Graduation Year

2025

Date of Submission

4-2025

Document Type

Campus Only Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Biology

Second Department

Science and Management

Reader 1

Shiva Abdolrahimi

Reader 2

Ana Wenzel

Abstract

As the demand for monoclonal antibodies (mAb) therapeutics continues to rise, it becomes essential to ensure scalability, consistency, and cost-efficiency. I worked alongside a team of KGI graduate students, in collaboration with Abzena, a biopharmaceutical company, to evaluate their current mAb platform processes. We looked to optimize their key upstream and downstream processes in mAb production.

For upstream studies, we focused on comparing liquid cell-growth media (current platform)m with powdered media, in order to save cost storage on refrigeration of liquid media. The powder media demonstrated consistent growth and high viability, showing comparable results with the liquid media. Moreover, in down streaming processing we first looked at depth filtration experiments testing whether new filter systems, which were more cost-effective, were comparable to the current depth filter used. Results depth filter B filter outperformed traditional depth filter A in mass yield, which could potentially reduce the burden on subsequent purification steps.

Continuing in downstream procedures, Protein A chromatography studies evaluated three resins, resin A (current platform), resin B, and resin C, in dynamic binding capacity, pH elution, and host cell protein clearance experiments. Results found Resin B and Resin C showed improved performance and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, Resin C, could elute proteins at a higher pH allowing, making it a more stable option for pH sensitive proteins. Anion exchange (AEX) membrane screening is ongoing, with early indications that Membrane B and Membrane C may eliminate the need for salt dilution.

By integrating experimental findings with Abzena’s bill of materials, the team redesigned the platform to reduce Protein A purification cycles from four to one. This optimization led to a total cost reduction of up to 56%, representing a significant advancement toward more efficient and accessible mAb manufacturing.

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This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.

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