Sartorius Stedim Biotech To Launch First HIC Membrane Adsorber

Sartorius Stedim Biotech will launch the commercially available membrane adsorber for hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). Sartobind Phenyl membrane adsorbers allow increased flow rates to ensure faster processes and can be used for process upgrades in purification and polishing of therapeutic proteins.

Sartobind Phenyl provides the advantages of an HIC ligand adsorber, while showing the specificity and behavior of a conventional HIC matrix. The hydrophobic phenyl ligand is covalently attached to the >3µm cellulose membrane. Target molecules bind to the membrane with similar binding capacities and at the same buffer conditions as with conventional HIC columns. However, the flow rates can be increased at least 10-fold to allow a faster process upgrade in purification and polishing of therapeutic proteins. The resolution is at least as good as that obtained with comparable phenyl columns.

With a binding capacity of 0.4mg/cm² (15mg/ml), Sartobind Phenyl can be used for antibody medium scale capture. Its key application is removal of hydrophobic aggregates that pose the risk of unwanted immune system response when patients are treated with therapeutic proteins. Detergent removal and large molecule / bioparticle purification are further application options for HIC membranes.

The company claims that the membrane adsorber is easy to handle, suitable for single and batch use and scalable from the 3ml Sartobind nano version to the Sartobind 150ml capsule. It will soon also be scalable to the Jumbo 5 l unit.