SFI award for research to make drug production more reliable

“This research supports industry efforts to develop reliable and cost effective bioproduction methods, meeting regulatory standards and fulfilling the growing demand for biopharmaceuticals in Ireland and worldwide,” said Dr Selvaprakash. 

The research will be conducted in partnership with the Cork-based BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. and is part of an overall investment of €1.4 million in 15 awards under the Programme by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science which aims to drive research excellence and enhance industry competitiveness. 

Stew 

In order to grow, cells need to reside in a nutritious ‘stew’. This stew includes amino acids, sugars for energy, and growth factors that trigger cell division. The consistency of the drug production process can be disrupted by changes in the consistency of any of these key ingredients. 

Dr Selvaprakash will use bioreactors – think of them as miniature labs devoted to growing cells – and advanced analytical monitoring technology to monitor the health of cells to improve the drug production process by ensuring better process control and reducing the contamination risks. 

A particular type of cells called Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are crucial in biotechnology and medical research, said Dr Selvaprakash. 

CHO cells are adaptable, he said, have been accepted by the regulatory agencies for many years, and are considered essential for the production of therapeutic proteins such as enzymes and antibodies because of their genetic stability and ability to perform complex protein modifications. 

Essential substances – called complex basal media components - such as amino acids, vitamins, minerals and growth factors are essential for cell growth and protein production in biotechnological applications. 

These components play a critical role in CHO biology by providing all the necessary nutrients for cell growth, influencing cellular metabolism, and impacting the quality and consistency of biopharmaceutical products. 

Industry 

“The reason industry is interested in this research is because of its relevance to biopharmaceutical manufacturing," said Dr Selvaprakash. 

"An understanding of how basal media components impact CHO cells is crucial for optimizing the drug production process."

“Biopharmaceutical companies can enhance cell growth, improve the efficiency of protein production and ensure the consistency and quality of therapeutic products by fine tuning the composition of basal media.”

These fellowships can have a duration of between one and 12 months if full-time and between two and 24 months if part-time. 

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