Title of Invention

A COMPOSITION COMPRISING A MIXTURE OF ANTI-HER2 ANTIBODY

Abstract A composition comprising a mixture of anti-HER2 antibody and one or more acidic variants thereof, wherein the amount of the acidic variant(s) is less than 25%.
Full Text PROTEIN PURIFICATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to protein purification. In particular, the invention relates to a method for purifying a polypeptide (e.g. an antibody) from a composition comprising the polypeptide and at least one contaminant using the method of ion exchange chromatography. Description of Related Art
The large-scale, economic purification of proteins is increasingly an important problem for the biotechnology industry. Generally, proteins are produced by cell culture, using either mammalian or bacterial cell lines engineered to produce the protein of interest by insertion of a recombinant plasmid containing the gene for that protein. Since the cell lines used are living organisms, they must be fed with a complex growth medium, containing sugars, amino acids, and growth factors, usually supplied from preparations of animal serum. Separation of the desired protein from the mixture of compounds fed to the cells and from the by-products of the cells themselves to a purity sufficient for use as a human therapeutic poses a formidable challenge.
Procedures for purification of proteins from cell debris initially depend on the site of expression of the protein. Some proteins can be caused to be secreted directly from the cell into the surrounding growth media; others are made intracellularly.Forthe latter proteins, the first step of a purification process involves lysis of the cell, which can be done by a variety of methods, including mechanical shear, osmotic shock, or enzymatic . treatments. Such disruption releases the entire contents of the cell into the homogenate, and in addition produces subcellular fragments that are difficult to remove due to their small size. These are generally removed by differential centrifugation or by filtration. The same problem arises, although on a smaller scale, with directly secreted proteins due to the natural death of cells and release of intracellular host cell proteins in the course of the protein production run.
Once a clarified solution containing the protein of interest has been obtained, its separation from the other proteins produced by the cell is usually attempted using a combination of different chromatography techniques. These techniques separate mixtures of proteins on the basis of their charge, degree of hydrophobicity, or size. Several different chromatography resins are available for each of these techniques, allowing accurate tailoring of the purification scheme to the particular protein involved. The essence of each of these separation methods is that proteins can be caused either to move at different rates down a long column, achieving a physical separation that increases as they pass further down the column, or to adhere selectively to the separation medium, being then differentially eluted by different solvents. In some cases, the desired protein is separated from impurities when the impurities specifically adhere to the column, and the protein of interest does not, that is, the protein of interest is present in the "flow-through".
Ion exchange chromatography is a chromatographictechnique that is commonly used for the purification of proteins. In ion exchange chromatography, charged patches on the surface of the solute are attracted by opposite charges attached to a chromatography matrix, provided the ionic strength of the surrounding buffer is low. Elution is generally achieved by increasing the ionic strength {i.e. conductivity) of the buffer to compete with the solute for the charged sites of the ion exchange matrix. Changing the pH and thereby altering the charge of
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the solute is another way to achieve elution of the solute. The change in conductivity or pH may be gradual (gradient elution) or stepwise (step elution). In the past, these changes have been progressive; i.e., the pH or conductivity is increased or decreased in a single direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an ion exchange chromatographic method wherein a polypeptide of interest is bound to the ion exchange material at an initial conductivity or pH and then the ion exchange material is washed with an intermediate buffer at a different conductivity or pH, or both. At a specific point following this intermediate wash, and contrary to ion exchange chromatography standard practice, the ion exchange material is washed with a wash buffer where the change in conductivity or pH, or both, from the intermediate buffer to the wash buffer is in an opposite direction to the change in conductivity or pH, or both, achieved in the previous steps. Only after washing with the wash buffer, is the ion exchange material prepared for the polypeptide molecule of interest to be eluted by the application of the elution buffer having a conductivity or pH, or both, which differ from the conductivity or pH, or both, of the buffers used in previous steps.
This novel approach to ion exchange chromatography is particularly useful in situations where a product molecule must be separated from a very closely related contaminant molecule at full manufacturing scale, where both purity and high recovery of polypeptide product are desired.
Accordingly, the invention provides a method for purifying a polypeptide from a composition comprising the polypeptide and a contaminant, which method comprises the following steps performed sequentially:
(a) binding the polypeptide to an ion exchange material using a loading buffer, wherein the loading
buffer is at a first conductivity and pH;
(b) washing the ion exchange material with an intermediate buffer at a second conductivity and/or pH
so as to elutc the contaminant from the ion exchange material;
(c) washing the ion exchange material with a wash buffer which is at a third conductivity and/or pH,
wherein the change in conductivity and/or pH from the intermediate buffer to the wash buffer is in an opposite
direction to the change in conductivity and/or pH from the loading buffer to the intermediate buffer; and
(d) washing the ion exchange material with an elution buffer at a fourth conductivity and/or pH so as
to elute the polypeptide from the ion exchange material. The first conductivity and/or pH may be the same as
the third conductivity and/or pH.
Where the ion exchange material comprises a cation exchange resin, the conductivity and/or pH of the intermediate buffer is/are preferably greater than the conductivity and/or pH of the loading buffer; the conductivity and/or pH of the wash buffer is/are preferably less than the conductivity and/or pH of the intermediate buffer; and the conductivity and/or pH of the elution buffer is/are preferably greater than the conductivity and/or pH of the intermediate buffer. Preferably, the conductivity and/or pH of the wash buffer is/are about the same as the conductivity and/or pH of the loading buffer.
Preferably elution of the contaminant and of the polypeptide is achieved by modifying the conductivity of the intermediate buffer and of the elution buffer, respectively, while keeping the pH of these buffers approximately the same.
The invention also provides a method for purifying a polypeptide from a composition comprising the
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polypeptide and a contaminant, which method comprises the following steps performed sequentially:
(a) binding the polypeptide to a cation exchange material using a loading buffer, wherein the loading
buffer is at a first conductivity and pH;
(b) washing the cation exchange material with an intermediate buffer at a second conductivity and/or
pH which is greater than that of the loading buffer so as to elute the contaminant from the ion exchange material;
(c) washing the cation exchange material with a wash buffer which is at a third conductivity and/or pH
which is less than that of the intermediate buffer; and
(d) washing the cation exchange material with an elution buffer at a fourth conductivity and/or pH which
is greater than that of the intermediate buffer so as to elute the polypeptide from the ion exchange material.
In addition, the invention provides a method for purifying an antibody from a composition comprising the antibody and a contaminant, which method comprises loading the composition onto a cation exchange resin, wherein the amount of antibody loaded onto the cation exchange resin is from about 20mg to about 35mg of the antibody per mL of cation exchange resin and, optionally, further comprisingeluting the antibody from the cation exchange resin. The method preferably further comprises an intermediate wash step for eluting one or more contaminants from the ion exchange resin. This intermediate wash step usually precedes the step of eluting the antibody.
The invention further provides a composition comprising a mixture of anti-HER2 antibody and one or more acidic variants thereof, wherein the amount of the acidic variant(s) in the composition is less than about 25% and preferably less than about 20%, e.g. in the range from about 1% to about 18%. Optionally, the composition further comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
Brief Description Of The Accompanying Drawings
Figure 1 is a flow diagram showing how one could perform cation exchange chromatography by altering conductivity (e.g. to the NaCl concentrations of Example 1 below) or by altering pM (e.g. to the pH values as shown in the flow diagram).
Figure 2 is a flow diagram showing how one could perform anion exchange chromatography by altering conductivity (e.g. to the NaCl concentrations as depicted in the figure) or by altering pH (e.g. to the pH values as shown).
Figure 3 is an absorbance trace from a cation exchange chromatography run of Example 1 at full manufacturingscale. Points at which the column is washed with the different buffers described herein are marked with arrows.
Figure 4 depicts recombinant humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody (rhuMAb HER2) recovered in each chromatography fraction (calculated as the percentage of the sum total of all fractions of the relevant chromatography). Flow through, wash steps, and prepool fractions are all effluent samples collected from the onset of load to the initiation of pooling. The pool fraction is the five column volume effluent sample of elution starting at the leading shoulder's inflection point. The regeneration fraction contains effluent captured from the end of pooling to the end of regeneration.
Figure 5 shows the quality of rhuMAb HER2 in each cation exchange chromatography pool sample as evaluated by carboxy sulfon cation exchange high pressure liquid chromatography (CSx HPIEX). Peaks a, b, and 1 are deamidated forms of rhuMAb HER2. Peak 3 is nondeamidated rhuMAb HER2. Peak 4 is a combination
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of C-terminal Lysine containing and iso-aspartate variants of rhuMAb HER2.
Figure 6 shows the absorbance(280 nm) profiles of the 0.025 M MES / 0.070 M NaCl, pH 5.6 wash for each chromatography. The mass of rhuMAb HER2 applied to the cation exchange resin effects the peak's absorbance level at the apex as well as the amount of buffer required to reach the apex. Due to m inor peaks which occur (as best seen in the 30 mg/mL load) in this wash, the apex is defined as absorbance levels of at least 0.5 absorbance units (AU).
Figures 7A and 7B show the amino acid sequences of humMAb4D5-8 light chain (SEQ ID NO:1) and humMAb4D5-8 heavy chain (SEQ ID NO:2), respectively.
Detailed Description Of The Preferred Embodiments Definitions:
The "composition" to be purified herein comprises the polypeptide of interest and one or more contaminants. The composition may be "partially purified" (i.e. having been subjected to one or more purification steps, such as Protein A Chromatography as in Example 1 below) or may be obtained directly from a host cell or organism producing the polypeptide (e.g. the composition may comprise harvested cell culture fluid).
As used herein, "polypeptide" refers generally to peptides and proteins having more than about ten amino acids. Preferably, the polypeptide is a mammalian protein, examples of which include renin; a growth hormone, including human growth hormone and bovine growth hormone; growth hormone releasing factor; parathyroid hormone; thyroid stimulating hormone; lipoproteins; alpha-1-antitrypsin; insulin A-chain; insulin B-chain; proinsulin; follicle stimulating hormone; calcitonin; luteinizing hormone; glucagon; clotting factors such as factor VIIIC, factor IX, tissue factor, and von Willebrands factor; anti-clotting factors such as Protein C; atrial natriuretic factor; lung surfactant; a plasminogen activator, such as urokinase or human urine or tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA); bombesin; thrombin; hemopoietic growth factor; tumor necrosis factor-alpha and -beta; enkephalinase; RANTES (regulated on activation normally T-cell expressed and secreted); human macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1-alpha); a serum albumin such as human serum albumin; Muellerian-inhibiting substance; relaxin A-chain; relaxin B-chain; prorelaxin; mouse gonadotropin-associated peptide; a microbial protein, such as beta-lactamase; DNase; IgE; a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated antigen (CTLA), such as CTLA-4; inhibin; activin; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); receptors for hormones or growth factors; Protein A or D; rheumatoid factors; a neurotrophic factor such as bone-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3, -4, -5, or -6 (NT-3, NT-4, NT-5, or NT-6), or a nerve growth factor such as NGF-p; platelet-derivedgrowth factor (PDGF); fibroblast growth factor such as aFGF and bFGF; epidermal growth factor (EGF); transforming growth factor (TGF) such as TGF-aipha and TGF-beta, including TGF-pl, TGF-(32, TGF-p3, TGF-b4, or TGF-P5; insulin-like growth factor-I and -II (IGF-I and IGF-II); des(l-3)-IGF-I (brain IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs); CD proteins such as CD3, CD4, CDS, CDI9 and CD20; erythropoietin; osteoinductive factors; immunotoxins; a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP); an interferon such as interferon-alpha, -beta, and -gamma; colony stimulating factors (CSFs), e.g., M-CSF, GM-CSF, and G-CSF; interleukins (ILs), e.g., IL-1 to IL-10; superoxide dismutase; T-cell receptors; surface membrane proteins; decay accelerating factor; viral antigen such as, for example, a portion of the AIDS envelope; transport proteins; homing receptors; addressins; regulatory proteins; integrins such as CD1 la, CD1 lb, CD1 lc, CDI8, an ICAM, VLA-4 and VCAM; a tumor associated antigen such as HER2, HER3 or HER4 receptor; and fragments and/or variants
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of any of the above-listed polypeptides. Most preferred is a full length antibody that binds human HER2.
A "contaminant" is a material that is different from the desired polypeptide product. The contaminant may be a variant of the desired polypeptide (e.g. a deamidated variant or an amino-aspartate variant of the desired polypeptide) or another polypeptide, nucleic acid, endotoxin etc.
A "variant" or "amino acid sequence variant" of a starting polypeptide is a polypeptide that comprises an amino acid sequence different from that of the starting polypeptide. Generally, a variant will possess at least 80% sequence identity, preferably at least 90% sequence identity, more preferably at least 95% sequence identity, and most preferably at least 98% sequence identity with the native polypeptide. Percentage sequence identity is determined, for example, by the Fitch et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 80:1382-1386 (1983), version of the algorithm described by Needleman et al, J. Mol. Bio/. 48:443-453 (1970), after aligning the sequences to provide for maximum homology. Amino acid sequence variants of a polypeptide may be prepared by introducing appropriate nucleotide changes into DNA encoding the polypeptide, or by peptide synthesis. Such variants include, for example, deletions from, and/or insertions into and/or substitutionsof, residues within the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of interest. Any combination of deletion, insertion, and substitution is made to arrive at the final construct, provided that the final construct possesses the desired characteristics. The amino acid changes also may alter post-translational processes of the polypeptide, such as changing the number or position of glycosylation sites. Methods for generating amino acid sequence variants of polypeptides are described in US Pat 5,534,615, expressly incorporated herein by reference, for example.
An "acidic variant" is a variant of a polypeptide of interest which is more acidic (e.g. as determined by cation exchange chromatography) than the polypeptide of interest. An example of an acidic variant is a deamidated variant.
A "deamidated" variant of a polypeptide molecule is a polypeptide wherein one or more asparagine residue(s) of the original polypeptide have been converted to aspartate, i.e. the neutral amide side chain has been converted to a residue with an overall acidic character. Deamidated humMAb4D5 antibody from the Example
below has Asn30 in CDR1 of either or both of the VL regions thereof converted to aspartate. The term
"deamidated human DNase" as used herein means human DNase that is deamidated at the asparagine residue that occurs at position 74 in the amino acid sequence of native mature human DNase (US Patent 5,279,823; expressly incorporated herein by reference).
The term "mixture" as used herein in reference to a composition comprising an anti-HER2 antibody, means the presence of both the desired anti-HER2 antibody and one or more acidic variants thereof. The acidic variants may comprise predominantly deamidated anti-HER2 antibody, with minor amounts of other acidic variant(s). It has been found, for example, that in preparations of anti-HER2 antibody obtained from recombinant expression, as much as about 25% of the anti-HER2 antibody is deamidated.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, the polypeptide is a recombinant polypeptide- A "recombinant polypeptide" is one which has been produced in a host cell which has been transformed or transfected with nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide, or produces the polypeptide as a result of homologous recombination. "Transformation" and "transfection" are used interchangeably to refer to the process of introducing nucleic acid into a cell. Following transformation or transfection, the nucleic acid may integrate into
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the host cell genome, or may exist as an extrachromosomalelement. The "host cell" includes a cell in in vitro cell culture as well a cell within a host animal. Methods for recombinant production of polypeptides are described in US Pat 5,534,615, expressly incorporated herein by reference, for example.
The term "antibody" is used in the broadest sense and specifically covers monoclonal antibodies (including full length monoclonal antibodies), polyclonal antibodies, multispecific antibodies (e.g., bispecific antibodies), and antibody fragments so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity.
The antibody herein is directed against an "antigen" of interest. Preferably, the antigen is a biologically important polypeptide and administration of the antibody to a mammal suffering from a disease or disorder can result in a therapeutic benefit in that mammal. However, antibodies directed against nonpolypeptide antigens (such as tumor-associated glycolipid antigens; see US Patent 5,091,178) are also contemplated. Where the antigen is a polypeptide, it may be a transmembrane molecule (e.g. receptor) or ligand such as a growth factor. Exemplary antigens include those polypeptides discussed above. Preferred molecular targets for antibodies encompassed by the present invention include CD polypeptides such as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD20 and CD34; members of the HER receptor family such as the EGF receptor, HER2, HER3 or HER4 receptor; cell adhesion molecules such as LFA-l,Macl, p150,95, VLA-4, ICAM-1, VCAM and av/b3 integrin including either a or b subunits thereof (e.g. anti-CDl 1 a,anti-CDl 8 or anti-CD 11 b antibodies); growth factors such as VEGF; igE; blood group antigens; flk2/flt3 receptor; obesity (OB) receptor; mpl receptor; CTLA-4; polypeptide C etc. Soluble antigens or fragments thereof, optionally conjugated to other molecules, can be used as immunogens for generating antibodies. For transmembrane molecules, such as receptors, fragments of these (e.g. the extracellular domain of a receptor) can be used as the immunogen. Alternatively, cells expressing the transmembrane molecule can be used as the immunogen. Such cells can be derived from a natural source (e.g. cancer cell lines) or may be cells which have been transformed by recombinant techniques to express the transmembrane molecule.
The term "monoclonal antibody" as used herein refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, i.e., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical except for possible naturally occurring mutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directed against a single antigenic site. Furthermore, in contrast to conventional (polyclonal) antibody preparations which typically include different antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single determinant on the antigen. The modifier "monoclonal" indicates the character of the antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particular method. For example, the monoclonal antibodies to be used in accordance with the present invention may be made by the hybridoma method first described by Kohler et al, Nature 256:495 (1975), or may be made by recombinant DNA methods (see, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567). In a further embodiment, "monoclonal antibodies" can be isolated from antibody phage libraries generated using the techniques described in McCafferty et al. Nature, 348:552-554 (1990). Clackson et al., Nature, 352:624-628 (1991) and Marks et al., J. Mot. Bio!., 222:581-597 (1991) describe the isolation of murine and human antibodies, respectively, using phage libraries. Subsequent publicationsdescribe the production of high affinity (nM range) human antibodies by chain shuffling (Marks et al, Bio/Technology, 10:779-783 (1992)), as well as combinatorial infection and in vivo recombination as a strategy for constructing very large phage libraries (Waterhouse et al., Nuc. Acids. Res., 21:2265-2266

(1993)). Thus, these techniques are viable alternatives to traditional monoclonal antibody hy bridoma techniques for isolation of monoclonal antibodies. Alternatively, it is now possible to produce transgenic animals (e.%., mice) that are capable, upon immunization, of producing a full repertoire of human antibodies in the absence of endogenous immunoglobulin production. For example, it has been described that the homozygous deletion of the antibody heavy-chain joining region (J,j) gene in chimcric and genn-linc mutant mice results in complete
inhibition of endogenous antibody production Transfer of the human germ-line immunoglobulin gene array in such germ-line mutant m ice will result in the production of human antibodies upon antigen challenge. See, e g., Jakoboviis et, al Proc Naif. Acad. Sci USA, 90:2551 (1993); Jakobovits cf al. Nature, 362:255-258(1993); Bruggermannc/n/, Year in Immuno , 7:33 (1993); and Duchosal et al Nature 355:258 (1992)
The monoclonal antibodies herein specifically include "chimcric" antibodies (immunoglobulins) in which a portion of the heavy and/or light chain is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from a particular species or belonging to a particular antibody class or subclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is identical with or homologous to corrcspondingsequencesin antibodies derived from another species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, as well as fragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity (U.S. Patent No. 4.816,567; and Morrison ct al., Proc Nail Acad. Sci USA 81:6851-6855 (1984)).
The term "hypervariable region" when used herein refers to the amino acid residues of an antibody which arc responsible for antigen-binding I he hypervariable region comprises amino acid residues from a "complementarity determining region" or "CDR "(i.e. residues 24-34 (LI), 50-56 (L2) and 89-97 (1.3) in the light chain variable domain and 3 1-35 (HI), 50-65 (112) and 95-102 (H3) in the heavy chain variable domain, Kabat et al, Sequences o/Polypepndes of Immunological Interest, 5th lid. Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health. Bethe.sda, MI") (1991)) and/or those residues from a "hypervariable loop" (i.e. residues 26-32 (LI), 50-52 (L2) and 91 -96 (L3) in the light chain variable domain and 26-32 (H1). 53-55 (112) and 96-101 (H3) in the heavy chain variable domain, Chothia and Lcsk 7 Mol Biol. 196:901-917 (1987)). "Framework" or "FR" residues are those variable domain residues other than the hypcrvariable region residues as herein defined. The CDR and FR residues of the rhuMAbHER2 antibody of the example below (humAb4D5-8) arc identified in Carter et al, Proc. Nail. Acad Sci. USA, 89:4285 (1992).
"Humanized" forms of non-human (eg, niurine) antibodies are chimeric antibodies that contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. For the most part, humanized antibodies arc human iminunoelobulins(rccipient antibody) in which residues from a hypervariable region of the recipient are replaced by residues from a hypervariable region of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat, rabbit or nonlmman primate having the desired specificity, affinity, and capacity. In some instances, Fv framework region (FR) residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Furthermore, humanized antibodies may comprise residues which arc not found in the recipient antibody or in the donor antibody. These modifications are made to further refine antibody performance. In general, the humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the hypervariable loops correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin sequence. The humanized antibody
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optionally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin.
The choice of human variable domains, both light and heavy, to be used in making the humanized antibodies is very important to reduce antigenicity. According to the so-called "best-fit" method, the sequence of the variable domain of a rodent antibody is screened against the entire library of known human variable-domain sequences. The human sequence which is closest to that of the rodent is then accepted as the human framework (FR) for the humanized antibody (Sims et al., J. Immunol., 151:2296 (1993); Chothiaef al., J. Mol. Biol, 196:903 (3987)).
Another method uses a particular framework derived from the consensus sequence of all human antibodies of a particular subgroup of light or heavy chains. The same framework may be used for several different humanized antibodies (Carter et al., Proc. Nati Acad. Sci. USA, 89:4285 (1992); Presta et al., J. ImmnoL, 151:2623 (1993)).
It is further important that antibodies be humanized with retention of high affinity for the antigen and other favorable biological properties. To achieve this goal, according to a preferred method, humanized antibodies are prepared by a process of analysis of the parental sequences and various conceptual humanized products using three-dimensional models of the parental and humanized sequences. Three-dimensional immunoglobulin models are commonly available and are familiar to those skilled in the art. Computer programs are available which illustrate and display probable three-dimensionalconformational structures of selected candidate immunoglobulin sequences. Inspection of these displays permits analysis of the likely role of the residues in the functioning of the candidate immunoglobulin sequence, i.e., the analysis of residues that influence the ability of the candidate immunoglobulin to bind its antigen. In this way, FR residues can be selected and combined from the recipient and import sequences so that the desired antibody characteristic, such as increased affinity for the target antigen(s), is achieved. In general, the CDR residues are directly and most substantially involved in influencing antigen binding.
"Antibody fragments" comprise a portion of a full length antibody, generally the antigen binding or
variable region thereof. Examples of antibody fragments include Fab, Fab", F(ab')2, and Fv fragments; diabodies;
linear antibodies; single-chain antibody molecules; and multispecific antibodies formed from antibody fragments. Various techniques have been developed for the production of antibody fragments. Traditionally, these fragments were derived via proteolytic digestion of intact antibodies (see, e.g., Morimoto et al., Journal of Biochemical and Biophysical Methods 24:107-117 (1992) and Brennan et al., Science, 229:81 (1985)). However, these fragments can now be produced directly by recombinant host cells. For example, the antibody fragments can be isolated from the antibody phage libraries discussed above. Alternatively, Fab'-SH fragments can be directly recovered
from E. coli and chemically coupled to form F(ab')2 fragments (Carter et al, Bio/Technology 10:163-167 (1992)). In another embodiment, the F(ab')2 is formed using the leucine zipper GCN4 to promote assembly of the F(ab')2
molecule. According to another approach, F(ab')2 fragments can be isolated directly from recombinant host cell
culture. Other techniques for the production of antibody fragments will be apparent to the skilled practitioner. In other embodiments, the antibody of choice is a single chain Fv fragment (scFv). See WO 93/16185.
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"Single-chain Fv" or "sFv" antibody fragments comprise the VH and VL domains of antibody, wherein these domains are present in a single polypeptide chain. Generally, the Fv polypeptide further comprises a polypeptide linker between the VH and VL domains which enables the sFv to form the desired structure for antigen binding.
For a review of sFv see Pluckthun in The Pharmacology of Monoclonal Antibodies, vol. 113, Rosenburg and Moore eds. Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 269-315 (1994),
The term "diabodies" refers to small antibody fragments with two antigen-binding sites, which fragments
comprise a heavy chain variable domain (VH) connected to a light chain variable domain (VL) in the same
polypeptide chain (VH - V1), By using a linker that is too short to allow pairing between the two domains on the
same chain, the domains are forced to pair with the complementary domains of another chain and create two antigen-binding sites. Diabodies are described more fully in, for example, EP 404,097; WO 93/11161; and Hollinger et ai, Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA 90:6444-6448 (1993),
The expression "linear antibodies" when used throughout this application refers to the antibodies described in Zapata et ai Polypeptide Eng. 8(10): 1057-1062 (1995). Briefly, these antibodies comprise a pair
of tandem Fd segments (VH-CH1-VH-CJ^]) which form a pair of antigen binding regions. Linear antibodies can
be bispecific or monospecific.
"Multispecific antibodies" have binding specificities for at least two different epitopes, where the epitopes are usually from different antigens. While such molecules normally will only bind two antigens (i.e. bispecific antibodies, BsAbs), antibodies with additional specificities such as trispecific antibodies are encompassed by this expression when used herein. Examples of BsAbs include those with one arm directed against a tumor cell antigen and the other arm directed against a cytotoxic trigger molecule such as anti-
FcyRI/anti-CD15, anti-pl85HER2/FcyRIII (CD16), anti-CD3/anti-malignant B-cell (1D10), anti-CD3/anti-
pl85HLR2, anti-CD3/anti-p97, anti-CD3/anti-renal cell carcinoma, anti-CD3/anti-OVCAR-3, anti-CD3/L-Dl
(anti-colon carcinoma), anti-CD3/anti-mdanocytestimulatinghormone analog, anti-EGFreceptor/anti-CD3,anti-CD3/anti-CAMAl,anti-CD3/anti-CD19,anti-CD3/MoVl8,anti-neural cell ahesion molecule (NCAM)/anti-CD3, anti-folate binding protein (FBP)/anti-CD3,anti-pan carcinoma associated antigen (AMOC-31 )/anti-CD3; BsAbs with one arm which binds specifically to a tumor antigen and one arm which binds to a toxin such as anti-saporin/anti-Id-1, anti-CD22/anti-saporinJ anti-CD7/anti-saporin, anti-CD3 8/anti-saporin, anti-CEA/anti-ricin A chain, anti-interferon-a(IFN-cc)/anti-hybridoma idiotype, anti-CEA/anti-vinca alkaloid; BsAbs for converting enzyme activated prodrugs such as anti-CD30/anti-alkaline phosphatase (which catalyzes conversion of mitomycin phosphate prodrug to mitomycin alcohol); BsAbs which can be used as fibrinolytic agents such as anti-fibrin/anti-tissueplasminogen activator (tPA), anti-fibrin/anti-urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA); BsAbs for targeting immune complexes to cell surface receptors such as anti-low density lipoprotein (LDL)/anti-Fc receptor (e.g. FcyRl, or FcyRi 11); BsAbs for use in therapy of infectious diseases such as anti-CD3/anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV), anti-T-cell receptor:CD3 cornplex/anti-infiuenza, anti-FcyR/anti-HlV; BsAbs for tumor
HFR2
detection in vitro or in vivo such as anti-CEA/anti-EOTUBE, anti-CEA/anti-DPTA, anti-pl 85 /anti-hapten;
BsAbs as vaccine adjuvants; and BsAbs as diagnostic tools such as anti-rabbit IgG/anti-ferritin, anti-horse radish
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peroxidase (HRP)/anti-hormone, anti-somatostatin/anti-substance P, anti-HRP/anti-FITC, anti-CEA/anti-p-galactosidase. Examplesoftrispecificantibodiesincludeanti-CD3/anti-CD4/anti-CD37,anti-CD3/anti-CD5/anti-CD37 and anti-CD3/anti-CD8/anti-CD37. Bispecific antibodies can be prepared as full length antibodies or antibody fragments (e.g. F(ab')2 bispecific antibodies).
Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in the art. Traditional production of full length bispecific antibodies is based on the coexpression of two immunoglobulin heavy chain-light chain pairs, where the two chains have different specificities (Millstein et ai, Nature, 305:537-539 (1983)). Because of the random assortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, these hybridomas (quadromas) produce a potential mixture of 10 different antibody molecules, of which only one has the correct bispecific structure. Purification of the correct molecule, which is usually done by affinity chromatography steps, is rather cumbersome,and the product yields are low. Similar procedures are disclosed in WO 93/08829, and in Trauneckere/o/., EMBOJ., 10:3655-3659(1991).
According to a different approach, antibody variable domains with the desired binding specificities (antibody-antigen combining sites) are fused to immunoglobulin constant domain sequences. The fusion preferably is with an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant domain, comprising at least part of the hinge, CH2, and CH3 regions. It is preferred to have the first heavy-chain constant region (CH1) containing the site necessary for light chain binding, present in at least one of the fusions. DNAs encoding the immunoglobulin heavy chain fusions and. if desired, the immunoglobulin light chain, are inserted into separate expression vectors, and are co-transfected into a suitable host organism. This provides for great flexibility in adjusting the mutual proportions of the three polypeptide fragments in embodiments when unequal ratios of the three polypeptide chains used in the construction provide the optimum yields. It is, however, possible to insert the coding sequences for two or ail three polypeptide chains in one expression vector when the expression of at least two polypeptide chains in equal ratios results in high yields or when the ratios are of no particular significance.
In a preferred embodiment of this approach, the bispecific antibodies are composed of a hybrid immunoglobulin heavy chain with a first binding specificity in one arm, and a hybrid immunoglobulin heavy chain-light chain pair (providing a second binding specificity) in the other arm. It was found that this asymmetric structure facilitates the separation of the desired bispecific compound from unwanted immunoglobulin chain combinations, as the presence of an immunoglobulin light chain in only one half of the bispecific molecule provides for a facile way of separation. This approach is disclosed in WO 94/04690. For further details of generating bispecific antibodies see, for example, Suresh et al, Methods in Enzymohgy, 121:210 (1986).
According to another approach described in WO96/27011, the interface between a pair of antibody molecules can be engineered to maximize the percentage of heterodimers which are recovered from recombinant
cell culture. The preferred interface comprises at least a part of the CH3 domain of an antibody constant domain.
In this method, one or more small amino acid side chains from the interface of the first antibody molecule are replaced with larger side chains (e.g. tyrosine or tryptophan). Compensatory "cavities" of identical or similar size to the large side chain(s) are created on the interface of the second antibody molecule by replacing large amino acid side chains with smaller ones (e.g. alanine or threonine). This provides a mechanism for increasing the yield of the heterodimer over other unwanted end-products such as homodimers.
10

Bispecific antibodies include cross-linked or "heteroconjugate" antibodies. For example, one of the antibodies in the heteroconjugatecan be coupled to avidin, the other to biotin. Such antibodies have, for example, been proposed to target immune system cells to unwanted cells (US Patent No. 4,676,980), and for treatment of HIV infection (WO 91/00360, WO 92/200373, and EP 03089). Heteroconjugate antibodies may be made using any convenient cross-linking methods. Suitable cross-linkingagents are well known in the art, and are disclosed in US Patent No. 4,676,980, along with a number of cross-linking techniques.
Techniques for generating bispecific antibodies from antibody fragments have also been described in the literature. For example, bispecific antibodies can be prepared using chemical linkage. Brennan et al, Science,
229: 81 (1985) describe a procedure wherein intact antibodies are proteolytically cleaved to generate F(ab')2
fragments. These fragments are reduced in the presence of the dithiol complexing agent sodium arsenite to stabilize vicinal dithiols and prevent intermolecular disulfide formation. The Fab' fragments generated are then converted to thionitrobenzoate (TNB) derivatives. One of the Fab'-TNB derivatives is then reconverted to the Fab'-thiolby reduction with mercaptoethylamineand is mixed with an equimolar amount of the other Fab'-TNB derivative to form the bispecific antibody. The bispecific antibodies produced can be used as agents for the selective immobilization of enzymes.
Recent progress has facilitated the direct recovery of Fab'-SH fragments from E. coli, which can be chemically coupled to form bispecific antibodies. Shalaby ef al., J. Exp. Med, 175: 217-225 (1992) describe the
production of a fully humanized bispecific antibody F(ab')2 inolecule. Each Fab' fragment was separately secreted
from E. coli and subjected to directed chemical coupling in vitro to form the bispecific antibody.
Various techniques for making and isolating bispecific antibody fragments directly from recombinant cell culture have also been described. For example, bispecific antibodies have been produced using leucine zippers. Kostelny e/o/., J. Immunol, 148(5): 1547-1553(1992). The leucine zipper peptides from theFosand Jun proteins were linked to the Fab' portions of two different antibodies by gene fusion. The antibody homodirners were reduced at the hinge region to form monomers and then re-oxidized to form the antibody heterodimers. This method can also be utilized for the production of antibody homodimers. The "diabody" technology described by Hollinger et al, Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, 90:6444-6448 (1993) has provided an alternative mechanism for
making bispecific antibody fragments. The fragments comprise a heavy-chain variable domain (VH) connected to a light-chain variable domain (VL) by a linker which is too short to allow pairing between the two domains on the same chain. Accordingly, the VH and VL domains of one fragment are forced to pair with the
complementary VL and VH domains of another fragment, thereby forming two antigen-binding sites. Another
strategy for making bispecific antibody fragments by the use of single-chain Fv (sFv) dimers has also been reported. See Gruber et al, J. Immunol, 152:5368 (1994).
Antibodies with more than two valencies are contemplated. For example, trispecific antibodies can be prepared. Tutt et al J. Immunol 147: 60 (1991).
The phrase "ion exchange material" refers to a solid phase which is negatively charged (i.e. a cation exchange resin) or positively charged (i.e. an anion exchange resin). The charge may be provided by attaching
11

one or more charged ligands to the solid phase, e.g. by covalent linking. Alternatively,or in addition, the charge maybe an inherent property of the solid phase (e g. as is the case for silica, which has an overall negative charge).
By "solid phase" is meant a non-aqueousmatrix to which one or more charged ligands can adhere. The solid phase may be a pur ideation column, a discontinuous phase of discrete particles, a membrane, or filter etc. Examplcs of materials for forming the solid phas-; include polysaccharidcs (such as agarose and cellulose); and other mechanically stable matrices such as silica (eg controlled pore glass), po]y(styrenedivinyl)bcnzene polyacrylamide. ceramic particles and derivatives of any of the above.
A "cation exchange resin" refers to a solid phase which is negatively charged, and which thus has free cations for exchange with cations in an aqueous solution passed over or through the solid phase. A negatively charged ligand attached to the solid phase to form the cation exchange resin may. e.% . be a caiboxylate or sulfonate. Commercially available cation exchange resin-; include carboxy-methyl-cellulosc. BAKERROND ABX™, sulphopropyl(SP) immobilized on agarose (e.g. SP-SKPHAROSI-FASTI LOW" or SP-SI-PHAROSF. HIGH PERFORMANCE1*1, from Pharmacia) and sulphony! immobilized on agarose (e.g.S-SHPHAROSF FAST FLOW™ from Pharmacia)
The term "anion exchange resin" is used herein to refer to a solid phase which is positi\ely charged, eg having one or more positively charged ligands, such as quaternary amino groups, attached thereto, Commercially available anion exchange resins include DFAL cellulose, QAE SEPHADKX"-1 and FAST Q SL-PM AROSE™ (Pharmacia).
A "buffer" is a solution that resists changes in pH b\ the action of its acid-base conjugate components. Various buffers which can be employed depending, for example, on the desired pH of the buffer are described in Buffers. A Guide for the Preparation and Use of Buffers in Biological Systems, (iueffroy I').. Ld Calhiochem Corporation (1975). In one embodiment, the buffer has a pi I in the range from about 5 to about 7 (eg as in Lxample 1 below). I'xamples of buffers that will control the pi 1 in this range include MHS, MOPS, MOPSO, phosphate, acetate, citrate, succinate, and ammonium buffers, as well as combinations of these.
The "loading butter" is that which is used to load the composition comprising the polvpeptide molecule of interest and one or more contaminants onto ihe ion exchange resin. The loading butter has a conductivity and.'or pi I such that the polypeptide molecule of interest (and generally one or more contaminants) isare bound to the ion exchange resin
The "intermediate buffer" is used to clute one or more contaminants from the ion exchange resin, prior to chit ing the poKpeptide molecule of interest The conductivity and/or pH of the intermediate buffer is are such that the contaminant is eluted from the ion exchange resin, but not significant amounts of the poKpeptide ot interest.
The term "wash buffer" when used herein refers to a buffer used to wash or re-equilibrate the ion exchange resin, prior to eluting the polypeptide molecule of interest. Conveniently, the wash buffer and loading buffer may be the same, but this is not required.
The "elution buffer" is used to elute the polypeptide of interest from the solid phase The conductivity and/or pH of the elution buffer is/are such that the polypeptide of interest is eluted from the ion exchange resin A "regeneration buffer" may be used to regenerate the ion exchange resin such that it can be re-used. Thc regeneration buffer has a conductivity and'or pH as required to remove substantially all contaminants and the
12

polypeptide of interest from the ion exchange resin.
The term "conductivity" refers to the ability of an aqueous solution to conduct an electric current between two electrodes. In solution, the current flows by ion transport. Therefore, with an increasing amount of ions present in the aqueous solution, the solution will have a higher conductivity. The unit of measurement for conductivity is mmhos (mS/cm), and can be measured using a conductivity meter sold, e.g., by Orion. The conductivity of a solution may be altered by changing the concentration of ions therein. For example, the concentration of a buffering agent and/or concentration of a salt (e.g. NaCl or KC1) in the solution may be altered in order to achieve the desired conductivity. Preferably, the salt concentration of the various buffers is modified to achieve the desired conductivity as in the Example below.
By "purifying" a polypeptide from a composition comprising the polypeptide and one or more contaminants is meant increasing the degree of purity of the polypeptide in the composition by removing (completely or partially) at least one contaminant from the composition. A "purification step" may be part of an overall purification process resulting in a "homogeneous" composition, which is used herein to refer to a composition comprising at least about 70% by weight of the polypeptide of interest, based on total weight of the composition, preferably at least about 80% by weight.
Unless indicated otherwise, the term "HER2" when used herein refers to human HER2 protein and "HER2" refers to human HER2 gene. The human HER2 gene and HER2 protein are described in Semba et ai, PNAS (USA) 82:6497-6501 (1985) and Yamamoto e/ ai Nature 319:230-231 (1986) (Genebank accession number X03363), for example.
The term "humMAb4D5-8" when used herein refers to a humanized anti-HER2 antibody comprising the light chain aminoacid sequence of SEQ IDNO:1 and the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or ammo acid sequence variants thereof which retain the ability to bind HER2 and inhibit growth of tumor cells which overexpress HER2 (see US.Patent 5,677,171; expressly incorporated herein by reference).
The "pl" or "isoelectric point" of a polypeptide refer to the pH at which the polypeptide's positive charge balances its negative charge, pl can be calculated from the net charge of the amino acid residues of the polypeptide or can be determined by isoelectric focussing (e.g. using CSx chromatography as in the Example below).
By "binding" a molecule to an ion exchange material is meant exposing the molecule to the ion exchange material under appropriate conditions (pH/conductivity) such that the molecule is reversibly immobilized in or on the ion exchange material by virtue of ionic interactions between the molecule and a charged group or charged groups of the ion exchange material.
By "washing" the ion exchange material is meant passing an appropriate buffer through or over the ion exchange material.
To "elute" a molecule (e.g. polypeptide or contaminant) from an ion exchange material is meant to remove the molecule therefrom by altering the ionic strength of the buffer surroundingthe ion exchange material such that the buffer competes with the molecule for the charged sites on the ion exchange material.
"Treatment" refers to both therapeutic treatment and prophylactic or preventative measures. Those in need of treatment include those already with the.disorder as well as those in which the disorder is to be prevented. A "disorder" is any condition that would benefit from treatment with the polypeptide purified as described herein.
13

This includes chronic and acute disorders or diseases including those pathological conditions which predispose the mammal to the disorder in question.
'The word "label" when used herein refers to a detectable compound or composition which is conjugated directly or indirectly to the polypeptide. The label may be itself be detectable (e.g.. radioisotopc labels or fluorescent labels) or, in the case of an enzymatic label, may catalyze chemical alteration of a substrate compound or composition which is detectable.
The term "cytoioxic agent" as used herein refers to a substance thai inhibits or prevents the function of
cells and/or causes dcstnict ion of cells. The term is intended to include radioactive isotopes (e.g. I 135 ,1125 , Y90
and Re186 '), chemotherapeutic agents, and toxins such as enzymatically active toxins of bacterial, fungal, plant
or animal origin, or fragments thereof.
A "chemotherapeutic agent" is a chemical compound useful in the treatment of cancer Examples of chemotherapeutic agents include adriamycin, doxorubicin, cpirubicin, 5-fluorouracil,cytosinearabinoside ("Ara-
C"). cyclophosphamide, thiotepa, busulfan, cytoxin, taxoids, e.g. paclitaxel (TAX01. , Bristol-Myers Squibb
Oncology, Princeton, NJ). and doxetaxel, toxotere, mcthotre.xate, cisplatin, mclphalan. vinblastine. blcomycin, etoposide. ifosfamide, mitomycin C. mitoxanrronc. vincristinc, vinorelbine, carboplatin, teniposide, daunomycin, canninomycin, aminoptcrin, dactinomycin, mitomycins, esperamicins (sec US Fat. No. 4,675,187), melphalan and other related nitrogen mustards Also included in this definition .ire hormonal agents that net to regulate or inhibit hormone action on tumors, such as tamoxifen and onapristor.e
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
The invention herein provides a method for purifying a polypeptide from a composition {eg an aqueous solution) comprising the polypepiideand one or more contaminants. The composition is generally one resulting from the recombinant production of the polypeptide, but may be that resulting from production of the polypeptide by peptide synthesis (or other synthetic means) or the polypeptide may be purified from a native source of the polypcpfidc. Preferably the polypeptide is an antibody, e.g. one which binds the HF.R2 antigen.
For recombinant production of the polypeptide, the nucleic acid encoding it is isolated and inserted into a rcplicable vector for further cloning (amplification of the DNA) or for expression. DNA encoding the polypeptide is readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (eg, where the polypeptide is an antibody by using oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the heavy and light chains of the antibody). Many vectors arc available. The vector components generally include, but arc not limited to, one or more of the following: a signal sequence, an origin of replication, one or more marker genes, an enhancer clement, a promoter, and a transcription termination sequence (eg as described in US Patent 5,534,615. specifically incorporated herein by reference).
Suitable host cells for cloning or expressing the DNA in the vectors herein are the prokaryote, yeast, or higher cukaryotc cells described above. Suitable prokaryotes for this purpose include cubactcria. such as Gram-ncgative or Gram-positive organisms, for example, F.nterobacteriaceae such as Eschcrichia, eg, E. coli, Emerobacier, Erwinia, Klebaiella, Proteus, Salmonella, eg., Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia, e.g., Serratia marccscans, and Shigella, as well as Bacilli such as B subtilis and B. licheniformis (e.g., B licheniformis 41P
disclosed in DD 266,710 published 12 April 1989). Pscudomonas such as P. acruginosa, and Streptomyces. One
14

preferred E. coli cloning host is E. coli 294 (ATCC 31,446), although other strains such as E. coli B, E. coli X1776 (ATCC 31,537), and E. coli W3110 (ATCC 27,325) are suitable. These examples are illustrative rather than limiting.
In addition to prokaryotes, eukaryotic microbes such as filamentous fungi or yeast are suitable cloning or expression hosts for polypeptide encoding vectors. Saccharomycescerevisiae, or common baker's yeast, is the most commonly used among lower eukaryotic host microorganisms. However, a number of other genera, species, and strains are commonly available and useful herein, such as Schizosaccharomycespombe; Kluyveromyces hosts such as, e.g., K. lactis, K. fragilis (ATCC 12,424), K. bulgaricus (ATCC 16,045), K. wickeramii (ATCC 24,178), K. waltii (ATCC 56,500), K. drosophilarum (ATCC 36,906), K. thermotolerans, and A', marxianus; yarrowia (EP 402,226); Pichiapastoris (EP 183,070); Candida; Trichoderma reesia (EP 244,234); Neurospora crassa; Schwanniomyces such as Schwanniomyces occidentalis; and filamentous fungi such as, e.g., Neurospora, Peniciliium, Tolypocladium, and Aspergil/us hosts such as A. nidulam and A. niger.
Suitable host cells for the expression of glycosylated polypeptide are derived from multicellular organisms. Examples of invertebrate cells include plant and insect cells. Numerous baculoviral strains and variants and corresponding permissive insect host cells from hosts such as Spodopterafmgiperda (caterpillar), Aedes aegypti (mosquito), Aedes albopictus (mosquito), Drosophila melanogaster (fruitfly), and Bombyx mori have been identified. A variety of viral strains for transfection are publicly available, e.g., the L-l variant of Autographa californica NPV and the Bm-5 strain of Bombyx mori NPV, and such viruses may be used as the virus herein according to the present invention, particularly for transfection of Spodopterafrugiperda cells. Plant cell cultures of cotton, com, potato, soybean, petunia, tomato, and tobacco can also be utilized as hosts.
However, interest has been greatest in vertebrate cells, and propagation of vertebrate cells in culture (tissue culture) has become a routine procedure. Examples of useful mammalian host cell lines are monkey kidney CV1 line transformed by SV40 (COS-7, ATCC CRL 1651); human embryonic kidney line (293 or 293 cells subcloned for growth in suspension culture, Graham et a!., J. Gen Virol. 36:59 (1977)); baby hamster kidney cells (BHK, ATCC CCL 10); Chinese hamster ovary ce!ls/-DHFR (CHO, Urlaub et a!., Proc. Nati. Acad. Sci USA 77:4216(1980)); mouse sertoli cells (TM4, Mather, Biol. Reprod. 23:243-251 (1980)); monkey kidney cells (CV1 ATCC CCL 70); African green monkey kidney cells (VERO-76, ATCC CRL-1587); human cervical carcinoma cells (HELA, ATCC CCL 2); canine kidney cells (MDCK, ATCC CCL 34); buffalo rat liver cells (BRL 3A, ATCC CRL 1442); human lung cells (W138, ATCC CCL 75); human liver cells (Hep G2, HB 8065); mouse mammary tumor (MMT 060562, ATCC CCL51); TRJ cells (Mather et a!., Annals N. Y. Acad. Sci. 383:44-68 (1982)); MRC 5 cells; FS4 cells; and a human hepatoma line (Hep G2).
Host cells are transformed with the above-described expression or cloning vectors for polypeptide production and cultured in conventional nutrient media modified as appropriate for inducing promoters, selecting transformants, or amplifying the genes encoding the desired sequences.
The host cells used to produce the polypeptide of this invention may be cultured in a variety of media. Commercially available media such as Ham's F10 (Sigma), Minimal Essential Medium ((MEM), (Sigma), RPM1-1640 (Sigma), and Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium ((DMEM), Sigma) are suitable for culruring the host cells. In addition, any of the media described in Ham et al., Meih. Enz. 58:44 (1979), Barnes et a!., Anal. Biochem.\02:255 (1980), U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,767,704; 4,657,866; 4,927,762; 4,560,655; or 5,122,469; WO
15

90/03430; WO 87/00195; or U.S. Patent Re. 30,985 may be used as culture media for the host cells. Any of these media may be supplemented as necessary with hormones and/or other growth factors (such as insulin, transfernn, or epidermal growth factor), salts (such as sodium chloride, calcium, magnesium, and phosphate), buffers (such as HEPF.S), nucleoiidesfsuchasadenosineand ihymidine), antibiotics (such as CiKNTAMYCINrM drug), trace elements (defined as inorganic compounds usually present at final concentrations in the micromolar range), and glucose or an equivalent energy source. Any other necessary supplements may also be included at appropriate concentrations that would be known to those skilled in the art. The culture conditions, such as temperature, pH, and the like, arc those previously used with the host cell selected for expression, and will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled artisan.
When using recombinant techniques, the polypcptidecan be produced intracellularly.in the periplasniic space, or directly secreted into the medium. If the polypeptide is produced intracellutarly, as a first step, the paniculate debris, either host cells or lysed cells (e.g resulting from homogenization). is removed, for example, by centrifugation or ultrafiltration. Where the polypcptide is secreted into the medium, supernatants from such expression systems are generally first concentrated using a commercially available protein concentration filter, for example, an Amicon or Millipore Pel I icon ultrafiltration unit.
The polypeptide is then subjected to one or more purification steps, including the ion exchange chromatography method as claimed herein. Examples of additional purification procedures which may be performed prior to, during, or following the ion exchange chromatography method include fractionation on a hydrophobic interaction chromatography (e.g. on phenyl scpharose), eihanol precipitation, isoelectric focusing. Reverse Chase HPLC. chromatography on silica, chromatography on HKPAR1N SLPHAROSH1M, further an ion exchange chromatography ami/or further cation exchange chromatography, chromatofocusing, SDS-PAGE, ammonium sulfatc precipitation, hydroxylapatiie chromatography, gel clectrophorcsis, dialysis, and affinity chromatography (eg using protein A, protein G. an antibody, a specific substrate, Mgand or antigen as the capture reagent).
Ion exchange chroniatography is performed as claimed herein. A decision is first made as to whether an anion or cation exchange resin is to be employed. In general, a cation exchange resin may be used for polypcptidcs with pi's greater than about 7 and an anion exchange resin may be used for polypeptidcs with pi's less than about 7.
The anion or cation exchange resin is prepared according to known methods. Usually, an equilibration buffer is passed through the ion exchange resin prior to loading the composition comprising the polypeptideand one or more contaminants onto the resin Conveniently, the equilibration buffer is the same as the loading bufier, but this is not required.
The various buffers used for the chromatography depend, for example, on whether a cation or anion exchange resin is employed. This is shown more clearly in the flow diagrams of Figures I and 2.
With particular reference to Figure I, which shows exemplar)' steps to be performed where a cation exchange resin is used, the pH and/or conductivity of each buffer is/are increased relative to the preceding buffer, except for the wash buffer where the conductivity and/or pH is/are less than the conductivity and/or pH of the preceding intermediate buffer. The aqueous solution comprising the polypeptide of interest and contaminant(s) is loaded onto the cation exchange resin using the loading buffer that is at a pH and/or conductivity such that the
16

polypeptideand the contaminant bind to the cation exchange resin. As in the Example below, the loading buffer may be at a first low conductivity (e.g. from about 5.2 to about 6.6 mmhos). An exemplary pH for the loading buffer may be about 5.0 (see Fig. 1). From about 20mg/mL to about 35mg/mL of the polypeptide (e.g. of a full length antibody) may, for example, be loaded on the ion exchange resin.
The cation exchange resin is then washed with an intermediate buffer which is at a second conductivity and/or pH so as to essentially elute the contaminant, but not a substantial amount of the polypeptide of interest. This may be achieved by increasing the conductivity or pH, or both, of the intermediate buffer. The change from loading buffer to intermediate buffer may be step-wise or gradual as desired. In the Example herein, the intermediate buffer had a greater conductivity than that of the loading buffer (i.e. the intermediate buffer's conductivity was in the range from about 7.3 to about 8.4 mmhos). Alternatively, as shown in Figure I, the pH of the intermediate buffer may exceed that of the loading buffer in this embodiment of the invention, where a cation exchange resin is used. For example, the intermediate buffer may have a pH of about 5.4.
Following washing with the intermediate buffer, the cation exchange resin is washed or re-equilibrated with the wash buffer which has a conductivity or pH, or both, which is/are less than that of the intermediate buffer (i.e. the conductivity, or pH, or both, is/are changed in an opposite, i.e. reverse, direction to the preceding step, unlike ion exchange chromatography steps in the literature). In the Example below, the wash buffer had about the same conductivity as the loading buffer (i.e. in the range from about 5.2 to about 6.6 mmhos) and its conductivity was, therefore, less than that of the intermediate buffer. In another embodiment, one may reduce (he conductivity of the wash buffer to a conductivity that is less than, or greater than, that of the loading buffer, provided the conductivity of the wash buffer is less than that of the intermediate buffer. In another embodiment, the pH of the wash buffer may be less than the pH of the intermediate buffer (e.g. the pH of the wash buffer may about 5.0). The change in conductivity and/or pH of the wash buffer compared to the intermediate buffer may be achieved by step-wise or gradual change of either or both of these parameters.
After the wash step of the preceding paragraph, the cation exchange resin is prepared for elution of the desired polypeptide molecule therefrom. This is achieved using an elution buffer that has a pH and/or conductivity such that the desired polypeptide no longer binds to the cation exchange resin and therefore is eluted therefrom. The pH and/or conductivity of the elution buffer generally exceed(s) the pH and/or conductivity of the loading buffer, the intermediate buffer and the wash buffer used in the previous steps. In the Example below, the conductivity of the elution buffer was in the range from about 10.0 to about 11.0 mmhos. Alternatively, or in addition, the pH of the elution buffer may be increased relative to the wash buffer and to the intermediate buffer (for example, the pH of the elution buffer may about 6.0). The change in conductivity and/or pH maybe step-wise or gradual, as desired. Hence, the desired polypeptide is retrieved from the cation exchange resin at this stage in the method.
In an alternative embodiment, the ion exchange material comprises an anion exchange resin. This embodiment of the invention is depicted in Figure 2 herein. As illustrated in this figure, the changes in conductivity are generally as described above with respect to a cation exchange resin. However, the direction of change in pH is different for an anion exchange resin. For example, if elution of the contaminant(s) and polypeptide are to be achieved by altering pH, the loading buffer has a first pH and the pH is decreased in the intermediate buffer so as to elute the contaminant or contaminants. In the third step, the column is washed/re-
17

equilibrated with the wash butter and the change in conductivity or pH, or both, is in the opposite direction to that of the previous step Hence, the p11 may be increased in the wash buffer, compared to the intermediate buffer. I ollowmg this step, the polypcptidc of interest is eluted from the amon exchange resin using an elution buffer at a fourth conductivity and/or pH If pH is altered, it will normally be less than the pH of the loading buffer, the intermediate buffer and the wash buffer llic change in pH and/or conductivity in progressive buffers can. ns explained above, be step-u ise or gradual
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a single parameter (/*.* either conductivity or pH) is changed to achieve elution of both the poKpcptidc and contaminant, while the other parameter (/ c p1 I or conductivity. rcspecti\el\) remains ahout const ant I or example, while the conductivity of the various buffers (loading buffer, intermediate butter, wash butler ami/or elution buffer) may differ, the pH's (hereof may be essentially the same
In an optional embodiment of the invention, the ion exchange rcsm is regenerated wiih a regeneration buffer after elution of the polypeptidc. such thai the column can be rc-uscd Generally, the conductivity and/or pH of the regeneration buffer is'are suih that substantially all contaminants and I he pulypeptide ol interest are cluted from the ion exchange resin Generally, thc regeneration buffer has a very high conductivity lor clutine, contaminants and poKpepnde trum ihc ion exchange resin
The method herein is particularly useful for resolving a polypepndc molecule of interest from at least one contaminant, where the contaminant and poly peptide molecule of inter st differ only blight ly m ionic charge for example, the pi's ot the pulypcptideand i.orii.iniin,iiit ma> be only "slightly different", for example they m.iy differ by only about 0.05 to about () 2 pl units In the Lxample below, tins method cnuld be used to iesolvc .v\ anti-HF.R2 antibody having a pi of 8 87. from a singly-dcanndatcd variant thereof, having a pi of 8 79 Alternatively.the method may be used to resolve a deamidaied DNase. for example, troni nondeanndatedDNasc In another embodiment, the method may be used to resolve a poly pepiide from a ;!lycosy lation v.inant thereof. eg for rcsoK IIVJ a variant of a polypeptidc hovmy a different distribution of smlic acid compared to the nonvanant polypeptidc
The polypeptide pteparation obtained according to the ion ex-change chromatognphy method herein may be subjected to additional purification steps, if necessary Fxemplary further purification steps have been discussed above
Optionally, the polypeptidc is conjugated to one or more hcterologous molecules as desired The hcterologous molec.ilc may. for example, be one which increases the serum half-life of the polypeptide (eg, polyethylene glycol, PLCi). or it may be a label (c.i; an en/ymc. fluorescent label and/or radionuclide) or a cytotoxic molecule (ft,1 a toxin. cheinoihcraiKutic drug, or radioactive isotope etc)
A therapeutic formulation compiling the polypepnde. optionally conjugated wild a hcterologous molecule, may be picpaicd b> mixing the polypeptide having the desired degree of purity with optional phannaccuticallyacccptablec.-irricrs.cxcipienlsor stahili7:ers(Kcmmvy"/r.*, PharmaceuticalSciences 16th edition. Osol. A F.d (1980)), in the form of lyophilizcd tonnul.tlionsor aqueous solutions "Pharmaceuticallyaccepinble" earners, excipicnts. or stabilizers are nontoxic io recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed, and include buffers such as phosphate, citrate, and oilier organic acids, antioxidams including ascorbic acid and methioninc. preservatives (such as octadccyldimethy!bcn/.y| ammonium chloride, hexamcthonium chloride,
18

bcnzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride; phenol, butyl or benzyl alcohol; alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben; catechoI; resorcinol;cyclohexanol; 3-pentanol;and m-crcsol); low molecular weight (less than about 10 residues) polypeptidc; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, or immunoglobulins, hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparaginc, histidine, argininc, or lysine, monosactharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates including glucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugars such as sucrose, mannitol, trehalose or sorbitol, salt-form ing counter-ions such as sodium; metal complexes (e.g. Zn-protein complexes); and/or non-ionic surfactants such as TWEEN™, Pl.URONICS™ or polyethylene glycol (PEG)- The humMAb4D5-8 antibody of particular interest herein may be prepared as a lyophilized formulation, eg as described in WO 97/04801, expressly incorporated herein by reference.
The formulation herein may also contain more than one active compound as necessary for the particular indication being treated, preferably those with complementary activities that do not adversely affect each other. Such molecules are suitably present in combination in amounts that are effective for ihe purpose intended. For example, for an anti-HHR2 antibody a chcmotherapcutic agent, such as a taxoid or lamoxifen. may be added to the formulation
The active ingredients may also be entrapped in microcapsule prepared, for example, by coacervation techniques or by interfacial polynicri7.ation, for example, hydroxymeihylcellulosc or gelatin-mierocapsule and poly-{meihylmethacylate)microcapsule.respectively, in colloidal drag delivery systems (for example, liposomcs albumin microspheres.microemulsions.nano-particlcsand nanocapsules)or in macroemulsions Such techniques arc disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 16th edition, Osol, A Fd. (1980).
The formulation to be used for in vivo administration must be sterile This is readily accomplished by flllralion through sterile filtration membranes
Sustaincd-ielcasc preparations may be prepared. Suitable examples of sustained-release preparations include semipetmeablc matrices of solid hydroplmbic polymers containing the polvpeptide variant, which matrices are in the form of shaped articles, eg. films, or microcapsule. Examples of sustained-release matrices include polyesters, hydrogcls (for example, poly(2-hydroxycthyl-methacrylatc). or poly(vinylalcohol)), polylaclidcs(U.S. Pat No. 3,773,919), copolymcrs of 1,-glutamic acid and y ethyM.-glutamatc.non-degradable ethylenc-vinyl acetate, dcgradable lactic acid-^lycolic acid copolymers such as the I.UPKON DEPOT™ (injectablemicrospherescomposed of lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer and leuprolide acetate), and poly-D-(-)-3-hydroxybutyric acid.
The polypepiide purified as disclosed herein or the composition comprising the polypeptide and a phannaceutically acceptable carrier is then used for various diagnostic, therapeutic or other uses known for such polypeptides and compositions. For example, the polypeptide may be used to treat a disorder in a mammal by administering a therapeutically effective amount of the polypeptide to the mammal
The following examples are offered by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. The disclosures of all citations in the specification are expressly incorporated herein by reference
EXAMPLE I
lull length human igG rhuMAb HER2 (humAb4D5-8 in Carter ei at /'roc. Nail Acad, Set. 89: 4285-4289 (1992) comprising the light chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOI and heavy chain amino acid
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sequence of SEQ ID NO:2) was produced recombinantly in CHO cells. Following protein production and secretion to the cell culture medium, the CHO cells were separated from the cell culture medium by tangential flow filtration (PROSTACK™). Protein A chromatography was then performed by applying the Harvested Cell Culture Fluid (HCCF) from the CHO cells directly to an equilibrated PROSEP A™ column (Bioprocessingf Ltd).
Following Protein A chromatography, cation exchange chromatography was performed using a sulphopropyl (SP)-SEPHAROSE FAST FLOW™ (SPSFF) column (Pharmacia) to further separate the desired anti-HER2 antibody molecule. The chromatography operation was performed in bind and elute mode.
The SPSFF column was prepared for load by sequential washes with regeneration buffer (0.025 M MES / 1.0 M NaCl, pH 5.6) followed by equilibration buffer (0.025 M MES / 50 mM NaCl, pH 5.6). The column was then loaded with Protein A pool adjusted to a pH of 5.60 ± 0.05 and a conductivity of 5.8 ±0.2 mmhos. Prior to elution, the column was washed in three steps: (1) loading buffer (0.025 M MES / 50 mM NaCl, pH 5.6) for a minimum of 1 column volume; (2) intermediate buffer (0.025 M MES / 70 mM NaCl, pH 5.6) until an apex of a 280 nm peak was reached; and (3) wash buffer (0.025 M MES / 50 mM NaCl, pH 5.6) for a minimum of 1.2 column volumes. rhuMAb HER2 was then eluted from the column with elution buffer (0.025 M MES / 95 mM NaCl, pH 5.6). The elution 280 nm profile has a shoulder on the leading edge (Figure 3). At the inflection point of this shoulder, pooling starts and continues for an additional 5 column volumes. The column was then regenerated with regeneration buffer (0.025 M MES / 1.0 M NaCl, pH 5.6).
Materials and Methods
Column and Load Preparation: A reduced-scale SPSFF column was packed. The dimensions were: 27.0 ml volume, 1.0 cm diameter and 34.5 cm bed height. The pH of an aliquot of Protein A pool was titered to 5.6 with 1.5 M Tris base. The conductivity of the pool was reduced by the addition of an equal volume of sterile water for injection (SWFI).
Chromatography; The chromatography runs for this study were performed with Pharmacia's UNICORN™ FPLC system. The equilibration, load, and initial wash steps were performed at a linear flow rate of 200 cm/h. All chromatography steps were performed at a linear flow rate of 100 cm/h. The sequence of chromatography steps are defined in Table 1. A total of six chromatography runs were performed with load densities of 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 mg of rhuMAb HER2 per mL of SPSFF resin.
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Table 1 - Chromatography Steps

1. The equilibration of the resin was performed in manual mode; the remaining sleps were executed
from a Pharmacia Unicom Program.
2. CV = column volume(s).
Total Protein: The protein concentration of each chromatography fraction (flow through, wash steps, elution prepool, elution pool, and regeneration) was determined by spectrophometric scans of each sample. The results were used to calculate product recovery yields. The extinction coefficient for rhuMAb HER2 is 1.45. Calculations used to derive the results (Figure 4) are:

Protein Mass (mg) in Each Fraction = Protein Concentration (mg/mL) x Fraction Volume (mL)

Determination of rhuMAb HER2 Antibody Variants (CSx HPIEX): The rhuMAb HER2 SPSFF chromatography column resolves antibody variants. Fractions from each of the study chromatographies were tested for the relative amount of variant antibody by CSx HPIEX chromatography. A BAKERBOND WIDE-PORE™ CSx HPIEX column (4.6 x 250mm) was run at I mL/min at 55°C. The mobile phase was formed from a tertiary gradient (Table 2).


Table 2 - Gradient Scheme
The column is run at 1 mL/min at 55CC.
The A buffer was 0.025 M MES, pH 5.9; the B buffer was 1 M Ammonium Acetate, pH 7.0; and the C solution was sterile water for injection. The column was equilibrated with the gradient's initial conditions (49 % A; 1% B; and 50% C) and 200 fil of sample, diluted with SWFI and containing
Chromatograms Compared: The absorbance data (AU 280 nm) from each chromatography file was exported from Unicorn in ASCII format. The data from the 0.025 M MES / 0.07 M NaCl, pH 5.6 wash was translated into Excel format and copied into KALEIDAGRAPH™. Using KALEIDAGRAPH™, the wash profiles were overlaid (Figure 6) and compared to each other.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION-Deamidated and other acidic variants of rhuMAb HER2 were produced when the antibody was made
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by recombinant DNA technology (see e.g., CSx peaks a, b and 1 in Figure 5). The deamidated and other acidic variants constituted about 25% (calculated as area under the integrated curve or profile obtained by CSx chromatography)of the composition obtained from the initial Protein A chromatography step. It was discovered that the ion exchange method described herein could be used to substantially reduce the amount of deamidated and other acidic variants in the anti-HER2 composition, i.e. to about 13% or less (i.e. the amount of acidic variants in the preparation subjected to cation exchange chromatography as described herein was decreased by about 50% or more).
An absorbance trace from a cation exchange column run performed as described above is shown in Figure 3. This method resolved a deamidated variant of anti-HER2 antibody that differed only slightly from nondeamidated anti-HER2 antibody. The increase in conductivity from the initial conditions to the intermediate wash began to elute the deamidated anti-HER2 antibody. However, continued washing at this conductivity was found to elute nondeamidated anti-HER2 antibody, resulting in a loss of product. Proceeding directly from the intermediate buffer to the elution buffer was observed to result in either an unacceptably low removal of deamidated anti-HER2 antibody from the product if pooling began early or unacceptably low yields of anti-HER2 antibody product if pooling was delayed until the deamidated anti-HER2 antibody was reduced. It was discovered that by going back to lower conductivity as used initially, the elution of deamidated anti-HER2 antibody continued, without significant anti-HER2 antibody product elution.
The effect of rhuMAb HER2 load on (a) buffer requirements, (b) product recovery in the pool, and (c) product quality in the pool was evaluated.
At load densities of ] 5 mg/mL up to 35 mg/mL, the product yield in the elution pool is approximately 75%. For the load density of 40 mg/mL, the product yield in the pool dropped to 65% (Figure 4). This reduced recovery in the pool is largely attributed to an increased antibody in the two wash steps (at 70 mM NaCI and 50 mM NaCI, respectively).
The quality of rhuMAb HER2 in all the elution pools is equivalent as determined by CSx HPIEX analysis (Figure 5). Compared to the load material; there is an enrichment of the nondeamidated antibody (Peak
3), no change in the amount Iso-Asp or Lys " antibody (Peak 4), and a reduction of the amount of Asp
deamidated antibody (Peaks a, b, 1 and others).
The quality of rhuMAb HER2 in these cation pools is improved through the intermediate wash step. As the mass of rhuMAb HER2 bound to the resin increases, the intermediate buffer volume consumption needed to reach the apex of the 280 nm peak decreases. The buffer volume required for a 40 mg/mL load density is approximately 2.5 column volumes. The buffer volume required for a 15 mg/mL load density is approximately 15 column volumes. The exact increase of buffer requirement is not linear with the 5 mg/mL incremental changes between these two extremes. The greatest increase is seen between the load densities of 20 mg/mL and 15 mg/mL. Here the requirement doubles from 7.5 column volumes to the previously mentioned 15 column volumes of buffer. If the apex of the 70 mM NaCI wash peak is reached, however, the product quality is equivalent for any of load densities examined.
This study determined how much rhuMAb HER2 can be loaded onto the SPSFF resin. Between the ranges of 15 to 40 mg of antibody per mL of resin, there is no difference in the quality of rhuMAb HER2
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recovered in the elution pool. The quantity of rhuMAb HER2 recovered, however, is reduced by approximately 10% when the resin is loaded with greater than 35 mg/mL. For consistent yields it is recommended that 35 mg/mL be set as the maximum load for manufacture of rhuMAb HER2. Furthermore, due to the substantial increase in the 70 mM NaCl wash volume requirement between the 20 and 15 mg/mL; it is recommended that 20 mg/mL be set as the minimal load for manufacture of rhuMAb HER2.
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We Claim:
1. A composition comprising a mixture of anti-HER2 antibody and
one or more acidic variants thereof, wherein the amount of the
acidic variant(s) is less than 25%.
2. The composition as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
3. The composition as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the anti-
HER2 antibody is humMAb4D5-8.
4. A composition comprising a mixture of anti-HER2 antibody and
one or more acidic variants thereof,
wherein the amount of the acidic variant(s) is less than 25%,
and wherein the acidic variants(S) are predomraatly de ami dated
variants wherein one or more asparagines residues of the anti-
HER2 antibody have been deamidated,
and wherein the anti-HER2 antibody is humMAb4D5-8,
and wherein the deamidated variants have Asn30 in CDR1 of
either or both VL regions of humMAb4D5-8 converted to aspartate.
5. The composition as claimed in claim 4 wherein the amount of the
acidic variant(s) is less than 20%.
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26
6. The composition as claimed in claim 5 wherein the amount of the
acidic variant(s) is less than 13%.
7. The composition as claimed in claim 5 wherein the amount of the
acidic variant(s) is in the range of 1 to 18%.
8. The composition as claimed in claim 4 wherein the anti-HER2
antibody comprises the light chain araino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO.l and the heavy chain amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO.2.
9. The composition as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8 further
comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
A composition comprising a mixture of anti-HER2 antibody and one or more acidic variants thereof, wherein the amount of the acidic variant(s) is
less than 25%.

Documents:


Patent Number 205534
Indian Patent Application Number IN/PCT/2000/00391/KOL
PG Journal Number 14/2007
Publication Date 06-Apr-2007
Grant Date 05-Apr-2007
Date of Filing 11-Oct-2000
Name of Patentee GENENTECH INC
Applicant Address 1 DNA WAY SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA 94080-4990
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BASEY CAROL D 319 HILLVIEW LANE, WINTERS, CA-95694
PCT International Classification Number C 07 K 1/18
PCT International Application Number PCT/US99/09637
PCT International Filing date 1999-05-03
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 60/084, 459 1998-05-06 U.S.A.