A U.S. Patent Application for "Stirred Tank Reactor Systems and Methods of Use" was published by Thermo Fisher on August 13th, 2020. The present invention is a reactor system that includes a support housing having an interior surface bounding a chamber, the chamber having a vertically extending central longitudinal axis. A flexible bag is disposed within the chamber of the support housing and has an interior surface bounding a compartment. A mixing element is disposed within the compartment of the flexible bag. A drive element, such as a drive shaft, is secured the mixing element, wherein the mixing element is laterally offset from and/or is angled... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Packed Bed Bioreactor Systems and Methods of Using the Same" was published by Corning on August 13th, 2020. The present invention is a cell culture matrix that has a substrate with a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a thickness separating the first side and the second side, and a plurality of openings formed in the substrate and passing through the thickness of the substrate. The plurality of openings allow flow of at least one of cell culture media, cells, or cell products through the thickness of the substrate, and provides a uniform, efficient, and scalable matrix for cell seeding, proliferation, and culturing. Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Systems and Methods for a Collapsible Chamber with Foldable Mixing Element" was published by Thermo Fisher on August 13th, 2020. The present invention is a system, method, and apparatus for culturing cells within a cell culture vessel having a mixing element. The cell culture system includes a flexible portion and a mixing element disposed therein. The mixing element includes a suspended foldable portion. The system is configured to reduce shear stress on cells without compromising mixing efficiency. This reduction is accomplished by using a mixing element having a large surface area allowing for reduced rotational speeds. Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Online Biomass Capacitance Monitoring During Large Scale Production of Polypeptides of Interest" was published by Bristol Myers Squibb on August 13th, 2020. The present invention relates to the use of online biomass capacitance monitoring in perfusion cultures as a way to minimize volumes of cell culture media in large-scale manufacturing. In certain embodiments, a biomass capacitance probe is used to measure the viable cell density, and the viable cell density is used in conjunction with a pre-determined constant cell-specific perfusion rate to identify a target perfusion rate. Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Illuminated Container for Growth of Biological Entities" was published by Corning on August 13th, 2020. The present invention is an illuminated container for the growth of biological entities. The container is illuminated by a flexible light diffusing fiber. The light diffusing fiber includes a core formed from a silica-based glass and a cladding in direct contact with the core. The light diffusing fiber also includes an outer polymer coating layer surrounding the cladding, the outer polymer coating layer being the cured product of a liquid polymer blend including a scattering material and a luminophore. Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Sensing Systems" was published by Georgia Tech on August 13th, 2020. The present invention is a thin, soft sensor array system that can be deployed over the surfaces of bag bioreactors. The sensor array is fabricated using microfabrication processes along with functionalization methods necessary for measuring pH, glucose, and temperature. Miniature integrated circuit (IC) components are incorporated with the thin-film circuits, allowing for the real-time, on-board data analysis and wireless data communication. Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Buffer Formulation Method and System" was published by Lonzaon August 13th, 2020. The present invention is a process for formulating buffer products for feeding to a bioprocess comprising: combining multiple buffer solutions to form a final buffer product, the multiple buffer solutions including at least a first buffer solution and a second buffer solution; measuring a conductivity of the final buffer product; measuring a refractive index of the final buffer product; comparing the measured conductivity to a preset conductivity range and comparing the measured refractive index to a preset refractive index range... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Method for Reducing the Trisulfide Level in Proteins" was published by Merck on August 13th, 2020. The present invention is a method for reducing the formation of trisulfide bonds in proteins comprising culturing cells expressing said proteins whereby a feed medium is added to the cell culture one or more times during cell culture that does not contain any significant amounts of cysteine or cystine but comprises S-sulfocysteine and/or salts thereof, whereby trisulfide linkage formation in said proteins is reduced relative to proteins expressed by cells cultured in a cell culture medium where cysteine and/or cystine... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Methods of Perfusion Culturing Using a Shake Flask and Microcarriers" was published by Sanofi on August 13th, 2020. The present invention is a method of testing the efficacy of a first or second liquid culture medium, a raw ingredient or supplement present in a first or second liquid culture medium, or a source of an adherent mammalian cell for use in a method of producing a recombinant protein, the method comprising: providing a shake flask containing an adherent mammalian cell disposed in a first liquid culture medium, wherein the first liquid culture medium occupies about 20% to about 30% of the volume... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Use of Caprylic Acid Precipitation for Protein Purification" was awarded to Bristol Myers Squibb on August 11th, 2020. The present invention is a method of purifying a protein of interest from a mixture which comprises the protein of interest and one or more contaminants, comprising: a) subjecting the mixture to a first chromatography step, wherein the first chromatography is a protein A affinity chromatography; b) recovering the protein of interest in an elution solution having a low pH between 2.5 and 4; c) adding caprylic acid to the elution solution and then adjusting the pH to at least 5.5 to form a contaminant precipitate... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Heating Assembly for a Bioreactor and an Associated Method Thereof" was awarded to GE on August 11th, 2020. The present invention is a method comprising: receiving a cell-culture media comprising a plurality of cells in a culture vessel of a bioreactor; heating the cell-culture media using a heating assembly coupled to the culture vessel, wherein the heating assembly comprises: a holder comprising a plurality of segments coupled to each other to define a unitary structure, wherein the unitary structure comprises: a top end; a bottom end; and a side wall extending between the top end and the bottom end and along a circumferential... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Laboratory Instrument, System and Method for Instrument-Controlled Treatment of at Least One Laboratory Sample Using at Least One Consumable" was awarded to Eppendorf on August 11th, 2020. The present invention is a laboratory instrument for the instrument-controlled treatment of at least one fluid laboratory sample, comprising: at least one treatment apparatus, which is configured to perform the treatment of the at least one fluid laboratory sample by way of a pipetting process using an amount of at least one consumable being a container manufactured from plastic or comprising plastic, and a control apparatus... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Compositions and Methods for Detecting a Biological Contaminant" was published by Regeneron on August 6th, 2020. The present invention are compositions and methods useful to the determination of whether a microbial contaminant is present in a biological therapeutic production process. Specifically, an artificial positive amplification control plasmid and unique quantitative PCR detection probe are provided, which enables the rapid and real-time detection of a false positive result. Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Systems and Methods for Using Behavior Data of Impurities and Target Proteins to Design Downstream Processes" was awarded to MIT on August 6th, 2020. The present invention are systems and methods for generating and evaluating candidate sequences of partitioning steps to partition at least one biologically produced product from at least one impurity. In some embodiments, a plurality of candidate sequences of partitioning steps may be generated, wherein at least one candidate sequence of the plurality of candidate sequences comprises a plurality of partitioning steps in a specified order. The plurality of candidate sequences may be evaluated. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Coated Cell Culture Apparatus and Methods of Use" was awarded to Worcester Polytechnic Institute on August 4th, 2020. The present invention is a device, and methods of using or making the device, for engineering cells in vitro are disclosed. In some aspects, a cell culture device comprises at least one glass or polymer surface configured for incubating cells in a culture medium; a charged molecule electrostatically bound to the surface; and a polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) electrostatically bound to the charged molecule, the PEM comprising one or more bi-layers of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, and the PEM having a sufficient thickness... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Protein Purification by Anion Exchange Chromatography" was awarded to Baxalta on July 28th, 2020. The present invention is a method for the purification of a divalent cation binding protein comprising the steps of: (a) loading a first anion exchange resin material with the divalent cation binding protein in a loading buffer in the absence of divalent cations or at a low concentration thereof; (b) washing the loaded anion exchange resin material with a washing buffer comprising between 175 mM NaCl and 190 mM NaCl in the absence of divalent cations; (c) eluting the divalent cation binding protein with an eluant comprising a counter-anion... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Removal of Microorganisms from Fluid Samples Using Nanofiber Filtration Media" was awarded to MilliporeSigma on July 28th, 2020. The present invention is a method for removing microorganisms from liquid samples and a nanofiber containing liquid filtration medium that simultaneously exhibits high liquid permeability and high microorganism retention. Microorganisms such as bacteria, particularly B. Diminuta, are removed from a liquid by passing the liquid through a porous nanofiber containing filtration medium having a B. Diminuta LRV greater than about 9, and the nanofiber(s) has a diameter from about 10 nm to about 1,000 nm. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Microcarriers, Matrices and Scaffolds for Culturing Mammalian Cells and Methods of Manufacture"was awarded to Howard University on July 28th, 2020. The present invention are microcarriers, matrices and scaffolds for growing mammalian cells which include copolymer particles and matrices comprising of polysaccharide-polyamine copolymers. The copolymeric particles and matrices have a pore size of at least 50 microns and permit the mammalian cells to grow both on an exterior surface of the particles and matrices and within an interior of the particles and matrices... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Cell Culture Methods for Expressing ADAMTS Protein" was awarded to Baxalta on July 28th, 2020. The present invention provides culture mediums that are useful for the expression of ADAMTS proteins, such as ADAMTS13. Methods for the expression and purification of ADAMTS proteins are also provided. In some embodiments, the mediums and methods of the invention are useful for the expression of ADAMTS proteins having high specific activities. Also provided are ADAMTS, e.g., ADAMTS13, protein compositions with high specific activities, which are expressed and purified according to the methods provided herein. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Method for Continuous Purification" was awarded to an Individual on July 21st, 2020. The present invention is a device, comprising: a) a cylindrical module comprising one or more mixing apparatus within the cylindrical module, b) a resin, an input port for loading the resin and a tubing in communication with the resin loading input port within the cylindrical module, c) one or more air bleed valve(s), wherein the valve extracts accumulated air within the module, d) one or more first port(s) for adding a sample load solution and one or more first exit port(s) for removing sample load waste solution essentially absent sample... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Method for Producing a Product (e.g. polypeptide) in a Continuous Cell Culture Fermentation Process" was awarded to CMC Biologics on July 21st, 2020. The present invention is a method for producing a product selected from a biopolymer expressed by a cell or microorganism, an intracellular or extracellular product produced by a cell or microorganism, a periplasmatic product produced by a cell or microorganism, in a first and a second bioreactor in a chemostat fermentation process, wherein said first bioreactor comprises: i) optionally a first outlet having a separation device allowing impurities with a size below the size of the product... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Miniaturized Fourier-Transform Raman Spectrometer Systems and Methods" was awarded to MIT on July 21st, 2020. The present invention is a system, comprising: a light source to emit a probe beam; a probe waveguide, in optical communication with the light source, to receive the probe beam and cause at least a portion of the probe beam to interact with a sample, the interaction between the probe beam and the sample generating a Raman signal; a filter, in optical communication with the sample, to transmit the Raman signal and block the probe beam; a Fourier transform spectrometer in optical communication with the filter... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Systems and Methods for Manufacturing Biologically Produced Products" was published by MIT on July 16th, 2020. The present invention is a biomanufacturing system, comprising: a perfusion bioreactor, wherein the perfusion bioreactor comprises: a reaction chamber configured to receive at least one feed stream comprising at least one cell culture medium; a suspension comprising the at least one cell culture medium and at least a first type of biological cells configured to express at least one biologically-produced product; at least one filter probe at least partially submerged in the suspension... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Protein Quantification by Near Infrared Spectral Imaging" was awarded to Temple University on July 14th, 2020. The present invention is a method of quantifying protein in an electrophoresis gel, comprising the steps of: loading a sample including at least one protein into a gel via electrophoresis to generate at least one protein band; acquiring an infrared spectral dataset from the at least one protein band using near infrared spectral imaging (NIRSI); generating an infrared hyperspectral image from the infrared spectral dataset for each of the at least one protein band, the infrared hyperspectral image comprising a plurality of pixels.. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Ionic Strength Mediated pH Gradient Ion Exchange Chromatography" was awarded to Genentech on July 14th, 2020. The present invention is a method for analyzing a composition comprising a polypeptide and one or more charge variants of the polypeptide, the method comprising a) binding the polypeptide and one of more charge variants of the polypeptide to an ion-exchange chromatography material using a loading buffer, wherein the loading buffer is at a first pH and comprises a first ionic strength; b) eluting the polypeptide and one or more charge variants of the polypeptide from the ion-exchange chromatography material using an elution... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Integrated Continuous Manufacturing of Therapeutic Protein Drug Substances" was awarded to Sanofi on July 14th, 2020. The present invention isa process for manufacturing a drug substance comprising a recombinant .alpha.-galactosidase-A, the process comprising: (a) culturing cells in a perfusion bioreactor comprising a liquid culture medium under conditions that allow the cells to secrete the recombinant .alpha.-galactosidase-A into the medium, wherein at least 90% cell-free volumes of the medium are continuously or periodically removed from the perfusion bioreactor and fed into a periodic counter current... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Methods of Shifting an Isoelectric Profile of a Protein Product and Uses Thereof" was published by  Alexion on July 14th, 2020. The present invention is Eculizumab comprising seven protein subpopulations with an isoelectric point between about 5.45 and about 6.55 produced by a method comprising: (a) fed batch culturing mammalian cells comprising a nucleic acid encoding eculizumab in a production bioreactor under conditions sufficient to produce eculizumab for a first period of time comprising a growth phase or a growth phase and a stationary phase of the mammalian cells or that comprises a growth phase of the mammalian cells... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Methods for Viral Inactivation and Other Adventitious Agents" was published by  Genentechon July 9th, 2020. The present invention is a method for inactivating virus or adventitious agents in cell culture media while the media maintains suitability for cell culture, said method comprising (a) subjecting the cell culture media to high temperature short time (HTST) treatment; and (b) adjusting one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of pH, calcium level and phosphate level. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Methods and Compositions for Inactivating Enveloped Viruses" was awarded to Biogen on July 7th, 2020. Aspects of the present invention provide therapeutic recombinant protein preparations and methods of preparing therapeutic recombinant protein, which methods include contacting recombinant protein preparations with zwitterionic detergent at or above critical micelle concentration of the detergent. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Cell Culture Medium" was awarded to La Jolla Biologics on July 7th, 2020. The present invention provided herein, inter alia, are compositions and methods for culturing mammalian cells. In certain aspects, the composition is a medium containing one or more of a lithium ion source, one or more fatty acids, and/or ethanol. Use of any of the cell culture media described herein to culture cells that have been genetically engineered to produce one or more recombinant polypeptides (for example, antibodies) can result in increased titers, a more favorable glycosylation profile, and/or modulated (e.g. decreased) amounts of high and low molecular weight... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Decreasing Lactate Level and Increasing Polypeptide Production by Down Regulating the Expression of Lactate Dehydrogenase and Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase" was awarded to Genentech on July 7th, 2020. The present invention provides methods and compositions for reducing lactate production and increasing polypeptide production in cultured cells. The inventors have discovered that concomitant downregulation of a LDH and PDHKs via siRNAs in cultured cells expressing polypeptides (e.g., antibodies) decreased lactate level, lactate production rate, and osmolality, and increased specific polypeptide productivity... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Enzyme Based Methods of Separating Protein from Protein-Rich Material" was awarded to the University of Akron on June 30th, 2020. The present invention is a method of hydrolyzing carbohydrates in a protein-rich material comprising the steps of: providing, in a first vessel, a supply of a protein-rich material having carbohydrates therein, wherein the entirety of the protein-rich material to be hydrolyzed is provided during the step of providing, such that the method is devoid of a step of adding further protein-rich material; adding, after the entirety of the protein-rich material is in the first vessel, a first supply of enzyme broth... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Use of Alkaline Washes During Chromatography to Remove Impurities" was awarded to Bristol-Myers Squibb on June 30th, 2020. The present invention is a method of purifying a protein of interest from a mixture which comprises the protein of interest and one or more contaminants, comprising: a) subjecting the mixture to a first chromatography matrix, wherein the protein of interest binds to the first chromatography matrix, and wherein the first chromatography is an affinity chromatography selected from a protein A affinity chromatography and a protein G affinity chromatography; Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Modulation of Charge Variants in a Monoclonal Antibody" was awarded to Outlook Therapeutics on June 30th, 2020. The present invention is a process for removing acid charge variants from a monoclonal antibody, comprising (a) loading a mammalian cell-expressed monoclonal antibody preparation onto a Protein A support, and eluting the monoclonal antibody from the Protein A support, thereby producing a first eluate comprising the monoclonal antibody; (b) loading the first eluate from step (a) onto an anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction (AEX/HIC) chromatography support, and allowing the first eluate to flow. Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Media for Microorganism Culture and Related Compositions and Methods" was published by MIT on June 25th, 2020. The present invention is media for cultivating cells, e.g., Pichia Pastoris cells, as well as cultures containing cells, methods for making and using the media, and kits comprising the media. The media is particularly useful in the context of therapeutic protein production. Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Improved Methods of Cell Culture" was published by Polpharma Biologicson June 25th, 2020. The present invention is a method for reducing the amount of acidic species and/or increasing the amount of basic species in a composition comprising a recombinant protein or for increasing the size of mammalian cells expressing a recombinant protein or for increasing the specific production rate of mammalian cells expressing a recombinant protein to simplify subsequent clarification and purification of the recombinant protein, said method comprising culturing mammalian cells expressing said recombinant protein... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Culture Medium for Proliferating a Stem Cell, Which Contains Sulfated Compounds" was awarded to Ajinomoto on June 23rd, 2020. The present invention is a method for culturing a stem cell, comprising culturing the stem cell in a medium comprising: a fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and a sulfated compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein said sulfated compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is present in said medium at a concentration that promotes the growth of said stem cell in the presence of FGF, and wherein said sulfated compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Data Lineage in an Intelligent Data Integration System" was awarded to Monsanto on June 23rd, 2020. The present invention is a computer-executed method that includes storing in a data store data attributes, data objects, and a data analysis tool (DAT). Each data object has an attribute set and an identifier set. The method includes identifying each data object that has an attribute set comprising a data attribute matching each reference data attribute associated with the DAT, and selecting an identified data object as an input data object for the DAT. The DAT generates a new data object as a function of the input data object... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Affinity Chromatography Wash Buffer" was awarded to Cephalon/TEVA on June 23rd, 2020. The present invention is a wash buffer that when used during affinity chromatography purification of a protein of interest, such as an antibody, the wash buffer significantly reduces the level of host cell proteins from the preparation. Following affinity chromatography with the wash buffer, the protein of interest may be further purified using membrane chromatography. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Cryopreservation Bags and Method of Use Thereof for Closed System, High Capacity Cell-Banking" was awarded to Boehringer Ingelheim on June 23rd, 2020. The present invention is a high-capacity cryopreservation bag, which is adapted for use in a high capacity biological material, closed cryopreservation banking system, and which is resistant to liquid nitrogen temperatures comprising: a. a first fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) enclosure; b. at least two sterile-weldable fluid conduits adapted for use in a high capacity biological material, closed banking system; c. a first rigid FEP inlet conduit, in fluid connection... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for a "Method for Rapidly Screening Microbial Hosts to Identify Certain Strains with Improved Yield and/or Quality in the Expression of Heterologous Proteins" was awarded to Pfenex on June 23rd, 2020. The present invention is a method for selecting at least one optimal expression system for use in the expression of at least one heterologous recombinant protein, the method comprising: a. obtaining an array assembled using a method comprising: placing in separate addressable locations on the array at least 10 nonidentical test expression systems, said at least 10 nonidentical test expression systems... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for a "Customizable Facility" was awarded to Lonza on June 23rd, 2020. The present invention is a campus for fabricating at least one pharmaceutical product, the campus comprising: a plurality of customizable facilities configured to manufacture the at least one pharmaceutical product, the plurality of customizable facilities including a first customizable facility configured to manufacture a first pharmaceutical product and a second customizable facility configured to manufacture a second pharmaceutical product different from the first pharmaceutical product, each customizable facility including: at least one central unit positioned on a floor... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for a "Cell Culture Device System and Methods of Use Thereof" was awarded to Oribiotechon June 18th, 2020. The present invention is a device for use in growing, culturing and/or modifying cells, the device comprising a primary container having a base section, a top section arranged substantially in parallel with the base section and a wall element arranged between the top section and the base section and defining an internal lumen of the primary container, in which the wall element of the primary container is compressible with respect to the top and base section, and in which the primary container has at least one optionally sealable inlet... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for a "Device and System for Processing a Liquid Sample Containing Cells" was awarded to Shenzhen Eureka on June 16th, 2020. The present invention is a device for processing a liquid sample containing cells. The device includes a stationary part and a rotatable part. The stationary part includes a cap, a socket connected to the cap, and a tube located within the cap and the socket. The rotatable part includes a centrifugal processing chamber, and a flow guide located within the centrifugal processing chamber. The stationary part and the rotatable part are connected by a plurality of rotary dynamic seals allowing rotation... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "System and Method for Characterizing Conditions on a Fluid Mixing Device" was awarded to GE on June 16th, 2020. The present invention is a magnetic mixing system to characterize conditions in a fluid mixing device, the system comprising: a mixer vessel comprising a fluid; a drive that creates a magnetic field; a controller that operates the drive; one or more magnet sensors configured to detect the magnetic field or a magnetic flux, and positioned with the system to detect the magnetic field or the magnetic flux; and a processor receiving information from the one or more magnetic sensors... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Liquid Discharge Device, Sensor Manufacturing Device Having Liquid Discharge Device, and Cell Culture Device Having Liquid Discharge Device" was published by Panasonic on June11th, 2020. The present invention relates to a liquid discharge device for discharging liquid, a sensor device having the liquid discharge device and a cell culture device having the liquid discharge device. The present invention particularly relates to a liquid discharge device suitable for being used for supplying or dispensing a chemical liquid, a reagent, etc., a sensor manufacturing device having the liquid discharge device and a cell culture device... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Enhanced Fermentation" was awarded to BASF on June 9th, 2020. The present invention is a method for protecting a microbially produced substance against oxidation, comprising a) providing a microorganism capable of producing said substance, the microorganism comprising, as a heterologous gene, a catalase gene encoding i) a catalase having at least 90% amino acid sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, or ii) a fragment of the catalase according to i), wherein the fragment has catalase activity, and b) cultivating the microorganism under conditions such that said catalase gene is expressed and said substance is produced... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Methods for Purifying Antibodies" was awarded to GSK on June 9th, 2020. The present invention is a method for purifying a protein, from a solution containing at least one contaminant by superantigen chromatography comprising: a) adsorbing the protein to the superantigen immobilized on a solid support; b) removing the at least one contaminant by contacting the immobilized superantigen containing the adsorbed protein with a first wash buffer comprising 10 mM to 125 mM sodium caprylate; and c) eluting the protein from the superantigen immobilized on the solid support, wherein the solution is a cell culture feed stream... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Abrasion Resistant Film for Biocontainers" was awarded to MilliporeSigma on June 9th, 2020. The present invention is an abrasion resistant, multi-layer material for biocontainers, comprising: a multilayer film, comprising, an outer strength zone, a gas impermeable zone adhered to the outer strength zone, an inner contact zone adhered to the gas impermeable zone, and a porous substrate attached to the outer strength zone, wherein the porous substrate comprises a nylon polymer and is embedded within the outer strength zone; and the porous substrate further comprising: a tie resin layer or a polyethylene layer... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for a "Method of Organizing and Viewing Process Data from Disparate Equipment" was awarded to One Hill Solutions on June 9th, 2020. The present invention is a bioprocess management system comprising: a bioprocess management controller configured to electronically interface one or more bioreactor and one or more analyzer, wherein each bioreactor is configured to maintain a population of cells based on a set of bioreactor operating parameters and to output bioreactor data, wherein each analyzer is configured to analyze at least one sample taken from at least one of the one or more bioreactor, each analyzer further configured... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Automated Apparatus and Method of Cell Culture" was awarded to CellProthera on June 9th, 2020. The present invention is an automated apparatus of cell culture, comprising tanks of culture medium, growth factors and cells to be cultured, an incubator with a thermostated enclosure in which is housed a container for cell culture or expansion, and a control computer system including a mechanism configured for entering and recording data intended to control the culture conditions in the enclosure and to manage valves for dispensing fluids in a predefined sequence, wherein it comprises a device for supporting and agitating the cell culture... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Control of Protein Glycosylation by Culture Medium Supplementation and Cell Culture Process Parameters" was awarded to Biogen on June 9th, 2020. The present invention is a method of altering the glycosylation pattern of a recombinant glycoprotein produced in cell culture comprising: culturing eukaryotic cells engineered to express a recombinant glycoprotein of interest in a cell culture medium, wherein the cell culture medium is supplemented with an additive comprising mycophenolic acid; wherein the glycosylation pattern of the recombinant glycoprotein of interest is altered relative to the same recombinant glycoprotein... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for a "Method for Preparing a Composition Comprising Highly Concentrated Antibodies by Ultrafiltration" was published by Chugai on June 4th, 2020. The present invention is a method for preparing a composition comprising concentrated antibodies by ultrafiltration, wherein the method comprises concentrating an antibody preparation by ultrafiltrating the preparation, said ultrafiltrating comprising: (a) regulating a feed flow rate of the preparation to allow a value of feed pressure applied to an ultrafiltration membrane to increase to 85-100% of a specified maximum feed pressure of the ultrafiltration membrane; and (b) decreasing the feed flow rate... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Electrochemical Control of Redox Potential in Bioreactors" was published by the University of Colorado on June 4th, 2020. The present invention is a method of producing the fermentation products of mixed culture, the method comprising: a) providing: i) a mixed culture comprising at least two different types of microorganisms; ii) at least one reactor, wherein said reactor comprises at least one chamber, wherein the at least one chamber comprises the mixed culture, at least one anode, and at least one cathode, and wherein the reactor has an open circuit potential; and iii) optionally an ion exchange membrane... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Means and Methods for the Generation of Mammalian Producer Cells for the Production of Recombinant Proteins" was awarded to Lonza on June 2nd, 2020. The present invention is a method for the preparation of a protein production engineered mammalian producer cell capable of increasing production of a protein of interest, the method comprising: a) providing a mammalian producer cell; b) increasing the concentration of a combination of miRs selected from the group consisting of miR-15 and miR-34; miR-16 and miR-34; and miR-15, miR-16, and miR-34 in the mammalian producer cell by transfecting the mammalian producer cell... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Compositions and Methods for Detecting a Biological Contaminant" was awarded to Regeneron on June 2nd, 2020. The present invention is a method of detecting the presence or absence of a biological contaminant comprising the steps of: (a) combining (i) a positive amplification control plasmid (PAC) sample, wherein the PAC comprises a unique artificial plasmid-specific sequence (UAPS), a target amplification polynucleotide sequence (TAP), and a nucleic acid extraction control (NEC) nucleotide sequence, (ii) a unique detection probe (UDP), (iii) a TAP forward oligonucleotide primer, (iv) a TAP reverse oligonucleotide... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for an "Automated Bioreactor Sampling and Glucose Monitoring System" was awarded to Lewis Ho on June 2nd, 2020. The present invention is an automated bioreactor sampling and glucose monitoring system comprising: a bioreactor containing culture fluid and in fluid connection with a sampling assembly comprising: a holding assembly secured on an open port of the bioreactor to hold a rigid sampling tube to deliver a sample from the bioreactor; a connector connecting the rigid sampling tube and a flexible tubing constructed and arranged outside of the bioreactor, wherein the flexible tubing has a discharging end... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Mammalian Cells for Producing a Secreted Protein" was published by Boehringer Ingelheim on May 28th, 2020. The present invention relates to the field of cell culture technology. It concerns the knockdown, using RNA interference, or gene knockout, of activating transcription factor 6 beta (ATF6B), or the combination of ceramide synthase 2 (CERS2) and TBC1 domain family member 20 (TBC1 D20) proteins, which play central roles in the cellular secretion pathway. This downregulation leads to improved secretion of biopharmaceutically relevant products produced in mammalian cells... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for an "Ejector Equipped Fermenter" was published by Novozymes on May 28th, 2020. The present invention is a fermenter comprising one or more two phase injectors for providing oxygen for the fermentation and a circulation loop, circulating the fermentation broth and providing liquid for the two-phase injectors. Further disclosed is a fermentation plant comprising one or more fermenters of the invention and utility for the fermenters. Also disclosed is the use of the fermenters for the production of a fermentation product such as an enzyme. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Electric Pipette System, Electric Pipette and Operating Procedure Display Device" was awarded to the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology on May 26th, 2020. The present invention is an electric pipette system, comprising: an operating procedure display device, and an electric pipette the electric pipette comprising: a control unit, which is a micro controller configured to: receive, from the operating procedure display device, an operating condition of a manipulation operation to occur next; control the electric pipette to perform at least one of a suction operation and a discharge operation of a liquid... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Microparticles for Cell Disruption and/or Biomolecule Recovery" was awarded to Boehringer Ingelheim on May 26th, 2020. The present invention is a method of manufacturing a protein of interest comprising: (a) cultivating a host cell that produces the protein of interest in a biological fluid; and (b) recovering the protein of interest from the biological fluid by: (i) adding to the biological fluid positively-charged microparticles comprising a ground polymeric anion exchange resin or negatively-charged microparticles comprising a ground polymeric cation exchange resin, and (ii) recovering the proteins of interest from the biological fluid... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for a "Method to Improve Virus Filtration Capacity" was awarded to Genentech on May 26th, 2020. The present invention is a method of virus filtration comprising subjecting a composition comprising a recombinant protein produced in a mammalian host cell and having or suspected of having a parvovirus contaminant to a virus filtration process comprising a cation exchange step and an endotoxin removal step, simultaneously or in either order, immediately preceding a virus filter capable of removing a parvovirus, and wherein said virus filter's filtration capacity in kg/m.sup.2 is improved between 1.5 to 20 fold... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for a "System and Method for Regulating Cell Culture Based Production of Biologics" was published by Lonza on May 21st, 2020. The present invention is a system and method for control of at least one bioreactor, other cell cultivation-related equipment, and systems containing any combination of these in a plant. For example, a Plant-Wide Control System (PWCS) or a Process Control System (PCS) may be divided into three main components: hardware (including operating systems, such as a controller communicating with one or more servers of a network associated with the PWCS, (2) software (such as a control module)... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for a "System and Method of Bacterial Cell Purification" was published by the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory on May 21st, 2020. The present invention is a method for preparing and processing a sample. The method includes obtaining a sample including biofluid. The method further includes purifying at least part of the sample via an acoustic separator to separate target cells from the sample. The sample may accordingly be at least partially purified. The method further includes causing a portion of an output collected from the acoustic separator to flow through a filter. At least one reagent, such as a lysis reagent or assay reagent, is caused to flow... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for a "Method for Removing Viruses in a Physiologically-Active Protein Containing Sample" was awarded to Chugaion May 19th, 2020. The present invention is a method for removing viruses in a physiologically active protein-containing sample which comprises viruses, which comprises the steps of: 1) applying the physiologically active protein-containing sample which comprises viruses to a protein chromatography column, and eluting, by means of applying an aqueous eluting solution to said column, an eluate comprises said viruses, 2) mixing the eluate of step (1) with an aqueous solution of low conductivity... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Process Control Systems and Methods for Use with Filters and Filtration Processes" was published by Amgen on May 14th, 2020. The present invention for systems and methods used to control tangential flow filtration are provided, including control systems and methods for use with connected systems with upstream processing units, such as chromatography processing units, in fluid communication with a tangential flow filtration processing unit. Also included are control systems and methods for performing continuous concentration using single-pass tangential flow filtration with permeate flow control. Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for a "Novel Method of Protein Purification" was published by Ansun Biopharma on May 14th, 2020. The present invention is a composition comprising a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 and 2 made by the method comprising: (a) providing a culture of a gram negative bacterial cell expressing the intracellular protein of interest; (b1) contacting the culture with an inorganic salt; holding the culture containing the added inorganic salt for at least 10 minutes; contacting the culture containing the added inorganic salt with a chelating agent; or (b2) contacting the culture with an inorganic salt... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for an "Automated System for HTP Genomic Engineering" was published by Zymergen on May 14th, 2020. The present invention is an automated system for improving the phenotypic performance of a microbial strain, the system comprising: a plurality of modules, wherein the modules of the system are configured and arranged to: a. provide a parental lineage microbial strain and a production microbial strain derived therefrom, wherein the production microbial strain comprises a plurality of identified genetic variations selected from single nucleotide polymorphisms, DNA insertions, and DNA deletions... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Methods of Controlling the Formation of Disulfide Bonds in Protein Solutions" was awarded to Genzyme on May 12th, 2020. The present invention is a method of controlling the number of disulfide bonds between polypeptides of a multimeric protein produced by a bioprocess, the method comprising: (a) contacting the polypeptides with a conditioned solution at a specific time point during the bioprocess, wherein the conditioned solution comprises a redox reagent, and (b) incubating the conditioned solution comprising the polypeptides for a predetermined time at a predetermined temperature; wherein the incubation of the polypeptides with the conditioned solution controls the formation of disulfide bonds between the polypeptides of the protein; wherein the number of disulfide bonds between the polypeptides of the protein is increased... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "High Concentration Protein Formulations with Reduced Viscosity" was awarded to the Bhami Research Lab on May 12th, 2020. The present invention is an antibody agent formulation comprising: (i) one or more antibody agents at a concentration between about 10 mg/mL and about 300 mg/mL; and (ii) a viscosity-reducing agent that comprises a combination of nicotinic acid (acid form) and tryptophan, present at a concentration between about 5 mM and about 100 mM each, wherein: the formulation has a viscosity between about 1 cP and about 100 cP when measured at 25.degree. C., using a cone and plate viscometer. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for a "Cyclic Filtration System" was awarded to Georgia Tech on May 12th, 2020. The present invention is a method of filtering a fluid with components includes providing an alternating pressure. The alternating pressure yields an oscillating transmembrane pressure through volume and pressure variations within a filtration chamber while sealing the filtration chamber. A separation surface can be housed in the filtration chamber wherein an influent is introduced. Components can be concentrated on the separation surface, effectively removing some or all of them from the fluid... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Microbial Strain Improvement by a HTP Genomic Engineering Platform" was awarded to Zymergen on May 12th, 2020. The present inventionprovides a HTP microbial genomic engineering platform that is computationally driven and integrates molecular biology, automation, and advanced machine learning protocols. This integrative platform utilizes a suite of HTP molecular tool sets to create HTP genetic design libraries, which are derived from, inter alia, scientific insight and iterative pattern recognition. The HTP genomic engineering platform described herein is microbial strain host agnostic and therefore can be implemented across taxa. Furthermore, the disclosed platform can be implemented to modulate or improve any microbial host parameter of interest. Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for a "Cloud-Controlled Manufacturing Execution System (CLO-cMES) for Use in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Process Control, Methods, and Systems Thereof" was published by SMP Logic Systems on April 30th, 2020. The present invention is a "Cloud" based manufacturing execution systems ("MES") and methods thereof used to control, execute, and monitor pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical production processes and systems are disclosed herein. Consequently, the methods and systems provide a means to quality manufacturing on an integrated level whereby drug or biologic manufacturers can achieve data and product integrity and ultimately minimize cost... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for a "Culture Device and Culture Method" was published by Kyoto Seisakusho on April 30th, 2020. The present invention is a culture apparatus comprising: a culture vessel including an internal space containing a culture solution in which a culture target is suspended; a gas supply apparatus supplying a single gas or a mixed gas to the internal space of the culture vessel; and an agitation apparatus agitating the culture solution by changing position and posture of the culture vessel, wherein the agitation apparatus changes the position and posture of the culture vessel to circulate the culture solution in the internal space of the culture vessel... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Bioreactors with Multiple or Adjustable Position Agitator Designs" was published by Genentech on April 30th, 2020. The present invention described herein are bioreactor support structures configured to be used with containers having different designs, and methods for making and using such bioreactors. The support structures described herein may include two or more agitator motors and control systems or an adjustable-position agitator motor, a removable spacer and/or lid, multiple configurations for ports and probes, and multiple exhaust filter heating blankets. Also described herein are methods of manufacturing a multi-agitator motor or adjustable-position agitator motor... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Tandem Folding Methods to Improve Protein Folding Yield" was awarded to Purdue University on April 28th, 2020. The present invention provides a method of refolding a solubilized cysteine-containing protein to its native form, the method comprising adding a reversible reducing agent to a solution containing the solubilized cysteine-containing protein to initiate folding of the cysteine-containing protein, wherein the reversible reducing agent is added at a ratio of : of 3:1 to 4:1; and adding an irreversible reducing agent to the solution at a time after the initiation of folding to breakdown aggregates of the cysteine-containing protein. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Production Methods" was awarded to GSK on April 28th, 2020. The present invention provides methods of reducing the levels of a titratable selectable pressure required, the number of amplification cycles, and the time taken to generate protein expressing cell lines by altering the codons of the desired open-reading-frames. Through the use of codon adaptation for this purpose the methods of the invention consistently provide sufficient yields in faster time frames saving many weeks in cell line development activities. Furthermore the methods of the invention also generate cell lines with lower concentrations of selection and amplification agent than previously achievable... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Defect Detection in Lyophilized Drug Products with Convolutional Neural Networks" was published by Genentech on April 23rd, 2020. The present invention is a method comprising, by a computing system: receiving one or more querying images associated with a container of a pharmaceutical product, wherein each of the one or more querying images is based on a particular angle of the container of the pharmaceutical product; calculating, for the container of the pharmaceutical product, one or more confidence scores associated with one or more defect indications, respectively, by processing the one or more querying images... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for a "Method for Increasing the Glutathione Level in Cells" was awarded to Merck KGaA on April 21st, 2020. The present invention is a method for increasing the level of glutathione in mammalian cells, comprising adding to said cells an amount of S-sulfocysteine and/or a S-sulfocysteine salt effective to increase the intracellular glutathione level... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for a "Method of Protein Manufacture" was awarded to UCB Biopharma on April 21st, 2020. The present invention is a method for manufacturing an antigen-binding fragment of an antibody coupled to a polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecule, comprising: a) culturing prokaryotic host cells under conditions such that the cells express the antigen-binding fragment of an antibody, b) purifying said antigen-binding fragment from a mixture containing the host cells and other contaminants, wherein said purification comprises at least two chromatography steps and wherein a reducing agent is added to said mixture... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Selective Reduction of Proteins" was published by Seattle Genetics on April 16th, 2020. The present invention provides a method for making uncapped cysteine protein preparations, including uncapped engineered cysteine antibody preparations. The methods include, inter alia, contacting a reducing agent with engineered cysteine antibody molecules, each of the antibody molecules having at least one capped engineered cysteine residue and at least one interchain disulfide bond and reacting the reducing agent with the antibody molecules under conditions sufficient to uncap engineered cysteine residues and form cap byproducts... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Removal of Residual Cell Culture Impurities" was awarded to Novartis on April 14th, 2020. The present invention is a method for removing Influenza Nuclear Protein (NP) from a preparation comprising virus proteins of interest, the method comprising the steps of: a. splitting a virus preparation derived from cell culture or eggs, b. adding an anionic detergent to the virus preparation under non-precipitating conditions whereby no substantial precipitation of viral proteins or DNA occurs, and c. processing the virus preparation through an ion exchange matrix, whereby the nuclear protein is bound... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Yeast Promoters from Pichia Pastoris" was awarded to Keck on April 14th, 2020. The present invention is an isolated nucleic acid wherein the sequence of the isolated nucleic acid comprises a sequence at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:2, or at least 95% identical to a fragment thereof, wherein the isolated nucleic acid comprises the sequence of a constitutive Pichia pastoris promoter operably linked to a heterologous coding sequence, and wherein the fragment extends about 300 nucleotides, about 400 nucleotides, about 500 nucleotides, about 600 nucleotides, or about 700 nucleotides upstream from the 3' end of SEQ ID NO:2... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "On-Column Viral Inactivation Methods"  was awarded to Sanofi  on April 7th, 2020.  The present invention is a method of inactivating a virus present during production of a polypeptide of interest, the method comprising the following sequential steps: (a) binding the polypeptide to a chromatography matrix, (b) washing the polypeptide-bound chromatography matrix of step (a) with a first wash solution comprising a salt at a pH above 6.5, (c) washing the polypeptide-bound chromatography matrix of step (b) with a second wash solution comprising a salt at a concentration greater than about 0.5 M... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Methods and Systems for Chromatography Data Analysis" was awarded to Regeneron on April 7th, 2020. The present invention is a process control method, comprising: receiving raw chromatography data including a plurality of signals, wherein each signal of the plurality of signals is associated with one of a plurality of blocks; obtaining a subset of data by selecting a combination of a first block and a first signal from the raw chromatography data; generating processed chromatography data by applying a noise reduction technique to the subset of data, wherein applying the noise reduction technique includes... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Methods for Viral Inactivation Using Eco-Friendly Detergents" was awarded to Genentech on April 7th, 2020. The present invention provides for methods of inactivating virus in product feedstream in a manufacturing process of a therapeutic polypeptide using an environmentally compatible detergent. The environmentally compatible detergent does not adversely affect product quality while effectively inactivating virus in the feedstream. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Production Cell Line Enhancers" was awarded to Regeneron on April 7th, 2020. The present invention relates to discovery of the ectopic expression of EDEM2 in a production cell to improve the yield of a useful multi-subunit protein. Thus, the present invention provides for production cell lines, such as the canonical mammalian biopharmaceutical production cell, the CHO cell, containing recombinant polynucleotides encoding EDEM2. Also disclosed is a production cell containing both an EDEM2-encoding polynucleotide as well an XBP1-encoding polynucleotide. Improved titers of antibodies produced by these cell lines are disclosed... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Real-Time Prediction of Chemical Properties Through Combining Calculated, Structured and Unstructured Data at Large Scale" was published by IBM on April 2nd, 2020. The present invention is a method in a data processing system comprising at least one processor and a memory comprising instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to implement a real-time prediction engine for real-time predication of chemical properties through combining calculated, structured, and unstructured data at large scale, the method comprising... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Vaccine Compositions Having Improved Stability and Immunogenicity" was published by Novavax on April 2nd, 2020. The present invention is a method of stimulating an immune response in a subject comprising administering a vaccine composition comprising: (i) a nanoparticle comprising a non-ionic detergent core and a viral glycoprotein, wherein the viral glycoprotein is associated with the core; wherein the non-ionic detergent is PS80; wherein the viral glycoprotein is an RSV F glycoprotein and the molar ratio of PS80 to viral glycoprotein is about 30:1 to about 60:1; and (ii) a pharmaceutically acceptable buffer. Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Ion Exchange Membrane Chromatography" was published by Genentech on April 2nd, 2020. The present invention are methods of enhancing efficiency of downstream chromatography steps for purification of proteins comprising: (a) passing a composition comprising a polypeptide of interest and various contaminants through an ion exchange membrane, wherein the polypeptide and the membrane have opposite charge, at operating conditions comprised of a buffer having a pH sufficiently distinct from the pi of the polypeptide to enhance the charge of the polypeptide and a low ionic strength effective... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Compositions, Methods, and Systems for Affinity Based Protein Identification and Purification" was published by Recombipure on April 2nd, 2020. The present invention disclosed herein are compositions, methods, and systems for the purification and/or detection of recombinant and other proteins. In some embodiments, compositions may comprise recombinant protein with one or more sequences having substantial homology to RP-Tag Small or RP-Tag Large. In some cases, the disclosed compositions may be useful in binding or recognizing target proteins. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Adsorptive Membranes for Trapping Viruses" was awarded to the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation on March 31st, 2020. The present invention is a disposable, virus-trapping membrane, and a corresponding method to remove viruses from solution are described. The membrane includes a disposable, micro-porous filter membrane and a ligand immobilized on the membrane. The ligand irreversibly and selectively binds viruses. The ligand also has a pKa sufficiently high to repel antibodies via electrostatic charge repulsion. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "pH Adjustment to Improve Thaw Recovery of Cell Banks" was awarded to Genentech on March 31st, 2020. The present invention is a method of improving thaw recovery of cell banks comprising freezing CHO cells for banking in a freezing medium, wherein the freezing medium comprises a buffered solution and a cryoprotective agent, and wherein the freezing medium has a pH of 7.7 to 8.3 prior to freezing. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Materials and Methods for Extended Continuous Flow Fermentation of Reduced Genome Bacteria" was awarded to Scarab Genomics on March 31st, 2020. The present invention is a continuous fermentation process for the production of a biological product comprising culturing a population of reduced genome Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria cells comprising an inducible expression vector encoding a biological product in at least two successive fermentors, each configured as an independent continuous flow chemostat, said fermentors comprising a first fermentor comprising culture medium... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Host Cells for Use in an Inducible Coexpression System" was awarded to AbSci on March 31st, 2020. The present invention is a host cell suitable for expression of at least one gene product from two or more inducible promoters, wherein at least one of said inducible promoters is responsive to an inducer that is different than the inducer of another of said inducible promoters, and each inducible promoter is selected from the group consisting of: an L-arabinose-inducible promoter, a propionate-inducible promoter, a rhamnose-inducible promoter, and a D-xylose-inducible promoter; wherein the host cell has an altered gene function... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Isolating Cells Expressing Secreted Proteins" was awarded to Regeneron on March 24th, 2020. The present invention is a method of high expression of a protein of interest, comprising: (a) transfecting a mammalian cell with (i) a nucleic acid encoding the protein of interest and (ii) a nucleic acid encoding a cell surface capture molecule that comprises a membrane anchor and is capable of binding the protein of interest; (b) culturing the mammalian cell under conditions in which the protein of interest and cell surface capture molecule are expressed, and a protein of interest-cell surface capture molecule complex is formed and displayed on the cell surface of the mammalian cell... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Methods, Apparatuses, and Systems for Continuously Inactivating a Virus During Manufacture of a Biological Product " was published by Boehringer Ingelheim on March 19th, 2020. The present invention is an apparatus for continuously inactivating a virus during manufacture of a biological product, the apparatus comprising: an initial-mixing vessel; a pre-treatment detector chamber; a pre-treatment hold reservoir; a drain valve; and a treatment vessel that comprises an inlet, an outlet, and a static mixer, the inlet and the outlet being positioned at opposite ends of a major axis of the treatment vessel... Learn More

A U.S. Patent Application for "Methods for Increasing Mannose Content of Recombinant Proteins" was published by Amgen on March 19th, 2020. The present invention is a method for modulating mannose 5 on a recombinant protein during a mammalian cell culture process comprising: establishing a cell culture of mammalian cells in a cell culture medium, wherein the mammalian cells produce a recombinant protein; limiting the amount of glucose in the cell culture medium, wherein the concentration of the glucose is from about 0 to 6 g/L; and supplementing the cell culture medium with galactose or sucrose... Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Recombinant Host Cell for Expressing Proteins of Interest" was awarded to Boehringer Ingelheim on March 17th, 2020. The present invention is in the field of recombinant biotechnology, in particular in the field of protein expression. The invention generally relates to a method of expressing a protein of interest (POI) from a host cell. The invention relates particularly to improving a host cell's capacity to express and/or secrete a protein of interest and use of the host cell for protein expression. The invention also relates to cell culture technology, and more specifically to culturing cells to produce desired molecules for medical purposes or food products. Learn More

A U.S. Patent for "Compositions for Cell Culture and Methods of Using the Same" was awarded to Bristol Myers Squibb on March 17th, 2020. The present invention is a cell culture process for the production of protein, comprising: a) culturing Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells which produce a protein of interest in cell culture under conditions that allow for protein production; and b) adding one or more antioxidant selected from the group consisting of catechin, chlorogenic acid, pelargonidin, quercetin, resveratrol, rosmarinic acid and silibinin to the cell culture, wherein protein titer is increased compared to the same cell culture without the antioxidant supplementation. Learn More