiting
pro-VWF convertase activity, the conductivity measured at
25.degree. C. is between 16 mS/cm and 25 mS/cm. In some
embodiments, when the pro-VWF is immobilized on an anion exchange
resin and incubated with a solution exhibiting pro-VWF convertase
activity, the conductivity measured at 25.degree. C. is between 20
mS/cm and 25 mS/cm. Pro-rVWF as well as mat-rVWF can be efficiently
immobilized on anion exchange resins at these conductivity levels.
Consequently, the buffers applied in the course of the present
method have to be adapted correspondingly to maintain the
conductivity levels. In some embodiments, the conductivity is such
that the furin and/or PACE enzyme is in active form and full or
partially in the mobile phase.
[0347] In some embodiments, mat-rVWF is eluted from an anion
exchange resin at a conductivity when measured at 25.degree. C. of
at least 40 mS/cm. In some embodiments, mat-rVWF is eluted from an
anion exchange resin at a conductivity when measured at 25.degree.
C. of at least 60 mS/cm. In some embodiments, mat-rVWF is eluted
from an anion exchange resin at a conductivity when measured at
25.degree. C. of at least 80 mS/cm. In some embodiments, mat-rVWF
is eluted from an anion exchange resin at a conductivity when
measured at 25.degree. C. of between 40 mS/cm and 80 mS/cm. In some
embodiments, mat-rVWF is eluted from an anion exchange resin at a
conductivity when measured at 25.degree. C. of between 60 mS/cm and
80 mS/cm. In some embodiments, the desired rVWF species starts to
elute at a conductivity of between about 12 to 16 mS/cm/25.degree.
C. with an anion exchange resin (for example with TMAE). In some
embodiments the main amount (bulk) of the rVWF desired species was
eluted between about 55 to 60 mS/cm/25.degree. C. with an anion
exchange resin. In some embodiments, the desired rVWF species
starts to elute at a conductivity of between about 18 to 24
mS/cm/25.degree. C. with a cation exchange resin. In some
embodiments the main amount (bulk) of the rVWF desired species was
eluted between about 36 to 42 mS/cm/25.degree. C. with a cation
exchange resin. In some embodiments, the desired rVWF is mature
rVWF (e.g., mat-rVWF). IN some embodiments, the main amount (bulk)
includes at least about 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or more
of the total amount of the desired species that elutes.
[0348] In some embodiments, further washing steps before the
mat-rVWF is eluted from the anion exchange resin are employed. In
some embodiments, further washing steps before the mat-rVWF is
eluted from the cation exchange resin are employed.
[0349] For their proteolytic activity many proteases need
co-factors like bivalent metal ions. Furin and furin protein family
members require calcium ions for activity. Therefore, if furin is
used to mature pro-rVWF in vitro calcium salts are employed. In
some embodiments, the calcium salt is a soluble calcium salt. In
some embodiments, the calcium salt is calcium chloride
(CaCl.sub.2). In some embodiments, the calcium salt is calcium
acetate. In some embodiments, other bivalent metal ions are
employed, including for example, but not limited to, Be.sup.2+,
Ba.sup.2+, Mg.sup.2+, Mn.sup.2+, Sr.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+, Co.sup.2+,
Ni.sup.2+, Cd.sup.2+, and/or Cu.sup.2+. In some embodiments, a
combination of two or more bivalent cations are employed. In some
embodiments, Ca.sup.2+ and Mg.sup.2+ are employed in combination.
In some embodiments, the calcium salt is a soluble magnesium salt.
In some embodiments, the magnesium salt is magnesium chloride
(MgCl.sub.2). In some embodiments, the furin protein family
formulation for use in the maturation comprises a soluble calcium
salt at a concentration of 0.01 to 10 mM. In some embodiments, the
furin protein family formulation for use in the maturation
comprises a soluble magnesium salt at a concentration of 0.01 to 10
mM. In some embodiments, the furin protein family formulation for
use in the maturation comprises CaCl.sub.2 at a concentration of
0.01 to 10 mM. In some embodiments, the furin protein family
formulation for use in the maturation comprises MgCl.sub.2 at a
concentration of 0.01 to 10 mM. In some embodiments, the furin
protein family formulation for use in the maturation comprises
CaCl.sub.2 at a concentration of 0.1 to 5 mM. In some embodiments,
the furin protein family formulation for use in the maturation
comprises MgCl.sub.2 at a concentration of 0.1 to 5 mM. In some
embodiments, the furin protein family formulation for use in the
maturation comprises CaCl.sub.2 at a concentration of 0.2 to 2 mM.
In some embodiments, the furin protein family formulation for use
in the maturation comprises MgCl.sub.2 at a concentration of 0.2 to
2 mM. In some embodiments, the furin protein family formulation for
use in the maturation comprises furin. In some embodiments, the
furin concentration is about 1, about 2, about 3, or about 4 units
of recombinant active furin per IU of VWF:Ag (10 .mu.g of
pro-rVWF). In some embodiments, the furin concentration is about
2-3 units of recombinant active furin per IU of VWF:Ag (10 .mu.g of
pro-rVWF). In some embodiments, the furin concentration is about
1-2 units of recombinant active furin per IU of VWF:Ag (10 .mu.g of
pro-rVWF). In some embodiments, the furin concentration is about 2
units of recombinant active furin per IU of VWF:Ag (10 .mu.g of
pro-rVWF).
[0350] The incubation time of furin with the immobilized pro-rVWF
may vary depending on the system used. Also factors like
temperature, buffers etc. influence the efficiency of the
maturation process. Generally, the maturation process is terminated
in less than 48 hours. In some embodiments, the maturation process
can occur in less than 1 minute. In some embodiments, the
maturation process can occur in less than 40 hours, 36 hours, 30
hours, 24 hours, 20 hours, 16 hours, 10 hours, 5 hours, 2 hours, 1
hour or less. In some embodiments, the incubation for pro-rVWF
maturation is performed for less than 1 minute to 48 hours. In some
embodiments, the incubation for pro-rVWF maturation is performed
for 10 minutes to 42 hours. In some embodiments, the incubation for
pro-rVWF maturation is performed for 20 minutes to 36 hours. In
some embodiments, the incubation for pro-rVWF maturation is
performed for 30 minutes to 24 hours. In some embodiments, due to
the high specificity of furin, "overactivation" of VWF (further
proteolytic degradation) does not occur even after prolonged
incubation time.
[0351] In some embodiments, the maturation process depends also on
the temperature chosen in the course of the incubation. The optimal
enzymatic activity of furin varies with the temperature.
[0352] In some embodiments, the incubation for pro-rVWF maturation
is performed at a temperature of 2.degree. C. to 40.degree. C. In
some embodiments, the incubation for pro-rVWF maturation is
performed at a temperature of 4.degree. C. to 37.degree. C. In some
embodiments, the incubation for pro-rVWF maturation is performed at
low temperatures such as 2.degree. C. In some embodiments, the
maximum temperatures employed are lower than 50.degree. C., in
order to avoid and/or prevent protein degradation. In some
embodiments, the maximum temperatures employed are lower than
45.degree. C., in order to avoid and/or prevent protein
degradation.
[0353] In some embodiments, the pro-VWF (or pro-rVWF) is converted
into mat-VWF (or mat-rVWF) by treatment with furin or a furin
family member, as described above. In some embodiments, furin
treatment results in at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at
least 98%, at least 99%, at least 99.5% conversion of the pro-rVWF
into mat-rVWF and rVWF-PP. In some embodiments after size
separation in the presence of the addition of at least one
chelating agent and/or increasing the pH to a pH of at least 7,
there is less than 5% rVWF-PP, less than 4% rVWF-PP, less than 3%
rVWF-PP, less than 2% rVWF-PP, less than 1% rVWF-PP, less than 0.5%
rVWF-PP, less than 0.4% rVWF-PP, less than 0.1% rVWF, or less than
0.05% rVWF-PP in the eluate.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Exemplary pro-VWF removal (based on furin
treatment) Load, VWF-PP impurity Eluate, VWF-PP impurity Step %
(w/w) % (w/w) AEX ~70% ~0.5% CEX ~0.5% ~0.5% SEC ~0.5% ~0.5%
[0354] I. VWF Multimers
[0355] Assessment of the number and percentage of rVWF multimers
can be conducted using methods known in the art, including without
limitation methods using electrophoresis and size exclusion
chromatography methods to separate VWF multimers by size, for
example as discussed by Cumming et al., (J Clin Pathol., 1993 May;
46(5): 470-473, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety for all purposes and in particular for all teachings
related to assessment of VWF multimers). Such techniques may
further include immunoblotting techniques (such as Western Blot),
in which the gel is immunoblotted with a radiolabelled antibody
against VWF followed by chemiluminescent detection (see, for
example, Wen et al., J. Clin. Lab. Anal., 1993, 7: 317-323, which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all
purposes and in particular for all teachings related to assessment
of VWF multimers). Further assays for VWF include VWF:Antigen
(VWF:Ag), VWF:Ristocetin Cofactor (VWF:RCof), and VWF:Collagen
Binding Activity assay (VWF:CBA), which are often used for
diagnosis and classification of Von Willebrand Disease (see, for
example, Favaloro et al., Pathology, 1997, 29(4): 341-456; Sadler,
J E, Annu Rev Biochem, 1998, 67:395-424; and Turecek et al., Semin
Thromb Hemost, 2010, 36:510-521, which are hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety for all purposes and in particular for
all teachings related to assays for VWF). In some embodiments, the
mat-rVWF obtained using the present methods includes any multimer
pattern present in the loading sample of the rVWF. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF obtained using the present methods
includes physiolocical occurring multimer patters as well as
ultralarge VWF-multimer patterns.
[0356] J. VWF Assays
[0357] In primary hemostasis VWF serves as a bridge between
platelets and specific components of the extracellular matrix, such
as collagen. The biological activity of VWF in this process can be
measured by different in vitro assays (Turecek et al., Semin Thromb
Hemost, 2010, 36: 510-521).
[0358] The VWF:Ristocetin Cofactor (VWF:RCof) assay is based on the
agglutination of fresh or formalin-fixed platelets induced by the
antibiotic ristocetin in the presence of VWF. The degree of
platelet agglutination depends on the VWF concentration and can be
measured by the turbidimetric method, e.g., by use of an
aggregometer (Weiss et al., J. Clin. Invest., 1973, 52: 2708-2716;
Macfarlane et al., Thromb. Diath. Haemorrh., 1975, 34: 306-308). As
provided herein, the specific ristocetin cofactor activity of the
VWF (VWF:RCo) of the present invention is generally described in
terms of mU/.mu.g of VWF, as measured using in vitro assays.
[0359] In some embodiments, the mat-rVWF purified according to the
methods of the present invention has a specific activity of at
least about 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5, 35, 37.5, 40, 42.5, 45,
47.5, 50, 52.5, 55, 57.5, 60, 62.5, 65, 67.5, 70, 72.5, 75, 77.5,
80, 82.5, 85, 87.5, 90, 92.5, 95, 97.5, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120,
125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150 or more mU/.mu.g. In some embodiments,
mat-rVWF used in the methods described herein has a specific
activity of from 20 mU/.mu.g to 150 mU/.mu.g. In some embodiments,
the mat-rVWF has a specific activity of from 30 mU/.mu.g to 120
mU/.mu.g. In some embodiments, the mat-rVWF has a specific activity
from 40 mU/.mu.g to 90 mU/.mu.g. In some embodiments, the mat-rVWF
has a specific activity selected from variations 1 to 133 found in
Table 3, below.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Exemplary embodiments for the specific
activity of rVWF found in the compositions and used in the methods
provided herein. (mU/.mu.g) 20 Var. 1 22.5 Var. 2 25 Var. 3 27.5
Var. 4 30 Var. 5 32.5 Var. 6 35 Var. 7 37.5 Var. 8 40 Var. 9 42.5
Var. 10 45 Var. 11 47.5 Var. 12 50 Var. 13 52.5 Var. 14 55 Var. 15
57.5 Var. 16 60 Var. 17 62.5 Var. 18 65 Var. 19 67.5 Var. 20 70
Var. 21 72.5 Var. 22 75 Var. 23 77.5 Var. 24 80 Var. 25 82.5 Var.
26 85 Var. 27 87.5 Var. 28 90 Var. 29 92.5 Var. 30 95 Var. 31 97.5
Var. 32 100 Var. 33 105 Var. 34 110 Var. 35 115 Var. 36 120 Var. 37
125 Var. 38 130 Var. 39 135 Var. 40 140 Var. 41 145 Var. 42 150
Var. 43 20-150 Var. 44 20-140 Var. 45 20-130 Var. 46 20-120 Var. 47
20-110 Var. 48 20-100 Var. 49 20-90 Var. 50 20-80 Var. 51 20-70
Var. 52 20-60 Var. 53 20-50 Var. 54 20-40 Var. 55 30-150 Var. 56
30-140 Var. 57 30-130 Var. 58 30-120 Var. 59 30-110 Var. 60 30-100
Var. 61 30-90 Var. 62 30-80 Var. 63 30-70 Var. 64 30-60 Var. 65
30-50 Var. 66 30-40 Var. 67 40-150 Var. 68 40-140 Var. 69 40-130
Var. 70 40-120 Var. 71 40-110 Var. 72 40-100 Var. 73 40-90 Var. 74
40-80 Var. 75 40-70 Var. 76 40-60 Var. 77 40-50 Var. 78 50-150 Var.
79 50-140 Var. 80 50-130 Var. 81 50-120 Var. 82 50-110 Var. 83
50-100 Var. 84 50-90 Var. 85 50-80 Var. 86 50-70 Var. 87 50-60 Var.
88 60-150 Var. 89 60-140 Var. 90 60-130 Var. 91 60-120 Var. 92
60-110 Var. 93 60-100 Var. 94 60-90 Var. 95 60-80 Var. 96 60-70
Var. 97 70-150 Var. 98 70-140 Var. 99 70-130 Var. 100 70-120 Var.
101 70-110 Var. 102 70-100 Var. 103 70-90 Var. 104 70-80 Var. 105
80-150 Var. 106 80-140 Var. 107 80-130 Var. 108 80-120 Var. 109
80-110 Var. 110 80-100 Var. 111 80-90 Var. 112 90-150 Var. 113
90-140 Var. 114 90-130 Var. 115 90-120 Var. 116 90-110 Var. 117
90-100 Var. 118 100-150 Var. 119 100-140 Var. 120 100-130 Var. 121
100-120 Var. 122 100-110 Var. 123 110-150 Var. 124 110-140 Var. 125
110-130 Var. 126 110-120 Var. 127 120-150 Var. 128 120-140 Var. 129
120-130 Var. 130 130-150 Var. 131 130-140 Var. 132 140-150 Var. 133
Var. = Variation
[0360] The mat-rVWF of the present invention is highly multimeric
comprising about 10 to about 40 subunits. In further embodiments,
the multimeric rVWF produced using methods of the present invention
comprise about 10-30, 12-28, 14-26, 16-24, 18-22, 20-21 subunits.
In some embodiments, the rVWF is present in multimers varying in
size from dimers to multimers of over 40 subunits (>10 million
Daltons). The largest multimers provide multiple binding sites that
can interact with both platelet receptors and subendothelial matrix
sites of injury, and are the most hemostatically active form of
VWF. In some embodiments, the mat-rVWF of the present invention
comprises ultralarge multimers (ULMs). Generally, high and
ultralarge multimers are considered to be hemostatically most
effective (see, for example, Turecek, P., Hamostaseologie, (Vol.
37): Supplement 1, pages S15-S25 (2017)). In some embodiments, the
mat-rVWF is between 500 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In some embodiments,
any desired multimer pattern can be obtained using the methods
described. In some embodiments, when anion exchange and/or cation
exchanger methods are employed, the pH, conductivity, and/or
counterion concentration of the buffers in the one or more wash
step(s) or the gradient buffers can be manipulated to obtain the
desired multimer pattern. In some embodiments, then size exclusion
chromatography methods are employed, the collection criteria can be
employed to obtain the desired multimer pattern. In some
embodiments, the described multimer pattern comprises ultralarge
multimers. In some embodiments, the ultralarge multimers are at
least 10,000 kDa, at least 11,000 kDa, at least 12,000 kDa, at
least 13,000 kDa, at least 14,000 kDa, at least 15,000 kDa, at
least 16,000 kDa, at least 17,000 kDa, at least 18,000 kDa, at
least 19,000 kDa, at least 20,000 kDa. In some embodiments, the
ultralarge multimers are between about 10,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa.
In some embodiments, the ultralarge multimers are between about
11,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In some embodiments, the ultralarge
multimers are between about 12,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In some
embodiments, the ultralarge multimers are between about 13,000 kDa
and 20,000 kDa. In some embodiments, the ultralarge multimers are
between about 14,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In some embodiments, the
ultralarge multimers are between about 15,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa.
In some embodiments, the ultralarge multimers are between about
16,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In some embodiments, the ultralarge
multimers are between about 17,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In some
embodiments, the ultralarge multimers are between about 18,000 kDa
and 20,000 kDa. In some embodiments, the ultralarge multimers are
between about 19,000 kDa and 20,000 kDa. In some embodiments, the
mat-rVWF obtained using the present methods includes any multimer
pattern present in the loading sample of the rVWF. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF obtained using the present methods
includes physiolocical occurring multimer patters as well as ultra
large VWF-multimer patterns.
[0361] In some embodiments, the mat-rVWF composition prepared by
the purification method described herein has a distribution of rVWF
oligomers characterized in that 95% of the oligomers have between 6
subunits and 20 subunits. In some embodiments, the mat-rVWF
composition has a distribution of rVWF oligomers characterized in
that 95% of the oligomers have a range of subunits selected from
variations 458 to 641 found in 4.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Exemplary embodiments for the distribution
of rVWF oligomers found in the compositions and used in the methods
provided herein. Subunits 2-40 Var. 458 2-38 Var. 459 2-36 Var. 460
2-34 Var. 461 2-32 Var. 462 2-30 Var. 463 2-28 Var. 464 2-26 Var.
465 2-24 Var. 466 2-22 Var. 467 2-20 Var. 468 2-18 Var. 469 2-16
Var. 470 2-14 Var. 471 2-12 Var. 472 2-10 Var. 473 2-8 Var. 474
4-40 Var. 475 4-38 Var. 476 4-36 Var. 477 4-34 Var. 478 4-32 Var.
479 4-30 Var. 480 4-28 Var. 481 4-26 Var. 482 4-24 Var. 483 4-22
Var. 484 4-20 Var. 485 4-18 Var. 486 4-16 Var. 487 4-14 Var. 488
4-12 Var. 489 4-10 Var. 490 4-8 Var. 491 6-40 Var. 492 6-38 Var.
493 6-36 Var. 494 6-34 Var. 495 6-32 Var. 496 6-30 Var. 497 6-28
Var. 498 6-26 Var. 499 6-24 Var. 500 6-22 Var. 501 6-20 Var. 502
6-18 Var. 503 6-16 Var. 504 6-14 Var. 505 6-12 Var. 506 6-10 Var.
507 6-8 Var. 508 8-40 Var. 509 8-38 Var. 510 8-36 Var. 511 8-34
Var. 512 8-32 Var. 513 8-30 Var. 514 8-28 Var. 515 8-26 Var. 516
8-24 Var. 517 8-22 Var. 518 8-20 Var. 519 8-18 Var. 520 8-16 Var.
521 8-14 Var. 522 8-12 Var. 523 8-10 Var. 524 10-40 Var. 525 10-38
Var. 526 10-36 Var. 527 10-34 Var. 528 10-32 Var. 529 10-30 Var.
530 10-28 Var. 531 10-26 Var. 532 10-24 Var. 533 10-22 Var. 534
10-20 Var. 535 10-18 Var. 536 10-16 Var. 537 10-14 Var. 538 10-12
Var. 539 12-40 Var. 540 12-38 Var. 541 12-36 Var. 542 12-34 Var.
543 12-32 Var. 544 12-30 Var. 545 12-28 Var. 546 12-26 Var. 547
12-24 Var. 548 12-22 Var. 549 12-20 Var. 550 12-18 Var. 551 12-16
Var. 552 12-14 Var. 553 14-40 Var. 554 14-38 Var. 555 14-36 Var.
556 14-34 Var. 557 14-32 Var. 558 14-30 Var. 559 14-28 Var. 560
14-26 Var. 561 14-24 Var. 562 14-22 Var. 563 14-20 Var. 564 14-18
Var. 565 14-16 Var. 566 16-40 Var. 567 16-38 Var. 568 16-36 Var.
569 16-34 Var. 570 16-32 Var. 571 16-30 Var. 572 16-28 Var. 573
16-26 Var. 574 16-24 Var. 575 16-22 Var. 576 16-20 Var. 577 16-18
Var. 578 18-40 Var. 579 18-38 Var. 580 18-36 Var. 581 18-34 Var.
582 18-32 Var. 583 18-30 Var. 584 18-28 Var. 585 18-26 Var. 586
18-24 Var. 587 18-22 Var. 588 18-20 Var. 589 20-40 Var. 590 20-38
Var. 591 20-36 Var. 592 20-34 Var. 593 20-32 Var. 594 20-30 Var.
595 20-28 Var. 596 20-26 Var. 597 20-24 Var. 598 20-22 Var. 599
22-40 Var. 600 22-38 Var. 601 22-36 Var. 602 22-34 Var. 603 22-32
Var. 604 22-30 Var. 605 22-28 Var. 606 22-26 Var. 607 22-24 Var.
608 24-40 Var. 609 24-38 Var. 610 24-36 Var. 611 24-34 Var. 612
24-32 Var. 613 24-30 Var. 614 24-28 Var. 615 24-26 Var. 616 26-40
Var. 617 26-38 Var. 618 26-36 Var. 619 26-34 Var. 620 26-32 Var.
621 26-30 Var. 622 26-28 Var. 623 28-40 Var. 624 28-38 Var. 625
28-36 Var. 626 28-34 Var. 627 28-32 Var. 628 28-30 Var. 629 30-40
Var. 630 30-38 Var. 631 30-36 Var. 632 30-34 Var. 633 30-32 Var.
634 32-40 Var. 635 32-38 Var. 636 32-36 Var. 637 32-34 Var. 638
34-40 Var. 639 36-38 Var. 640 38-40 Var. 641 Var. = Variation
[0362] In some embodiments, the mat-rVWF composition prepared by
the methods provided herein can be characterized according to the
percentage of mat-rVWF molecules that are present in a particular
higher order mat-rVWF multimer or larger multimer. For example, in
one embodiment, at least 20% of mat-rVWF molecules in a mat-rVWF
composition used in the methods described herein are present in an
oligomeric complex of at least 10 subunits. In another embodiment,
at least 20% of mat-rVWF molecules in a mat-rVWF composition used
in the methods described herein are present in an oligomeric
complex of at least 12 subunits. In yet other embodiments, a
mat-rVWF composition used in the methods provided herein has a
minimal percentage (e.g., has at least X %) of mat-rVWF molecules
present in a particular higher-order mat-rVWF multimer or larger
multimer (e.g., a multimer of at least Y subunits) according to any
one of variations 134 to 457 found in Table 5 to Table 7.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Exemplary embodiments for the percentage of
rVWF molecules that are present in a particular higher order rVWF
multimer or larger multimer found in the compositions and used in
the methods provided herein. Minimal Number of Subunits in rVWF
Multimer 6 8 10 12 14 16 Minimal Percentage of 10% Var. 134 Var.
152 Var. 170 Var. 188 Var. 206 Var. 224 rVWF Molecules 15% Var. 135
Var. 153 Var. 171 Var. 189 Var. 207 Var. 225 20% Var. 136 Var. 154
Var. 172 Var. 190 Var. 208 Var. 226 25% Var. 137 Var. 155 Var. 173
Var. 191 Var. 209 Var. 227 30% Var. 138 Var. 156 Var. 174 Var. 192
Var. 210 Var. 228 35% Var. 139 Var. 157 Var. 175 Var. 193 Var. 211
Var. 229 40% Var. 140 Var. 158 Var. 176 Var. 194 Var. 212 Var. 230
45% Var. 141 Var. 159 Var. 177 Var. 195 Var. 213 Var. 231 50% Var.
142 Var. 160 Var. 178 Var. 196 Var. 214 Var. 232 55% Var. 143 Var.
161 Var. 179 Var. 197 Var. 215 Var. 233 60% Var. 144 Var. 162 Var.
180 Var. 198 Var. 216 Var. 234 65% Var. 145 Var. 163 Var. 181 Var.
199 Var. 217 Var. 235 70% Var. 146 Var. 164 Var. 182 Var. 200 Var.
218 Var. 236 75% Var. 147 Var. 165 Var. 183 Var. 201 Var. 219 Var.
237 80% Var. 148 Var. 166 Var. 184 Var. 202 Var. 220 Var. 238 85%
Var. 149 Var. 167 Var. 185 Var. 203 Var. 221 Var. 239 90% Var. 150
Var. 168 Var. 186 Var. 204 Var. 222 Var. 240 95% Var. 151 Var. 169
Var. 187 Var. 205 Var. 223 Var. 241 Var. = Variation
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Exemplary embodiments for the percentage of
rVWF molecules that are present in a particular higher order rVWF
multimer or larger multimer found in the compositions and used in
the methods provided herein. Minimal Number of Subunits in rVWF
Multimer 18 20 22 24 26 28 Minimal Percentage of 10% Var. 242 Var.
260 Var. 278 Var. 296 Var. 314 Var. 332 rVWF Molecules 15% Var. 243
Var. 261 Var. 279 Var. 297 Var. 315 Var. 333 20% Var. 244 Var. 262
Var. 280 Var. 298 Var. 316 Var. 334 25% Var. 245 Var. 263 Var. 281
Var. 299 Var. 317 Var. 335 30% Var. 246 Var. 264 Var. 282 Var. 300
Var. 318 Var. 336 35% Var. 247 Var. 265 Var. 283 Var. 301 Var. 319
Var. 337 40% Var. 248 Var. 266 Var. 284 Var. 302 Var. 320 Var. 338
45% Var. 249 Var. 267 Var. 285 Var. 303 Var. 321 Var. 339 50% Var.
250 Var. 268 Var. 286 Var. 304 Var. 322 Var. 340 55% Var. 251 Var.
269 Var. 287 Var. 305 Var. 323 Var. 341 60% Var. 252 Var. 270 Var.
288 Var. 306 Var. 324 Var. 342 65% Var. 253 Var. 271 Var. 289 Var.
307 Var. 325 Var. 343 70% Var. 254 Var. 272 Var. 290 Var. 308 Var.
326 Var. 344 75% Var. 255 Var. 273 Var. 291 Var. 309 Var. 327 Var.
345 80% Var. 256 Var. 274 Var. 292 Var. 310 Var. 328 Var. 346 85%
Var. 257 Var. 275 Var. 293 Var. 311 Var. 329 Var. 347 90% Var. 258
Var. 276 Var. 294 Var. 312 Var. 330 Var. 348 95% Var. 259 Var. 277
Var. 295 Var. 313 Var. 331 Var. 349 Var. = Variation
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Exemplary embodiments for the percentage of
rVWF molecules that are present in a particular higher order rVWF
multimer or larger multimer found in the compositions and used in
the methods provided herein. Minimal Number of Subunits in rVWF
Multimer 30 32 34 36 38 40 Minimal Percentage of 10% Var. 350 Var.
368 Var. 386 Var. 404 Var. 422 Var. 440 rVWF Molecules 15% Var. 351
Var. 369 Var. 387 Var. 405 Var. 423 Var. 441 20% Var. 352 Var. 370
Var. 388 Var. 406 Var. 424 Var. 442 25% Var. 353 Var. 371 Var. 389
Var. 407 Var. 425 Var. 443 30% Var. 354 Var. 372 Var. 390 Var. 408
Var. 426 Var. 444 35% Var. 355 Var. 373 Var. 391 Var. 409 Var. 427
Var. 445 40% Var. 356 Var. 374 Var. 392 Var. 410 Var. 428 Var. 446
45% Var. 357 Var. 375 Var. 393 Var. 411 Var. 429 Var. 447 50% Var.
358 Var. 376 Var. 394 Var. 412 Var. 430 Var. 448 55% Var. 359 Var.
377 Var. 395 Var. 413 Var. 431 Var. 449 60% Var. 360 Var. 378 Var.
396 Var. 414 Var. 432 Var. 450 65% Var. 361 Var. 379 Var. 397 Var.
415 Var. 433 Var. 451 70% Var. 362 Var. 380 Var. 398 Var. 416 Var.
434 Var. 452 75% Var. 363 Var. 381 Var. 399 Var. 417 Var. 435 Var.
453 80% Var. 364 Var. 382 Var. 400 Var. 418 Var. 436 Var. 454 85%
Var. 365 Var. 383 Var. 401 Var. 419 Var. 437 Var. 455 90% Var. 366
Var. 384 Var. 402 Var. 420 Var. 438 Var. 456 95% Var. 367 Var. 385
Var. 403 Var. 421 Var. 439 Var. 457 Var. = Variation
[0363] In accordance with the above, the mat-rVWF comprises a
significant percentage of high molecular weight (HMW) mat-rVWF
multimers. In further embodiments, the HMW rVWF multimer
composition comprises at least 10%-80% mat-rVWF decamers or higher
order multimers. In further embodiments, the composition comprises
about 10-95%, 20-90%, 30-85%, 40-80%, 50-75%, 60-70% decamers or
higher order multimers. In further embodiments, the HMW mat-rVWF
multimer composition comprises at least about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%,
50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% decamers or higher order multimers.
[0364] Assessment of the number and percentage of mat-rVWF
multimers can be conducted using methods known in the art,
including without limitation methods using electrophoresis and size
exclusion chromatography methods to separate mat-rVWF multimers by
size, for example as discussed by Cumming et al, (J Clin Pathol.
1993 May; 46(5): 470-473, which is hereby incorporated by reference
in its entirety for all purposes and in particular for all
teachings related to assessment of mat-rVWF multimers). Such
techniques may further include immunoblotting techniques (such as
Western Blot), in which the gel is immunoblotted with a
radiolabelled antibody against VWF followed by chemiluminescent
detection (see for example Wen et al., (1993), J. Clin. Lab. Anal.,
7: 317-323, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety for all purposes and in particular for all teachings
related to assessment of mat-rVWF multimers). Further assays for
VWF include VWF:Antigen (VWF:Ag), VWF:Ristocetin Cofactor
(VWF:RCof), and VWF:Collagen Binding Activity assay (VWF:CBA),
which are often used for diagnosis and classification of Von
Willebrand Disease. (see for example Favaloro et al., Pathology,
1997, 29(4): 341-456, which is hereby incorporated by reference in
its entirety for all purposes and in particular for all teachings
related to assays for VWF).
[0365] In some embodiments, the ratio of rFVIII procoagulant
activity (IU rFVIII:C) to rVWF Ristocetin cofactor activity (IU
rVWF:RCo) for the mat-rVWF prepared according to the methods of the
present invention is between 3:1 and 1:5. In further embodiments,
the ratio is between 2:1 and 1:4. In still further embodiments, the
ratio is between 5:2 and 1:4. In further embodiments, the ratio is
between 3:2 and 1:3. In still further embodiments, the ratio is
about 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:4, 1:5, 2:1, 2:3, 2:4, 2:5, 3:1, 3:2, 3:4,
or 3:5. In further embodiments, the ratio is between 1:1 and 1:2.
In yet further embodiments, the ratio is 1.1:1, 1.2:1, 1.3:1,
1.4:1, 1.5:1, 1.6:1, 1.7:1, 1.8:1, 1.9:1, or 2:1. In certain
embodiments, the ratio of rFVIII procoagulant activity (IU
rFVIII:C) to rVWF Ristocetin cofactor activity (IU rVWF:RCo) in a
composition useful for a method described herein is selected from
variations 1988 to 2140 found in Table 8.
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Exemplary embodiments for the ratio of
rFVIII procoagulant activity (IU rFVIII:C) to rVWF Ristocetin
cofactor activity (IU rVWF:RCo) in compositions and used in methods
provided herein. (IU rFVIII:C) to (IU rVWF:RCo) 4:1 Var. 1988 3:1
Var. 1989 2:1 Var. 1990 3:2 Var. 1991 4:3 Var. 1992 1:1 Var. 1993
5:6 Var. 1994 4:5 Var. 1995 3:4 Var. 1996 2:3 Var. 1997 3:5 Var.
1998 1:2 Var. 1999 2:5 Var. 2000 1:3 Var. 2001 1:4 Var. 2002 1:5
Var. 2003 1:6 Var. 2004 4:1-1:6 Var. 2005 4:1-1:5 Var. 2006 4:1-1:4
Var. 2007 4:1-1:3 Var. 2008 4:1-2:5 Var. 2009 4:1-1:2 Var. 2010
4:1-3:5 Var. 2011 4:1-2:3 Var. 2012 4:1-3:4 Var. 2013 4:1-4:5 Var.
2014 4:1-5:6 Var. 2015 4:1-1:1 Var. 2016 4:1-4:3 Var. 2017 4:1-3:2
Var. 2018 4:1-2:1 Var. 2019 4:1-3:1 Var. 2020 3:1-1:6 Var. 2021
3:1-1:5 Var. 2022 3:1-1:4 Var. 2023 3:1-1:3 Var. 2024 3:1-2:5 Var.
2025 3:1-1:2 Var. 2026 3:1-3:5 Var. 2027 3:1-2:3 Var. 2028 3:1-3:4
Var. 2029 3:1-4:5 Var. 2030 3:1-5:6 Var. 2031 3:1-1:1 Var. 2032
3:1-4:3 Var. 2033 3:1-3:2 Var. 2034 3:1-2:1 Var. 2035 2:1-1:6 Var.
2036 2:1-1:5 Var. 2037 2:1-1:4 Var. 2038 2:1-1:3 Var. 2039 2:1-2:5
Var. 2040 2:1-1:2 Var. 2041 2:1-3:5 Var. 2042 2:1-2:3 Var. 2043
2:1-3:4 Var. 2044 2:1-4:5 Var. 2045 2:1-5:6 Var. 2046 2:1-1:1 Var.
2047 2:1-4:3 Var. 2048 2:1-3:2 Var. 2049 3:2-1:6 Var. 2050 3:2-1:5
Var. 2051 3:2-1:4 Var. 2052 3:2-1:3 Var. 2053 3:2-2:5 Var. 2054
3:2-1:2 Var. 2055 3:2-3:5 Var. 2056 3:2-2:3 Var. 2057 3:2-3:4 Var.
2058 3:2-4:5 Var. 2059 3:2-5:6 Var. 2060 3:2-1:1 Var. 2061 3:2-4:3
Var. 2062 4:3-1:6 Var. 2063 4:3-1:5 Var. 2064 4:3-1:4 Var. 2065
4:3-1:3 Var. 2066 4:3-2:5 Var. 2067 4:3-1:2 Var. 2068 4:3-3:5 Var.
2069 4:3-2:3 Var. 2070 4:3-3:4 Var. 2071 4:3-4:5 Var. 2072 4:3-5:6
Var. 2073 4:3-1:1 Var. 2074 1:1-1:6 Var. 2075 1:1-1:5 Var. 2076
1:1-1:4 Var. 2077 1:1-1:3 Var. 2078 1:1-2:5 Var. 2079 1:1-1:2 Var.
2080 1:1-3:5 Var. 2081 1:1-2:3 Var. 2082 1:1-3:4 Var. 2083 1:1-4:5
Var. 2084 1:1-5:6 Var. 2085 5:6-1:6 Var. 2086 5:6-1:5 Var. 2087
5:6-1:4 Var. 2088 5:6-1:3 Var. 2089 5:6-2:5 Var. 2090 5:6-1:2 Var.
2091 5:6-3:5 Var. 2092 5:6-2:3 Var. 2093 5:6-3:4 Var. 2094 5:6-4:5
Var. 2095 4:5-1:6 Var. 2096 4:5-1:5 Var. 2097 4:5-1:4 Var. 2098
4:5-1:3 Var. 2099 4:5-2:5 Var. 2100 4:5-1:2 Var. 2101 4:5-3:5 Var.
2102 4:5-2:3 Var. 2103 4:5-3:4 Var. 2104 3:4-1:6 Var. 2105 3:4-1:5
Var. 2106 3:4-1:4 Var. 2107 3:4-1:3 Var. 2108 3:4-2:5 Var. 2109
3:4-1:2 Var. 2110 3:4-3:5 Var. 2111 3:4-2:3 Var. 2112 2:3-1:6 Var.
2113 2:3-1:5 Var. 2114 2:3-1:4 Var. 2115 2:3-1:3 Var. 2116 2:3-2:5
Var. 2117 2:3-1:2 Var. 2118 2:3-3:5 Var. 2119 3:5-1:6 Var. 2120
3:5-1:5 Var. 2121 3:5-1:4 Var. 2122 3:5-1:3 Var. 2123 3:5-2:5 Var.
2124 3:5-1:2 Var. 2125 1:2-1:6 Var. 2126 1:2-1:5 Var. 2127 1:2-1:4
Var. 2128 1:2-1:3 Var. 2129 1:2-2:5 Var. 2130 2:5-1:6 Var. 2131
2:5-1:5 Var. 2132 2:5-1:4 Var. 2133 2:5-1:3 Var. 2134 1:3-1:6 Var.
2135 1:3-1:5 Var. 2136 1:3-1:4 Var. 2137 1:4-1:6 Var. 2138 1:4-1:5
Var. 2139 1:5-1:6 Var. 2140 Var. = Variation
[0366] In further embodiments, higher order mat-rVWF multimers of
the invention are stable for about 1 to about 90 hours
post-administration. In still further embodiments, the higher order
mat-rVWF multimers are stable for about 5-80, 10-70, 15-60, 20-50,
25-40, 30-35 hours post-administration. In yet further embodiments,
the higher order mat-rVWF multimers are stable for at least 3, 6,
12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 72 hours post-administration. In certain
embodiments the stability of the mat-rVWF multimers is assessed in
vitro.
[0367] In one embodiment, higher order mat-rVWF multimers used in
the compositions and methods provided herein have a half-life of at
least 12 hour post administration. In another embodiment, the
higher order mat-rVWF multimers have a half-life of at least 24
hour post administration. In yet other embodiments, the higher
order mat-rVWF multimers have a half-life selected from variations
642 to 1045 found in Table 9.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Exemplary embodiments for the half-life of
higher order rVWF multimers found in the compositions prepared by
the methods provided herein. Hours at least 1 Var. 642 at least 2
Var. 643 at least 3 Var. 644 at least 4 Var. 645 at least 5 Var.
646 at least 6 Var. 647 at least 7 Var. 648 at least 8 Var. 649 at
least 9 Var. 650 at least 10 Var. 651 at least 11 Var. 652 at least
12 Var. 653 at least 14 Var. 654 at least 16 Var. 655 at least 18
Var. 656 at least 20 Var. 657 at least 22 Var. 658 at least 24 Var.
659 at least 27 Var. 660 at least 30 Var. 661 at least 33 Var. 662
at least 36 Var. 663 at least 39 Var. 664 at least 42 Var. 665 at
least 45 Var. 666 at least 48 Var. 667 at least 54 Var. 668 at
least 60 Var. 669 at least 66 Var. 670 at least 72 Var. 671 at
least 78 Var. 672 at least 84 Var. 673 at least 90 Var. 674 2-90
Var. 675 2-84 Var. 676 2-78 Var. 677 2-72 Var. 678 2-66 Var. 679
2-60 Var. 680 2-54 Var. 681 2-48 Var. 682 2-45 Var. 683 2-42 Var.
684 2-39 Var. 685 2-36 Var. 686 2-33 Var. 687 2-30 Var. 688 2-27
Var. 689 2-24 Var. 690 2-22 Var. 691 2-20 Var. 692 2-18 Var. 693
2-16 Var. 694 2-14 Var. 695 2-12 Var. 696 2-10 Var. 697 2-8 Var.
698 2-6 Var. 699 2-4 Var. 700 3-90 Var. 701 3-84 Var. 702 3-78 Var.
703 3-72 Var. 704 3-66 Var. 705 3-60 Var. 706 3-54 Var. 707 3-48
Var. 708 3-45 Var. 709 3-42 Var. 710 3-39 Var. 711 3-36 Var. 712
3-33 Var. 713 3-30 Var. 714 3-27 Var. 715 3-24 Var. 716 3-22 Var.
717 3-20 Var. 718 3-18 Var. 719 3-16 Var. 720 3-14 Var. 721 3-12
Var. 722 3-10 Var. 723 3-8 Var. 724 3-6 Var. 725 3-4 Var. 726 4-90
Var. 727 4-84 Var. 728 4-78 Var. 729 4-72 Var. 730 4-66 Var. 731
4-60 Var. 732 4-54 Var. 733 4-48 Var. 734 4-45 Var. 735 4-42 Var.
736 4-39 Var. 737 4-36 Var. 738 4-33 Var. 739 4-30 Var. 740 4-27
Var. 741 4-24 Var. 742 4-22 Var. 743 4-20 Var. 744 4-18 Var. 745
4-16 Var. 746 4-14 Var. 747 4-12 Var. 748 4-10 Var. 749 4-8 Var.
750 4-6 Var. 751 6-90 Var. 752 6-84 Var. 753 6-78 Var. 754 6-72
Var. 755 6-66 Var. 756 6-60 Var. 757 6-54 Var. 758 6-48 Var. 759
6-45 Var. 760 6-42 Var. 761 6-39 Var. 762 6-36 Var. 763 6-33 Var.
764 6-30 Var. 765 6-27 Var. 766 6-24 Var. 767 6-22 Var. 768 6-20
Var. 769 6-18 Var. 770 6-16 Var. 771 6-14 Var. 772 6-12 Var. 773
6-10 Var. 774 6-8 Var. 775 8-90 Var. 776 8-84 Var. 777 8-78 Var.
778 8-72 Var. 779 8-66 Var. 780 8-60 Var. 781 8-54 Var. 782 8-48
Var. 783 8-45 Var. 784 8-42 Var. 785 8-39 Var. 786 8-36 Var. 787
8-33 Var. 788 8-30 Var. 789 8-27 Var. 790 8-24 Var. 791 8-22 Var.
792 8-20 Var. 793 8-18 Var. 794 8-16 Var. 795 8-14 Var. 796 8-12
Var. 797 8-10 Var. 798 10-90 Var. 799 10-84 Var. 800 10-78 Var. 801
10-72 Var. 802 10-66 Var. 803 10-60 Var. 804 10-54 Var. 805 10-48
Var. 806 10-45 Var. 807 10-42 Var. 808 10-39 Var. 809 10-36 Var.
810 10-33 Var. 811 10-30 Var. 812 10-27 Var. 813 10-24 Var. 814
10-22 Var. 815 10-20 Var. 816 10-18 Var. 817 10-16 Var. 818 10-14
Var. 819 10-12 Var. 820 12-90 Var. 821 12-84 Var. 822 12-78 Var.
823 12-72 Var. 824 12-66 Var. 825 12-60 Var. 826 12-54 Var. 827
12-48 Var. 828 12-45 Var. 829 12-42 Var. 830 12-39 Var. 831 12-36
Var. 832 12-33 Var. 833 12-30 Var. 834 12-27 Var. 835 12-24 Var.
836 12-22 Var. 837 12-20 Var. 838 12-18 Var. 839 12-16 Var. 840
12-14 Var. 841 14-90 Var. 842 14-84 Var. 843 14-78 Var. 844 14-72
Var. 845 14-66 Var. 846 14-60 Var. 847 14-54 Var. 848 14-48 Var.
849 14-45 Var. 850 14-42 Var. 851 14-39 Var. 852 14-36 Var. 853
14-33 Var. 854 14-30 Var. 855 14-27 Var. 856 14-24 Var. 857 14-22
Var. 858 14-20 Var. 859 14-18 Var. 860 14-16 Var. 861 16-90 Var.
862 16-84 Var. 863 16-78 Var. 864 16-72 Var. 865 16-66 Var. 866
16-60 Var. 867 16-54 Var. 868 16-48 Var. 869 16-45 Var. 870 16-42
Var. 871 16-39 Var. 872 16-36 Var. 873 16-33 Var. 874 16-30 Var.
875 16-27 Var. 876 16-24 Var. 877 16-22 Var. 878 16-20 Var. 879
16-18 Var. 880 18-90 Var. 881 18-84 Var. 882 18-78 Var. 883 18-72
Var. 884
18-66 Var. 885 18-60 Var. 886 18-54 Var. 887 18-48 Var. 888 18-45
Var. 889 18-42 Var. 890 18-39 Var. 891 18-36 Var. 892 18-33 Var.
893 18-30 Var. 894 18-27 Var. 895 18-24 Var. 896 18-22 Var. 897
18-20 Var. 898 20-90 Var. 899 20-84 Var. 900 20-78 Var. 901 20-72
Var. 902 20-66 Var. 903 20-60 Var. 904 20-54 Var. 905 20-48 Var.
906 20-45 Var. 907 20-42 Var. 908 20-39 Var. 909 20-36 Var. 910
20-33 Var. 911 20-30 Var. 912 20-27 Var. 913 20-24 Var. 914 20-22
Var. 915 22-90 Var. 916 22-84 Var. 917 22-78 Var. 918 22-72 Var.
919 22-66 Var. 920 22-60 Var. 921 22-54 Var. 922 22-48 Var. 923
22-45 Var. 924 22-42 Var. 925 22-39 Var. 926 22-36 Var. 927 22-33
Var. 928 22-30 Var. 929 22-27 Var. 930 22-24 Var. 931 24-90 Var.
932 24-84 Var. 933 24-78 Var. 934 24-72 Var. 935 24-66 Var. 936
24-60 Var. 937 24-54 Var. 938 24-48 Var. 939 24-45 Var. 940 24-42
Var. 941 24-39 Var. 942 24-36 Var. 943 24-33 Var. 944 24-30 Var.
945 24-27 Var. 946 27-90 Var. 947 27-84 Var. 948 27-78 Var. 949
27-72 Var. 950 27-66 Var. 951 27-60 Var. 952 27-54 Var. 953 27-48
Var. 954 30-90 Var. 955 30-84 Var. 956 30-78 Var. 957 30-72 Var.
958 30-66 Var. 959 30-60 Var. 960 30-54 Var. 961 30-48 Var. 962
30-45 Var. 963 30-42 Var. 964 30-39 Var. 965 30-36 Var. 966 30-33
Var. 967 33-90 Var. 968 33-84 Var. 969 33-78 Var. 970 33-72 Var.
971 33-66 Var. 972 33-60 Var. 973 33-54 Var. 974 33-48 Var. 975
33-45 Var. 976 33-42 Var. 977 33-29 Var. 978 33-36 Var. 979 36-90
Var. 980 36-84 Var. 981 36-78 Var. 982 36-72 Var. 983 36-66 Var.
984 36-60 Var. 985 36-54 Var. 986 36-48 Var. 987 36-45 Var. 988
36-42 Var. 989 36-39 Var. 990 39-90 Var. 991 39-84 Var. 992 39-78
Var. 993 39-72 Var. 994 39-66 Var. 995 39-60 Var. 996 39-54 Var.
997 39-48 Var. 998 39-45 Var. 999 39-42 Var. 1000 42-90 Var. 1001
42-84 Var. 1002 42-78 Var. 1003 42-72 Var. 1004 42-66 Var. 1005
42-60 Var. 1006 42-54 Var. 1007 42-48 Var. 1008 42-45 Var. 1009
45-90 Var. 1010 45-84 Var. 1011 45-78 Var. 1012 45-72 Var. 1013
45-66 Var. 1014 45-60 Var. 1015 45-54 Var. 1016 45-48 Var. 1017
48-90 Var. 1018 48-84 Var. 1019 48-78 Var. 1020 48-72 Var. 1021
48-66 Var. 1022 48-60 Var. 1023 48-54 Var. 1024 54-90 Var. 1025
54-84 Var. 1026 54-78 Var. 1027 54-72 Var. 1028 54-66 Var. 1029
54-60 Var. 1030 60-90 Var. 1031 60-84 Var. 1032 60-78 Var. 1033
60-72 Var. 1034 60-66 Var. 1035 66-90 Var. 1036 66-84 Var. 1037
66-78 Var. 1038 66-72 Var. 1039 72-90 Var. 1040 72-84 Var. 1041
72-78 Var. 1042 78-90 Var. 1043 78-84 Var. 1044 84-90 Var. 1045
Var. = Variation
[0368] In some embodiments, the pro-VWF and/or purified mat-rVWF
purified in accordance with the present invention is not modified
with any conjugation, post-translation or covalent modifications.
In particular embodiments, the pro-VWF and/or purified mat-rVWF of
the present invention is not modified with a water soluble polymer,
including without limitation, a polyethylene glycol (PEG), a
polypropylene glycol, a polyoxyalkylene, a polysialic acid,
hydroxyl ethyl starch, a poly-carbohydrate moiety, and the
like.
[0369] In some embodiments, the pro-VWF and/or purified mat-rVWF
purified in accordance with the present invention is modified
through conjugation, post-translation modification, or covalent
modification, including modifications of the N- or C-terminal
residues as well as modifications of selected side chains, for
example, at free sulfhydryl-groups, primary amines, and
hydroxyl-groups. In one embodiment, a water soluble polymer is
linked to the protein (directly or via a linker) by a lysine group
or other primary amine. In some embodiments, the pro-VWF and/or
purified mat-rVWF of the present invention may be modified by
conjugation of a water soluble polymer, including without
limitation, a polyethylene glycol (PEG), a polypropylene glycol, a
polyoxyalkylene, a polysialic acid, hydroxyl ethyl starch, a
poly-carbohydrate moiety, and the like.
[0370] Water soluble polymers that may be used to modify the
pro-VWF and/or purified mat-rVWF include linear and branched
structures. The conjugated polymers may be attached directly to the
coagulation proteins of the invention, or alternatively may be
attached through a linking moiety. Non-limiting examples of protein
conjugation with water soluble polymers can be found in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,640,835; 4,496,689; 4,301,144; 4,670,417; 4,791,192, and
4,179,337, as well as in Abuchowski and Davis "Enzymes as Drugs,"
Holcenberg and Roberts, Eds., pp. 367 383, John Wiley and Sons, New
York (1981), and Hermanson G., Bioconjugate Techniques 2nd Ed.,
Academic Press, Inc. 2008.
[0371] Protein conjugation may be performed by a number of
well-known techniques in the art, for example, see Hermanson G.,
Bioconjugate Techniques 2nd Ed., Academic Press, Inc. 2008.
Examples include linkage through the peptide bond between a
carboxyl group on one of either the coagulation protein or
water-soluble polymer moiety and an amine group of the other, or an
ester linkage between a carboxyl group of one and a hydroxyl group
of the other. Another linkage by which a coagulation protein of the
invention could be conjugated to a water-soluble polymer compound
is via a Schiff base, between a free amino group on the polymer
moiety being reacted with an aldehyde group formed at the
non-reducing end of the polymer by periodate oxidation (Jennings
and Lugowski, J. Immunol. 1981; 127:1011-8; Fernandes and
Gregonradis, Biochim Biophys Acta. 1997; 1341; 26-34). The
generated Schiff Base can be stabilized by specific reduction with
NaCNBH.sub.3 to form a secondary amine. An alternative approach is
the generation of terminal free amino groups on the polymer by
reductive amination with NH.sub.4Cl after prior oxidation.
Bifunctional reagents can be used for linking two amino or two
hydroxyl groups. For example, a polymer containing an amino group
can be coupled to an amino group of the coagulation protein with
reagents like BS3 (Bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate/Pierce, Rockford,
Ill.). In addition, heterobifunctional cross linking reagents like
Sulfo-EMCS (N-.epsilon.-Maleimidocaproyloxy) sulfosuccinimide
ester/Pierce) can be used for instance to link amine and thiol
groups. In other embodiments, an aldehyde reactive group, such as
PEG alkoxide plus diethyl acetal of bromoacetaldehyde; PEG plus
DMSO and acetic anhydride, and PEG chloride plus the phenoxide of
4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, succinimidyl active esters, activated
dithiocarbonate PEG, 2,4,5-trichlorophenylcloroformate and
P-nitrophenylcloroformate activated PEG, may be used in the
conjugation of a coagulation protein.
[0372] Another method for measuring the biological activity of VWF
is the collagen binding assay, which is based on ELISA technology
(Brown and Bosak, Thromb. Res., 1986, 43:303-311; Favaloro, Thromb.
Haemost., 2000, 83 127-135). A microtiter plate is coated with type
I or III collagen. Then the VWF is bound to the collagen surface
and subsequently detected with an enzyme-labeled polyclonal
antibody. The last step is a substrate reaction, which can be
photometrically monitored with an ELISA reader.
[0373] Immunological assays of von Willebrand factors (VWF:Ag) are
immunoassays that measure the concentration of the VWF protein in
plasma. They give no indication as to VWF function. A number of
methods exist for measuring VWF:Ag and these include both
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or automated latex
immunoassays (LIA.) Many laboratories now use a fully automated
latex immunoassay. Historically laboratories used a variety of
techniques including Laurell electroimmunoassay `Laurell Rockets`
but these are rarely used in most labs today.
[0374] K. VWF Formulations/Administration
[0375] The present method also provides for preparation of
formulations from the VWF obtained by the purification methods
provided herein. In some embodiments, the high purity mat-rVWF
composition is used for the production of a pharmaceutical
composition. In some embodiments, the mat-rVWF can be formulated
into a lyophilized formulation.
[0376] In some embodiments, the formulations comprising a VWF
polypeptide of the invention are lyophilized after purification and
prior to administration to a subject. Lyophilization is carried out
using techniques common in the art and should be optimized for the
composition being developed (Tang et al., Pharm Res. 21:191-200,
(2004) and Chang et al., Pharm Res. 13:243-9 (1996)).
[0377] A lyophilization cycle is, in one aspect, composed of three
steps: freezing, primary drying, and secondary drying (A. P.
Mackenzie, Phil Trans R Soc London, Ser B, Biol 278:167 (1977)). In
the freezing step, the solution is cooled to initiate ice
formation. Furthermore, this step induces the crystallization of
the bulking agent. The ice sublimes in the primary drying stage,
which is conducted by reducing chamber pressure below the vapor
pressure of the ice, using a vacuum and introducing heat to promote
sublimation. Finally, adsorbed or bound water is removed at the
secondary drying stage under reduced chamber pressure and at an
elevated shelf temperature. The process produces a material known
as a lyophilized cake. Thereafter the cake can be reconstituted
with either sterile water or suitable diluent for injection.
[0378] The lyophilization cycle not only determines the final
physical state of excipients but also affects other parameters such
as reconstitution time, appearance, stability and final moisture
content. The composition structure in the frozen state proceeds
through several transitions (e.g., glass transitions, wettings, and
crystallizations) that occur at specific temperatures and the
structure may be used to understand and optimize the lyophilization
process. The glass transition temperature (Tg and/or Tg') can
provide information about the physical state of a solute and can be
determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Tg and Tg'
are an important parameter that must be taken into account when
designing the lyophilization cycle. For example, Tg' is important
for primary drying. Furthermore, in the dried state, the glass
transition temperature provides information on the storage
temperature of the final product.
[0379] i. Pharmaceutical Formulations and Excipients in General
[0380] Excipients are additives that either impart or enhance the
stability and delivery of a drug product (e.g., protein).
Regardless of the reason for their inclusion, excipients are an
integral component of a formulation and therefore need to be safe
and well tolerated by patients. For protein drugs, the choice of
excipients is particularly important because they can affect both
efficacy and immunogenicity of the drug. Hence, protein
formulations need to be developed with appropriate selection of
excipients that afford suitable stability, safety, and
marketability.
[0381] A lyophilized formulation is, in one aspect, at least
comprised of one or more of a buffer, a bulking agent, and a
stabilizer. In this aspect, the utility of a surfactant is
evaluated and selected in cases where aggregation during the
lyophilization step or during reconstitution becomes an issue. An
appropriate buffering agent is included to maintain the formulation
within stable zones of pH during lyophilization. A comparison of
the excipient components contemplated for liquid and lyophilized
protein formulations is provided in Table 10.
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Excipient components of lyophilized protein
formulations Excipient component Function in lyophilized
formulation Buffer Maintain pH of formulation during lyophilization
and upon reconstitution Tonicity agent/stabilizer Stabilizers
include cryo and lycoprotectants Examples include Polyols, sugars
and polymers Cryoprotectants protect proteins from freezing
stresses Lyoprotectants stabilize proteins in the freeze-dried
state Bulking agent Used to enhance product elegance and to prevent
blowout Provides structural strength to the lyo cake Examples
include mannitol and glycine Surfactant Employed if aggregation
during the lyophilization process is an issue May serve to reduce
reconstitution times Examples include polysorbate 20 and 80
Anti-oxidant Usually not employed, molecular reactions in the lyo
cake are generally retarded Metal ions/chelating agent May be
included if a specific metal ion is included only as a co-factor of
where the metal is required for protease activity Chelating agents
are generally not needed in lyo formulations Preservative For
multi-dose formulations only Provides protection against microbial
growth in formulation Is usually included in the reconstitution
diluent (e.g., bWFI)
[0382] The principal challenge in developing formulations for
proteins is stabilizing the product against the stresses of
manufacturing, shipping and storage. The role of formulation
excipients is to provide stabilization against these stresses.
Excipients are also be employed to reduce viscosity of high
concentration protein formulations in order to enable their
delivery and enhance patient convenience. In general, excipients
can be classified on the basis of the mechanisms by which they
stabilize proteins against various chemical and physical stresses.
Some excipients are used to alleviate the effects of a specific
stress or to regulate a particular susceptibility of a specific
protein. Other excipients have more general effects on the physical
and covalent stabilities of proteins. The excipients described
herein are organized either by their chemical type or their
functional role in formulations. Brief descriptions of the modes of
stabilization are provided when discussing each excipient type.
[0383] Given the teachings and guidance provided herein, those
skilled in the art will know what amount or range of excipient can
be included in any particular formulation to achieve a
biopharmaceutical formulation of the invention that promotes
retention in stability of the biopharmaceutical (e.g., a protein).
For example, the amount and type of a salt to be included in a
biopharmaceutical formulation of the invention is selected based on
the desired osmolality (e.g., isotonic, hypotonic or hypertonic) of
the final solution as well as the amounts and osmolality of other
components to be included in the formulation.
[0384] By way of example, inclusion of about 5% sorbitol can
achieve isotonicity while about 9% of a sucrose excipient is needed
to achieve isotonicity. Selection of the amount or range of
concentrations of one or more excipients that can be included
within a biopharmaceutical formulation of the invention has been
exemplified above by reference to salts, polyols and sugars.
However, those skilled in the art will understand that the
considerations described herein and further exemplified by
reference to specific excipients are equally applicable to all
types and combinations of excipients including, for example, salts,
amino acids, other tonicity agents, surfactants, stabilizers,
bulking agents, cryoprotectants, lyoprotectants, anti-oxidants,
metal ions, chelating agents and/or preservatives.
[0385] Further, where a particular excipient is reported in molar
concentration, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
equivalent percent (%) w/v (e.g., (grams of substance in a solution
sample/mL of solution).times.100%) of solution is also
contemplated.
[0386] Of course, a person having ordinary skill in the art would
recognize that the concentrations of the excipients described
herein share an interdependency within a particular formulation. By
way of example, the concentration of a bulking agent may be lowered
where, e.g., there is a high protein concentration or where, e.g.,
there is a high stabilizing agent concentration. In addition, a
person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that, in
order to maintain the isotonicity of a particular formulation in
which there is no bulking agent, the concentration of a stabilizing
agent would be adjusted accordingly (e.g., a "tonicifying" amount
of stabilizer would be used). Common excipients are known in the
art and can be found in Powell et al., Compendium of Excipients fir
Parenteral Formulations (1998), PDA J. Pharm. Sci. Technology,
52:238-311.
[0387] ii. Pharmaceutical Buffers and Buffering Agents
[0388] The stability of a pharmacologically active protein
formulation is usually observed to be maximal in a narrow pH range.
This pH range of optimal stability needs to be identified early
during pre-formulation studies. Several approaches, such as
accelerated stability studies and calorimetric screening studies,
are useful in this endeavor (Remmele R. L. Jr., et al.,
Biochemistry, 38(16): 5241-7 (1999)). Once a formulation is
finalized, the protein must be manufactured and maintained
throughout its shelf-life. Hence, buffering agents are almost
always employed to control pH in the formulation.
[0389] The buffer capacity of the buffering species is maximal at a
pH equal to the pKa and decreases as pH increases or decreases away
from this value. Ninety percent of the buffering capacity exists
within one pH unit of its pKa. Buffer capacity also increases
proportionally with increasing buffer concentration.
[0390] Several factors need to be considered when choosing a
buffer. First and foremost, the buffer species and its
concentration need to be defined based on its pKa and the desired
formulation pH. Equally important is to ensure that the buffer is
compatible with the protein and other formulation excipients, and
does not catalyze any degradation reactions. A third important
aspect to be considered is the sensation of stinging and irritation
the buffer may induce upon administration. For example, citrate is
known to cause stinging upon injection (Laursen T, et al., Basic
Clin Pharmacol Toxicol., 98(2): 218-21 (2006)). The potential for
stinging and irritation is greater for drugs that are administered
via the subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM) routes, where the
drug solution remains at the site for a relatively longer period of
time than when administered by the IV route where the formulation
gets diluted rapidly into the blood upon administration. For
formulations that are administered by direct IV infusion, the total
amount of buffer (and any other formulation component) needs to be
monitored. One has to be particularly careful about potassium ions
administered in the form of the potassium phosphate buffer, which
can induce cardiovascular effects in a patient (Hollander-Rodriguez
J C, et al., Am. Fam. Physician., 73(2): 283-90 (2006)).
[0391] Buffers for lyophilized formulations need additional
consideration. Some buffers like sodium phosphate can crystallize
out of the protein amorphous phase during freezing resulting in
shifts in pH. Other common buffers such as acetate and imidazole
may sublime or evaporate during the lyophilization process, thereby
shifting the pH of formulation during lyophilization or after
reconstitution.
[0392] The buffer system present in the compositions is selected to
be physiologically compatible and to maintain a desired pH of the
pharmaceutical formulation. In one embodiment, the pH of the
solution is between pH 2.0 and pH 12.0. For example, the pH of the
solution may be 2.0, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 3.0, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, 4.0, 4.3,
4.5, 4.7, 5.0, 5.3, 5.5, 5.7, 6.0, 6.3, 6.5, 6.7, 7.0, 7.3, 7.5,
7.7, 8.0, 8.3, 8.5, 8.7, 9.0, 9.3, 9.5, 9.7, 10.0, 10.3, 10.5,
10.7, 11.0, 11.3, 11.5, 11.7, or 12.0.
[0393] The pH buffering compound may be present in any amount
suitable to maintain the pH of the formulation at a predetermined
level. In one embodiment, the pH buffering concentration is between
0.1 mM and 500 mM (1 M). For example, it is contemplated that the
pH buffering agent is at least 0.1, 0.5, 0.7, 0.8 0.9, 1.0, 1.2,
1.5, 1.7, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, or 500
mM.
[0394] Exemplary pH buffering agents used to buffer the formulation
as set out herein include, but are not limited to organic acids,
glycine, histidine, glutamate, succinate, phosphate, acetate,
citrate, Tris, HEPES, and amino acids or mixtures of amino acids,
including, but not limited to aspartate, histidine, and glycine. In
one embodiment of the present invention, the buffering agent is
citrate.
[0395] In some embodiments, the formulation comprises 50 mM
Glycine, 10 mM Taurine, 5% (w/w) Sucrose, 5% (w/w) D-Mannitol, 0.1%
Polysorbate 80, 2 mM CaCl.sub.2, 150 mM NaCl, and a pH 7.4. In some
embodiments, the formulation comprises a high purity mat-rVWF, 50
mM Glycine, 10 mM Taurine, 5% (w/w) Sucrose, 5% (w/w) D-Mannitol,
0.1% Polysorbate 80, 2 mM CaCl.sub.2, 150 mM NaCl, and a pH 7.4. In
some embodiments, the formulation comprises vWF and/or r-vWF/rFVIII
and 50 mM Glycine, 10 mM Taurine, 5% (w/w) Sucrose, 5% (w/w)
D-Mannitol, 0.1% Polysorbate 80, 2 mM CaCl.sub.2, 150 mM NaCl, and
a pH 7.4.
[0396] iii. Pharmaceutical Stabilizers and Bulking Agents
[0397] In one aspect of the present pharmaceutical formulations, a
stabilizer (or a combination of stabilizers) is added to prevent or
reduce storage-induced aggregation and chemical degradation. A hazy
or turbid solution upon reconstitution indicates that the protein
has precipitated or at least aggregated. The term "stabilizer"
means an excipient capable of preventing aggregation or physical
degradation, including chemical degradation (for example,
autolysis, deamidation, oxidation, etc.) in an aqueous state.
Stabilizers contemplated include, but are not limited to, sucrose,
trehalose, mannose, maltose, lactose, glucose, raffinose,
cellobiose, gentiobiose, isomaltose, arabinose, glucosamine,
fructose, mannitol, sorbitol, glycine, arginine HCL, poly-hydroxy
compounds, including polysaccharides such as dextran, starch,
hydroxyethyl starch, cyclodextrins, N-methyl pyrollidene, cellulose
and hyaluronic acid, sodium chloride, (Carpenter et al., Develop.
Biol. Standard 74:225, (1991)). In the present formulations, the
stabilizer is incorporated in a concentration of about 0.1, 0.5,
0.7, 0.8 0.9, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.7, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90,
100, 200, 500, 700, 900, or 1000 mM. In one embodiment of the
present invention, mannitol and trehalose are used as stabilizing
agents.
[0398] If desired, the formulations also include appropriate
amounts of bulking and osmolality regulating agents. Bulking agents
include, for example and without limitation, mannitol, glycine,
sucrose, polymers such as dextran, polyvinylpyrolidone,
carboxymethylcellulose, lactose, sorbitol, trehalose, or xylitol.
In one embodiment, the bulking agent is mannitol. The bulking agent
is incorporated in a concentration of about 0.1, 0.5, 0.7, 0.8 0.9,
1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.7, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 500, 700,
900, or 1000 mM.
[0399] iv. Pharmaceutical Surfactants
[0400] Proteins have a high propensity to interact with surfaces
making them susceptible to adsorption and denaturation at
air-liquid, vial-liquid, and liquid-liquid (silicone oil)
interfaces. This degradation pathway has been observed to be
inversely dependent on protein concentration and results in either
the formation of soluble and insoluble protein aggregates or the
loss of protein from solution via adsorption to surfaces. In
addition to container surface adsorption, surface-induced
degradation is exacerbated with physical agitation, as would be
experienced during shipping and handling of the product.
[0401] Surfactants are commonly used in protein formulations to
prevent surface-induced degradation. Surfactants are amphipathic
molecules with the capability of out-competing proteins for
interfacial positions. Hydrophobic portions of the surfactant
molecules occupy interfacial positions (e.g., air/liquid), while
hydrophilic portions of the molecules remain oriented towards the
bulk solvent. At sufficient concentrations (typically around the
detergent's critical micellar concentration), a surface layer of
surfactant molecules serves to prevent protein molecules from
adsorbing at the interface. Thereby, surface-induced degradation is
minimized. Surfactants contemplated herein include, without
limitation, fatty acid esters of sorbitan polyethoxylates, e.g.,
polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80. The two differ only in the
length of the aliphatic chain that imparts hydrophobic character to
the molecules, C-12 and C-18, respectively. Accordingly,
polysorbate-80 is more surface-active and has a lower critical
micellar concentration than polysorbate-20.
[0402] Detergents can also affect the thermodynamic conformational
stability of proteins. Here again, the effects of a given detergent
excipient will be protein specific. For example, polysorbates have
been shown to reduce the stability of some proteins and increase
the stability of others. Detergent destabilization of proteins can
be rationalized in terms of the hydrophobic tails of the detergent
molecules that can engage in specific binding with partially or
wholly unfolded protein states. These types of interactions could
cause a shift in the conformational equilibrium towards the more
expanded protein states (e.g. increasing the exposure of
hydrophobic portions of the protein molecule in complement to
binding polysorbate). Alternatively, if the protein native state
exhibits some hydrophobic surfaces, detergent binding to the native
state may stabilize that conformation.
[0403] Another aspect of polysorbates is that they are inherently
susceptible to oxidative degradation. Often, as raw materials, they
contain sufficient quantities of peroxides to cause oxidation of
protein residue side-chains, especially methionine. The potential
for oxidative damage arising from the addition of stabilizer
emphasizes the point that the lowest effective concentrations of
excipients should be used in formulations. For surfactants, the
effective concentration for a given protein will depend on the
mechanism of stabilization.
[0404] Surfactants are also added in appropriate amounts to prevent
surface related aggregation phenomenon during freezing and drying
(Chang, B, J. Pharm. Sci. 85:1325, (1996)). Thus, exemplary
surfactants include, without limitation, anionic, cationic,
nonionic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric surfactants including
surfactants derived from naturally-occurring amino acids. Anionic
surfactants include, but are not limited to, sodium lauryl sulfate,
dioctyl sodium sulfo succinate and dioctyl sodium sulfonate,
chenodeoxycholic acid, N-lauroylsarcosine sodium salt, lithium
dodecyl sulfate, 1-octanesulfonic acid sodium salt, sodium cholate
hydrate, sodium deoxycholate, and glycodeoxycholic acid sodium
salt. Cationic surfactants include, but are not limited to,
benzalkonium chloride or benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium
chloride monohydrate, and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide.
Zwitterionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, CHAPS,
CHAPSO, SB3-10, and SB3-12. Non-ionic surfactants include, but are
not limited to, digitonin, Triton X-100, Triton X-114, TWEEN-20,
and TWEEN-80. Surfactants also include, but are not limited to
lauromacrogol 400, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polyoxyethylene
hydrogenated castor oil 10, 40, 50 and 60, glycerol monostearate,
polysorbate 40, 60, 65 and 80, soy lecithin and other phospholipids
such as dioleyl phosphatidyl choline (DOPC),
dimyristoylphosphatidyl glycerol (DMPG), dimyristoylphosphatidyl
choline (DMPC), and (dioleyl phosphatidyl glycerol) DOPG; sucrose
fatty acid ester, methyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose.
Compositions comprising these surfactants, either individually or
as a mixture in different ratios, are therefore further provided.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the surfactant is
TWEEN-80. In the present formulations, the surfactant is
incorporated in a concentration of about 0.01 to about 0.5 g/L. In
formulations provided, the surfactant concentration is 0.005, 0.01,
0.02, 0.03, 0.05, 0.06, 0.07, 0.08, 0.09, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5,
0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9 or 1.0 g/L.
[0405] v. Pharmaceutical Salts
[0406] Salts are often added to increase the ionic strength of the
formulation, which can be important for protein solubility,
physical stability, and isotonicity. Salts can affect the physical
stability of proteins in a variety of ways. Ions can stabilize the
native state of proteins by binding to charged residues on the
protein's surface. Alternatively, salts can stabilize the denatured
state by binding to peptide groups along the protein backbone
(--CONH--). Salts can also stabilize the protein native
conformation by shielding repulsive electrostatic interactions
between residues within a protein molecule. Salts in protein
formulations can also shield attractive electrostatic interactions
between protein molecules that can lead to protein aggregation and
insolubility. In formulations provided, the salt concentration is
between 0.1, 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 120, 150, 200, 300,
and 500 mM.
[0407] vi. Other Common Excipient Components: Pharmaceutical Amino
Acids
[0408] Amino acids have found versatile use in protein formulations
as buffers, bulking agents, stabilizers and antioxidants. Thus, in
one aspect histidine and glutamic acid are employed to buffer
protein formulations in the pH range of 5.5-6.5 and 4.0-5.5
respectively. The imidazole group of histidine has a pKa=6.0 and
the carboxyl group of glutamic acid side chain has a pKa of 4.3
which makes these amino acids suitable for buffering in their
respective pH ranges. Glutamic acid is particularly useful in such
cases. Histidine is commonly found in marketed protein
formulations, and this amino acid provides an alternative to
citrate, a buffer known to sting upon injection. Interestingly,
histidine has also been reported to have a stabilizing effect, with
respect to aggregation when used at high concentrations in both
liquid and lyophilized presentations (Chen B, et al., Pharm Res.,
20(12): 1952-60 (2003)). Histidine was also observed by others to
reduce the viscosity of a high protein concentration formulation.
However, in the same study, the authors observed increased
aggregation and discoloration in histidine containing formulations
during freeze-thaw studies of the antibody in stainless steel
containers. Another note of caution with histidine is that it
undergoes photo-oxidation in the presence of metal ions (Tomita M,
et al., Biochemistry, 8(12): 5149-60 (1969)). The use of methionine
as an antioxidant in formulations appears promising; it has been
observed to be effective against a number of oxidative stresses
(Lam X M, et al., J Pharm ScL, 86(11): 1250-5 (1997)).
[0409] In various aspects, formulations are provided which include
one or more of the amino acids glycine, proline, serine, arginine
and alanine have been shown to stabilize proteins by the mechanism
of preferential exclusion. Glycine is also a commonly used bulking
agent in lyophilized formulations. Arginine has been shown to be an
effective agent in inhibiting aggregation and has been used in both
liquid and lyophilized formulations.
[0410] In formulations provided, the amino acid concentration is
between 0.1, 1, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 80, 100, 120, 150, 200, 300,
and 500 mM. In one embodiment of the present invention, the amino
acid is glycine.
[0411] vii. Other Common Excipient Components: Pharmaceutical
Antioxidants
[0412] Oxidation of protein residues arises from a number of
different sources. Beyond the addition of specific antioxidants,
the prevention of oxidative protein damage involves the careful
control of a number of factors throughout the manufacturing process
and storage of the product such as atmospheric oxygen, temperature,
light exposure, and chemical contamination. The invention therefore
contemplates the use of the pharmaceutical antioxidants including,
without limitation, reducing agents, oxygen/free-radical
scavengers, or chelating agents. Antioxidants in therapeutic
protein formulations are, in one aspect, water-soluble and remain
active throughout the product shelf-life. Reducing agents and
oxygen/free-radical scavengers work by ablating active oxygen
species in solution. Chelating agents such as EDTA are effective by
binding trace metal contaminants that promote free-radical
formation. For example, EDTA was utilized in the liquid formulation
of acidic fibroblast growth factor to inhibit the metal ion
catalyzed oxidation of cysteine residues.
[0413] In addition to the effectiveness of various excipients to
prevent protein oxidation, the potential for the antioxidants
themselves to induce other covalent or physical changes to the
protein is of concern. For example, reducing agents can cause
disruption of intramolecular disulfide linkages, which can lead to
disulfide shuffling. In the presence of transition metal ions,
ascorbic acid and EDTA have been shown to promote methionine
oxidation in a number of proteins and peptides (Akers M J, and
Defelippis M R. Peptides and Proteins as Parenteral Solutions. In:
Pharmaceutical Formulation Development of Peptides and Proteins.
Sven Frokjaer, Lars Hovgaard, editors. Pharmaceutical Science.
Taylor and Francis, UK (1999)); Fransson J. R., J. Pharm. Sci.
86(9): 4046-1050 (1997); Yin J, et al., Pharm Res., 21(12): 2377-83
(2004)). Sodium thiosulfate has been reported to reduce the levels
of light and temperature induced methionine-oxidation in rhuMab
HER2; however, the formation of a thiosulfate-protein adduct was
also reported in this study (Lam X M, Yang J Y, et al., J Pharm
Sci. 86(11): 1250-5 (1997)). Selection of an appropriate
antioxidant is made according to the specific stresses and
sensitivities of the protein. Antioxidants contemplated in certain
aspects include, without limitation, reducing agents and
oxygen/free-radical scavengers, EDTA, and sodium thiosulfate.
[0414] viii. Other Common Excipient Components: Pharmaceutical
Metal Ions
[0415] In general, transition metal ions are undesired in protein
formulations because they can catalyze physical and chemical
degradation reactions in proteins. However, specific metal ions are
included in formulations when they are co-factors to proteins and
in suspension formulations of proteins where they form coordination
complexes (e.g., zinc suspension of insulin). Recently, the use of
magnesium ions (10-120 mM) has been proposed to inhibit the
isomerization of aspartic acid to isoaspartic acid (WO
2004039337).
[0416] Two examples where metal ions confer stability or increased
activity in proteins are human deoxyribonuclease (rhDNase,
Pulmozyme.RTM.), and Factor VIII. In the case of rhDNase, Ca.sup.+2
ions (up to 100 mM) increased the stability of the enzyme through a
specific binding site (Chen B, et al., J Pharm Sci., 88(4): 477-82
(1999)). In fact, removal of calcium ions from the solution with
EGTA caused an increase in deamidation and aggregation. However,
this effect was observed only with Ca.sup.+2 ions; other divalent
cations Mg.sup.+2, Mn.sup.+2 and Zn.sup.+2 were observed to
destabilize rhDNase. Similar effects were observed in Factor VIII.
Ca.sup.+2 and Sr.sup.+2 ions stabilized the protein while others
like Mg.sup.+2, Mn.sup.+2 and Zn.sup.+2, Cu.sup.+2 and Fe.sup.+2
destabilized the enzyme (Fatouros, A., et al., Int. J. Pharm., 155,
121-131 (1997). In a separate study with Factor VIII, a significant
increase in aggregation rate was observed in the presence of
Al.sup.+3 ions (Derrick T S, et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 93(10):
2549-57 (2004)). The authors note that other excipients like buffer
salts are often contaminated with Al.sup.+3 ions and illustrate the
need to use excipients of appropriate quality in formulated
products.
[0417] ix. Other Common Excipient Components: Pharmaceutical
Preservatives
[0418] Preservatives are necessary when developing multi-use
parenteral formulations that involve more than one extraction from
the same container. Their primary function is to inhibit microbial
growth and ensure product sterility throughout the shelf-life or
term of use of the drug product. Commonly used preservatives
include, without limitation, benzyl alcohol, phenol and m-cresol.
Although preservatives have a long history of use, the development
of protein formulations that includes preservatives can be
challenging. Preservatives almost always have a destabilizing
effect (aggregation) on proteins, and this has become a major
factor in limiting their use in multi-dose protein formulations
(Roy S, et al., J Pharm ScL, 94(2): 382-96 (2005)).
[0419] To date, most protein drugs have been formulated for
single-use only. However, when multi-dose formulations are
possible, they have the added advantage of enabling patient
convenience, and increased marketability. A good example is that of
human growth hormone (hGH) where the development of preserved
formulations has led to commercialization of more convenient,
multi-use injection pen presentations. At least four such pen
devices containing preserved formulations of hGH are currently
available on the market. Norditropin.RTM. (liquid, Novo Nordisk),
Nutropin AQ.RTM. (liquid, Genentech) & Genotropin
(lyophilized--dual chamber cartridge, Pharmacia & Upjohn)
contain phenol while Somatrope.RTM. (Eli Lilly) is formulated with
m-cresol.
[0420] Several aspects need to be considered during the formulation
development of preserved dosage forms. The effective preservative
concentration in the drug product must be optimized. This requires
testing a given preservative in the dosage form with concentration
ranges that confer anti-microbial effectiveness without
compromising protein stability. For example, three preservatives
were successfully screened in the development of a liquid
formulation for interleukin-1 receptor (Type I), using differential
scanning calorimetry (DSC). The preservatives were rank ordered
based on their impact on stability at concentrations commonly used
in marketed products (Remmele R L Jr., et al., Pharm Res., 15(2):
200-8 (1998)).
[0421] Development of liquid formulations containing preservatives
are more challenging than lyophilized formulations. Freeze-dried
products can be lyophilized without the preservative and
reconstituted with a preservative containing diluent at the time of
use. This shortens the time for which a preservative is in contact
with the protein significantly minimizing the associated stability
risks. With liquid formulations, preservative effectiveness and
stability have to be maintained over the entire product shelf-life
(-18-24 months). An important point to note is that preservative
effectiveness has to be demonstrated in the final formulation
containing the active drug and all excipient components.
[0422] Some preservatives can cause injection site reactions, which
is another factor that needs consideration when choosing a
preservative. In clinical trials that focused on the evaluation of
preservatives and buffers in Norditropin, pain perception was
observed to be lower in formulations containing phenol and benzyl
alcohol as compared to a formulation containing m-cresol
(Kappelgaard A. M., Horm Res. 62 Suppl 3:98-103 (2004)).
Interestingly, among the commonly used preservative, benzyl alcohol
possesses anesthetic properties (Minogue S C, and Sun D A.,
AnesthAnalg., 100(3): 683-6 (2005)). In various aspects the use of
preservatives provide a benefit that outweighs any side
effects.
[0423] x. Methods of Preparation of Pharmaceutical Formulations
[0424] The present invention further contemplates methods for the
preparation of pharmaceutical formulations.
[0425] The present methods further comprise one or more of the
following steps: adding a stabilizing agent as described herein to
said mixture prior to lyophilizing, adding at least one agent
selected from a bulking agent, an osmolality regulating agent, and
a surfactant, each of which as described herein, to said mixture
prior to lyophilization.
[0426] The standard reconstitution practice for lyophilized
material is to add back a volume of pure water or sterile water for
injection (WFI) (typically equivalent to the volume removed during
lyophilization), although dilute solutions of antibacterial agents
are sometimes used in the production of pharmaceuticals for
parenteral administration (Chen, Drug Development and Industrial
Pharmacy, 18:1311-1354 (1992)). Accordingly, methods are provided
for preparation of reconstituted rVWF compositions comprising the
step of adding a diluent to a lyophilized rVWF composition of the
invention.
[0427] The lyophilized material may be reconstituted as an aqueous
solution. A variety of aqueous carriers, e.g., sterile water for
injection, water with preservatives for multi dose use, or water
with appropriate amounts of surfactants (for example, an aqueous
suspension that contains the active compound in admixture with
excipients suitable for the manufacture of aqueous suspensions). In
various aspects, such excipients are suspending agents, for example
and without limitation, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,
methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium alginate,
polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia; dispersing or
wetting agents are a naturally-occurring phosphatide, for example
and without limitation, lecithin, or condensation products of an
alkylene oxide with fatty acids, for example and without
limitation, polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensation products of
ethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, for example and
without limitation, heptadecaethyl-eneoxycetanol, or condensation
products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived from fatty
acids and a hexitol such as polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate, or
condensation products of ethylene oxide with partial esters derived
from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, for example and without
limitation, polyethylene sorbitan monooleate. In various aspects,
the aqueous suspensions also contain one or more preservatives, for
example and without limitation, ethyl, or n-propyl,
p-hydroxybenzoate.
[0428] xi. Exemplary mat-rVWF Formulation for Administration
[0429] In some embodiments, the present methods provide for an
enhanced formulation that allows a final product with high potency
(high mat-rVWF concentration and enhanced long term stability) in
order to reduce the volume for the treatment (100 IU/ml to 10000
IU/ml). In some embodiments, the mat-rVWF concentration in the
formulation for administration is about 100 IU/ml to 10000 IU/ml.
In some embodiments, the mat-rVWF concentration in the formulation
for administration is about 500 IU/ml to 10000 IU/ml. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF concentration in the formulation for
administration is about 1000 IU/ml to 10000 IU/ml. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF concentration in the formulation for
administration is about 2000 IU/ml to 10000 IU/ml. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF concentration in the formulation for
administration is about 3000 IU/ml to 10000 IU/ml. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF concentration in the formulation for
administration is about 4000 IU/ml to 10000 IU/ml. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF concentration in the formulation for
administration is about 5000 IU/ml to 10000 IU/ml. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF concentration in the formulation for
administration is about 6000 IU/ml to 10000 IU/ml. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF concentration in the formulation for
administration is about 7000 IU/ml to 10000 IU/ml. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF concentration in the formulation for
administration is about 8000 IU/ml to 10000 IU/ml. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF concentration in the formulation for
administration is about 9000 IU/ml to 10000 IU/ml. In some
embodiments, the mat-rVWF is co-formulated with recombinant
coagulation Factor VIII (rFVIII). In some embodiments, the rFVIII
is full length FVIII. In some embodiments, the rFVIII is
full-length and chemically modified. In some embodiments, the
rFVIII comprises a FVIII fusion protein containing FIX-activation
peptide instead of B-Domain. In some embodiments, the rFVIII is a
FVIII hybrid containing truncated glycosylation rich B-Domain. In
some embodiments, the FVIII is a FVIII B-domain-deleted variant. In
some embodiments, the FVIII is a chemically modified variant of a
FVIII B-domain-deleted variant. In some embodiments, the mat-rVWF
with rFVIII co-formulation is made prior to a freeze drying or fill
finish step and is stored by mixing the components in vitro or in
an "on column" procedure (e.g., adding the FVIII during the
purification method).
[0430] In some embodiments, the formulation for administration
comprises one or more zwitterionic compounds, including for
example, amino acids like Histidine, Glycine, Arginine. In some
embodiments, the formulation for administration comprises a
component with amphipathic characteristic having a minimum of one
hydrophobic and one hydrophilic group, including for example
polysorbate 80, octylpyranosid, dipeptides, and/or amphipathic
peptides. In some embodiments, the formulation for administration
comprises a non reducing sugar or sugar alcohol or disaccharides,
including for example, sorbitol, mannitol, sucrose, or trehalose.
In some embodiments, the formulation for administration comprises a
nontoxic water soluble salt, including for example, sodium
chloride, that results in a physiological osmolality. In some
embodiments, the formulation for administration comprises a pH in a
range from 6.0 to 8.0. In some embodiments, the formulation for
administration comprises a pH of about 6.0, about 6.5, about 7,
about 7.5 or about 8.0. In some embodiments, the formulation for
administration comprises one or more bivalent cations that
stabilize rVWF, including for example, Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Mn2+
and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the formulation
for administration comprises about 1 mM to about 50 mM Glycine,
about 1 mM to about 50 mM Histidine, about zero to about 300 mM
sodium chloride (e.g., less than 300 mM sodium), about 0.01% to
about 0.05% polysorbate 20 (or polysorbate 80), and about 0.5% to
about 20% (w/w) sucrose with a pH of about 7.0 and having a
physiological osmolarity at the time point of administration.
[0431] In some embodiments, the formulation for administration can
be freeze dried. In some embodiments, the formulation for
administration is stable and can be stored in liquid state at about
2.degree. C. to about 8.degree. C., as well as at about 18.degree.
C. to about 25.degree. C. In some embodiments, the formulation for
administration is stable and can be stored in liquid state at about
2.degree. C. to about 8.degree. C. In some embodiments, the
formulation for administration is stable and can be stored in
liquid state at about 18.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C.
[0432] xii. Administration
[0433] To administer compositions to human or test animals, in one
aspect, the compositions comprises one or more pharmaceutically
acceptable carriers. The phrases "pharmaceutically" or
"pharmacologically" acceptable refer to molecular entities and
compositions that are stable, inhibit protein degradation such as
aggregation and cleavage products, and in addition do not produce
allergic, or other adverse reactions when administered using routes
well-known in the art, as described below. "Pharmaceutically
acceptable carriers" include any and all clinically useful
solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal
agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like,
including those agents disclosed above.
[0434] The pharmaceutical formulations are administered orally,
topically, transdermally, parenterally, by inhalation spray,
vaginally, rectally, or by intracranial injection. The term
parenteral as used herein includes subcutaneous injections,
intravenous, intramuscular, intracisternal injection, or infusion
techniques. Administration by intravenous, intradermal,
intramusclar, intramammary, intraperitoneal, intrathecal,
retrobulbar, intrapulmonary injection and or surgical implantation
at a particular site is contemplated as well. Generally,
compositions are essentially free of pyrogens, as well as other
impurities that could be harmful to the recipient.
[0435] Single or multiple administrations of the compositions are
carried out with the dose levels and pattern being selected by the
treating physician. For the prevention or treatment of disease, the
appropriate dosage depends on the type of disease to be treated, as
defined above, the severity and course of the disease, whether drug
is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes, previous
therapy, the patient's clinical history and response to the drug,
and the discretion of the attending physician.
[0436] xiii. Kits
[0437] As an additional aspect, the invention includes kits which
comprise one or more lyophilized compositions packaged in a manner
which facilitates their use for administration to subjects. In one
embodiment, such a kit includes pharmaceutical formulation
described herein (e.g., a composition comprising a therapeutic
protein or peptide), packaged in a container such as a sealed
bottle or vessel, with a label affixed to the container or included
in the package that describes use of the compound or composition in
practicing the method. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical
formulation is packaged in the container such that the amount of
headspace in the container (e.g., the amount of air between the
liquid formulation and the top of the container) is very small.
Preferably, the amount of headspace is negligible (e.g., almost
none). In one embodiment, the kit contains a first container having
a therapeutic protein or peptide composition and a second container
having a physiologically acceptable reconstitution solution for the
composition. In one aspect, the pharmaceutical formulation is
packaged in a unit dosage form. The kit may further include a
device suitable for administering the pharmaceutical formulation
according to a specific route of administration. Preferably, the
kit contains a label that describes use of the pharmaceutical
formulations.
[0438] xiv. Dosages
[0439] The dosage regimen involved in a method for treating a
condition described herein will be determined by the attending
physician, considering various factors which modify the action of
drugs, e.g. the age, condition, body weight, sex and diet of the
patient, the severity of any infection, time of administration and
other clinical factors. By way of example, a typical dose of a
recombinant VWF of the present invention is approximately 50 U/kg,
equal to 500 .mu.g/kg.
[0440] In one aspect, formulations of the invention are
administered by an initial bolus followed by a continuous infusion
to maintain therapeutic circulating levels of drug product. As
another example, the inventive compound is administered as a
one-time dose. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily
optimize effective dosages and administration regimens as
determined by good medical practice and the clinical condition of
the individual patient. The frequency of dosing depends on the
pharmacokinetic parameters of the agents and the route of
administration. The optimal pharmaceutical formulation is
determined by one skilled in the art depending upon the route of
administration and desired dosage. See for example, Remington's
Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed. (1990, Mack Publishing Co.,
Easton, Pa. 18042) pages 1435-1712, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated by reference. Such formulations influence the
physical state, stability, rate of in vivo release, and rate of in
vivo clearance of the administered agents. Depending on the route
of administration, a suitable dose is calculated according to body
weight, body surface area or organ size. Appropriate dosages may be
ascertained through use of established assays for determining blood
level dosages in conjunction with appropriate dose-response data.
The final dosage regimen is determined by the attending physician,
considering various factors which modify the action of drugs, e.g.
the drug's specific activity, the severity of the damage and the
responsiveness of the patient, the age, condition, body weight, sex
and diet of the patient, the severity of any infection, time of
administration and other clinical factors. As studies are
conducted, further information will emerge regarding the
appropriate dosage levels and duration of treatment for various
diseases and conditions.
EXAMPLES
[0441] The following non-limiting examples are provided for
illustrative purposes only in order to facilitate a more complete
understanding of representative embodiments.
[0442] These examples should not be construed to limit any of the
embodiments described in the present specification including those
pertaining to the methods of treating acquired and genetic von
Willebrand disease.
Example 1: Purification of Maturated rVWF on a Cation Exchanger to
Separate cVWF Propeptide from Mature rVWF
[0443] Example 1 represents a purification of maturated rVWF on a
cation exchanger (cation exchange (CEX) resin). The rVWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP) remains bound to rVWF after furin maturation and was
dissociated with sodium citrate as a chelating agent at a neutral
pH prior to loading onto a CEX resin. The majority of rVWF
propeptide passed through the cation exchange resin. And the
remaining rVWF propeptide was depleted after a wash step. Sodium
citrate was used as a component of the buffer substance and as a
chelating agent.
[0444] Industrially, VWF, in particular recombinant VWF (rVWF), is
synthesized and expressed together with rFVIII in a genetically
engineered CHO cell line. The function of the co-expressed rVWF is
to stabilize rFVIII in the cell culture process. rVWF is
synthesized in the cell as the pro-form, containing a large
pro-peptide attached to the N-terminus. Upon maturation in the
endoplasmatic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, the rVWF-PP is cleaved
off by the action of the cellular protease furin and is secreted as
a homopolymer of identical subunits, consisting of dimers of the
expressed protein. However, the maturation is incomplete, leading
to a product comprising a mixture of rVWF-PP and mature VWF.
[0445] After a monoclonal antibody step to capture recombinant
factor VIII, the flow-through containing rVWF (also referred to as
the monoclonal antibody effluent) was loaded onto an anion
exchanger (anion exchange (AEX) resin). rVWF was bound on the anion
exchanger and was maturated with furin in presence of calcium. The
rVWF was eluted from the anion exchanger with increasing
conductivity. The product containing eluate was conditioned by a
1:2 dilution with 60 mM sodium citrate, pH 7.6 to a conductivity of
13.39 mS/cm and a pH of 7.39. The conditioned aqueous dilution was
loaded onto a UNOsphere.TM. S Cation Exchange Media (Bio Rad, Cat.
No.: 156-0115) cation exchanger column with an inner diameter of 15
mm, a bed height of 14.0 cm, and a volume of 24.74 ml with a flow
rate of 100 cm/h, and then followed by a wash of 5 CV of 10 mM
NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 to remove host cell proteins
(HCP) and rVWF-PP. rVWF was eluted by increasing conductivity
conducted by a linear gradient with a flow rate of 60 cm/h in 6 CV
from 10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na Citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 to buffer 500 mM
NaCl, 30 mM Na Citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2. The main eluate peak was
split into two parts to separate low molecular weight rVWF
multimers and high molecular weight rVWF multimers.
[0446] FIG. 1 shows purification of maturated r rVWF on a cation
exchanger as represented in Example 1.
[0447] FIG. 2 provides a table of the purification results.
[0448] FIG. 3 shows a silver stained protein gel and a western blot
illustrating the separation of rVWF and rVWF-PP by the method
described in Example 1.
Examples 2 and 3: Optimized Method as Described in Example 1 for
Commercial Manufacturing of rVWF
[0449] Examples 2 and 3 represent an optimized method as described
in Example 1 for commercial manufacturing of rVWF.
[0450] For Examples 2 and 3 an experimental setup for fermentation
of rVWF and rFVIII was established. The method was used for a
simplified purification method to obtain high pure rVWF for
biochemical characterization.
[0451] The capture step was performed by tandem chromatography,
which combined an affinity chromatography and an anion exchange
chromatography in a single process step. rFVIII was bound on an
anti FVIII-mAb column at a temperature of 2-8.degree. C. based on
immune affinity chromatography technique. This step can separate
rFVIII from rVWF. The rVWF containing flow-through was online
diluted in the same chromatography system with purified water and
loaded directly on an AEX column. Recombinant furin maturation on
the AEX column was carried out after increasing the temperature to
+15.degree. C. to 28.degree. C. The furin maturated rVWF was eluted
with a step elution by increasing conductivity. A polishing step
was also performed. The rVWF containing AEX eluate was diluted with
10 mM Na citrate buffer, pH 7.6 and applied onto an UNOsphere.TM.S
Cation Exchange Media (Bio Rad, Cat. No.: 156-0115) cation
exchanger column having an inner diameter of 15 mm, a bed height of
14.0 cm, and a column volume of 25.+-.0.5 ml with a flow rate of
100 cm/h. After a wash step with 10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, 2 mM
citric acid pH 7.6.+-.0.2, rVWF was eluted with increasing
conductivity using a linear gradient with a flow rate of 65 cm/h in
6CV from 10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 to a buffer of
500 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2. The main eluate peak
was collected as eluate (pooled eluate) for analytical
purposes.
[0452] In the final experimental design the last 30 to 40% of the
peak was collected to obtain the rVWF with the highest specific
activity.
[0453] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of the experimental set-up for
Examples 2 and 3.
[0454] FIG. 5 shows a chromatogram for Example 2 and a
chromatography scheme used for Examples 2 and 3.
[0455] FIG. 6 provides a table of the reagents used and a table of
the results for Example 2.
[0456] FIG. 7 shows another chromatogram for Example 2 and a table
of the results for Example 3.
[0457] FIG. 8 shows a silver stained protein gel illustrating the
separation of rVWF and rVWF propeptide by the method of Example 2
and Example 3.
[0458] FIG. 9 shows a western blot illustrating the separation of
rVWF and rVWF propeptide by the method of Example 2 and Example
3.
Example 4: Method for Commercial Manufacturing of rVWF by Separate
rVWF and rVWF-PP by Size Exclusion Chromatography
[0459] Example 4 represents an optimized method for commercial
manufacturing of rVWF by separating rVWF and rVWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP) via size exclusion chromatography. Sodium citrate is
added to the SEC running buffer to provide an efficient split of
rVWF and rVWF-PP.
[0460] A rVWF containing ultrafiltrated UNOsphere.TM. S-eluate was
loaded directly onto an array of two Superose 6 prep grade SEC
columns in series (GE Healthcare, Cat. No.: 28-9913-16), both with
an inner diameter of 16 mm each, a bed height 82.0 cm (2.times.41
cm), and the volume of both columns was approximately 165 ml. The
load was applied at a rate of 7 cm/h. The running buffer was 20 mM
HEPES free acid, 150 mM NaCl, 15 mM Na citrate dihydrate pH
7.5.+-.0.2. The size exclusion chromatography was carried out with
isocratic conditions at a linear flow rate of 12 cm/h.
[0461] FIG. 10 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions for Example 4.
[0462] FIG. 11 provides a table of the results for Example 4.
[0463] FIG. 12 shows a silver stained protein gel and a western
blot illustrating the separation of rVWF and rVWF propeptide by the
method of Example 4.
Example 5: Optimized Method for Commercial Manufacturing of Mature
rVWF by Separate rVWF and rVWF-PP by Size Exclusion
Chromatography
[0464] Example 5 represents a method for separating rVWF and
rVWF-PP by size exclusion chromatography by applying a pH
conditioned rVWF containing start material onto size exclusion
chromatography.
[0465] A rVWF containing ultrafiltrated UNOsphere.TM.S-eluate was
conditioned to a pH of 7.5.+-.0.2 with 1 M glycine pH 9.0 prior
loading onto the column. This solution was loaded onto an array of
two Superose 6 prep grade SEC columns in series (GE Healthcare,
Cat. No.: 28-9913-16), both with an inner diameter of 16 mm each, a
bed height 82.0 cm (2.times.41 cm), and the volume of both columns
was approximately 165 ml. The load was applied at a flow rate of 7
cm/h. The SEC running buffer comprised 20 mM HEPES free acid and
150 mM NaCl, pH 7.5.+-.0.2. The size exclusion chromatography was
carried out with isocratic conditions at a linear flow rate of 12
cm/h.
[0466] FIG. 13 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions for Example 5.
[0467] FIG. 14 provides a table of the results for Example 5.
Example 6: CEX Method for Purification of rVWF from rVWF Propeptide
without Supplementation of Chelating Agents on a UNOsphere.TM.
S
[0468] Example 6 represents an CEX method without supplementation
of chelating agents on ultrafiltrated UNOsphere.TM. S. This method
is representative of a prior art method for purifying mature rVWF
from rVWF propeptide. The method does not utilize a buffer
comprising a chelating agent and/or a buffer having a pH of 7.0 or
higher.
[0469] After a monoclonal antibody step to capture recombinant
factor VIII, the flow-through, which contains rVWF, was loaded onto
an anion exchanger. rVWF was bound on the anion exchanger and was
maturated with furin in presence of calcium. The rVWF was eluted
from the anion exchanger with increasing conductivity. The product
containing eluate was then loaded onto a UNOsphere.TM. S Cation
Exchange Media (Bio Rad, Cat. No.: 156-0115) cation exchanger
column with an inner diameter of 15 mm, a bed height of 14.2 cm,
and a volume of 25.09 ml at a flow rate of 100 cm/h followed by a
wash of 10 CV of 10 mM Tris-HCl, 100 mM Na acetate, 85 mM NaCl, pH
6.5.+-.0.2 to remove HCP and rVWF-propeptide. rVWF was eluted with
a single step by applying 100 mM Na acetate, 500 mM NaCl, 100 mM
glycine, 3 mM CaCl.sub.2, pH 7.5.+-.0.2 at flow rate of 65 cm/h.
The main eluate peak was collected as product containing
fraction.
[0470] FIG. 15 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions and conditions for Example 6.
[0471] FIG. 16 provides a table of the results for Example 6.
Example 7: SEC Method for Purification of rVWF from rVWF Propeptide
without Prior Supplementation of Chelating Agents or Elevated
pH
[0472] Example 7 represents SEC method without prior
supplementation of chelating agents or elevated pH. This method is
representative of a prior art method for purifying mature rVWF from
rVWF propeptide. The SEC method does not include a buffer
comprising a chelating agent and/or a buffer having a pH of 7.0 or
higher which is used to condition the starting fraction (material)
containing rVWF and residual rVWF propeptide.
[0473] A recombinant VWF containing ultrafiltrated UNOsphere.TM.
S-eluate was loaded directly onto an array of two Superose 6 prep
grade SEC columns in series (GE Healthcare, Cat. No.: 28-9913-16),
both with an inner diameter of 16 mm each, a bed height of 82.0 cm
(2.times.41 cm), and the volume of both columns was approximately
165 ml. The load was applied at a flow rate of 7 cm/h. The running
buffer was 20 mM HEPES free acid, 150 mM NaCl, pH7.5.+-.0.2. The
size exclusion chromatography was carried out with isocratic
conditions at a linear flow rate of 12 cm/h.
[0474] FIG. 17 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions for Example 7.
[0475] FIG. 18 provides a table of the results for Example 7.
Example 8: Separation of rVWF from rVWF Propeptide by Anion
Exchange Chromatography and Cation Exchange Chromatography
[0476] Example 8 represents a purification of maturated rVWF on a
cation exchanger. The start material was obtained from the current
rVWF manufacturing process after the AEX Mustang Q step. The rVWF
containing Flow-Through from the AEX Mustang Q step was SD/VI
treated and diluted with the chelating agent containing buffer to
dissociate rVWF/rVWF-propeptide-complex. The diluted material was
applied onto a CEX resin(Unosphere S). The majority of rVWF-PP,
host cell proteins (HCPs) and low molecular weight rVWF multimers
pass through the cation exchange resin. Remaining rVWF-PP was
depleted after a wash step. The bound high molecular weight rVWF
multimers were subsequently eluted by increasing the conductivity
triggered by sodium ions.
[0477] Industrially, VWF, in particular recombinant VWF (rVWF), is
synthesized and expressed together with rFVIII in a genetically
engineered CHO cell line. The function of the co-expressed rVWF is
to stabilize rFVIII in the cell culture process. rVWF is
synthesized in the cell as the pro-form, containing a large
pro-peptide attached to the N-terminus. Upon maturation in the
endoplasmatic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, the pro-peptide is
cleaved off by the action of the cellular protease furin and is
secreted as a homopolymer of identical subunits, consisting of
dimers of the expressed protein. However, the maturation is
incomplete, leading to a product comprising a mixture of
pro-peptide and mature VWF.
[0478] After a monoclonal antibody step to capture recombinant
factor VIII, the flow-through, which contains rVWF, was loaded onto
a Fractogel TMAE anion exchanger. rVWF is bound on the anion
exchanger and was maturated with furin in presence of calcium. The
rVWF was eluted from the anion exchanger with increasing
conductivity. The TMAE-Eluate was filtrated through a Mustang Q
(MUQ) filter unit to remove CHO-DNA and impurities that binds to
the filter membrane. The loading material for the CEX step is the
effluent of the Mustang Q filtration step (MUQ) that is treated
with solvent and detergents to inactivate lipid enveloped viruses.
For virus inactivation the MUQ effluent is incubated with a mix of
the two detergents such as Triton-X-100 (1%) and polysorbate 80
(0.3%) and the organic solvent tri-n-butyl phosphate (0.3%) for one
hour at room temperature. The product containing MUQ_flow-through
was conditioned by a 1:2 dilution with 60 mM sodium citrate pH 7.6
to a conductivity of 21.9 mS/cm and a pH 7.16. The high
conductivity was chosen to ensure the removal of rVWF propeptide
(rVWF-PP) and low molecular weight rVWF multimers to utilize the
capacity of the resin for the desired high molecular weight rVWF
multimers. The conditioned dilution was loaded onto a UNOsphere.TM.
S Cation Exchange Media (Bio Rad, Cat. No.: 156-0115) cation
exchanger column with an inner diameter of 10 mm, a bed height of
14.3 cm, and volume of 11.23 ml with a flow rate of 100 cm/h. After
loading, a first wash (Reequilibration) was performed using 5 CV of
10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na Citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 to remove weakly bound
HCP and rVWF-propeptide.
[0479] The second wash to deplete strong bound HCP and
rVWF-propeptide was carried out with a step of 40% 500 mM NaCl, 30
mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 in 10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH
7.6.+-.0.2 (Wash 2).
[0480] The elution was carried out in two phases: (1) the first
phase included a step of 45% 500 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH
7.6.+-.0.2 in 10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 (Eluate 1
or E1), and (2) the second phase included a linear gradient from
45% to 100% of 500 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 in 10
mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 (Eluate 2 or E2) in 6
column volumes. Wash 2 to the end of the gradient was performed at
a flow rate of 65 cm/h.
[0481] FIG. 19 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions for Example 8.
[0482] FIG. 20 provides a table of the results for Example 8.
[0483] FIG. 21 shows a silver stained protein gel illustrating the
separation of rVWF and rVWF-propeptide by the method of Example
8.
[0484] FIG. 22 shows a western blot illustrating the separation of
rVWF and rVWF-propeptide by the method of Example 8. The 1% agarose
gel shows the multimeric pattern of the products.
[0485] FIG. 23 shows a western blot illustrating the separation of
rVWF and rVWF-propeptide by the method of Example 8.
Example 9: Separation of rVWF from rVWF Propeptide by Anion
Exchange Chromatography and Cation Exchange Chromatography
[0486] Example 9 represents an optimized purification of maturated
rVWF on a cation exchanger. The start material was obtained from
the current r-VWF manufacturing process after the AEX Mustang Q
step. The rVWF containing Flow-Through from the AEX Mustang Q step
was SD/VI treated and diluted with the chelating agent containing
buffer to dissociate the rVWF/rVWF-Propeptide-complex. The diluted
material was applied onto a CEX resin(Unosphere S). The majority of
rVWF-PP, host cell proteins and low molecular weight rVWF multimers
pass through the cation exchange resin. Remaining rVWF-PP was
depleted after a wash step. The bound high molecular weight rVWF
multimers were eluted by a gradient of increasing the conductivity
triggered by sodium ions.
[0487] Industrially, VWF, in particular recombinant VWF (rVWF), is
synthesized and expressed together with rFVIII in a genetically
engineered CHO cell line. The function of the co-expressed rVWF is
to stabilize rFVIII in the cell culture process. rVWF is
synthesized in the cell as the pro-form, containing a large
pro-peptide attached to the N-terminus. Upon maturation in the
endoplasmatic reticulum and Golgi apparatus, the pro-peptide is
cleaved off by the action of the cellular protease furin and is
secreted as a homopolymer of identical subunits, consisting of
dimers of the expressed protein. However, the maturation is
incomplete, leading to a product comprising a mixture of
pro-peptide and mature VWF.
[0488] After a monoclonal antibody step to capture recombinant
factor VIII, the flow-through, which contains r-VWF, was loaded
onto a Fractogel TMAE anion exchanger. rVWF was bound on the anion
exchanger and was maturated with furin in presence of calcium. The
rVWF was eluted from the anion exchanger with increasing
conductivity. The TMAE-Eluate was filtrated trough a Mustang Q
(MUQ) filter unit to remove CHO-DNA and impurities that binds to
the filter membrane. The loading material for the CEX step is the
effluent of the Mustang Q filtration step (MUQ) that is treated
with solvent and detergents to inactivate lipid enveloped
viruses.
[0489] For virus inactivation the MUQ effluent is incubated with a
mix of the two detergents Triton-X-100 (1%) and polysorbate 80
(0.3%) and the organic solvent tri-n-butyl phosphate (0.3%) for one
hour at room temperature. The product containing MUQ_flow through
was conditioned by a 1:2 dilution with 60 mM sodium citrate pH 7.6
to a conductivity of 21.9 mS/cm and pH 7.16. The high conductivity
is chosen to ensure the removal of rVWF-propeptide and low
molecular weight rVWF to utilize the capacity of the resin for the
desired high molecular weight r-VWF. The conditioned dilution was
loaded onto a UNOsphere.TM. S Cation Exchange Media (Bio Rad, Cat.
No.: 156-0115) cation exchanger column with an inner diameter of 10
mm, a bed height of 14.3 cm, and volume of 11.23 ml with a flow
rate of 100 cm/h followed by a first wash (Reequilibration) of 5 CV
of 10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 to remove weakly
bound HCP and rVWF-propeptide.
[0490] The second wash (Wash 2) to deplete strong bound HCP and
rVWF-propeptide was carried out with a step of 36% 500 mM NaCl, 30
mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 in 10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH
7.6.+-.0.2 in 5 column volumes.
[0491] The elution was carried out with a gradient from 36% 500 mM
NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 in 10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na
citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 to 100% 500 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH
7.6.+-.0.2 in 10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 in 8
column volumes. The eluate representing the desired product
contains the pool of fractions beginning at >50% of 500 mM NaCl,
30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2 in 10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH
7.6.+-.0.2 to 76% of 500 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2
in 10 mM NaCl, 30 mM Na citrate, pH 7.6.+-.0.2. The wash and
elution were performed with a flow rate of 50 cm/h.
[0492] FIG. 24 shows a chromatogram, a chromatography scheme, and
buffer compositions for Example 9.
[0493] FIG. 25 provides a table of the results for Example 9.
[0494] FIG. 26 provides a table of the products for Example 9.
[0495] FIG. 27 shows a silver stained protein gel illustrating the
separation of rVWF and rVWF-propeptide by the method of Example
9.
[0496] FIG. 28 shows a western blot illustrating the separation of
rVWF and rVWF propeptide by the method of Example 9. The 1% agarose
gel shows the multimeric pattern of the products.
[0497] FIG. 29 shows a western blot illustrating the separation of
rVWF and rVWF propeptide by the method of Example 9.
[0498] rVWF purification steps in presence of chelating agents
and/or elevated pH showed a high depletion rate of r-VWF propeptide
and host cell proteins. The depletion of r-VWF propeptide on cation
exchanger is based on the fact that rVWF-PP does not bind onto a
cation exchanger at condition in presence of chelating agents
and/or elevated pH. The depletion of rVWF propeptide on size
exclusion chromatography based on the fact of an efficient size
separation in presence of chelating agents and/or elevated pH.
[0499] FIG. 30 shows the purity of the product containing fractions
obtained for enhanced cation exchange chromatography (CEX) as used
for Examples 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 9.
[0500] FIG. 31 shows the depletion factor of product related
impurities for Examples 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, and 9.
[0501] FIG. 32 shows the purity of the product containing fractions
obtained for enhanced size exclusion chromatography (SEC) as used
for Examples 4 and 5.
[0502] FIG. 33 shows the depletion factor of product related
impurities for Examples 4 and 5.
References
[0503] U.S. Pat. No. 8,058,411; Method for producing mature VWF
from VWF pro-peptide. Inventors: Wolfgang Mundt, Artur Mitterer,
Meinhard Hasslacher, Christa Mayer.
[0504] U.S. Pat. No. 6,465,624; Purification of von Willebrand
factor by cation exchange chromatography. Inventors: Bernhard
Fischer, Oyvind L. Schonberger, Artur Mitterer, Christian Fiedler,
Friedrich Dorner, Johann Eibl.
Example 10: Separation of rVWF from rVWF Propeptide by Anion
Exchange Chromatography
[0505] This study illustrates the dissociation (separation) of
furin processed mature VWF/VWF-PP complex into mature VWF and
VWF-PP using anion exchange chromatography and a elution buffer
with an elevated pH (e.g., pH 8.5) and containing a chelating agent
(EDTA). The separation was carried out on an anion exchanger (AEX),
in particular, a Fractogel TMAE 650(M). A solvent-detergent
treatment for viral inactivation was also performed on the column
for about 1 hour. Details of the chromatography experiment are
provided in FIGS. 34-36.
[0506] FIG. 34 shows the buffer formulations and materials used in
the TMAE separation method.
[0507] FIG. 35 shows the loading conditions for the furin-processed
mature VWF/VWF-propeptide complex.
[0508] FIG. 36 shows the details of the buffers, conditions,
parameters, and flow rates of the chromatography method.
[0509] FIG. 37 shows a chromatogram of the dissociation of
furin-processed mature VWF/VWF-propeptide complex into mature VWF
and VWF-propeptide (VWF-PP). It shows depletion of VWF-PP from the
fraction containing mature VWF.
[0510] FIG. 38 shows another chromatogram of the separation of
mature VWF and VWF-propeptide (VWF-PP). It shows depletion of
VWF-PP from the fraction containing mature VWF.
Example 11: Improvements in Different Chromatography Methods for
the Separation of Mature VWF (matVWF) and VWF Propeptide
(VWF-PP)
[0511] In the first study, two methods for purifying recombinant
mature VWF were compared.
[0512] FIG. 39 provides a schematic of the two methods for
isolating mature VWF. In one method the downstream processing
steps, such as those after obtaining the mAb effluent (MABEffl),
the capture step of TMAE anion exchange chromatography and
on-column maturation (TMC), and the Mustang Q negative anion
exchange chromatography step (MUQ) include solvent-detergent
treatment (SDT) for viral inactivation, cation exchange
chromatography (CAT), ultrafiltration concentration (UFA), size
exclusion chromatography (SEC), and dialysis-ultrafiltration
concentration (DUF) to produce a bulk drug substance (mature VWF).
In the other method, the downstream processing steps include an
improved cation exchange chromatography (CAT) step followed by a
dialysis-ultrafiltration (DUF) concentration step to produce a bulk
drug substance, and do not include SEC.
[0513] FIG. 40 provides a table highlighting some of the advantages
of the improved cation exchange chromatography method (CAT 2.0)
described herein and shown in FIG. 39. The improved CAT method can
remove: host cell impurities by a reduction factor of greater than
1000, VWF-PP by a reduction factor of greater than 2000, and
residual FVIII by a reduction factor of less than 10. The CAT
method can be used to separate and pool VWF multimers. In addition,
the method can replace size exclusion chromatography as a polishing
step to isolate the active fraction of VWF and to remove remaining
host cell derived impurities and VWF-PP.
[0514] In the second study, the conditions of the SEC process were
varied to improve the separation mature VWF and VWF-PP. In other
words, it was determined that a modified buffer for SEC could
increase the purity of mature VWF by reducing the amount of
VWF-PP.
[0515] FIG. 41 shows a schematic of two chromatograms showing the
separation of r-VWF propeptide using size exclusion chromatography
with a standard SEC buffer (SQA buffer) or with a modified SEC
buffer (SQC buffer). FIG. 42 provides a table highlighting some of
the advantages of using the SQC buffer. For instance, the method
using the SQC buffer can remove host cell impurities by a reduction
factor of greater than about 100 and residual FVIII by a reduction
factor of less than 10. Surprisingly, it can remove VWF-PP such
that the impurity levels are less than 2 .mu.g/1000 units.
[0516] As such, described in this example are methods of improving
the separation of mature VWF from VWF-PP.
Example 12: Development of an Improved CAT (UNO_S) Step
[0517] The downstream process of recombinant von Willebrand factor
(rVWF) 1st generation starting from monoclonal antibody (MAB) flow
through includes a polishing step by cation exchange chromatography
(CAT) on UNO_Sphere S (UNO_S) resin. The UNO_S Eluate is thereafter
concentrated by ultrafiltration and further processed by
Size-Exclusion-Chromatography (SEC) to separate high and low
molecular weight rVWF multimers and to remove free rVWF
pro-peptide, a product related impurity generated in course of the
downstream process. The high molecular weight rVWF sub-fraction
represents bulk drug substance (BDS) that is finally formulated to
obtain final drug product (FDP).
[0518] For the downstream process of 2nd generation rVWF, it was
suggested to replace the SEC step by an improved cation exchange
chromatography method and to separate high and low and molecular
weight rVWF multimers as well as rVWF pro-peptides by an
alternative cation exchange (CAT) elution procedure (gradient
elution, instead of step elution). In this example the experiments
for the 2nd generation rVWF polishing purification step CAT are
outlined. New process parameters like the CAT loading pH and
conductivity, the conductivity and length of the column washing
steps and the eluate pooling criteria were explored on small scale
to obtain a scalable and robust process downstream unit operation
step.
1. Objective
[0519] The downstream process of 1st generation rVWF
(VONVENDI.RTM.) starts with a capture step on TMAE Sepharose (TMC
step) using ADVATE.RTM. MAB flow through as feed, followed by a
Mustang Q filtration step to remove CHO host cell DNA. Next, a
Solvent/Detergent (S/D) step is perform to inactivate potential
lipid enveloped viruses, followed by a polishing step on UNO_Sphere
S (UNO_S) resin a weak cation exchanger (CAT step). The CAT step is
dedicated to remove the S/D chemicals introduced during for virus
inactivation step. The UNO_S Eluate is thereafter concentrated by
ultrafiltration and further processed by
Size-Exclusion-Chromatography (SEC) to separate high and low
molecular weight rVWF multimers and to remove free rVWF
pro-peptide, a product related impurity generated in course of the
downstream process. The high molecular weight rVWF sub-fraction
represents BDS that is finally formulated to obtain FDP.
[0520] For the downstream process of 2.sup.nd generation rVWF it
was suggested to cancel the SEC step and to replace it by an
improved cation exchange chromatography method.
[0521] In a series of five experiments, the separation of high from
low molecular weight rVWF multimers as well as the removal of rVWF
pro-peptides was achieved by a gradient CAT elution procedure. The
new gradient elution mode was able to replace the step elution
procedure that is applied in the 1.sup.st generation downstream
process. In this example the five experiments for the 2.sup.nd
generation rVWF polishing purification step CAT are outlined in
detail. All experiments were performed according to study plan
described herein.
2. Introduction and Background
[0522] The current report describes the development of a 2nd
generation (Gen 2) T process, by combining two VWF downstream unit
operation steps CAT and SEC as currently applied in the 1st
generation (Gen 1) procedure. In a series of experiments, process
parameters were explored that had been identified in a risk
assessment and that were considered as important for the
performance of the chromatographic step CAT. The current study was
based on a scale down model from the current rVWF manufacturing
process. This process was stablished in Orth for the production of
Clinical Phase III material and transferred to manufacturing (MFG)
scale for commercial production (FIG. 43A). To facilitate an
understanding of the introduced changes in the CAT Unit operation
step described in the this report, a brief process description of
the currently used 1st generation rVWF downstream unit operation
steps S/D, CAT and SEC is given below.
[0523] As used in the Gen 1 process, the rVWF polishing step CAT is
a chromatographic cation exchange process on UNO_Sphere S, a
macroporous acrylamido based media with a "strong" sulfonic cation
exchange ligand. The loading material for the polishing step is the
effluent of the anion exchange filtration step MUQ that is treated
with solvent and detergents to inactivate lipid enveloped viruses.
For virus inactivation the MUQ effluent is incubated with a mix of
the two detergents Triton-X-100 (1%) and Polysorbate 80 (0.3%) and
the organic solvent tri-n-butyl phosphate (0.3%) for one hour at
room temperature. Prior treatment the product solution is filtered
through a 0.2.degree. .mu.m membrane filter to remove potentially
present particulates. After virus inactivation, the product
solution is diluted with approximately one volume of water to
reduce the concentration of the S/D reagents adjust the
conductivity for the loading step onto the CAT Column. The pH is
not adjusted. The CAT chromatographic step has the main objective
to remove the S/D reagents and further reduce process related
impurities including media components like soy peptone and other
impurities like rFurin, rFVIII polypeptides and CHO derived
proteins and DNA. Following the unit operation step CAT, the
obtained product fraction (CAT-E) is further processed by Size
Exclusion chromatography (SEC) on Superose 6 resin. The loading
material for the polishing step SEC is the eluate pool of the
Cation Exchange polishing step CAT on UNO_Sphere S. As the loading
volume for a SEC column is limited to achieve a reasonable
resolution the CAT eluate pool is concentrated by a factor of
approximately 15 by ultrafiltration using a cellulose based
membrane cassette with a cut-off of 30.degree. kDa (step UFA). At
clinical phase III production scale the ultrafiltration
concentration (UFA) concentrate is divided in two fractions that
are processed separately on the SEC column. This measure was
implemented to keep the SEC column volume and column diameters low.
The buffer matrix as well as conductivity and pH of the loading
material corresponds to the CAT eluate pool and is not adjusted
after the concentration step UFA before loading onto the SEC
column. The objective of the step SEC is the final impurity removal
for CHO host cell proteins and serves as the major removal step for
the product related impurity rVWF pro-peptide generated during the
initial capture the step on TMAE Sepharose (TMC step). In addition,
the step SEC resolves rVWF multimers based on their size allowing a
pooling schema for enrichment of high molecular weight rVWF
multimers that contribute to Ristocetin Cofactor activity of the
product.
[0524] This report describes the replacement of the current unit
operation steps performed in the MFG (FIG. 43A) scale by an
improved CAT (UNO_S) step (FIG. 43B). The CAT step improvement was
investigated on a small scale. The UDF (concentration/dialysis)
step following the CAT step might have to be optimized as well.
3. Materials and Methods
[0525] The materials and the methods as well as the sampling plan
are described herein.
3.1 rVWF Load Materials
[0526] For all experiments, frozen MUQ-E product was used. The
material was stored frozen at .ltoreq.-60.degree. C. in 130.degree.
mL aliquots and was thawed overnight at a range from +2 to
+8.degree. C. on demand. Once the MUQ-Eluate was thawed, S/D
regents were added and the mixture was filtered through a 0.2 .mu.m
filter KA02EAVP2S.RTM. from Pall. Thereafter, the filtered material
was incubated under moderate steering for 60 min at ambient room
temperature (about +25.degree. C.) to inactivate/dissolve potential
lipid enveloped viruses. The S/D reaction was stopped by 1:2
dilution with 60 mM Na-Citrate buffer, pH 7.5. Diluted material was
used as feed for the following CAT step.
3.2 Chromatography Hardware
[0527] For the experiments described in the current report, the
small scale chromatography system AKTA pure 25 (GE Healthcare) was
used. The system was equipped with probes for on-line monitoring UV
absorption, conductivity, pressure, temperature and pH with
electronic recording. The system was controlled by Unicorn 7.0
operated software. All runs were performed at ambient room
temperature.
[0528] The AKTA system tubings were PEEK which is different to the
large scale where a Millipore process system with stainless steel
piping is used. The hardware components are all qualified R&D
equipment.
[0529] The lab-scale column that was used for all five experiments
was equipped with 10 .mu.m PP frits; the particle size of the
UNO_Sphere S resin was about 80 .mu.m in diameter. At large scale
stainless steel frits with a mesh size of 20 .mu.m are used. All
columns are qualified items designed for R&D purposes.
[0530] A hardware comparison between the current GEN 1 MGF
equipment in NE and the small scale GEN 2 equipment used in the
current study is shown in FIG. 44.
3.3 Buffers
[0531] The buffers used for the small scale purification runs were
made in the laboratory area or were received from the manufacturing
area. For the preparation of buffers, qualified chemicals that were
also used for the production of buffers for pilot scale clinical
production were used. Buffers were 0.2.degree. .mu.m filtered and
stored in bags or glass bottles at room temperature before use. A
description of the buffer composition is given in FIG. 48.
3.4 Analytical Methods
[0532] The rVWF biochemical characterization, potency and impurity
assays performed include those to analyze VWF:RistoCo activity, VWF
antigen, VWF-propeptide antigen content, FVIII activity chromogenic
method, UV absorption profile (280 nm, 254 nm), polypeptide pattern
such as degradation, multimer pattern, and CHO HCP content. In some
cases, other analytical test can be performed to determine, such as
but not limited to, pro-VWF antigen content, FVIII antigen content,
furin activity, furin antigen, total protein (BCA), free
sulfhydryl, CHO BIP WB, CHO DNA, murine monoclonal antibody, soy
peptone, Triton X-100, polysorbate 80, tri-n-butylphosphate,
dynamic light scattering (DLS) (hydrodynamic radius), sialic acids,
n-glycan content, VWF collagen binding, and VWF oxidation.
4 Alterations in the CAT Process rVWF 2nd Generation (GEN 2)
[0533] In order to replace the SEC step in a 2.sup.nd generation
rVWF downstream process the parameters listed below were explored.
Most of the changes introduced are based on R&D feasibility
studies. The chromatography resin type (UNO_Sphere S resin by
BioRad) and the composition (not the pH) of the applied buffer was
not altered. The 2.sup.nd generation CAT process included the
following changes: S/D treatment, loading concentration and flow
rates, and wash and elution steps.
4.1 S/D Treatment
[0534] The S/D treatment was performed in the same way as in the
GEN 1 process, except the S/D inactivation was stopped by a 1:2
dilution of the virus inactivated material with 60.degree. mM
Na-citrate buffer that set the CAT feed to a preferred pH of
7.5-8.0 (pH testing range 6.0-9.0) and to a preferred conductivity
of 10-30.degree. mS/cm.sup.2 at +25.degree. C. (conductivity
testing rage 5-40.degree. mS/cm.sup.2 at +25.degree. C.). In the
GEN 1 rVWF CAT step that was performed, the CAT load was set to a
pH of 8.9-9.2. In the GEN 2 set-up, conductivity and pH were set to
a point that minimized the CHO-HCP, CHO-DNA and rVWF pro-peptide
binding to the matrix. Similarly low molecular weight (LMW) rVWF
molecules were hindered to bind to the column matrix, whereas
preferably only high molecular weight (HMW) rVWF molecules were
captured. One aim of the present study was to increase the
conductivity during the loading phase and to deplete as much LMW
rVWF, CHO-HCP, CHO-DNA and rVWF pro-peptide from the feed as
possible.
4.2 Loading Concentrations and Flowrates
[0535] The loading concentration (RU rVWF/mL resin) was increased
in course of the study to enable a higher product load without
increasing the column volume. At the manufacturing scale (MFG) a
loading concentration of 60-140 RU/ml resin is generally applied,
in contrast, in the current small scale study 90-270 IU/ml resin
were loaded. The equilibration, loading and re-equilibration flow
rates of the 2.sup.nd generation CAT procedure were the same as in
the 1.sup.st generation process (100 cm/h). Washing and elution
flowrates were altered as shown in FIG. 45.
4.3 Loading Concentrations and Flowrates
[0536] The washing step preceding the elution phase was altered to
optimize the removal of process and product related impurities. The
step elution as applied in the 1.sup.st generation process was
changed to a gradient elution. The gradient length was explored in
course of the study. The change of the elution procedure was based
on the observation that low molecular weight rVWF molecules elute
in early gradient fractions where as high molecular weight rVWF
molecules elute in late gradient fractions (see, e.g., U.S. Pat.
No. 6,465,624).
5. Comparison of the CAT Gen 1 and Gen 2 Process
[0537] In both procedures the CAT process includes the following
steps: column activation (loading of the anionic ligand with the
cationic counter ion sodium) and equilibration (preparing the
column for loading in terms of a stable pH and conductivity,
monitored at the column outlet), followed by the product loading of
the S/D treated and diluted MUQ eluate.
[0538] During loading on MFG scale, the eluate was filtered online
through a 0.2.degree. .mu.m filter to protect the column against
particulate matter that could have been formed during the S/D
treatment. In the small scale process, this step was omitted. After
pumping the product containing solution onto the column, the
loading was completed and loosely bound impurities were removed by
applying a wash step which removes low molecular weight S/D
reagents that were pumped onto the column. The pH and the
conductivity of the wash step correspond to the parameters of the
equilibration and loading steps. After washing, bound proteins were
eluted from the column by applying a step elution using an elution
buffer with increased conductivity and counter ion concentration. A
product pool of .ltoreq.3.6.degree. CV was collected.
[0539] In the small scale Gen 2 process, an alternative gradient
elution procedure was used to remove rVWF pro-peptide, small
molecular weight rVWF molecules and high molecular weight molecules
from the column (FIG. 45). The washing steps preceding the elution
were performed as step wash with the same pH and conductivity as
the starting point of the gradient elution. Four wash scenarios
were tested: 0% B (10 CV), 55% B (10 CV), 40% B (5 CV) & 45% B
(5 CV) and 36% B (5 CV). The corresponding gradient elution steps
were 0-100% B (12 CV), 55-100% B (6 CV), 45-100% B (6 CV) and
36-100% B (6 CV). The elution was completed by a 2-3 CV wash with
100% B.
[0540] The eluates were pooled according to the eluting product
related impurities and product sub-species. After elution of the
product the column was cleaned and sanitized with basic and acidic
solutions. The main objective of this polishing step was the
further removal of process related impurities including CHO host
cell protein, human rFurin, media compounds like soy peptone),
product related impurities (rVWF pro-peptide) and low molecular
weight S/D reagents. Only a minor contribution was expected in the
removal of rFVIII. Following the improved CAT (UNO_S) step, a
protein concentration and buffer exchange step
(ultra/diafiltration) can be required. However this
ultra/diafiltration step was not part of the study described
herein. The differences in the chromatographic procedure between
the 1.sup.st GEN MFG scale process and the 2.sup.nd generation
small scale process are outlined in FIGS. 46-48.
6. Results
[0541] In the following section, the results of the current study
are presented. The five experiments conducted at small scale
clearly show that the replacement of the SEC unit operation step
and the preceding ultrafiltration (buffer exchange) step is
possible by the introduction of a modified UNOs (CAT)
procedure.
6.1 Chromatograms
[0542] As outlined above, five experiments with different wash and
gradient elution procedure were performed. The intention of the
UNO_S step was to find an optimal method for the removal of product
and process related impurities on the one hand and to achieve an
optimal yield in terms of VWF Ag and Activity. FIG. 49 shows two
chromatograms of the final (5.sup.th) run VW_USS_05 are presented.
The upper panel of FIG. 49 depicts the total run, including column
activation, loading phase (the high UV.sub.280nm absorption is
caused by the S/D chemicals contained in the feed),
re-equilibration, wash, gradient elution, 2M NaCl wash and the CIP
procedure. The chromatogram is fused from 2 result files which
explains the scale of the x-axis (result file 1: activation until
end of load; result file 2: start of re-equilibration, 36% B wash,
gradient elution, CIP). The lower panel of FIG. 49 depicts the
elution phase in detail (step wash to 36% elution-buffer B,
followed by the gradient elution 36% B to 100% B and a 100%
elution-buffer B phase).
6.2 SDS-PAGE
[0543] With the variation and optimization of the chromatography
conditions applied (e.g., conductivity of washes, start of gradient
elution), the separation of pro-peptide and mature rVWF was
refined. In addition, the removal of process related impurities and
the yield of mature rVWF Ag and activity was improved. SDS-PAGE
results (silver stain and anti rVWF Western blot) of the last
(5.sup.th) run in the series of experiments is presented in FIG.
50.
[0544] The SDS-PAGE was performed on 3-8% Tris-Acetate gels under
reducing conditions. The separated polypeptides were visualized by
silver staining (top) and Western blot (bottom). Prior to loading,
samples were reduced with DTT, thereafter free sulfhydryl groups
were blocked with iodo acetamide. For the Western blot, the
1.sup.st antibody was a polyclonal rabbit anti-human-VWF antibody
(from Dako; order number A0082; diluted 1:1000), the 2.sup.nd
antibody was a polyclonal, AP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit-IgG anti
body (from Sigma; order number A-8025; diluted 1:2000). The rVWF
band runs at above 250 kDa; the VWF pro-peptide runs at about 90
kDa. The pro-peptide is not detected by the antibody used for
Western blotting.
[0545] Results of run VWF USS 05 show a clear separation of
pro-peptide and mature rVWF. The eluate sample (lane 16) and a
reference sample purified according to the generation 1 procedure
(lane 18) are highly comparable.
6.3 Multimer Analysis
[0546] To assess the distribution of high and low molecular weight
rVWF sub-species multimer analysis by agarose gel and Western blot
was performed. Samples from Load, flowthrough (FT), Wash, Elution
and high salt wash were tested (FIG. 51) LMW rVWF subspecies are
contained in the flow through (FT; effluent fraction) (lane 8) and
wash/pre-elution (lanes 9 and 10). The Elution and post-elution
pools (lanes 11 and 12) show a band pattern comparable to the
reference sample SEC-F (lane 15). The reference sample was purified
according to the generation 1 (Gen 1) process and corresponds
roughly to the ascending peak of the SEC eluate pool. The high salt
wash (lane 13) contains ultra-large rVWF molecules which is seen by
the smear in the upper region of the lane.
[0547] The multimer analyses were performed on 1% agarose gels
according a standard protocol. Approximately 50 ng of rVWF was
applied per lane and separated under non-reducing conditions in the
presence of urea. The separated polypeptides were visualized by
Western Blot using a rabbit anti-human VWF antibody (Dako) as
1.sup.st antibody (diluted 1:1000) and an AP-conjugated goat
anti-rabbit IgG antibody (Sigma) as 2.sup.nd antibody (diluted
1:2000).
[0548] Comparing the rVWF multimer distribution between UNO_S (Gen
2) and SEC (Gen 1) runs, a reverse separation effect can be clearly
seen. In the SEC procedure ultra-large and large molecules elute
first (void volume), followed by the target molecules and the
pro-peptide. In Gen 2 the order of separation is just the opposite
(small to large). However, both methods resulted in the same rVWF
multimer distribution in the eluate pool. Following the UNO_S step,
a UDF (concentration/dialysis) unit operation was required to
concentrate the target molecule and to transfer it into formulation
buffer.
6.4 Analytical Results
[0549] A summary of analytical results is given in FIG. 52-FIG. 55.
Each table shows results of one specific analytical assay and
contains data of all 5 runs performed in course of the study. A
comparative overview of Eluate results is also presented in FIG.
56. Besides of the percentage of rVWF:Ag and Risto Co activity
Eluate yields, the table contains calculated rations to allow a
direct comparison between different run setup.
6.5 Match of Analytical Data to Success Criteria
[0550] The targeted parameters of the eluate (product fraction)
resulting from the modified CAT (UNO_S) unit operation step partly
comply with selected BDS product specifications. As the CAT-E
product pool needs to be concentrated and dialyzed to obtain BDS
material, the development targets (FIG. 57) are mainly (calculated)
ratios that are independent of absolute parameter
concentrations.
[0551] The fact that most of the development targets were met or
nearly reached demonstrates the feasibility of the suggested
procedure described herein. Not all analytical assays were
performed, yet key results such as rVWF:Ag and Risto yield, CHO HCP
and pro-peptide impurity removal, as well as the distribution of
rVWF multimers show a comparable performance of the suggested new
CAT procedure and the previously applied UNO_S/SEC combination.
7. Discussion
[0552] Five UNO_S runs were performed in the course of the present
study to investigate a 2.sup.nd generation CAT procedure. The
results of the optimized (last) run show a separation of high from
low molecular weight rVWF multimers as well as the removal of rVWF
pro-peptides and CHO-HCP impurities from the target protein that is
comparable to the results achieved with the Gen 1 procedure (e.g.,
UNO_S in step elution mode+SEC step). The introduced wash step with
a conductivity of about 24 mS/cm (36% Elution Buffer B) followed by
a gradient elution step to about 50 mS/cm (100% Elution Buffer B)
resulted in a CAT Eluate pool of comparable quality to the
previously yielded Gen 1 SEC F pool. Although an additional UDF
step to concentrate and dialyze the CAT eluate may be used, the Gen
2 CAT procedure described herein shows great potential to replace
the UDF and SEC unit operation steps applied in the Gen 1
downstream process to obtain BDS material.
Example 13: Evaluation Multimers of DF3338/042 and DF3362/023
Westernblot Anti-VWF
[0553] The mat-rVWF obtained from this method was analyzed for the
multimeric content. Advantages of the described cation exchange
(CEX) methods includes: [0554] Reduction of unit operations--1 CEX
replaces 3-unit operation of the current process. [0555] Depletion
of r-vWF-Propeptide and depletion of host cell proteins are similar
to an affinity step. [0556] By including the SD-treatment "On
column" on cation exchanger--4-unit operations are included in one
step. [0557] By including the SD-treatment "On column" and the
furin maturation on cation exchanger--5 unit operations are
included in one step. [0558] Reduced shear stress that lowers the
risk of the generation of thrombotic rVWF (due to less unit
operations, filtrations and significant reduced hold times).
[0559] For this analysis, western blots were run. The westernblot
images were imported into Corel Photo Paint Software and converted
into 16 Bit grey scale images. The 16 bit grey scale format is a
requirement for the evaluation. The evaluation was made with Image
Quant 1D Software.
[0560] The images were vertical flipped to simplify the evaluation
(Lane numbers remain the same): [0561] Band 1-6=Low molecular
weight [0562] Band 7-12=Intermediate molecular weight [0563] Band
>12=High molecular weight
[0564] Densitometric evaluation of vWF multimers of the product
obtained from enhanced CEX as described herein as compared to the
product obtained from the 3-unit operation process.
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Densitometric evaluation summary. Benchmark
VW_USS_04 E VW_USS_05 E % Low MW SUM Band 1-6 40.86 34.91 38.39 %
Medium MW SUM Band 7-12 40.27 39 36.87 % High MW SUM Band >12
18.87 26.08 24.74
[0565] The raw data showing the multimer percentages is provided in
FIGS. 61-63.
Example 14: Variant vWF Purification Process
I. Background
[0566] r-vWF pro-peptide is a product related impurity of CHO Cell
derived r-VWF product. The production cell line generates r-VWF
which contains about 60% of pro-r-vWF. The r-VWF propeptide is
attached to the r-vWF polypeptide covalent by peptide amide bond
and additionally non-covalently by divalent cations. The covalent
peptide amide bond is cleaved by in-vitro incubation with rFurin.
However, the cleaved r-VWF propeptide remains attached to the VWF
molecule and a method for separation of these two polypeptides is
described in this example. It was discovered that the rvWF/rvWF PP
complex is stabilized by divalent cations and low pH. By applying
chelator of divalent cations or high pH in combination with a
proper separation method the two molecules can be separated with
high efficiency and in a robust manner. As chelator low
concentrations of EDTA or citrate were found to be effective and pH
greater or equal pH 7 were also be seen effective when applied on
cation exchange resin as wash procedure or on size exclusion
chromatography when applied in the separation buffer. The same
principle should be applyable to all separation technologies
including ion exchange or size separation either by resins or
membrane technology. In the current production process for rVWF the
step SEC is performed with a running buffer containing citrate to
support the separation of rVWF and rVWF-PP.
1. Description of Example Scope--VW_USS_07
[0567] 1. Depletion of r-vWF-Propeptide [0568] 2. Example for
alternative "SD VI on column" treatment [0569] 3. Generating
rFVIII/r-vWF complex "on column" [0570] 4. On column
pre-formulation during elution of the rFVIII/r-vWF complex in an
alternative formulation buffer system
Process Details:
[0571] After a monoclonal antibody step to capture recombinant
factor VIII the Flow-through, which contains r-vWF, was loaded onto
an Fractogel TMAE anion exchanger. r-vWF was bound on the anion
exchanger and was maturated with Furin in presence of Calcium. The
r-vWF was eluted from the anion exchanger with increasing
conductivity. The TMAE-Eluate was filtrated trough a Mustang Q
(Mustang Q, Pall Part Number XT5000MSTGQP1) filter unit to remove
CHO-DNA and impurities that binds to the filter membrane. The
product containing MUQ_Flow through was conditioned by a 1:2
dilution with [60 mM sodiumcitrate pH 7.6] to a conductivity of
21.9 mS/cm and pH 7.16. The high conductivity was chosen to ensure
the removal of r-vWF propeptide and low mol weight r-vWF to utilize
the capacity of the resin for the desired high mol weight r-vWF.
The conditioned load was loaded onto a UNOsphere.TM. S Cation
Exchange Media (Bio Rad, Art. Nr.: 156-0115) inner diameter=10 mm
bed height 8.8 cm volume 6.91 ml with a flow rate of 100 cm/h
followed by a first wash (Reequilibration) of 2CV with [30 mM
Na-Citrate, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5] to deplete strong bound HCP and
r-vWF-Propeptide.
[0572] A potential "On column treatment" (WSD) was carried out with
[30 mM Na-Citrate, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5 containing 25 g/Kg of a mix
of 18.0 g Polysorbate 80, 3.5 g Dimethylsulfoxide DMSO, 3.5 g TnBP]
in 12 column volumes and a contact time of approx. 1 hour to
inactivate lipid enveloped viruses. The components of the "On
column treatment" were washed out with Wash 2 in 10 column volumes
of [30 mM Na-Citrate, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5]. By applying Wash 3 the
buffer was changed from the Sodiumcitrate buffer system to a
Glycine/Taurine system by applying [50 mM Glycine, 10 mM Taurine,
10% Sucrose, 0.1% Polysorbate 80, pH 5.5] in 4 column volumes. At
step "FVIII-Con" recombinant human coagulation factor VIII derived
from the ADVATE process was loaded onto the bound r-vWF in 10
column volumes.
[0573] The FVIII-Con-buffer consists of [1.57 g rFVIII S2 ADV
S17B010901B2 diluted in 218.67 g of 50 mM Glycine, 10 mM Taurine,
5% (w/w) Sucrose, 5% (w/w) D-Mannitol, 0.1% Polysorbate 80, 2 mM
CaCl.sub.2, 150 mM NaCl, and a pH 7.4]. Wash 4 was applied to wash
out unbound rFVIII and to prepare the buffer matrix for the
pre-formulation by applying 5 column volumes of [50 mM Glycine, 10
mM Taurine, 5% (w/w) Sucrose, 5% (w/w) D-Mannitol, 0.1% Polysorbate
80, 2 mM CaCl.sub.2, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.4]. Both the r-vWF and the
rFVIII was eluted with [50 mM Glycine, 10 mM Taurine, 5% (w/w)
Sucrose, 5% (w/w) D-Mannitol, 0.1% Polysorbate 80, 2 mM CaCl.sub.2,
600 mM NaCl, pH 7.4.+-.0.2] from the column to form an eluate. The
eluate was diluted to adjust the Sodiumchloride content to approx.
150 mM NaCl with [50 mM Glycine, 10 mM Taurine, 5% (w/w) Sucrose,
5% (w/w) D-Mannitol, 0.1% Polysorbate 80, 2 mM CaCl.sub.2, pH
7.4].
Process Sequence:
[0574] The sequence of the key steps of this example consists of
the following steps (See, also the bottom of FIG. 67 for the
chromatography scheme.) [0575] 1. Mab FVIII capture (FT is the
r-vWF containing fraction) [0576] 2. Fractogel TMAE
capture+maturation [0577] 3. Mustang Q in FT mode [0578] 4. CEX as
described (VW_USS_07)
Result:
[0579] The experiment was successfully carried out in all 4 points:
[0580] 1. Depletion of r-vWF-Propeptide occurred--during the wash
steps Wash 1, WSD ((W)ash with (S)olvent (D)detergent) and Wash 2
(see, FIGS. 67, 68, and 69.) [0581] 2. Example for alternative "SD
VI on column treatment" at step WSD. [0582] 3. Generating
rFVIII/r-vWF complex "on column"--step FVIII-Con. [0583] 4. On
column pre-formulation during elution of the rFVIII/r-vWF complex
in an alternative formulation buffer system (see, FIG. 66, last
row).
Example 15: Variant vWF Purification Process--Testing for
Sialylation
I. Background
[0584] r-vWF pro-peptide is a product related impurity of CHO Cell
derived r-VWF product. The production cell line generates r-VWF
which contains about 60% of pro-r-vWF. The r-vWF propeptide is
attached to the r-VWF polypeptide covalent by peptide amide bond
and additionally non-covalently by divalent cations. The covalent
peptide amide bond is cleaved by in-vitro incubation with rFurin.
However, the cleaved r-VWF propeptide remains attached to the VWF
molecule and a method for separation of these two polypeptides is
described in this example. The present example provides an
alternate, variant embodiment for separation of the r-vWF
propeptide from the r-VWF polypeptide after furin cleavage in order
to test for additional sialylation. Additional details and results
of the purification process are depicted in FIGS. 70-73 and 78.
1. Experiment Nr.: VW_USS_06
[0585] 1. Depletion of r-vWF-Propeptide [0586] 2. Generate
additional 2,6 Sialylation on column on r-vWF
2. Experiment Nr.: VW_USS_06
[0587] After a monoclonal antibody step to capture recombinant
factor VIII the Flow-through, which contains r-vWF, was loaded onto
an Fractogel TMAE anion exchanger. r-vWF was bound on the anion
exchanger and was maturated with Furin in presence of Calcium. the
r-vWF was eluted from the anion exchanger with increasing
conductivity. The TMAE-Eluate was filtrated trough a Mustang Q
(Mustang Q, Pall Part Number XT5000MSTGQP1) filter unit to remove
CHO-DNA and impurities that binds to the filter membrane. The
product containing MUQ_Flow through was conditioned by a 1:2
dilution with [60 mM sodiumcitrate pH 7.6] to a conductivity of
18.39 mS/cm and pH 7.33. The high conductivity was chosen to ensure
the removal of r-vWF propeptide and low molecular weight r-vWF to
utilize the capacity of the resin for the desired high mol weight
r-vWF. The conditioned load was loaded onto a UNOsphere.TM. S
Cation Exchange Media (Bio Rad, Art. Nr.: 156-0115) inner
diameter=10 mm bed height 8.8 cm volume 6.91 ml with a flow rate of
100 cm/h followed by a first wash (Reequilibration) of 2CV with [30
mM Na-Citrate, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5] to deplete strong bound HCP and
r-vWF-Propeptide. To introduce additional 2,6 Sialylation a mixture
of 50% (v/v) CMP-NANA Solution based on [30 mM Na-Citrat, 180 mM
NaCl, pH 7.5] and 50% (v/v) of alpha 2,6 Sialyltransferase based on
[30 mM Na-Citrat, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5] was applied onto the column
in 10 column volumes and a flow rate of 25 cm/h by online mixing.
The composition of the CMP-NANA Solution was 11 mg CMP NANA
C8271-25 mg Lot. Nr.: SLBV 7777 dissolved in 154.29 g [30 mM
Na-Citrate, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5]. The composition of the alpha 2,6
Sialyltransferase buffer was alpha 2,6 Sialyltransferase 52076-1UN
SIGMA, Lot. Nr. SLBV0552 from Photobacterium damsela dissolved in 1
ml purified water-0.5 g of the dissolved alpha 2,6
Sialyltransferase was diluted with 152.10 g [30 mM Na-Citrat, 180
mM NaCl, pH 7.5]. A further wash with 2 column volumes of [30 mM
Na-Citrate, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5] was applied to remove excess of
CMP NANA and alpha 2,6 Sialyltransferase. A buffer exchange was
provided by applying 4 column volumes of [50 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl
pH 6.0]. The Elution was performed with [50 mM HEPES, 500 mM NaCl,
pH 7.5] in 4 column volumes.
3. Complete Purification Sequence VW_USS_06
[0588] The sequence of the key steps of this example consists of
the following steps: [0589] 1. Mab FVIII capture (FT is the r-vWF
containing fraction) [0590] 2. Fractogel TMAE capture+maturation
[0591] 3. Mustang Q in FT mode [0592] 4. CEX as described
(VW_USS_06)
Result:
[0593] No additional 2,6 sialylation detected in using the method
in the present example. However, 2,3 sialylation was found which is
the usual sialylation pattern for r-vWF.
Example 16: Variant vWF Purification Process--Testing for
Sialylation
I. Background
[0594] r-vWF pro-peptide is a product related impurity of CHO Cell
derived r-VWF product. The production cell line generates r-VWF
which contains about 60% of pro-r-vWF. The r-vWF propeptide is
attached to the r-VWF polypeptide covalent by peptide amide bond
and additionally non-covalently by divalent cations. The covalent
peptide amide bond is cleaved by in-vitro incubation with rFurin.
However, the cleaved r-VWF propeptide remains attached to the VWF
molecule and a method for separation of these two polypeptides is
described in this example. The present example provides an
alternate, variant embodiment for separation of the r-vWF
propeptide from the r-VWF polypeptide after furin cleavage in order
to test for additional sialylation. Additional details and results
of the purification process are depicted in FIGS. 74-78.
1. Experiment Nr.: VW_USS_08
[0595] 1. Depletion of r-vWF-Propeptide [0596] 2. Generate
additional 2,6 Sialylation on column on r-vWF
2. Experiment Nr.: VW_USS_08
[0597] After a monoclonal antibody step to capture recombinant
factor VIII the Flow-through, which contains r-vWF, was loaded onto
an Fractogel TMAE anion exchanger. r-vWF was bound on the anion
exchanger and was maturated with Furin in presence of Calcium. the
r-vWF was eluted from the anion exchanger with increasing
conductivity. The TMAE-Eluate was filtrated trough a Mustang Q
(Mustang Q, Pall Part Number XT5000MSTGQP1) filter unit to remove
CHO-DNA and impurities that binds to the filter membrane. The
product containing MUQ_Flow through was conditioned by a 1:2
dilution with [60 mM sodium citrate pH 7.6] to a conductivity of
19.97 mS/cm and pH 7.33. The high conductivity was chosen to ensure
the removal of r-vWF propeptide and low mol weight r-vWF to utilize
the capacity of the resin for the desired high mol weight r-vWF.
The conditioned load was loaded onto a UNOsphere.TM. S Cation
Exchange Media (Bio Rad, Art. Nr.: 156-0115) inner diameter=10 mm
bed height 8.8 cm volume 6.91 ml with a flow rate of 100 cm/h
followed by a first wash (Reequilibration) of 2CV with [30 mM
Na-Citrate, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5] to deplete strong bound HCP and
r-vWF-Propeptide. To introduce additional 2,6 Sialylation a mixture
of 50% (v/v) CMP-NANA Solution based on [30 mM Na-Citrat, 180 mM
NaCl, pH 7.5] and 50% (v/v) of alpha 2,6 Sialyltransferase based on
[30 mM Na-Citrat, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5] was applied onto the column
in 10 column volumes and a flow rate of 25 cm/h by online mixing.
The composition of the CMP-NANA Solution was 14 mg CMP NANA
C8271-25 mg Lot. Nr.: SLBV 7777 dissolved in 121.57 g [30 mM
Na-Citrat, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5]. The composition of the alpha 2,6
Sialyltransferase buffer was alpha 2,6 Sialyltransferase 52076-1UN
SIGMA, Lot. Nr. SLBV0552 from Photobacterium damsela dissolved in
121.10 g [30 mM Na-Citrat, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5]. A further wash
with 2 column volumes of [30 mM Na-Citrate, 180 mM NaCl, pH 7.5]
was applied to remove excess of CMP NANA and alpha 2,6
Sialyltransferase. A buffer exchange was provided by applying 4
column volumes of [50 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl pH 6.0]. The Elution
was performed with [50 mM HEPES, 500 mM NaCl, pH 7.5] in 4 column
volumes.
3. Complete Purification Sequence VW_USS_08
[0598] The sequence of the key steps of this example consists of
the following steps: [0599] 1. Mab FVIII capture (FT is the r-vWF
containing fraction) [0600] 2. Fractogel TMAE capture+maturation
[0601] 3. Mustang Q in FT mode [0602] 4. CEX as described
(VW_USS_08)
Result:
[0603] No additional 2,6 sialylation detected using the method in
the present example. However, 2,3 sialylation was found which is
the usual sialylation pattern for r-vWF.
[0604] The examples set forth above are provided to give those of
ordinary skill in the art a complete disclosure and description of
how to make and use the embodiments of the compositions, systems
and methods of the invention, and are not intended to limit the
scope of what the inventors regard as their invention.
Modifications of the above-described modes for carrying out the
invention that are obvious to persons of skill in the art are
intended to be within the scope of the following claims. All
patents and publications mentioned in the specification are
indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to
which the invention pertains. All references cited in this
disclosure are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if
each reference had been incorporated by reference in its entirety
individually.
[0605] All headings and section designations are used for clarity
and reference purposes only and are not to be considered limiting
in any way. For example, those of skill in the art will appreciate
the usefulness of combining various aspects from different headings
and sections as appropriate according to the spirit and scope of
the invention described herein.
[0606] All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by
reference herein in their entireties and for all purposes to the
same extent as if each individual publication or patent or patent
application was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
[0607] Many modifications and variations of this application can be
made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be
apparent to those skilled in the art. The specific embodiments and
examples described herein are offered by way of example only, and
the application is to be limited only by the terms of the appended
claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which the
claims are entitled.
Sequence CWU 1
1
518833DNAArtificial SequenceSynthetic VWF nucleic acid 1agctcacagc
tattgtggtg ggaaagggag ggtggttggt ggatgtcaca gcttgggctt 60tatctccccc
agcagtgggg actccacagc ccctgggcta cataacagca agacagtccg
120gagctgtagc agacctgatt gagcctttgc agcagctgag agcatggcct
agggtgggcg 180gcaccattgt ccagcagctg agtttcccag ggaccttgga
gatagccgca gccctcattt 240gcaggggaag atgattcctg ccagatttgc
cggggtgctg cttgctctgg ccctcatttt 300gccagggacc ctttgtgcag
aaggaactcg cggcaggtca tccacggccc gatgcagcct 360tttcggaagt
gacttcgtca acacctttga tgggagcatg tacagctttg cgggatactg
420cagttacctc ctggcagggg gctgccagaa acgctccttc tcgattattg
gggacttcca 480gaatggcaag agagtgagcc tctccgtgta tcttggggaa
ttttttgaca tccatttgtt 540tgtcaatggt accgtgacac agggggacca
aagagtctcc atgccctatg cctccaaagg 600gctgtatcta gaaactgagg
ctgggtacta caagctgtcc ggtgaggcct atggctttgt 660ggccaggatc
gatggcagcg gcaactttca agtcctgctg tcagacagat acttcaacaa
720gacctgcggg ctgtgtggca actttaacat ctttgctgaa gatgacttta
tgacccaaga 780agggaccttg acctcggacc cttatgactt tgccaactca
tgggctctga gcagtggaga 840acagtggtgt gaacgggcat ctcctcccag
cagctcatgc aacatctcct ctggggaaat 900gcagaagggc ctgtgggagc
agtgccagct tctgaagagc acctcggtgt ttgcccgctg 960ccaccctctg
gtggaccccg agccttttgt ggccctgtgt gagaagactt tgtgtgagtg
1020tgctgggggg ctggagtgcg cctgccctgc cctcctggag tacgcccgga
cctgtgccca 1080ggagggaatg gtgctgtacg gctggaccga ccacagcgcg
tgcagcccag tgtgccctgc 1140tggtatggag tataggcagt gtgtgtcccc
ttgcgccagg acctgccaga gcctgcacat 1200caatgaaatg tgtcaggagc
gatgcgtgga tggctgcagc tgccctgagg gacagctcct 1260ggatgaaggc
ctctgcgtgg agagcaccga gtgtccctgc gtgcattccg gaaagcgcta
1320ccctcccggc acctccctct ctcgagactg caacacctgc atttgccgaa
acagccagtg 1380gatctgcagc aatgaagaat gtccagggga gtgccttgtc
acaggtcaat cacacttcaa 1440gagctttgac aacagatact tcaccttcag
tgggatctgc cagtacctgc tggcccggga 1500ttgccaggac cactccttct
ccattgtcat tgagactgtc cagtgtgctg atgaccgcga 1560cgctgtgtgc
acccgctccg tcaccgtccg gctgcctggc ctgcacaaca gccttgtgaa
1620actgaagcat ggggcaggag ttgccatgga tggccaggac gtccagctcc
ccctcctgaa 1680aggtgacctc cgcatccagc atacagtgac ggcctccgtg
cgcctcagct acggggagga 1740cctgcagatg gactgggatg gccgcgggag
gctgctggtg aagctgtccc ccgtctatgc 1800cgggaagacc tgcggcctgt
gtgggaatta caatggcaac cagggcgacg acttccttac 1860cccctctggg
ctggcggagc cccgggtgga ggacttcggg aacgcctgga agctgcacgg
1920ggactgccag gacctgcaga agcagcacag cgatccctgc gccctcaacc
cgcgcatgac 1980caggttctcc gaggaggcgt gcgcggtcct gacgtccccc
acattcgagg cctgccatcg 2040tgccgtcagc ccgctgccct acctgcggaa
ctgccgctac gacgtgtgct cctgctcgga 2100cggccgcgag tgcctgtgcg
gcgccctggc cagctatgcc gcggcctgcg cggggagagg 2160cgtgcgcgtc
gcgtggcgcg agccaggccg ctgtgagctg aactgcccga aaggccaggt
2220gtacctgcag tgcgggaccc cctgcaacct gacctgccgc tctctctctt
acccggatga 2280ggaatgcaat gaggcctgcc tggagggctg cttctgcccc
ccagggctct acatggatga 2340gaggggggac tgcgtgccca aggcccagtg
cccctgttac tatgacggtg agatcttcca 2400gccagaagac atcttctcag
accatcacac catgtgctac tgtgaggatg gcttcatgca 2460ctgtaccatg
agtggagtcc ccggaagctt gctgcctgac gctgtcctca gcagtcccct
2520gtctcatcgc agcaaaagga gcctatcctg tcggcccccc atggtcaagc
tggtgtgtcc 2580cgctgacaac ctgcgggctg aagggctcga gtgtaccaaa
acgtgccaga actatgacct 2640ggagtgcatg agcatgggct gtgtctctgg
ctgcctctgc cccccgggca tggtccggca 2700tgagaacaga tgtgtggccc
tggaaaggtg tccctgcttc catcagggca aggagtatgc 2760ccctggagaa
acagtgaaga ttggctgcaa cacttgtgtc tgtcgggacc ggaagtggaa
2820ctgcacagac catgtgtgtg atgccacgtg ctccacgatc ggcatggccc
actacctcac 2880cttcgacggg ctcaaatacc tgttccccgg ggagtgccag
tacgttctgg tgcaggatta 2940ctgcggcagt aaccctggga cctttcggat
cctagtgggg aataagggat gcagccaccc 3000ctcagtgaaa tgcaagaaac
gggtcaccat cctggtggag ggaggagaga ttgagctgtt 3060tgacggggag
gtgaatgtga agaggcccat gaaggatgag actcactttg aggtggtgga
3120gtctggccgg tacatcattc tgctgctggg caaagccctc tccgtggtct
gggaccgcca 3180cctgagcatc tccgtggtcc tgaagcagac ataccaggag
aaagtgtgtg gcctgtgtgg 3240gaattttgat ggcatccaga acaatgacct
caccagcagc aacctccaag tggaggaaga 3300ccctgtggac tttgggaact
cctggaaagt gagctcgcag tgtgctgaca ccagaaaagt 3360gcctctggac
tcatcccctg ccacctgcca taacaacatc atgaagcaga cgatggtgga
3420ttcctcctgt agaatcctta ccagtgacgt cttccaggac tgcaacaagc
tggtggaccc 3480cgagccatat ctggatgtct gcatttacga cacctgctcc
tgtgagtcca ttggggactg 3540cgcctgcttc tgcgacacca ttgctgccta
tgcccacgtg tgtgcccagc atggcaaggt 3600ggtgacctgg aggacggcca
cattgtgccc ccagagctgc gaggagagga atctccggga 3660gaacgggtat
gagtgtgagt ggcgctataa cagctgtgca cctgcctgtc aagtcacgtg
3720tcagcaccct gagccactgg cctgccctgt gcagtgtgtg gagggctgcc
atgcccactg 3780ccctccaggg aaaatcctgg atgagctttt gcagacctgc
gttgaccctg aagactgtcc 3840agtgtgtgag gtggctggcc ggcgttttgc
ctcaggaaag aaagtcacct tgaatcccag 3900tgaccctgag cactgccaga
tttgccactg tgatgttgtc aacctcacct gtgaagcctg 3960ccaggagccg
ggaggcctgg tggtgcctcc cacagatgcc ccggtgagcc ccaccactct
4020gtatgtggag gacatctcgg aaccgccgtt gcacgatttc tactgcagca
ggctactgga 4080cctggtcttc ctgctggatg gctcctccag gctgtccgag
gctgagtttg aagtgctgaa 4140ggcctttgtg gtggacatga tggagcggct
gcgcatctcc cagaagtggg tccgcgtggc 4200cgtggtggag taccacgacg
gctcccacgc ctacatcggg ctcaaggacc ggaagcgacc 4260gtcagagctg
cggcgcattg ccagccaggt gaagtatgcg ggcagccagg tggcctccac
4320cagcgaggtc ttgaaataca cactgttcca aatcttcagc aagatcgacc
gccctgaagc 4380ctcccgcatc accctgctcc tgatggccag ccaggagccc
caacggatgt cccggaactt 4440tgtccgctac gtccagggcc tgaagaagaa
gaaggtcatt gtgatcccgg tgggcattgg 4500gccccatgcc aacctcaagc
agatccgcct catcgagaag caggcccctg agaacaaggc 4560cttcgtgctg
agcagtgtgg atgagctgga gcagcaaagg gacgagatcg ttagctacct
4620ctgtgacctt gcccctgaag cccctcctcc tactctgccc cccgacatgg
cacaagtcac 4680tgtgggcccg gggctcttgg gggtttcgac cctggggccc
aagaggaact ccatggttct 4740ggatgtggcg ttcgtcctgg aaggatcgga
caaaattggt gaagccgact tcaacaggag 4800caaggagttc atggaggagg
tgattcagcg gatggatgtg ggccaggaca gcatccacgt 4860cacggtgctg
cagtactcct acatggtgac tgtggagtac cccttcagcg aggcacagtc
4920caaaggggac atcctgcagc gggtgcgaga gatccgctac cagggcggca
acaggaccaa 4980cactgggctg gccctgcggt acctctctga ccacagcttc
ttggtcagcc agggtgaccg 5040ggagcaggcg cccaacctgg tctacatggt
caccggaaat cctgcctctg atgagatcaa 5100gaggctgcct ggagacatcc
aggtggtgcc cattggagtg ggccctaatg ccaacgtgca 5160ggagctggag
aggattggct ggcccaatgc ccctatcctc atccaggact ttgagacgct
5220cccccgagag gctcctgacc tggtgctgca gaggtgctgc tccggagagg
ggctgcagat 5280ccccaccctc tcccctgcac ctgactgcag ccagcccctg
gacgtgatcc ttctcctgga 5340tggctcctcc agtttcccag cttcttattt
tgatgaaatg aagagtttcg ccaaggcttt 5400catttcaaaa gccaatatag
ggcctcgtct cactcaggtg tcagtgctgc agtatggaag 5460catcaccacc
attgacgtgc catggaacgt ggtcccggag aaagcccatt tgctgagcct
5520tgtggacgtc atgcagcggg agggaggccc cagccaaatc ggggatgcct
tgggctttgc 5580tgtgcgatac ttgacttcag aaatgcatgg tgccaggccg
ggagcctcaa aggcggtggt 5640catcctggtc acggacgtct ctgtggattc
agtggatgca gcagctgatg ccgccaggtc 5700caacagagtg acagtgttcc
ctattggaat tggagatcgc tacgatgcag cccagctacg 5760gatcttggca
ggcccagcag gcgactccaa cgtggtgaag ctccagcgaa tcgaagacct
5820ccctaccatg gtcaccttgg gcaattcctt cctccacaaa ctgtgctctg
gatttgttag 5880gatttgcatg gatgaggatg ggaatgagaa gaggcccggg
gacgtctgga ccttgccaga 5940ccagtgccac accgtgactt gccagccaga
tggccagacc ttgctgaaga gtcatcgggt 6000caactgtgac cgggggctga
ggccttcgtg ccctaacagc cagtcccctg ttaaagtgga 6060agagacctgt
ggctgccgct ggacctgccc ctgcgtgtgc acaggcagct ccactcggca
6120catcgtgacc tttgatgggc agaatttcaa gctgactggc agctgttctt
atgtcctatt 6180tcaaaacaag gagcaggacc tggaggtgat tctccataat
ggtgcctgca gccctggagc 6240aaggcagggc tgcatgaaat ccatcgaggt
gaagcacagt gccctctccg tcgagctgca 6300cagtgacatg gaggtgacgg
tgaatgggag actggtctct gttccttacg tgggtgggaa 6360catggaagtc
aacgtttatg gtgccatcat gcatgaggtc agattcaatc accttggtca
6420catcttcaca ttcactccac aaaacaatga gttccaactg cagctcagcc
ccaagacttt 6480tgcttcaaag acgtatggtc tgtgtgggat ctgtgatgag
aacggagcca atgacttcat 6540gctgagggat ggcacagtca ccacagactg
gaaaacactt gttcaggaat ggactgtgca 6600gcggccaggg cagacgtgcc
agcccatcct ggaggagcag tgtcttgtcc ccgacagctc 6660ccactgccag
gtcctcctct taccactgtt tgctgaatgc cacaaggtcc tggctccagc
6720cacattctat gccatctgcc agcaggacag ttgccaccag gagcaagtgt
gtgaggtgat 6780cgcctcttat gcccacctct gtcggaccaa cggggtctgc
gttgactgga ggacacctga 6840tttctgtgct atgtcatgcc caccatctct
ggtctacaac cactgtgagc atggctgtcc 6900ccggcactgt gatggcaacg
tgagctcctg tggggaccat ccctccgaag gctgtttctg 6960ccctccagat
aaagtcatgt tggaaggcag ctgtgtccct gaagaggcct gcactcagtg
7020cattggtgag gatggagtcc agcaccagtt cctggaagcc tgggtcccgg
accaccagcc 7080ctgtcagatc tgcacatgcc tcagcgggcg gaaggtcaac
tgcacaacgc agccctgccc 7140cacggccaaa gctcccacgt gtggcctgtg
tgaagtagcc cgcctccgcc agaatgcaga 7200ccagtgctgc cccgagtatg
agtgtgtgtg tgacccagtg agctgtgacc tgcccccagt 7260gcctcactgt
gaacgtggcc tccagcccac actgaccaac cctggcgagt gcagacccaa
7320cttcacctgc gcctgcagga aggaggagtg caaaagagtg tccccaccct
cctgcccccc 7380gcaccgtttg cccacccttc ggaagaccca gtgctgtgat
gagtatgagt gtgcctgcaa 7440ctgtgtcaac tccacagtga gctgtcccct
tgggtacttg gcctcaactg ccaccaatga 7500ctgtggctgt accacaacca
cctgccttcc cgacaaggtg tgtgtccacc gaagcaccat 7560ctaccctgtg
ggccagttct gggaggaggg ctgcgatgtg tgcacctgca ccgacatgga
7620ggatgccgtg atgggcctcc gcgtggccca gtgctcccag aagccctgtg
aggacagctg 7680tcggtcgggc ttcacttacg ttctgcatga aggcgagtgc
tgtggaaggt gcctgccatc 7740tgcctgtgag gtggtgactg gctcaccgcg
gggggactcc cagtcttcct ggaagagtgt 7800cggctcccag tgggcctccc
cggagaaccc ctgcctcatc aatgagtgtg tccgagtgaa 7860ggaggaggtc
tttatacaac aaaggaacgt ctcctgcccc cagctggagg tccctgtctg
7920cccctcgggc tttcagctga gctgtaagac ctcagcgtgc tgcccaagct
gtcgctgtga 7980gcgcatggag gcctgcatgc tcaatggcac tgtcattggg
cccgggaaga ctgtgatgat 8040cgatgtgtgc acgacctgcc gctgcatggt
gcaggtgggg gtcatctctg gattcaagct 8100ggagtgcagg aagaccacct
gcaacccctg ccccctgggt tacaaggaag aaaataacac 8160aggtgaatgt
tgtgggagat gtttgcctac ggcttgcacc attcagctaa gaggaggaca
8220gatcatgaca ctgaagcgtg atgagacgct ccaggatggc tgtgatactc
acttctgcaa 8280ggtcaatgag agaggagagt acttctggga gaagagggtc
acaggctgcc caccctttga 8340tgaacacaag tgtctggctg agggaggtaa
aattatgaaa attccaggca cctgctgtga 8400cacatgtgag gagcctgagt
gcaacgacat cactgccagg ctgcagtatg tcaaggtggg 8460aagctgtaag
tctgaagtag aggtggatat ccactactgc cagggcaaat gtgccagcaa
8520agccatgtac tccattgaca tcaacgatgt gcaggaccag tgctcctgct
gctctccgac 8580acggacggag cccatgcagg tggccctgca ctgcaccaat
ggctctgttg tgtaccatga 8640ggttctcaat gccatggagt gcaaatgctc
ccccaggaag tgcagcaagt gaggctgctg 8700cagctgcatg ggtgcctgct
gctgcctgcc ttggcctgat ggccaggcca gagtgctgcc 8760agtcctctgc
atgttctgct cttgtgccct tctgagccca caataaaggc tgagctctta
8820tcttgcaaaa ggc 883322783PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic VWF
amino acid sequences 2Met Ile Pro Ala Arg Phe Ala Gly Val Leu Leu
Leu Ile Leu Pro Gly1 5 10 15Thr Leu Cys Ala Glu Gly Thr Arg Gly Arg
Ser Ser Thr Ala Arg Cys 20 25 30Ser Leu Phe Gly Ser Asp Phe Val Asn
Thr Phe Asp Gly Ser Met Tyr 35 40 45Ser Phe Ala Gly Tyr Cys Ser Tyr
Leu Leu Ala Gly Gly Cys Gln Lys 50 55 60Arg Ser Phe Ser Ile Ile Gly
Asp Phe Gln Asn Gly Lys Arg Val Ser65 70 75 80Leu Ser Val Tyr Leu
Gly Glu Phe Phe Asp Ile His Leu Phe Val Asn 85 90 95Gly Thr Val Thr
Gln Gly Asp Gln Arg Val Ser Met Pro Tyr Ala Ser 100 105 110Lys Leu
Glu Thr Glu Ala Gly Tyr Tyr Lys Leu Ser Gly Glu Ala Tyr 115 120
125Gly Phe Val Ala Arg Ile Asp Gly Ser Gly Asn Phe Gln Val Leu Leu
130 135 140Ser Asp Arg Tyr Phe Asn Lys Thr Cys Gly Leu Cys Gly Asn
Phe Asn145 150 155 160Ile Phe Ala Glu Asp Asp Phe Met Thr Gln Glu
Gly Thr Leu Thr Ser 165 170 175Asp Pro Tyr Asp Phe Ala Asn Ser Trp
Ala Leu Ser Ser Gly Glu Gln 180 185 190Trp Cys Glu Arg Pro Ser Ser
Ser Cys Asn Ile Ser Ser Gly Glu Met 195 200 205Gln Lys Gly Leu Trp
Glu Gln Cys Gln Leu Leu Lys Ser Thr Ser Val 210 215 220Phe Ala Arg
Cys His Pro Leu Val Asp Pro Glu Pro Phe Cys Glu Lys225 230 235
240Thr Leu Cys Glu Cys Ala Gly Gly Leu Glu Cys Ala Cys Pro Ala Leu
245 250 255Leu Glu Tyr Ala Arg Thr Cys Ala Gln Glu Gly Met Val Leu
Tyr Gly 260 265 270Trp Thr Asp His Ser Ala Cys Ser Pro Val Cys Pro
Ala Gly Met Glu 275 280 285Tyr Arg Gln Cys Val Ser Pro Cys Ala Arg
Thr Cys Gln Ser Leu His 290 295 300Ile Asn Glu Met Cys Gln Glu Arg
Cys Val Asp Gly Cys Ser Cys Pro305 310 315 320Glu Gly Gln Leu Leu
Asp Glu Gly Leu Cys Val Glu Ser Thr Glu Cys 325 330 335Pro Cys Val
His Ser Gly Lys Arg Tyr Pro Pro Gly Thr Ser Leu Ser 340 345 350Arg
Asp Cys Asn Thr Cys Ile Cys Arg Asn Ser Gln Trp Ile Cys Ser 355 360
365Asn Glu Glu Cys Pro Gly Glu Cys Leu Val Thr Gly Gln Ser His Phe
370 375 380Lys Ser Phe Asp Asn Arg Tyr Phe Thr Phe Ser Gly Ile Cys
Gln Tyr385 390 395 400Leu Leu Ala Arg Asp Cys Gln Asp His Ser Phe
Ser Ile Val Ile Glu 405 410 415Thr Val Gln Cys Ala Asp Asp Arg Asp
Ala Val Cys Thr Arg Ser Val 420 425 430Thr Val Arg Leu Pro Gly Leu
His Asn Ser Leu Val Lys Leu Lys His 435 440 445Gly Ala Gly Val Ala
Met Asp Gly Gln Asp Val Gln Leu Pro Leu Leu 450 455 460Lys Gly Asp
Leu Arg Ile Gln His Thr Val Thr Ala Ser Val Arg Leu465 470 475
480Ser Tyr Gly Glu Asp Leu Gln Met Asp Trp Asp Gly Arg Gly Arg Leu
485 490 495Leu Val Lys Leu Ser Pro Val Tyr Ala Gly Lys Thr Cys Gly
Leu Cys 500 505 510Gly Asn Tyr Asn Gly Asn Gln Gly Asp Asp Phe Leu
Thr Pro Ser Gly 515 520 525Leu Ala Glu Pro Arg Val Glu Asp Phe Gly
Asn Ala Trp Lys Leu His 530 535 540Gly Asp Cys Gln Asp Leu Gln Lys
Gln His Ser Asp Pro Cys Ala Leu545 550 555 560Asn Pro Arg Met Thr
Arg Phe Ser Glu Glu Ala Cys Ala Val Leu Thr 565 570 575Ser Pro Thr
Phe Glu Ala Cys His Arg Ala Val Ser Pro Leu Pro Tyr 580 585 590Leu
Arg Asn Cys Arg Tyr Asp Val Cys Ser Cys Ser Asp Gly Arg Glu 595 600
605Cys Leu Cys Gly Ser Tyr Ala Ala Ala Cys Ala Gly Arg Gly Val Arg
610 615 620Val Ala Trp Arg Glu Pro Gly Arg Cys Glu Leu Asn Cys Pro
Lys Gly625 630 635 640Gln Val Tyr Leu Gln Cys Gly Thr Pro Cys Asn
Leu Thr Cys Arg Ser 645 650 655Leu Ser Tyr Pro Asp Glu Glu Cys Asn
Glu Ala Cys Leu Glu Gly Cys 660 665 670Phe Cys Pro Pro Met Asp Glu
Arg Gly Asp Cys Val Pro Lys Ala Gln 675 680 685Cys Pro Cys Tyr Tyr
Asp Gly Glu Ile Phe Gln Pro Glu Asp Ile Phe 690 695 700Ser Asp His
His Thr Met Cys Tyr Cys Glu Asp Gly Phe Met His Cys705 710 715
720Thr Met Ser Gly Val Pro Gly Ser Leu Leu Pro Asp Ala Val Leu Ser
725 730 735Ser Pro Leu Ser His Arg Ser Lys Arg Ser Leu Ser Cys Arg
Pro Pro 740 745 750Met Val Lys Leu Val Cys Pro Ala Asp Asn Leu Arg
Ala Glu Gly Leu 755 760 765Glu Cys Thr Lys Thr Cys Gln Asn Tyr Asp
Leu Glu Cys Met Ser Met 770 775 780Gly Cys Val Ser Gly Cys Leu Cys
Pro Pro Gly Met Val Arg His Glu785 790 795 800Asn Arg Cys Glu Arg
Cys Pro Cys Phe His Gln Gly Lys Glu Tyr Ala 805 810 815Pro Gly Glu
Thr Val Lys Ile Gly Cys Asn Thr Cys Val Cys Arg Asp 820 825 830Arg
Lys Trp Asn Cys Thr Asp His Val Cys Asp Ala Thr Cys Ser Thr 835 840
845Ile Gly Met Ala His Tyr Leu Thr Phe Asp Gly Leu Lys Tyr Leu Phe
850 855 860Pro Gly Glu Cys Gln Tyr Val Leu Val Gln Asp Tyr Cys Gly
Ser Asn865 870 875 880Pro Gly Thr Phe Arg Ile Leu Val Gly Asn Lys
Gly Cys Ser His Pro 885 890 895Ser Val Lys Cys Lys Lys Arg Val Thr
Ile Leu Val Glu Gly Gly Glu 900 905 910Ile Glu Leu Phe Asp Gly Glu
Val Asn Val Lys Arg Pro Met Lys Asp 915 920 925Glu Thr His Phe Glu
Val Val Glu Ser Gly Arg Tyr Ile Ile Leu Leu 930 935 940Leu Gly Lys
Ala Leu Ser Val Val Trp Asp Arg His Leu Ser Ile Ser945 950 955
960Val Val Leu Lys Gln Thr Tyr Gln Glu Lys Val Cys Gly Leu Cys Gly
965 970 975Asn Phe Asp Gly Ile Gln Asn Asn Asp Leu Thr Ser Ser Asn
Leu Gln 980 985 990Val Glu Glu Asp Pro Val
Asp Phe Gly Asn Ser Trp Lys Val Ser Ser 995 1000 1005Gln Cys Ala
Asp Thr Arg Lys Val Pro Leu Asp Ser Ser Pro Ala 1010 1015 1020Thr
Cys His Asn Asn Ile Met Lys Gln Thr Met Val Asp Ser Ser 1025 1030
1035Cys Arg Ile Leu Thr Ser Asp Val Phe Gln Asp Cys Asn Lys Leu
1040 1045 1050Val Asp Pro Glu Pro Tyr Leu Asp Val Cys Ile Tyr Asp
Thr Cys 1055 1060 1065Ser Cys Glu Ser Ile Gly Asp Cys Ala Cys Phe
Cys Asp Thr Ile 1070 1075 1080Ala Ala Tyr Ala His Val Cys Ala Gln
His Gly Lys Val Val Thr 1085 1090 1095Trp Arg Thr Ala Thr Leu Cys
Pro Gln Ser Cys Glu Glu Arg Asn 1100 1105 1110Leu Arg Glu Asn Gly
Tyr Glu Cys Glu Trp Arg Tyr Asn Ser Cys 1115 1120 1125Ala Pro Ala
Cys Gln Val Thr Cys Gln His Pro Glu Pro Leu Ala 1130 1135 1140Cys
Pro Val Gln Cys Val Glu Gly Cys His Ala His Cys Pro Pro 1145 1150
1155Gly Lys Ile Leu Asp Glu Leu Leu Gln Thr Cys Val Asp Pro Glu
1160 1165 1170Asp Cys Pro Val Cys Glu Val Ala Gly Arg Arg Phe Ala
Ser Gly 1175 1180 1185Lys Lys Val Thr Leu Asn Pro Ser Asp Pro Glu
His Cys Gln Ile 1190 1195 1200Cys His Cys Asp Val Val Asn Leu Thr
Cys Glu Ala Cys Gln Glu 1205 1210 1215Pro Gly Gly Leu Val Val Pro
Pro Thr Asp Ala Pro Val Ser Pro 1220 1225 1230Thr Thr Leu Tyr Val
Glu Asp Ile Ser Glu Pro Pro Leu His Asp 1235 1240 1245Phe Tyr Cys
Ser Arg Leu Leu Asp Leu Val Phe Leu Leu Asp Gly 1250 1255 1260Ser
Ser Arg Leu Ser Glu Ala Glu Phe Glu Val Leu Lys Ala Phe 1265 1270
1275Val Val Asp Met Met Glu Arg Leu Arg Ile Ser Gln Lys Trp Val
1280 1285 1290Arg Val Ala Val Val Glu Tyr His Asp Gly Ser His Ala
Tyr Ile 1295 1300 1305Gly Leu Lys Asp Arg Lys Arg Pro Ser Glu Leu
Arg Arg Ile Ala 1310 1315 1320Ser Gln Val Lys Tyr Ala Gly Ser Gln
Val Ala Ser Thr Ser Glu 1325 1330 1335Val Leu Lys Tyr Thr Leu Phe
Gln Ile Phe Ser Lys Ile Asp Arg 1340 1345 1350Pro Glu Ala Ser Arg
Ile Thr Leu Leu Leu Met Ala Ser Gln Glu 1355 1360 1365Pro Gln Arg
Met Ser Arg Asn Phe Val Arg Tyr Val Gln Gly Leu 1370 1375 1380Lys
Lys Lys Lys Val Ile Val Ile Pro Val Gly Ile Gly Pro His 1385 1390
1395Ala Asn Leu Lys Gln Ile Arg Leu Ile Glu Lys Gln Ala Pro Glu
1400 1405 1410Asn Lys Ala Phe Val Leu Ser Ser Val Asp Glu Leu Glu
Gln Gln 1415 1420 1425Arg Asp Glu Ile Val Ser Tyr Leu Cys Asp Leu
Ala Pro Glu Ala 1430 1435 1440Pro Pro Pro Thr Leu Pro Pro Asp Met
Ala Gln Val Thr Val Gly 1445 1450 1455Pro Gly Leu Leu Gly Val Ser
Thr Leu Gly Pro Lys Arg Asn Ser 1460 1465 1470Met Val Leu Asp Val
Ala Phe Val Leu Glu Gly Ser Asp Lys Ile 1475 1480 1485Gly Glu Ala
Asp Phe Asn Arg Ser Lys Glu Phe Met Glu Glu Val 1490 1495 1500Ile
Gln Arg Met Asp Val Gly Gln Asp Ser Ile His Val Thr Val 1505 1510
1515Leu Gln Tyr Ser Tyr Met Val Thr Val Glu Tyr Pro Phe Ser Glu
1520 1525 1530Ala Gln Ser Lys Gly Asp Ile Leu Gln Arg Val Arg Glu
Ile Arg 1535 1540 1545Tyr Gln Gly Gly Asn Arg Thr Asn Thr Gly Leu
Ala Leu Arg Tyr 1550 1555 1560Leu Ser Asp His Ser Phe Leu Val Ser
Gln Gly Asp Arg Glu Gln 1565 1570 1575Ala Pro Asn Leu Val Tyr Met
Val Thr Gly Asn Pro Ala Ser Asp 1580 1585 1590Glu Ile Lys Arg Leu
Pro Gly Asp Ile Gln Val Val Pro Ile Gly 1595 1600 1605Val Gly Pro
Asn Ala Asn Val Gln Glu Leu Glu Arg Ile Gly Trp 1610 1615 1620Pro
Asn Ala Pro Ile Leu Ile Gln Asp Phe Glu Thr Leu Pro Arg 1625 1630
1635Glu Ala Pro Asp Leu Val Leu Gln Arg Cys Cys Ser Gly Glu Gly
1640 1645 1650Leu Gln Ile Pro Thr Leu Ser Pro Ala Pro Asp Cys Ser
Gln Pro 1655 1660 1665Leu Asp Val Ile Leu Leu Leu Asp Gly Ser Ser
Ser Phe Pro Ala 1670 1675 1680Ser Tyr Phe Asp Glu Met Lys Ser Phe
Ala Lys Ala Phe Ile Ser 1685 1690 1695Lys Ala Asn Ile Gly Pro Arg
Leu Thr Gln Val Ser Val Leu Gln 1700 1705 1710Tyr Gly Ser Ile Thr
Thr Ile Asp Val Pro Trp Asn Val Val Pro 1715 1720 1725Glu Lys Ala
His Leu Leu Ser Leu Val Asp Val Met Gln Arg Glu 1730 1735 1740Gly
Gly Pro Ser Gln Ile Gly Asp Ala Leu Gly Phe Ala Val Arg 1745 1750
1755Tyr Leu Thr Ser Glu Met His Gly Ala Arg Pro Gly Ala Ser Lys
1760 1765 1770Ala Val Val Ile Leu Val Thr Asp Val Ser Val Asp Ser
Val Asp 1775 1780 1785Ala Ala Ala Asp Ala Ala Arg Ser Asn Arg Val
Thr Val Phe Pro 1790 1795 1800Ile Gly Ile Gly Asp Arg Tyr Asp Ala
Ala Gln Leu Arg Ile Leu 1805 1810 1815Ala Gly Pro Ala Gly Asp Ser
Asn Val Val Lys Leu Gln Arg Ile 1820 1825 1830Glu Asp Leu Pro Thr
Met Val Thr Leu Gly Asn Ser Phe Leu His 1835 1840 1845Lys Leu Cys
Ser Gly Phe Val Arg Ile Cys Met Asp Glu Asp Gly 1850 1855 1860Asn
Glu Lys Arg Pro Gly Asp Val Trp Thr Leu Pro Asp Gln Cys 1865 1870
1875His Thr Val Thr Cys Gln Pro Asp Gly Gln Thr Leu Leu Lys Ser
1880 1885 1890His Arg Val Asn Cys Asp Arg Gly Leu Arg Pro Ser Cys
Pro Asn 1895 1900 1905Ser Gln Ser Pro Val Lys Val Glu Glu Thr Cys
Gly Cys Arg Trp 1910 1915 1920Thr Cys Pro Cys Val Cys Thr Gly Ser
Ser Thr Arg His Ile Val 1925 1930 1935Thr Phe Asp Gly Gln Asn Phe
Lys Leu Thr Gly Ser Cys Ser Tyr 1940 1945 1950Val Leu Phe Gln Asn
Lys Glu Gln Asp Leu Glu Val Ile Leu His 1955 1960 1965Asn Gly Ala
Cys Ser Pro Gly Ala Arg Gln Gly Cys Met Lys Ser 1970 1975 1980Ile
Glu Val Lys His Ser Ala Leu Ser Val Glu Leu His Ser Asp 1985 1990
1995Met Glu Val Thr Val Asn Gly Arg Leu Val Ser Val Pro Tyr Val
2000 2005 2010Gly Gly Asn Met Glu Val Asn Val Tyr Gly Ala Ile Met
His Glu 2015 2020 2025Val Arg Phe Asn His Leu Gly His Ile Phe Thr
Phe Thr Pro Gln 2030 2035 2040Asn Asn Glu Phe Gln Leu Gln Leu Ser
Pro Lys Thr Phe Ala Ser 2045 2050 2055Lys Thr Tyr Gly Leu Cys Gly
Ile Cys Asp Glu Asn Gly Ala Asn 2060 2065 2070Asp Phe Met Leu Arg
Asp Gly Thr Val Thr Thr Asp Trp Lys Thr 2075 2080 2085Leu Val Gln
Glu Trp Thr Val Gln Arg Pro Gly Gln Thr Cys Gln 2090 2095 2100Pro
Glu Gln Cys Leu Val Pro Asp Ser Ser His Cys Gln Val Leu 2105 2110
2115Leu Leu Pro Leu Phe Ala Glu Cys His Lys Val Leu Ala Pro Ala
2120 2125 2130Thr Phe Tyr Ala Ile Cys Gln Gln Asp Ser Cys His Gln
Glu Gln 2135 2140 2145Val Cys Glu Val Ile Ala Ser Tyr Ala His Leu
Cys Arg Thr Asn 2150 2155 2160Gly Val Cys Val Asp Trp Arg Thr Pro
Asp Phe Cys Ala Met Ser 2165 2170 2175Cys Pro Pro Ser Leu Val Tyr
Asn His Cys Glu His Gly Cys Pro 2180 2185 2190Arg His Cys Asp Gly
Asn Val Ser Ser Cys Gly Asp His Pro Ser 2195 2200 2205Glu Gly Cys
Phe Cys Pro Pro Asp Lys Val Met Leu Glu Gly Ser 2210 2215 2220Cys
Val Pro Glu Glu Ala Cys Thr Gln Cys Ile Gly Glu Asp Gly 2225 2230
2235Val Gln His Gln Phe Leu Glu Ala Trp Val Pro Asp His Gln Pro
2240 2245 2250Cys Gln Ile Cys Thr Cys Leu Ser Gly Arg Lys Val Asn
Cys Thr 2255 2260 2265Thr Gln Pro Cys Pro Thr Ala Lys Ala Pro Thr
Cys Gly Leu Cys 2270 2275 2280Glu Val Ala Arg Leu Arg Gln Asn Ala
Asp Gln Cys Cys Pro Glu 2285 2290 2295Tyr Glu Cys Val Cys Asp Pro
Val Ser Cys Asp Leu Pro Pro Val 2300 2305 2310Pro His Cys Glu Arg
Gly Leu Gln Pro Thr Leu Thr Asn Pro Gly 2315 2320 2325Glu Cys Arg
Pro Asn Phe Thr Cys Ala Cys Arg Lys Glu Glu Cys 2330 2335 2340Lys
Arg Val Ser Pro Pro Ser Cys Pro Pro His Arg Leu Pro Thr 2345 2350
2355Leu Arg Lys Thr Gln Cys Cys Asp Glu Tyr Glu Cys Ala Cys Asn
2360 2365 2370Cys Val Asn Ser Thr Val Ser Cys Pro Leu Gly Tyr Leu
Ala Ser 2375 2380 2385Thr Ala Thr Asn Asp Cys Gly Cys Thr Thr Thr
Thr Cys Leu Pro 2390 2395 2400Asp Lys Val Cys Val His Arg Ser Thr
Ile Tyr Pro Val Gly Gln 2405 2410 2415Phe Trp Glu Glu Gly Cys Asp
Val Cys Thr Cys Thr Asp Met Glu 2420 2425 2430Asp Ala Val Met Gly
Leu Arg Val Ala Gln Cys Ser Gln Lys Pro 2435 2440 2445Cys Glu Asp
Ser Cys Arg Ser Gly Phe Thr Tyr Val Leu His Glu 2450 2455 2460Gly
Glu Cys Cys Gly Arg Cys Leu Pro Ser Ala Cys Glu Val Val 2465 2470
2475Thr Gly Ser Pro Arg Gly Asp Ser Gln Ser Ser Trp Lys Ser Val
2480 2485 2490Gly Ser Gln Trp Glu Asn Pro Cys Leu Ile Asn Glu Cys
Val Arg 2495 2500 2505Val Lys Glu Glu Val Phe Ile Gln Gln Arg Asn
Val Ser Cys Pro 2510 2515 2520Gln Leu Glu Val Pro Val Cys Pro Ser
Gly Phe Gln Leu Ser Cys 2525 2530 2535Lys Thr Ser Ala Cys Cys Pro
Ser Cys Arg Cys Glu Arg Met Glu 2540 2545 2550Ala Cys Met Leu Asn
Gly Thr Val Ile Gly Pro Gly Lys Thr Val 2555 2560 2565Met Ile Asp
Val Cys Thr Thr Cys Arg Cys Met Val Gln Val Gly 2570 2575 2580Val
Ile Ser Gly Phe Lys Leu Glu Cys Arg Lys Thr Thr Cys Asn 2585 2590
2595Pro Cys Pro Leu Gly Tyr Lys Glu Glu Asn Asn Thr Gly Glu Cys
2600 2605 2610Cys Gly Arg Cys Leu Pro Thr Ala Cys Thr Ile Gln Leu
Arg Gly 2615 2620 2625Gly Gln Ile Met Thr Leu Lys Arg Asp Glu Thr
Leu Gln Asp Gly 2630 2635 2640Cys Asp Thr His Phe Cys Lys Val Asn
Glu Arg Gly Glu Tyr Phe 2645 2650 2655Trp Glu Lys Arg Val Thr Gly
Cys Pro Pro Phe Asp Glu His Lys 2660 2665 2670Cys Leu Ala Glu Gly
Gly Lys Ile Met Lys Ile Pro Gly Thr Cys 2675 2680 2685Cys Asp Thr
Cys Glu Glu Pro Glu Cys Asn Asp Ile Thr Ala Arg 2690 2695 2700Leu
Gln Tyr Val Lys Val Gly Ser Cys Lys Ser Glu Val Glu Val 2705 2710
2715Asp Ile His Tyr Cys Gln Gly Lys Cys Ala Ser Lys Ala Met Tyr
2720 2725 2730Ser Ile Asp Ile Asn Asp Val Gln Asp Gln Cys Ser Cys
Cys Ser 2735 2740 2745Pro Thr Arg Thr Glu Pro Met Gln His Cys Thr
Asn Gly Ser Val 2750 2755 2760Val Tyr His Glu Val Leu Asn Ala Met
Glu Cys Lys Cys Ser Pro 2765 2770 2775Arg Lys Cys Ser Lys
278032050PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic VWF amino acid sequences
3Ser Leu Ser Cys Arg Pro Pro Met Val Lys Leu Val Cys Pro Ala Asp1 5
10 15Asn Leu Arg Ala Glu Gly Leu Glu Cys Thr Lys Thr Cys Gln Asn
Tyr 20 25 30Asp Leu Glu Cys Met Ser Met Gly Cys Val Ser Gly Cys Leu
Cys Pro 35 40 45Pro Gly Met Val Arg His Glu Asn Arg Cys Val Ala Leu
Glu Arg Cys 50 55 60Pro Cys Phe His Gln Gly Lys Glu Tyr Ala Pro Gly
Glu Thr Val Lys65 70 75 80Ile Gly Cys Asn Thr Cys Val Cys Arg Asp
Arg Lys Trp Asn Cys Thr 85 90 95Asp His Val Cys Asp Ala Thr Cys Ser
Thr Ile Gly Met Ala His Tyr 100 105 110Leu Thr Phe Asp Gly Leu Lys
Tyr Leu Phe Pro Gly Glu Cys Gln Tyr 115 120 125Val Leu Val Gln Asp
Tyr Cys Gly Ser Asn Pro Gly Thr Phe Arg Ile 130 135 140Leu Val Gly
Asn Lys Gly Cys Ser His Pro Ser Val Lys Cys Lys Lys145 150 155
160Arg Val Thr Ile Leu Val Glu Gly Gly Glu Ile Glu Leu Phe Asp Gly
165 170 175Glu Val Asn Val Lys Arg Pro Met Lys Asp Glu Thr His Phe
Glu Val 180 185 190Val Glu Ser Gly Arg Tyr Ile Ile Leu Leu Leu Gly
Lys Ala Leu Ser 195 200 205Val Val Trp Asp Arg His Leu Ser Ile Ser
Val Val Leu Lys Gln Thr 210 215 220Tyr Gln Glu Lys Val Cys Gly Leu
Cys Gly Asn Phe Asp Gly Ile Gln225 230 235 240Asn Asn Asp Leu Thr
Ser Ser Asn Leu Gln Val Glu Glu Asp Pro Val 245 250 255Asp Phe Gly
Asn Ser Trp Lys Val Ser Ser Gln Cys Ala Asp Thr Arg 260 265 270Lys
Val Pro Leu Asp Ser Ser Pro Ala Thr Cys His Asn Asn Ile Met 275 280
285Lys Gln Thr Met Val Asp Ser Ser Cys Arg Ile Leu Thr Ser Asp Val
290 295 300Phe Gln Asp Cys Asn Lys Leu Val Asp Pro Glu Pro Tyr Leu
Asp Val305 310 315 320Cys Ile Tyr Asp Thr Cys Ser Cys Glu Ser Ile
Gly Asp Cys Ala Cys 325 330 335Phe Cys Asp Thr Ile Ala Ala Tyr Ala
His Val Cys Ala Gln His Gly 340 345 350Lys Val Val Thr Trp Arg Thr
Ala Thr Leu Cys Pro Gln Ser Cys Glu 355 360 365Glu Arg Asn Leu Arg
Glu Asn Gly Tyr Glu Cys Glu Trp Arg Tyr Asn 370 375 380Ser Cys Ala
Pro Ala Cys Gln Val Thr Cys Gln His Pro Glu Pro Leu385 390 395
400Ala Cys Pro Val Gln Cys Val Glu Gly Cys His Ala His Cys Pro Pro
405 410 415Gly Lys Ile Leu Asp Glu Leu Leu Gln Thr Cys Val Asp Pro
Glu Asp 420 425 430Cys Pro Val Cys Glu Val Ala Gly Arg Arg Phe Ala
Ser Gly Lys Lys 435 440 445Val Thr Leu Asn Pro Ser Asp Pro Glu His
Cys Gln Ile Cys His Cys 450 455 460Asp Val Val Asn Leu Thr Cys Glu
Ala Cys Gln Glu Pro Gly Gly Leu465 470 475 480Val Val Pro Pro Thr
Asp Ala Pro Val Ser Pro Thr Thr Leu Tyr Val 485 490 495Glu Asp Ile
Ser Glu Pro Pro Leu His Asp Phe Tyr Cys Ser Arg Leu 500 505 510Leu
Asp Leu Val Phe Leu Leu Asp Gly Ser Ser Arg Leu Ser Glu Ala 515 520
525Glu Phe Glu Val Leu Lys Ala Phe Val Val Asp Met Met Glu Arg Leu
530 535 540Arg Ile Ser Gln Lys Trp Val Arg Val Ala Val Val Glu Tyr
His Asp545 550 555 560Gly Ser His Ala Tyr Ile Gly Leu Lys Asp Arg
Lys Arg Pro Ser Glu 565 570 575Leu Arg Arg Ile Ala Ser Gln Val Lys
Tyr Ala Gly Ser Gln Val Ala 580 585 590Ser Thr Ser Glu Val Leu Lys
Tyr Thr Leu Phe Gln Ile Phe Ser Lys 595 600 605Ile Asp Arg Pro Glu
Ala Ser Arg Ile Thr Leu Leu Leu Met Ala Ser 610 615 620Gln Glu Pro
Gln Arg Met Ser Arg Asn Phe Val Arg Tyr Val Gln Gly625 630 635
640Leu Lys Lys Lys Lys Val Ile Val Ile Pro Val Gly Ile Gly Pro
His
645 650 655Ala Asn Leu Lys Gln Ile Arg Leu Ile Glu Lys Gln Ala Pro
Glu Asn 660 665 670Lys Ala Phe Val Leu Ser Ser Val Asp Glu Leu Glu
Gln Gln Arg Asp 675 680 685Glu Ile Val Ser Tyr Leu Cys Asp Leu Ala
Pro Glu Ala Pro Pro Pro 690 695 700Thr Leu Pro Pro Asp Met Ala Gln
Val Thr Val Gly Pro Gly Leu Leu705 710 715 720Gly Val Ser Thr Leu
Gly Pro Lys Arg Asn Ser Met Val Leu Asp Val 725 730 735Ala Phe Val
Leu Glu Gly Ser Asp Lys Ile Gly Glu Ala Asp Phe Asn 740 745 750Arg
Ser Lys Glu Phe Met Glu Glu Val Ile Gln Arg Met Asp Val Gly 755 760
765Gln Asp Ser Ile His Val Thr Val Leu Gln Tyr Ser Tyr Met Val Thr
770 775 780Val Glu Tyr Pro Phe Ser Glu Ala Gln Ser Lys Gly Asp Ile
Leu Gln785 790 795 800Arg Val Arg Glu Ile Arg Tyr Gln Gly Gly Asn
Arg Thr Asn Thr Gly 805 810 815Leu Ala Leu Arg Tyr Leu Ser Asp His
Ser Phe Leu Val Ser Gln Gly 820 825 830Asp Arg Glu Gln Ala Pro Asn
Leu Val Tyr Met Val Thr Gly Asn Pro 835 840 845Ala Ser Asp Glu Ile
Lys Arg Leu Pro Gly Asp Ile Gln Val Val Pro 850 855 860Ile Gly Val
Gly Pro Asn Ala Asn Val Gln Glu Leu Glu Arg Ile Gly865 870 875
880Trp Pro Asn Ala Pro Ile Leu Ile Gln Asp Phe Glu Thr Leu Pro Arg
885 890 895Glu Ala Pro Asp Leu Val Leu Gln Arg Cys Cys Ser Gly Glu
Gly Leu 900 905 910Gln Ile Pro Thr Leu Ser Pro Ala Pro Asp Cys Ser
Gln Pro Leu Asp 915 920 925Val Ile Leu Leu Leu Asp Gly Ser Ser Ser
Phe Pro Ala Ser Tyr Phe 930 935 940Asp Glu Met Lys Ser Phe Ala Lys
Ala Phe Ile Ser Lys Ala Asn Ile945 950 955 960Gly Pro Arg Leu Thr
Gln Val Ser Val Leu Gln Tyr Gly Ser Ile Thr 965 970 975Thr Ile Asp
Val Pro Trp Asn Val Val Pro Glu Lys Ala His Leu Leu 980 985 990Ser
Leu Val Asp Val Met Gln Arg Glu Gly Gly Pro Ser Gln Ile Gly 995
1000 1005Asp Ala Leu Gly Phe Ala Val Arg Tyr Leu Thr Ser Glu Met
His 1010 1015 1020Gly Ala Arg Pro Gly Ala Ser Lys Ala Val Val Ile
Leu Val Thr 1025 1030 1035Asp Val Ser Val Asp Ser Val Asp Ala Ala
Ala Asp Ala Ala Arg 1040 1045 1050Ser Asn Arg Val Thr Val Phe Pro
Ile Gly Ile Gly Asp Arg Tyr 1055 1060 1065Asp Ala Ala Gln Leu Arg
Ile Leu Ala Gly Pro Ala Gly Asp Ser 1070 1075 1080Asn Val Val Lys
Leu Gln Arg Ile Glu Asp Leu Pro Thr Met Val 1085 1090 1095Thr Leu
Gly Asn Ser Phe Leu His Lys Leu Cys Ser Gly Phe Val 1100 1105
1110Arg Ile Cys Met Asp Glu Asp Gly Asn Glu Lys Arg Pro Gly Asp
1115 1120 1125Val Trp Thr Leu Pro Asp Gln Cys His Thr Val Thr Cys
Gln Pro 1130 1135 1140Asp Gly Gln Thr Leu Leu Lys Ser His Arg Val
Asn Cys Asp Arg 1145 1150 1155Gly Leu Arg Pro Ser Cys Pro Asn Ser
Gln Ser Pro Val Lys Val 1160 1165 1170Glu Glu Thr Cys Gly Cys Arg
Trp Thr Cys Pro Cys Val Cys Thr 1175 1180 1185Gly Ser Ser Thr Arg
His Ile Val Thr Phe Asp Gly Gln Asn Phe 1190 1195 1200Lys Leu Thr
Gly Ser Cys Ser Tyr Val Leu Phe Gln Asn Lys Glu 1205 1210 1215Gln
Asp Leu Glu Val Ile Leu His Asn Gly Ala Cys Ser Pro Gly 1220 1225
1230Ala Arg Gln Gly Cys Met Lys Ser Ile Glu Val Lys His Ser Ala
1235 1240 1245Leu Ser Val Glu Leu His Ser Asp Met Glu Val Thr Val
Asn Gly 1250 1255 1260Arg Leu Val Ser Val Pro Tyr Val Gly Gly Asn
Met Glu Val Asn 1265 1270 1275Val Tyr Gly Ala Ile Met His Glu Val
Arg Phe Asn His Leu Gly 1280 1285 1290His Ile Phe Thr Phe Thr Pro
Gln Asn Asn Glu Phe Gln Leu Gln 1295 1300 1305Leu Ser Pro Lys Thr
Phe Ala Ser Lys Thr Tyr Gly Leu Cys Gly 1310 1315 1320Ile Cys Asp
Glu Asn Gly Ala Asn Asp Phe Met Leu Arg Asp Gly 1325 1330 1335Thr
Val Thr Thr Asp Trp Lys Thr Leu Val Gln Glu Trp Thr Val 1340 1345
1350Gln Arg Pro Gly Gln Thr Cys Gln Pro Ile Leu Glu Glu Gln Cys
1355 1360 1365Leu Val Pro Asp Ser Ser His Cys Gln Val Leu Leu Leu
Pro Leu 1370 1375 1380Phe Ala Glu Cys His Lys Val Leu Ala Pro Ala
Thr Phe Tyr Ala 1385 1390 1395Ile Cys Gln Gln Asp Ser Cys His Gln
Glu Gln Val Cys Glu Val 1400 1405 1410Ile Ala Ser Tyr Ala His Leu
Cys Arg Thr Asn Gly Val Cys Val 1415 1420 1425Asp Trp Arg Thr Pro
Asp Phe Cys Ala Met Ser Cys Pro Pro Ser 1430 1435 1440Leu Val Tyr
Asn His Cys Glu His Gly Cys Pro Arg His Cys Asp 1445 1450 1455Gly
Asn Val Ser Ser Cys Gly Asp His Pro Ser Glu Gly Cys Phe 1460 1465
1470Cys Pro Pro Asp Lys Val Met Leu Glu Gly Ser Cys Val Pro Glu
1475 1480 1485Glu Ala Cys Thr Gln Cys Ile Gly Glu Asp Gly Val Gln
His Gln 1490 1495 1500Phe Leu Glu Ala Trp Val Pro Asp His Gln Pro
Cys Gln Ile Cys 1505 1510 1515Thr Cys Leu Ser Gly Arg Lys Val Asn
Cys Thr Thr Gln Pro Cys 1520 1525 1530Pro Thr Ala Lys Ala Pro Thr
Cys Gly Leu Cys Glu Val Ala Arg 1535 1540 1545Leu Arg Gln Asn Ala
Asp Gln Cys Cys Pro Glu Tyr Glu Cys Val 1550 1555 1560Cys Asp Pro
Val Ser Cys Asp Leu Pro Pro Val Pro His Cys Glu 1565 1570 1575Arg
Gly Leu Gln Pro Thr Leu Thr Asn Pro Gly Glu Cys Arg Pro 1580 1585
1590Asn Phe Thr Cys Ala Cys Arg Lys Glu Glu Cys Lys Arg Val Ser
1595 1600 1605Pro Pro Ser Cys Pro Pro His Arg Leu Pro Thr Leu Arg
Lys Thr 1610 1615 1620Gln Cys Cys Asp Glu Tyr Glu Cys Ala Cys Asn
Cys Val Asn Ser 1625 1630 1635Thr Val Ser Cys Pro Leu Gly Tyr Leu
Ala Ser Thr Ala Thr Asn 1640 1645 1650Asp Cys Gly Cys Thr Thr Thr
Thr Cys Leu Pro Asp Lys Val Cys 1655 1660 1665Val His Arg Ser Thr
Ile Tyr Pro Val Gly Gln Phe Trp Glu Glu 1670 1675 1680Gly Cys Asp
Val Cys Thr Cys Thr Asp Met Glu Asp Ala Val Met 1685 1690 1695Gly
Leu Arg Val Ala Gln Cys Ser Gln Lys Pro Cys Glu Asp Ser 1700 1705
1710Cys Arg Ser Gly Phe Thr Tyr Val Leu His Glu Gly Glu Cys Cys
1715 1720 1725Gly Arg Cys Leu Pro Ser Ala Cys Glu Val Val Thr Gly
Ser Pro 1730 1735 1740Arg Gly Asp Ser Gln Ser Ser Trp Lys Ser Val
Gly Ser Gln Trp 1745 1750 1755Ala Ser Pro Glu Asn Pro Cys Leu Ile
Asn Glu Cys Val Arg Val 1760 1765 1770Lys Glu Glu Val Phe Ile Gln
Gln Arg Asn Val Ser Cys Pro Gln 1775 1780 1785Leu Glu Val Pro Val
Cys Pro Ser Gly Phe Gln Leu Ser Cys Lys 1790 1795 1800Thr Ser Ala
Cys Cys Pro Ser Cys Arg Cys Glu Arg Met Glu Ala 1805 1810 1815Cys
Met Leu Asn Gly Thr Val Ile Gly Pro Gly Lys Thr Val Met 1820 1825
1830Ile Asp Val Cys Thr Thr Cys Arg Cys Met Val Gln Val Gly Val
1835 1840 1845Ile Ser Gly Phe Lys Leu Glu Cys Arg Lys Thr Thr Cys
Asn Pro 1850 1855 1860Cys Pro Leu Gly Tyr Lys Glu Glu Asn Asn Thr
Gly Glu Cys Cys 1865 1870 1875Gly Arg Cys Leu Pro Thr Ala Cys Thr
Ile Gln Leu Arg Gly Gly 1880 1885 1890Gln Ile Met Thr Leu Lys Arg
Asp Glu Thr Leu Gln Asp Gly Cys 1895 1900 1905Asp Thr His Phe Cys
Lys Val Asn Glu Arg Gly Glu Tyr Phe Trp 1910 1915 1920Glu Lys Arg
Val Thr Gly Cys Pro Pro Phe Asp Glu His Lys Cys 1925 1930 1935Leu
Ala Glu Gly Gly Lys Ile Met Lys Ile Pro Gly Thr Cys Cys 1940 1945
1950Asp Thr Cys Glu Glu Pro Glu Cys Asn Asp Ile Thr Ala Arg Leu
1955 1960 1965Gln Tyr Val Lys Val Gly Ser Cys Lys Ser Glu Val Glu
Val Asp 1970 1975 1980Ile His Tyr Cys Gln Gly Lys Cys Ala Ser Lys
Ala Met Tyr Ser 1985 1990 1995Ile Asp Ile Asn Asp Val Gln Asp Gln
Cys Ser Cys Cys Ser Pro 2000 2005 2010Thr Arg Thr Glu Pro Met Gln
Val Ala Leu His Cys Thr Asn Gly 2015 2020 2025Ser Val Val Tyr His
Glu Val Leu Asn Ala Met Glu Cys Lys Cys 2030 2035 2040Ser Pro Arg
Lys Cys Ser Lys 2045 205043012PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic VWF -
FVIII fusion proteins 4Ser Leu Ser Cys Arg Pro Pro Met Val Lys Leu
Val Cys Pro Ala Asp1 5 10 15Asn Leu Arg Ala Glu Gly Leu Glu Cys Thr
Lys Thr Cys Gln Asn Tyr 20 25 30Asp Leu Glu Cys Met Ser Met Gly Cys
Val Ser Gly Cys Leu Cys Pro 35 40 45Pro Gly Met Val Arg His Glu Asn
Arg Cys Val Ala Leu Glu Arg Cys 50 55 60Pro Cys Phe His Gln Gly Lys
Glu Tyr Ala Pro Gly Glu Thr Val Lys65 70 75 80Ile Gly Cys Asn Thr
Cys Val Cys Gln Asp Arg Lys Trp Asn Cys Thr 85 90 95Asp His Val Cys
Asp Ala Thr Cys Ser Thr Ile Gly Met Ala His Tyr 100 105 110Leu Thr
Phe Asp Gly Leu Lys Tyr Leu Phe Pro Gly Glu Cys Gln Tyr 115 120
125Val Leu Val Gln Asp Tyr Cys Gly Ser Asn Pro Gly Thr Phe Arg Ile
130 135 140Leu Val Gly Asn Lys Gly Cys Ser His Pro Ser Val Lys Cys
Lys Lys145 150 155 160Arg Val Thr Ile Leu Val Glu Gly Gly Glu Ile
Glu Leu Phe Asp Gly 165 170 175Glu Val Asn Val Lys Arg Pro Met Lys
Asp Glu Thr His Phe Glu Val 180 185 190Val Glu Ser Gly Arg Tyr Ile
Ile Leu Leu Leu Gly Lys Ala Leu Ser 195 200 205Val Val Trp Asp Arg
His Leu Ser Ile Ser Val Val Leu Lys Gln Thr 210 215 220Tyr Gln Glu
Lys Val Cys Gly Leu Cys Gly Asn Phe Asp Gly Ile Gln225 230 235
240Asn Asn Asp Leu Thr Ser Ser Asn Leu Gln Val Glu Glu Asp Pro Val
245 250 255Asp Phe Gly Asn Ser Trp Lys Val Ser Ser Gln Cys Ala Asp
Thr Arg 260 265 270Lys Val Pro Leu Asp Ser Ser Pro Ala Thr Cys His
Asn Asn Ile Met 275 280 285Lys Gln Thr Met Val Asp Ser Ser Cys Arg
Ile Leu Thr Ser Asp Val 290 295 300Phe Gln Asp Cys Asn Lys Leu Val
Asp Pro Glu Pro Tyr Leu Asp Val305 310 315 320Cys Ile Tyr Asp Thr
Cys Ser Cys Glu Ser Ile Gly Asp Cys Ala Cys 325 330 335Phe Cys Asp
Thr Ile Ala Ala Tyr Ala His Val Cys Ala Gln His Gly 340 345 350Lys
Val Val Thr Trp Arg Thr Ala Thr Leu Cys Pro Gln Ser Cys Glu 355 360
365Glu Arg Asn Leu Arg Glu Asn Gly Tyr Glu Cys Glu Trp Arg Tyr Asn
370 375 380Ser Cys Ala Pro Ala Cys Gln Val Thr Cys Gln His Pro Glu
Pro Leu385 390 395 400Ala Cys Pro Val Gln Cys Val Glu Gly Cys His
Ala His Cys Pro Pro 405 410 415Gly Lys Ile Leu Asp Glu Leu Leu Gln
Thr Cys Val Asp Pro Glu Asp 420 425 430Cys Pro Val Cys Glu Val Ala
Gly Arg Arg Phe Ala Ser Gly Lys Lys 435 440 445Val Thr Leu Asn Pro
Ser Asp Pro Glu His Cys Gln Ile Cys His Cys 450 455 460Asp Val Val
Asn Leu Thr Cys Glu Ala Cys Gln Glu Pro Gly Gly Leu465 470 475
480Val Val Pro Pro Thr Asp Ala Pro Val Ser Pro Thr Thr Leu Tyr Val
485 490 495Glu Asp Ile Ser Glu Pro Pro Leu His Asp Phe Tyr Cys Ser
Arg Leu 500 505 510Leu Asp Leu Val Phe Leu Leu Asp Gly Ser Ser Arg
Leu Ser Glu Ala 515 520 525Glu Phe Glu Val Leu Lys Ala Phe Val Val
Asp Met Met Glu Arg Leu 530 535 540Arg Ile Ser Gln Lys Trp Val Arg
Val Ala Val Val Glu Tyr His Asp545 550 555 560Gly Ser His Ala Tyr
Ile Gly Leu Lys Asp Arg Lys Arg Tyr Tyr Leu 565 570 575Gly Ala Val
Glu Leu Ser Trp Asp Tyr Met Gln Ser Asp Leu Gly Glu 580 585 590Leu
Pro Val Asp Ala Arg Phe Pro Pro Arg Val Pro Lys Ser Phe Pro 595 600
605Phe Asn Thr Ser Val Val Tyr Lys Lys Thr Leu Phe Val Glu Phe Thr
610 615 620Asp His Leu Phe Asn Ile Ala Lys Pro Arg Pro Pro Trp Met
Gly Leu625 630 635 640Leu Gly Pro Thr Ile Gln Ala Glu Val Tyr Asp
Thr Val Val Ile Thr 645 650 655Leu Lys Asn Met Ala Ser His Pro Val
Ser Leu His Ala Val Gly Val 660 665 670Ser Tyr Trp Lys Ala Ser Glu
Gly Ala Glu Tyr Asp Asp Gln Thr Ser 675 680 685Gln Arg Glu Lys Glu
Asp Asp Lys Val Phe Pro Gly Gly Ser His Thr 690 695 700Tyr Val Trp
Gln Val Leu Lys Glu Asn Gly Pro Met Ala Ser Asp Pro705 710 715
720Leu Cys Leu Thr Tyr Ser Tyr Leu Ser His Val Asp Leu Val Lys Asp
725 730 735Leu Asn Ser Gly Leu Ile Gly Ala Leu Leu Val Cys Arg Glu
Gly Ser 740 745 750Leu Ala Lys Glu Lys Thr Gln Thr His Lys Phe Ile
Leu Leu Phe Ala 755 760 765Val Phe Asp Glu Gly Lys Ser Trp His Ser
Glu Thr Lys Asn Ser Leu 770 775 780Met Gln Asp Arg Asp Ala Ala Ser
Ala Arg Ala Trp Pro Lys Met His785 790 795 800Thr Val Asn Gly Tyr
Val Asn Arg Ser Leu Pro Gly Leu Ile Gly Cys 805 810 815His Arg Lys
Ser Val Tyr Trp His Val Ile Gly Met Gly Thr Thr Pro 820 825 830Glu
Val His Ser Ile Phe Leu Glu Gly His Thr Phe Leu Val Arg Asn 835 840
845His Arg Gln Ala Ser Leu Glu Ile Ser Pro Ile Thr Phe Leu Thr Ala
850 855 860Gln Thr Leu Leu Met Asp Leu Gly Gln Phe Leu Leu Phe Cys
His Ile865 870 875 880Ser Ser His Gln His Asp Gly Met Glu Ala Tyr
Val Lys Val Asp Ser 885 890 895Cys Pro Glu Glu Pro Gln Leu Arg Met
Lys Asn Asn Glu Glu Ala Glu 900 905 910Asp Tyr Asp Asp Asp Leu Thr
Asp Ser Glu Met Asp Val Val Arg Phe 915 920 925Asp Asp Asp Asn Ser
Pro Ser Phe Ile Gln Ile Arg Ser Val Ala Lys 930 935 940Lys His Pro
Lys Thr Trp Val His Tyr Ile Ala Ala Glu Glu Glu Asp945 950 955
960Trp Asp Tyr Ala Pro Leu Val Leu Ala Pro Asp Asp Arg Ser Tyr Lys
965 970 975Ser Gln Tyr Leu Asn Asn Gly Pro Gln Arg Ile Gly Arg Lys
Tyr Lys 980 985 990Lys Val Arg Phe Met Ala Tyr Thr Asp Glu Thr Phe
Lys Thr Arg Glu 995 1000 1005Ala Ile Gln His Glu Ser Gly Ile Leu
Gly Pro Leu Leu Tyr Gly 1010 1015 1020Glu Val Gly Asp Thr Leu Leu
Ile Ile Phe Lys Asn Gln Ala Ser 1025 1030 1035Arg Pro Tyr Asn Ile
Tyr Pro His Gly Ile Thr Asp Val Arg
Pro 1040 1045 1050Leu Tyr Ser Arg Arg Leu Pro Lys Gly Val Lys His
Leu Lys Asp 1055 1060 1065Phe Pro Ile Leu Pro Gly Glu Ile Phe Lys
Tyr Lys Trp Thr Val 1070 1075 1080Thr Val Glu Asp Gly Pro Thr Lys
Ser Asp Pro Arg Cys Leu Thr 1085 1090 1095Arg Tyr Tyr Ser Ser Phe
Val Asn Met Glu Arg Asp Leu Ala Ser 1100 1105 1110Gly Leu Ile Gly
Pro Leu Leu Ile Cys Tyr Lys Glu Ser Val Asp 1115 1120 1125Gln Arg
Gly Asn Gln Ile Met Ser Asp Lys Arg Asn Val Ile Leu 1130 1135
1140Phe Ser Val Phe Asp Glu Asn Arg Ser Trp Tyr Leu Thr Glu Asn
1145 1150 1155Ile Gln Arg Phe Leu Pro Asn Pro Ala Gly Val Gln Leu
Glu Asp 1160 1165 1170Pro Glu Phe Gln Ala Ser Asn Ile Met His Ser
Ile Asn Gly Tyr 1175 1180 1185Val Phe Asp Ser Leu Gln Leu Ser Val
Cys Leu His Glu Val Ala 1190 1195 1200Tyr Trp Tyr Ile Leu Ser Ile
Gly Ala Gln Thr Asp Phe Leu Ser 1205 1210 1215Val Phe Phe Ser Gly
Tyr Thr Phe Lys His Lys Met Val Tyr Glu 1220 1225 1230Asp Thr Leu
Thr Leu Phe Pro Phe Ser Gly Glu Thr Val Phe Met 1235 1240 1245Ser
Met Glu Asn Pro Gly Leu Trp Ile Leu Gly Cys His Asn Ser 1250 1255
1260Asp Phe Arg Asn Arg Gly Met Thr Ala Leu Leu Lys Val Ser Ser
1265 1270 1275Cys Asp Lys Asn Thr Gly Asp Tyr Tyr Glu Asp Ser Tyr
Glu Asp 1280 1285 1290Ile Ser Ala Tyr Leu Leu Val Trp Phe Val Trp
Phe Val Trp Phe 1295 1300 1305Ser Lys Asn Asn Ala Ile Glu Pro Arg
Ser Arg His Cys Asp Gly 1310 1315 1320Asn Val Ser Ser Cys Gly Asp
His Pro Ser Glu Gly Cys Phe Cys 1325 1330 1335Pro Pro Asp Lys Val
Met Leu Glu Gly Ser Cys Val Pro Val Trp 1340 1345 1350Phe Val Trp
Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Glu Glu 1355 1360 1365Ala
Cys Thr Gln Cys Ile Gly Glu Asp Gly Val Gln His Gln Phe 1370 1375
1380Leu Glu Ala Trp Val Pro Asp His Gln Pro Cys Gln Ile Cys Thr
1385 1390 1395Cys Leu Ser Gly Arg Lys Val Asn Cys Thr Thr Gln Pro
Cys Pro 1400 1405 1410Thr Ala Lys Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp
Phe Val Trp Phe 1415 1420 1425Val Trp Phe Ala Pro Thr Cys Gly Leu
Cys Glu Val Ala Arg Leu 1430 1435 1440Arg Gln Asn Ala Asp Gln Cys
Cys Pro Glu Tyr Glu Cys Val Cys 1445 1450 1455Asp Pro Val Ser Cys
Asp Leu Pro Pro Val Pro His Cys Glu Arg 1460 1465 1470Gly Leu Gln
Pro Thr Leu Thr Asn Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Val 1475 1480 1485Trp
Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Pro Gly Glu Cys Arg Pro Asn 1490 1495
1500Phe Thr Cys Ala Cys Arg Lys Glu Glu Cys Lys Arg Val Ser Pro
1505 1510 1515Pro Ser Cys Pro Pro His Arg Leu Pro Thr Leu Arg Lys
Thr Gln 1520 1525 1530Cys Cys Asp Glu Tyr Glu Cys Ala Cys Asn Cys
Val Asn Val Trp 1535 1540 1545Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp
Phe Val Trp Phe Ser Thr 1550 1555 1560Val Ser Cys Pro Leu Gly Tyr
Leu Ala Ser Thr Ala Thr Asn Asp 1565 1570 1575Cys Gly Cys Thr Thr
Thr Thr Cys Leu Pro Asp Lys Val Cys Val 1580 1585 1590His Arg Ser
Thr Ile Tyr Pro Val Gly Gln Phe Trp Glu Glu Gly 1595 1600 1605Cys
Asp Val Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe 1610 1615
1620Val Trp Phe Cys Thr Cys Thr Asp Met Glu Asp Ala Val Met Gly
1625 1630 1635Leu Arg Val Ala Gln Cys Ser Gln Lys Pro Cys Glu Asp
Ser Cys 1640 1645 1650Arg Ser Gly Phe Thr Tyr Val Leu His Glu Gly
Glu Cys Cys Gly 1655 1660 1665Arg Cys Leu Pro Ser Ala Cys Glu Val
Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Val 1670 1675 1680Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp
Phe Val Val Thr Gly Ser Pro Arg 1685 1690 1695Gly Asp Ser Gln Ser
Ser Trp Lys Ser Val Gly Ser Gln Trp Ala 1700 1705 1710Ser Pro Glu
Asn Pro Cys Leu Ile Asn Glu Cys Val Arg Val Lys 1715 1720 1725Glu
Glu Val Phe Ile Gln Gln Arg Asn Val Ser Cys Pro Val Trp 1730 1735
1740Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Val Trp Phe Gln Leu
1745 1750 1755Glu Val Pro Val Cys Pro Ser Gly Phe Gln Leu Ser Cys
Lys Thr 1760 1765 1770Ser Ala Cys Cys Pro Ser Cys Arg Cys Glu Arg
Met Glu Ala Cys 1775 1780 1785Met Leu Asn Gly Thr Val Ile Gly Pro
Gly Lys Ala Leu Lys Gln 1790 1795 1800Phe Arg Leu Pro Leu Glu Glu
Thr Glu Leu Glu Lys Arg Ile Ile 1805 1810 1815Val Asp Asp Thr Ser
Thr Gln Trp Ser Lys Asn Met Lys His Leu 1820 1825 1830Thr Pro Ser
Thr Leu Thr Gln Ile Asp Tyr Asn Glu Lys Glu Lys 1835 1840 1845Gly
Ala Ile Thr Gln Ser Pro Leu Ser Asp Cys Leu Thr Arg Ser 1850 1855
1860His Ser Ile Pro Gln Ala Asn Arg Ser Pro Leu Pro Ile Ala Lys
1865 1870 1875Val Ser Ser Phe Pro Ser Ile Arg Pro Ile Tyr Leu Thr
Arg Val 1880 1885 1890Leu Phe Gln Asp Asn Ser Ser His Leu Pro Ala
Ala Ser Tyr Arg 1895 1900 1905Lys Lys Asp Ser Gly Val Gln Glu Ser
Ser His Phe Leu Gln Gly 1910 1915 1920Ala Lys Lys Asn Asn Leu Ser
Leu Ala Ile Leu Thr Leu Glu Met 1925 1930 1935Thr Gly Asp Gln Arg
Glu Val Gly Ser Leu Gly Thr Ser Ala Thr 1940 1945 1950Asn Ser Val
Thr Tyr Lys Lys Val Glu Asn Thr Val Leu Pro Lys 1955 1960 1965Pro
Asp Leu Pro Lys Thr Ser Gly Lys Val Glu Leu Leu Pro Lys 1970 1975
1980Val His Ile Tyr Gln Lys Asp Leu Phe Pro Thr Glu Thr Ser Asn
1985 1990 1995Gly Ser Pro Gly His Leu Asp Leu Val Glu Gly Ser Leu
Leu Gln 2000 2005 2010Gly Thr Glu Gly Ala Ile Lys Trp Asn Glu Ala
Asn Arg Pro Gly 2015 2020 2025Lys Val Pro Phe Leu Arg Val Ala Thr
Glu Ser Ser Ala Lys Thr 2030 2035 2040Pro Ser Lys Leu Leu Asp Pro
Leu Ala Trp Asp Asn His Tyr Gly 2045 2050 2055Thr Gln Ile Pro Lys
Glu Glu Trp Lys Ser Gln Glu Lys Ser Pro 2060 2065 2070Glu Lys Thr
Ala Phe Lys Lys Lys Asp Thr Ile Leu Ser Leu Asn 2075 2080 2085Ala
Cys Glu Ser Asn His Ala Ile Ala Ala Ile Asn Glu Gly Gln 2090 2095
2100Asn Lys Pro Glu Ile Glu Val Thr Trp Ala Lys Gln Gly Arg Thr
2105 2110 2115Glu Arg Leu Cys Ser Gln Asn Pro Pro Val Leu Lys Arg
His Gln 2120 2125 2130Arg Glu Ile Thr Arg Thr Thr Leu Gln Ser Asp
Gln Glu Glu Ile 2135 2140 2145Asp Tyr Asp Asp Thr Ile Ser Val Glu
Met Lys Lys Glu Asp Phe 2150 2155 2160Asp Ile Tyr Asp Glu Asp Glu
Asn Gln Ser Pro Arg Ser Phe Gln 2165 2170 2175Lys Lys Thr Arg His
Tyr Phe Ile Ala Ala Val Glu Arg Leu Trp 2180 2185 2190Asp Tyr Gly
Met Ser Ser Ser Pro His Val Leu Arg Asn Arg Ala 2195 2200 2205Gln
Ser Gly Ser Val Pro Gln Phe Lys Lys Val Val Phe Gln Glu 2210 2215
2220Phe Thr Asp Gly Ser Phe Thr Gln Pro Leu Tyr Arg Gly Glu Leu
2225 2230 2235Asn Glu His Leu Gly Leu Leu Gly Pro Tyr Ile Arg Ala
Glu Val 2240 2245 2250Glu Asp Asn Ile Met Val Thr Phe Arg Asn Gln
Ala Ser Arg Pro 2255 2260 2265Tyr Ser Phe Tyr Ser Ser Leu Ile Ser
Tyr Glu Glu Asp Gln Arg 2270 2275 2280Gln Gly Ala Glu Pro Arg Lys
Asn Phe Val Lys Pro Asn Glu Thr 2285 2290 2295Lys Thr Tyr Phe Trp
Lys Val Gln His His Met Ala Pro Thr Lys 2300 2305 2310Asp Glu Phe
Asp Cys Lys Ala Trp Ala Tyr Phe Ser Asp Val Asp 2315 2320 2325Leu
Glu Lys Asp Val His Ser Gly Leu Ile Gly Pro Leu Leu Val 2330 2335
2340Cys His Thr Asn Thr Leu Asn Pro Ala His Gly Arg Gln Val Thr
2345 2350 2355Val Gln Glu Phe Ala Leu Phe Phe Thr Ile Phe Asp Glu
Thr Lys 2360 2365 2370Ser Trp Tyr Phe Thr Glu Asn Met Glu Arg Asn
Cys Arg Ala Pro 2375 2380 2385Cys Asn Ile Gln Met Glu Asp Pro Thr
Phe Lys Glu Asn Tyr Arg 2390 2395 2400Phe His Ala Ile Asn Gly Tyr
Ile Met Asp Thr Leu Pro Gly Leu 2405 2410 2415Val Met Ala Gln Asp
Gln Arg Ile Arg Trp Tyr Leu Leu Ser Met 2420 2425 2430Gly Ser Asn
Glu Asn Ile His Ser Ile His Phe Ser Gly His Val 2435 2440 2445Phe
Thr Val Arg Lys Lys Glu Glu Tyr Lys Met Ala Leu Tyr Asn 2450 2455
2460Leu Tyr Pro Gly Val Phe Glu Thr Val Glu Met Leu Pro Ser Lys
2465 2470 2475Ala Gly Ile Trp Arg Val Glu Cys Leu Ile Gly Glu His
Leu His 2480 2485 2490Ala Gly Met Ser Thr Leu Phe Leu Val Tyr Ser
Asn Lys Cys Gln 2495 2500 2505Thr Pro Leu Gly Met Ala Ser Gly His
Ile Arg Asp Phe Gln Ile 2510 2515 2520Thr Ala Ser Gly Gln Tyr Gly
Gln Trp Ala Pro Lys Leu Ala Arg 2525 2530 2535Leu His Tyr Ser Gly
Ser Ile Asn Ala Trp Ser Thr Lys Glu Pro 2540 2545 2550Phe Ser Trp
Ile Lys Val Asp Leu Leu Ala Pro Met Ile Ile His 2555 2560 2565Gly
Ile Lys Thr Gln Gly Ala Arg Gln Lys Phe Ser Ser Leu Tyr 2570 2575
2580Ile Ser Gln Phe Ile Ile Met Tyr Ser Leu Asp Gly Lys Lys Trp
2585 2590 2595Gln Thr Tyr Arg Gly Asn Ser Thr Gly Thr Leu Met Val
Phe Phe 2600 2605 2610Gly Asn Val Asp Ser Ser Gly Ile Lys His Asn
Ile Phe Asn Pro 2615 2620 2625Pro Ile Ile Ala Arg Tyr Ile Arg Leu
His Pro Thr His Tyr Ser 2630 2635 2640Ile Arg Ser Thr Leu Arg Met
Glu Leu Met Gly Cys Asp Leu Asn 2645 2650 2655Ser Cys Ser Met Pro
Leu Gly Met Glu Ser Lys Ala Ile Ser Asp 2660 2665 2670Ala Gln Ile
Thr Ala Ser Ser Tyr Phe Thr Asn Met Phe Ala Thr 2675 2680 2685Trp
Ser Pro Ser Lys Ala Arg Leu His Leu Gln Gly Arg Ser Asn 2690 2695
2700Ala Trp Arg Pro Gln Val Asn Asn Pro Lys Glu Trp Leu Gln Val
2705 2710 2715Asp Phe Gln Lys Thr Met Lys Val Thr Gly Val Thr Thr
Gln Gly 2720 2725 2730Val Lys Ser Leu Leu Thr Ser Met Tyr Val Lys
Glu Phe Leu Ile 2735 2740 2745Ser Ser Ser Gln Asp Gly His Gln Trp
Thr Leu Phe Phe Gln Asn 2750 2755 2760Gly Lys Val Lys Val Phe Gln
Gly Asn Gln Asp Ser Phe Thr Pro 2765 2770 2775Val Val Asn Ser Leu
Asp Pro Pro Leu Leu Thr Arg Tyr Leu Arg 2780 2785 2790Ile His Pro
Gln Ser Trp Val His Gln Ile Ala Leu Arg Met Glu 2795 2800 2805Val
Leu Gly Cys Glu Ala Gln Asp Leu Tyr Arg Lys Thr Thr Cys 2810 2815
2820Asn Pro Cys Pro Leu Gly Tyr Lys Glu Glu Asn Asn Thr Gly Glu
2825 2830 2835Cys Cys Gly Arg Cys Leu Pro Thr Ala Cys Thr Ile Gln
Leu Arg 2840 2845 2850Gly Gly Gln Ile Met Thr Leu Lys Arg Asp Glu
Thr Leu Gln Asp 2855 2860 2865Gly Cys Asp Thr His Phe Cys Lys Val
Asn Glu Arg Gly Glu Tyr 2870 2875 2880Phe Trp Glu Lys Arg Val Thr
Gly Cys Pro Pro Phe Asp Glu His 2885 2890 2895Lys Cys Leu Ala Glu
Gly Gly Lys Ile Met Lys Ile Pro Gly Thr 2900 2905 2910Cys Cys Asp
Thr Cys Glu Glu Pro Glu Cys Asn Asp Ile Thr Ala 2915 2920 2925Arg
Leu Gln Tyr Val Lys Val Gly Ser Cys Lys Ser Glu Val Glu 2930 2935
2940Val Asp Ile His Tyr Cys Gln Gly Lys Cys Ala Ser Lys Ala Met
2945 2950 2955Tyr Ser Ile Asp Ile Asn Asp Val Gln Asp Gln Cys Ser
Cys Cys 2960 2965 2970Ser Pro Thr Arg Thr Glu Pro Met Gln Val Ala
Leu His Cys Thr 2975 2980 2985Asn Gly Ser Val Val Tyr His Glu Val
Leu Asn Ala Met Glu Cys 2990 2995 3000Lys Cys Ser Pro Arg Lys Cys
Ser Lys 3005 301052154PRTArtificial SequenceSynthetic VWF-FVIII
fusion proteins 5Met Gln Ile Glu Leu Ser Thr Cys Phe Phe Leu Cys
Leu Leu Arg Phe1 5 10 15Cys Phe Ser Ala Thr Arg Arg Tyr Tyr Leu Gly
Ala Val Glu Leu Ser 20 25 30Trp Asp Tyr Met Gln Ser Asp Leu Gly Glu
Leu Pro Val Asp Ala Arg 35 40 45Phe Pro Pro Arg Val Pro Lys Ser Phe
Pro Phe Asn Thr Ser Val Val 50 55 60Tyr Lys Lys Thr Leu Phe Val Glu
Phe Thr Asp His Leu Phe Asn Ile65 70 75 80Ala Lys Pro Arg Pro Pro
Trp Met Gly Leu Leu Gly Pro Thr Ile Gln 85 90 95Ala Glu Val Tyr Asp
Thr Val Val Ile Thr Leu Lys Asn Met Ala Ser 100 105 110His Pro Val
Ser Leu His Ala Val Gly Val Ser Tyr Trp Lys Ala Ser 115 120 125Glu
Gly Ala Glu Tyr Asp Asp Gln Thr Ser Gln Arg Glu Lys Glu Asp 130 135
140Asp Lys Val Phe Pro Gly Gly Ser His Thr Tyr Val Trp Gln Val
Leu145 150 155 160Lys Glu Asn Gly Pro Met Ala Ser Asp Pro Leu Cys
Leu Thr Tyr Ser 165 170 175Tyr Leu Ser His Val Asp Leu Val Lys Asp
Leu Asn Ser Gly Leu Ile 180 185 190Gly Ala Leu Leu Val Cys Arg Glu
Gly Ser Leu Ala Lys Glu Lys Thr 195 200 205Gln Thr His Lys Phe Ile
Leu Leu Phe Ala Val Phe Asp Glu Gly Lys 210 215 220Ser Trp His Ser
Glu Thr Lys Asn Ser Leu Met Gln Asp Arg Asp Ala225 230 235 240Ala
Ser Ala Arg Ala Trp Pro Lys Met His Thr Val Asn Gly Tyr Val 245 250
255Asn Arg Ser Leu Pro Gly Leu Ile Gly Cys His Arg Lys Ser Val Tyr
260 265 270Trp His Val Ile Gly Met Gly Thr Thr Pro Glu Val His Ser
Ile Phe 275 280 285Leu Glu Gly His Thr Phe Leu Val Arg Asn His Arg
Gln Ala Ser Leu 290 295 300Glu Ile Ser Pro Ile Thr Phe Leu Thr Ala
Gln Thr Leu Leu Met Asp305 310 315 320Leu Gly Gln Phe Leu Leu Phe
Cys His Ile Ser Ser His Gln His Asp 325 330 335Gly Met Glu Ala Tyr
Val Lys Val Asp Ser Cys Pro Glu Glu Pro Gln 340 345 350Leu Arg Met
Lys Asn Asn Glu Glu Ala Glu Asp Tyr Asp Asp Asp Leu 355 360 365Thr
Asp Ser Glu Met Asp Val Val Arg Phe Asp Asp Asp Asn Ser Pro 370 375
380Ser Phe Ile Gln Ile Arg Ser Val Ala Lys Lys His Pro Lys Thr
Trp385 390 395 400Val His Tyr Ile Ala Ala Glu Glu Glu Asp Trp Asp
Tyr Ala Pro Leu 405 410 415Val Leu Ala Pro Asp Asp Arg Ser Tyr Lys
Ser Gln Tyr Leu Asn Asn 420 425 430Gly Pro Gln Arg Ile Gly Arg Lys
Tyr Lys Lys Val Arg Phe Met Ala 435 440 445Tyr Thr Asp Glu Thr Phe
Lys Thr Arg Glu Ala Ile Gln His Glu Ser 450 455 460Gly Ile Leu Gly
Pro Leu Leu Tyr Gly Glu
Val Gly Asp Thr Leu Leu465 470 475 480Ile Ile Phe Lys Asn Gln Ala
Ser Arg Pro Tyr Asn Ile Tyr Pro His 485 490 495Gly Ile Thr Asp Val
Arg Pro Leu Tyr Ser Arg Arg Leu Pro Lys Gly 500 505 510Val Lys His
Leu Lys Asp Phe Pro Ile Leu Pro Gly Glu Ile Phe Lys 515 520 525Tyr
Lys Trp Thr Val Thr Val Glu Asp Gly Pro Thr Lys Ser Asp Pro 530 535
540Arg Cys Leu Thr Arg Tyr Tyr Ser Ser Phe Val Asn Met Glu Arg
Asp545 550 555 560Leu Ala Ser Gly Leu Ile Gly Pro Leu Leu Ile Cys
Tyr Lys Glu Ser 565 570 575Val Asp Gln Arg Gly Asn Gln Ile Met Ser
Asp Lys Arg Asn Val Ile 580 585 590Leu Phe Ser Val Phe Asp Glu Asn
Arg Ser Trp Tyr Leu Thr Glu Asn 595 600 605Ile Gln Arg Phe Leu Pro
Asn Pro Ala Gly Val Gln Leu Glu Asp Pro 610 615 620Glu Phe Gln Ala
Ser Asn Ile Met His Ser Ile Asn Gly Tyr Val Phe625 630 635 640Asp
Ser Leu Gln Leu Ser Val Cys Leu His Glu Val Ala Tyr Trp Tyr 645 650
655Ile Leu Ser Ile Gly Ala Gln Thr Asp Phe Leu Ser Val Phe Phe Ser
660 665 670Gly Tyr Thr Phe Lys His Lys Met Val Tyr Glu Asp Thr Leu
Thr Leu 675 680 685Phe Pro Phe Ser Gly Glu Thr Val Phe Met Ser Met
Glu Asn Pro Gly 690 695 700Leu Trp Ile Leu Gly Cys His Asn Ser Asp
Phe Arg Asn Arg Gly Met705 710 715 720Thr Ala Leu Leu Lys Val Ser
Ser Cys Asp Lys Asn Thr Gly Asp Tyr 725 730 735Tyr Glu Asp Ser Tyr
Glu Asp Ile Ser Ala Tyr Leu Leu Ser Lys Asn 740 745 750Asn Ala Ile
Glu Pro Arg Ser Arg His Cys Asp Gly Asn Val Ser Ser 755 760 765Cys
Gly Asp His Pro Ser Glu Gly Cys Phe Cys Pro Pro Asp Lys Val 770 775
780Met Leu Glu Gly Ser Cys Val Pro Glu Glu Ala Cys Thr Gln Cys
Ile785 790 795 800Gly Glu Asp Gly Val Gln His Gln Phe Leu Glu Ala
Trp Val Pro Asp 805 810 815His Gln Pro Cys Gln Ile Cys Thr Cys Leu
Ser Gly Arg Lys Val Asn 820 825 830Cys Thr Thr Gln Pro Cys Pro Thr
Ala Lys Ala Pro Thr Cys Gly Leu 835 840 845Cys Glu Val Ala Arg Leu
Arg Gln Asn Ala Asp Gln Cys Cys Pro Glu 850 855 860Tyr Glu Cys Val
Cys Asp Pro Val Ser Cys Asp Leu Pro Pro Val Pro865 870 875 880His
Cys Glu Arg Gly Leu Gln Pro Thr Leu Thr Asn Pro Gly Glu Cys 885 890
895Arg Pro Asn Phe Thr Cys Ala Cys Arg Lys Glu Glu Cys Lys Arg Val
900 905 910Ser Pro Pro Ser Cys Pro Pro His Arg Leu Pro Thr Leu Arg
Lys Thr 915 920 925Gln Cys Cys Asp Glu Tyr Glu Cys Ala Cys Asn Cys
Val Asn Ser Thr 930 935 940Val Ser Cys Pro Leu Gly Tyr Leu Ala Ser
Thr Ala Thr Asn Asp Cys945 950 955 960Gly Cys Thr Thr Thr Thr Cys
Leu Pro Asp Lys Val Cys Val His Arg 965 970 975Ser Thr Ile Tyr Pro
Val Gly Gln Phe Trp Glu Glu Gly Cys Asp Val 980 985 990Cys Thr Cys
Thr Asp Met Glu Asp Ala Val Met Gly Leu Arg Val Ala 995 1000
1005Gln Cys Ser Gln Lys Pro Cys Glu Asp Ser Cys Arg Ser Gly Phe
1010 1015 1020Thr Tyr Val Leu His Glu Gly Glu Cys Cys Gly Arg Cys
Leu Pro 1025 1030 1035Ser Ala Cys Glu Val Val Thr Gly Ser Pro Arg
Gly Asp Ser Gln 1040 1045 1050Ser Ser Trp Lys Ser Val Gly Ser Gln
Trp Ala Ser Pro Glu Asn 1055 1060 1065Pro Cys Leu Ile Asn Glu Cys
Val Arg Val Lys Glu Glu Val Phe 1070 1075 1080Ile Gln Gln Arg Asn
Val Ser Cys Pro Gln Leu Glu Val Pro Val 1085 1090 1095Cys Pro Ser
Gly Phe Gln Leu Ser Cys Lys Thr Ser Ala Cys Cys 1100 1105 1110Pro
Ser Cys Arg Cys Glu Arg Met Glu Ala Cys Met Leu Asn Gly 1115 1120
1125Thr Val Ile Gly Pro Gly Lys Ala Leu Lys Gln Phe Arg Leu Pro
1130 1135 1140Leu Glu Glu Thr Glu Leu Glu Lys Arg Ile Ile Val Asp
Asp Thr 1145 1150 1155Ser Thr Gln Trp Ser Lys Asn Met Lys His Leu
Thr Pro Ser Thr 1160 1165 1170Leu Thr Gln Ile Asp Tyr Asn Glu Lys
Glu Lys Gly Ala Ile Thr 1175 1180 1185Gln Ser Pro Leu Ser Asp Cys
Leu Thr Arg Ser His Ser Ile Pro 1190 1195 1200Gln Ala Asn Arg Ser
Pro Leu Pro Ile Ala Lys Val Ser Ser Phe 1205 1210 1215Pro Ser Ile
Arg Pro Ile Tyr Leu Thr Arg Val Leu Phe Gln Asp 1220 1225 1230Asn
Ser Ser His Leu Pro Ala Ala Ser Tyr Arg Lys Lys Asp Ser 1235 1240
1245Gly Val Gln Glu Ser Ser His Phe Leu Gln Gly Ala Lys Lys Asn
1250 1255 1260Asn Leu Ser Leu Ala Ile Leu Thr Leu Glu Met Thr Gly
Asp Gln 1265 1270 1275Arg Glu Val Gly Ser Leu Gly Thr Ser Ala Thr
Asn Ser Val Thr 1280 1285 1290Tyr Lys Lys Val Glu Asn Thr Val Leu
Pro Lys Pro Asp Leu Pro 1295 1300 1305Lys Thr Ser Gly Lys Val Glu
Leu Leu Pro Lys Val His Ile Tyr 1310 1315 1320Gln Lys Asp Leu Phe
Pro Thr Glu Thr Ser Asn Gly Ser Pro Gly 1325 1330 1335His Leu Asp
Leu Val Glu Gly Ser Leu Leu Gln Gly Thr Glu Gly 1340 1345 1350Ala
Ile Lys Trp Asn Glu Ala Asn Arg Pro Gly Lys Val Pro Phe 1355 1360
1365Leu Arg Val Ala Thr Glu Ser Ser Ala Lys Thr Pro Ser Lys Leu
1370 1375 1380Leu Asp Pro Leu Ala Trp Asp Asn His Tyr Gly Thr Gln
Ile Pro 1385 1390 1395Lys Glu Glu Trp Lys Ser Gln Glu Lys Ser Pro
Glu Lys Thr Ala 1400 1405 1410Phe Lys Lys Lys Asp Thr Ile Leu Ser
Leu Asn Ala Cys Glu Ser 1415 1420 1425Asn His Ala Ile Ala Ala Ile
Asn Glu Gly Gln Asn Lys Pro Glu 1430 1435 1440Ile Glu Val Thr Trp
Ala Lys Gln Gly Arg Thr Glu Arg Leu Cys 1445 1450 1455Ser Gln Asn
Pro Pro Val Leu Lys Arg His Gln Arg Glu Ile Thr 1460 1465 1470Arg
Thr Thr Leu Gln Ser Asp Gln Glu Glu Ile Asp Tyr Asp Asp 1475 1480
1485Thr Ile Ser Val Glu Met Lys Lys Glu Asp Phe Asp Ile Tyr Asp
1490 1495 1500Glu Asp Glu Asn Gln Ser Pro Arg Ser Phe Gln Lys Lys
Thr Arg 1505 1510 1515His Tyr Phe Ile Ala Ala Val Glu Arg Leu Trp
Asp Tyr Gly Met 1520 1525 1530Ser Ser Ser Pro His Val Leu Arg Asn
Arg Ala Gln Ser Gly Ser 1535 1540 1545Val Pro Gln Phe Lys Lys Val
Val Phe Gln Glu Phe Thr Asp Gly 1550 1555 1560Ser Phe Thr Gln Pro
Leu Tyr Arg Gly Glu Leu Asn Glu His Leu 1565 1570 1575Gly Leu Leu
Gly Pro Tyr Ile Arg Ala Glu Val Glu Asp Asn Ile 1580 1585 1590Met
Val Thr Phe Arg Asn Gln Ala Ser Arg Pro Tyr Ser Phe Tyr 1595 1600
1605Ser Ser Leu Ile Ser Tyr Glu Glu Asp Gln Arg Gln Gly Ala Glu
1610 1615 1620Pro Arg Lys Asn Phe Val Lys Pro Asn Glu Thr Lys Thr
Tyr Phe 1625 1630 1635Trp Lys Val Gln His His Met Ala Pro Thr Lys
Asp Glu Phe Asp 1640 1645 1650Cys Lys Ala Trp Ala Tyr Phe Ser Asp
Val Asp Leu Glu Lys Asp 1655 1660 1665Val His Ser Gly Leu Ile Gly
Pro Leu Leu Val Cys His Thr Asn 1670 1675 1680Thr Leu Asn Pro Ala
His Gly Arg Gln Val Thr Val Gln Glu Phe 1685 1690 1695Ala Leu Phe
Phe Thr Ile Phe Asp Glu Thr Lys Ser Trp Tyr Phe 1700 1705 1710Thr
Glu Asn Met Glu Arg Asn Cys Arg Ala Pro Cys Asn Ile Gln 1715 1720
1725Met Glu Asp Pro Thr Phe Lys Glu Asn Tyr Arg Phe His Ala Ile
1730 1735 1740Asn Gly Tyr Ile Met Asp Thr Leu Pro Gly Leu Val Met
Ala Gln 1745 1750 1755Asp Gln Arg Ile Arg Trp Tyr Leu Leu Ser Met
Gly Ser Asn Glu 1760 1765 1770Asn Ile His Ser Ile His Phe Ser Gly
His Val Phe Thr Val Arg 1775 1780 1785Lys Lys Glu Glu Tyr Lys Met
Ala Leu Tyr Asn Leu Tyr Pro Gly 1790 1795 1800Val Phe Glu Thr Val
Glu Met Leu Pro Ser Lys Ala Gly Ile Trp 1805 1810 1815Arg Val Glu
Cys Leu Ile Gly Glu His Leu His Ala Gly Met Ser 1820 1825 1830Thr
Leu Phe Leu Val Tyr Ser Asn Lys Cys Gln Thr Pro Leu Gly 1835 1840
1845Met Ala Ser Gly His Ile Arg Asp Phe Gln Ile Thr Ala Ser Gly
1850 1855 1860Gln Tyr Gly Gln Trp Ala Pro Lys Leu Ala Arg Leu His
Tyr Ser 1865 1870 1875Gly Ser Ile Asn Ala Trp Ser Thr Lys Glu Pro
Phe Ser Trp Ile 1880 1885 1890Lys Val Asp Leu Leu Ala Pro Met Ile
Ile His Gly Ile Lys Thr 1895 1900 1905Gln Gly Ala Arg Gln Lys Phe
Ser Ser Leu Tyr Ile Ser Gln Phe 1910 1915 1920Ile Ile Met Tyr Ser
Leu Asp Gly Lys Lys Trp Gln Thr Tyr Arg 1925 1930 1935Gly Asn Ser
Thr Gly Thr Leu Met Val Phe Phe Gly Asn Val Asp 1940 1945 1950Ser
Ser Gly Ile Lys His Asn Ile Phe Asn Pro Pro Ile Ile Ala 1955 1960
1965Arg Tyr Ile Arg Leu His Pro Thr His Tyr Ser Ile Arg Ser Thr
1970 1975 1980Leu Arg Met Glu Leu Met Gly Cys Asp Leu Asn Ser Cys
Ser Met 1985 1990 1995Pro Leu Gly Met Glu Ser Lys Ala Ile Ser Asp
Ala Gln Ile Thr 2000 2005 2010Ala Ser Ser Tyr Phe Thr Asn Met Phe
Ala Thr Trp Ser Pro Ser 2015 2020 2025Lys Ala Arg Leu His Leu Gln
Gly Arg Ser Asn Ala Trp Arg Pro 2030 2035 2040Gln Val Asn Asn Pro
Lys Glu Trp Leu Gln Val Asp Phe Gln Lys 2045 2050 2055Thr Met Lys
Val Thr Gly Val Thr Thr Gln Gly Val Lys Ser Leu 2060 2065 2070Leu
Thr Ser Met Tyr Val Lys Glu Phe Leu Ile Ser Ser Ser Gln 2075 2080
2085Asp Gly His Gln Trp Thr Leu Phe Phe Gln Asn Gly Lys Val Lys
2090 2095 2100Val Phe Gln Gly Asn Gln Asp Ser Phe Thr Pro Val Val
Asn Ser 2105 2110 2115Leu Asp Pro Pro Leu Leu Thr Arg Tyr Leu Arg
Ile His Pro Gln 2120 2125 2130Ser Trp Val His Gln Ile Ala Leu Arg
Met Glu Val Leu Gly Cys 2135 2140 2145Glu Ala Gln Asp Leu Tyr
2150
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