For the First Time, Simultaneous Detection of Protein Aggregation and Affinity Measurements in a Single SPR Experiment

Aaron Martin and Eric L. Reese Ph.D. (Data Courtesy of Herman Gill Ph.D. of Genentech – a subsidiary of Roche) Abstract: At various stages during the discovery, development, and subsequent manufacturing of a biotherapeutic drug, both affinity and protein stability (or the propensity to aggregate) are assayed using a variety of equipment capable of making precise biophysical measurements. Each technique possesses its own intrinsic strengths and weaknesses. Standard methodologies used to detect aggregation and determine affinity can be time-consuming or cumbersome. However, to date no technology has been capable of delivering critical information on drug affinity and detect protein aggregates simultaneously in the same experiment. This technological shortcoming has created a bottleneck and an overall limitation to how drug discovery is currently performed. In this technology briefing, SensiQ Technologies presents data from a current collaboration with Genentech describing how this limitation in drug discovery can be eliminated via simultaneous detection of both protein aggregation and affinity determination in a single experiment as enabled by Pioneer FE SPR instrumentation with diSPR injection technology. This is the first presentation of an SPR biosensor capable of executing both key measurements in a single experiment (available through SensiQ Technologies, Inc). This technological breakthrough will impact biotherapeutic drug discovery, development, and manufacturing by allowing increased workflow optimization by the determining two critical variables in a single experiment.