BASF Pharma Solutions introducing a new shear protectant – Kolliphor® P188 Cell Culture

On March 11^th, 2024, BASF Pharma Solutions officially announced the launch of Kolliphor^® P188 Cell Culture – This new shear protectant is a GMP material for bioprocessing applications where a lower average molecular weight poloxamer could be beneficial.

Kolliphor^® P188 Cell Culture joins Kolliphor^® P188 Bio as a portfolio of products designed for bioprocessing applications. Both products offer good shear protection showcasing high viability and viable cell density, and can have a positive impact in viable cell density under high shear conditions (Fig. 1).

In the past decades, the bioprocessing industry has made significant technological strides that have led to higher cell densities and more final drug product output¹. Raw materials in cell media play a fundamental role in running bioprocesses that are both efficient and high-yielding. Reagents in media, and buffers make up a great part of the Cost of Goods of a bioprocess and underperforming raw materials can lead to costly disruptions^2,3. As the complexity and intensity of bioprocesses continues to grow, efforts in identifying which raw materials are introducing irregularities and their impact are being evaluated across the industry. Bioprocess interruptions or failures have an impact not only on economic but also sustainability goals^4,5.

Poloxamer 188, a critical raw material in biomanufacturing, has a history of impacting cell performance due to hydrophobic⁶, differences in average molecular weight have been shown to have an impact in cell performance⁷ and foaming⁸.

Kolliphor^® P188 Cell Culture, a poloxamer of lower average molecular weight, can offer great shear protection under high shear conditions while also producing a less stable, faster dissipating foam. ​

“The addition of Kolliphor^® P188 Cell Culture to our portfolio is another step in offering the biologics market high quality raw materials that fit their manufacturing needs and reducing raw material variability. At BASF we continue to learn how poloxamer 188 impacts the bioprocess so we can continue to support our customer’s present and future needs”.

Nadya Morales-Cummings, Global Technical Marketing Manager, Biopharma Ingredients, BASF Pharma Solutions

Technical Information on Kolliphor P 188 Cell Culture:

Introduction

BASF’s Kolliphor P grade poloxamers are white, coarse – grained powders with a waxy consistency. They contain an appropriate quantity of the antioxidant BHT. Poloxamers are ABA-type co-polymers of poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO=A) and poly (propylene oxide) (PPO=B). The approximate relative amount of PEO and the average molecular weight of the PPO are indicated in the name of the poloxamer. For example, P 188 succeeding the word Kolliphor® indicates a poloxamer with ca. 80% m/m PEO (P 188; 8×10= 80%) and approximately average molecular weight of PPO of 1800
(P 188; 18×100= 1800).

Kolliphor® P 188 Bio & Kolliphor® P 188 Cell Culture are designed for protection against shear stress in biologic drug manufacturing processes. It is also suitable as an excipient for parenteral formulations. Improvements in the manufacturing process and a validated RP-HPLC assay ensures the highest quality product for consistent performance and less variability versus other poloxamer 188 grades.

Download the complete technical information here: Kolliphor P 188 Cel Culture – Technical Information

or read the full BASF article here

Source: BASF, website Kolliphor® P188 Cell Culture | Poloxamers | BASF Pharma

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