RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Achieving a Successful Scale-Down Model and Optimized Economics through Parvovirus Filter Validation using Purified TrueSpikeTM Viruses JF PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology JO PDA J Pharm Sci Technol FD Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) SP 440 OP 449 DO 10.5731/pdajpst.2015.01054 VO 69 IS 3 A1 Philippe De Vilmorin A1 Ashley Slocum A1 Tareq Jaber A1 Oliver Schaefer A1 Horst Ruppach A1 Paul Genest YR 2015 UL http://journal.pda.org/content/69/3/440.abstract AB This article describes a four virus panel validation of EMD Millipore's (Bedford, MA) small virus–retentive filter, Viresolve® Pro, using TrueSpikeTM viruses for a Biogen Idec process intermediate. The study was performed at Charles River Labs in King of Prussia, PA. Greater than 900 L/m2 filter throughput was achieved with the approximately 8 g/L monoclonal antibody feed. No viruses were detected in any filtrate samples. All virus log reduction values were between ≥3.66 and ≥5.60. The use of TrueSpikeTM at Charles River Labs allowed Biogen Idec to achieve a more representative scaled-down model and potentially reduce the cost of its virus filtration step and the overall cost of goods. The body of data presented here is an example of the benefits of following the guidance from the PDA Technical Report 47, The Preparation of Virus Spikes Used for Viral Clearance Studies.LAY ABSTRACT: The safety of biopharmaceuticals is assured through the use of multiple steps in the purification process that are capable of virus clearance, including filtration with virus-retentive filters. The amount of virus present at the downstream stages in the process is expected to be and is typically low. The viral clearance capability of the filtration step is assessed in a validation study. The study utilizes a small version of the larger manufacturing size filter, and a large, known amount of virus is added to the feed prior to filtration. Viral assay before and after filtration allows the virus log reduction value to be quantified. The representativeness of the small-scale model is supported by comparing large-scale filter performance to small-scale filter performance. The large-scale and small-scale filtration runs are performed using the same operating conditions. If the filter performance at both scales is comparable, it supports the applicability of the virus log reduction value obtained with the small-scale filter to the large-scale manufacturing process. However, the virus preparation used to spike the feed material often contains impurities that contribute adversely to virus filter performance in the small-scale model. The added impurities from the virus spike, which are not present at manufacturing scale, compromise the scale-down model and put into question the direct applicability of the virus clearance results. Another consequence of decreased filter performance due to virus spike impurities is the unnecessary over-sizing of the manufacturing system to match the low filter capacity observed in the scale-down model. This article describes how improvements in mammalian virus spike purity ensure the validity of the log reduction value obtained with the scale-down model and support economically optimized filter usage.