Cell Line Characterization

Biosafety screening and stability testing of manufacturing cells.

What is cell line characterization and why is it important?

According to regulatory guidance, all cells used directly as a therapy or within the manufacturing process of a biopharmaceutical must be sufficiently tested to confirm:

  • Identity testing confirms the cell is as described in the submission
  • Purity testing ensures that the cell does not contain any adventitious microbial or viral contaminants. It also determines if there is any contamination from other cell lines.
  • Stability testing generally focuses on the genetic stability of the cell line and ensures that the cells act in the proposed manner across the expected lifetime.

Mammalian cells used for biologic production must be tested for these three categories across a simulated lifetime for the Master and Working Cell Banks (MCB/WCB), as well as the cells at the end of a production run. This ensures that any endogenous or occulted contaminating virus does not emerge unexpectedly. Genetic stability testing across this lifetime also provides assurance that the quality and yield of the biopharmaceutical product can be maintained by the manufacturer.

Classical cell line characterization packages use a range of in vitro and in vivo cell assays and other molecular assays for contamination detection. Cell line stability testing can use a mix of Sanger sequencing, PCR, and cytological methods such as FISH. A full biopharmaceutical characterization package can typically take anywhere between 3 to 6 months.

NGS-based approaches to cell line characterization developed and validated by PathoQuest offer several advantages, especially where traditional testing proves challenging. NGS can provide results much faster and is a viable alternative if there is a compatibility issue with the traditional approach (e.g., a lack of neutralizing antibody or available sample volume). NGS also offers a higher level of information, particularly in cell sequencing to characterize genetic modifications or insertions of sequences into the cell line.

Finally, using an NGS testing strategy can provide a rapid way to screen and identify favorable candidates during the cell line selection process.

What we do

Modalities Tested:

  • mAbs and recombinant proteins biologics
  • Viral vectors
  • Cell therapies
  • Vaccines
  • RNA based therapeutics
  • Cultured meat

Benefits of iDTECT® NGS assays for cell line characterization

GMP Validated
Faster results
Resolves assay compatibility issues
No need to generate neutralizing antibodies
Reduces overall sample requirement for precious material
Specific identification of contamination
Meet corporate 3Rs objectives by removing animal use

Our Assays:

  • iDTECT® Transcriptome
  • iDTECT® Integration Site Analysis

WHY THIS APPROACH

ICH – Draft Guidline for Consultation Q5A (R2) viral safety evaluation of biotechnology products derived from cell lines of human or animal origin

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FDA – Characterization and Qualification of Cell Substrates and Other Biological Materials Used in the Production of Viral Vaccines for Infectious Disease Indications

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Publication:– Adventitious Virus Detection in Cells by High-Throughput Sequencing of Newly Synthesized RNAs: Unambiguous Differentiation of Cell Infection from Carryover of Viral Nucleic Acids

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PathoQuest Webinar 

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Challenges solved

  • Incompatibility of sample with traditional assays
  • Very low sample volumes
  • Tight clinical timelines
  • Meeting corporate objectives for removing animal use
  • Discriminating infectious virus from non replicating carryover

“As a gene-modified cell therapy, our project had very limited sample volume for regular culture methods to detect adventitious virus. PathoQuest was able to provide us with an assay which confirmed the lack of any contaminants within our timeframe”

OTHER SERVICES

Adventitious Virus Testing

Detection of viral contamination within the manufacturing process and beyond.

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Integration Site Analysis

Characterisation of genetic modifications for clone selection, genetic stability and lot release

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Identity Confirmation

Genetic characterization of viral and plasmid products for release.

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HLA Genotyping

Characterizing and screening for novel and emerging cell therapies.

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In Vivo Replacement

NGS as an ethical alternative to animals in biosafety testing and characterization.

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Raw Material Testing

Screening of high-risk inputs such as animal products and media.

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Contact us

U.S.

+1 484 212 9360

466 Devon Park Dr
Wayne, PA 19087
United States

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France

+33 (0)1 70 82 17 90

Biopark -Bâtiment B,
11, rue Watt
75013 Paris, France

How can PathoQuest help?

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

U.S.

+1 484 212 9360

466 Devon Park Dr
Wayne, PA 19087
United States

France

+33 (0)1 70 82 17 90

Biopark -Bâtiment B,
11, rue Watt
75013 Paris, France

How can PathoQuest help?

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for our latest news