How Biologic Medicines Are Made | How It's Made

Science Channel

18 Sept 201802:52

Summary

TLDRThis script outlines the production process of biologic medicines, which are proteins created in living cells. It begins with the insertion of genetic material into CHO cells, followed by cell multiplication in growth media. The cells are then transferred to a bioreactor where they exponentially increase, producing the target protein. The protein is purified through a series of steps, including separation from cellular material and a purification solution process. The final product is tested for sterility, highlighting the meticulous process behind these life-changing medicines.

Takeaways

🧬 Biologic medicines are proteins produced inside living cells, offering a different approach from traditional chemically synthesized drugs.
🔬 Chinese hamster ovarian cells (C.H.O. cells) are used as the host cells for producing biologic medicines.
❄️ C.H.O. cells are stored frozen in liquid nitrogen until needed for production.
🌡️ In the seed lab, cells are thawed in warm water and transferred to a growth media containing essential nutrients to promote cell multiplication.
🧪 The growth media is a crucial component, providing vitamins and minerals necessary for cell growth and multiplication.
🌱 The cells are transferred to a bioreactor where a propeller agitates the mixture to stimulate growth over a three-week period.
📈 The number of cells increases exponentially, each programmed to produce the target biologic protein.
🧴 The purification process involves measuring salts and other dry ingredients to prepare a solution for protein separation.
🏷️ Technicians label and record information about the ingredients and processes as required by government regulations.
🔄 An automated system monitors the purification solution's condition after cellular material is separated from the protein mixture.
🔬 Purification involves pumping the mixture through columns containing resin beads to separate the protein from impurities.
🌡️ A final test is conducted to ensure the medicine is sterile before it is ready for use.

Q & A

What are biologic medicines?
-Biologic medicines are proteins produced inside living cells, which serve as mini factories for genetically-engineered protein treatments.
How do biologic medicines differ from traditional drugs?
-Biologic medicines are produced using living cells, whereas traditional drugs are manufactured using chemical synthesis.
What role do Chinese Hamster Ovarian (CHO) cells play in the production of biologic medicines?
-CHO cells are used as the host cells into which genetic material is inserted to produce the target biologic protein.
Why are the CHO cells kept frozen in liquid nitrogen?
-CHO cells are kept frozen in liquid nitrogen until needed for the production process to preserve their viability and ensure consistency.
What is the purpose of the growth media in the production process?
-The growth media, containing hundreds of nutrients including vitamins and minerals, is used to help the cells multiply and support their growth.
How does the process of cell multiplication occur in the bioreactors?
-The mixture containing the cells is injected into a bioreactor where a propeller agitates the mixture to stimulate growth, leading to an exponential increase in cell numbers over a three-week period.
What is the function of the purification process in the production of biologic medicines?
-The purification process is used to separate the target biologic protein from the cells and other impurities, ensuring the medicine is pure and sterile.
How is the protein liquid prepared for purification after it has been separated from the cells?
-A technician measures salts and other dry ingredients to prepare a recipe for purifying the protein liquid, which is then added to purified water in a mixing tank.
What is the role of the steel-and-glass columns in the purification process?
-The protein mixture is pumped through steel-and-glass columns where a purification solution works with resin beads to separate the protein from impurities.
How is the sterility of the final biologic medicine ensured?
-A technician takes a sample of the purified medicine and conducts a test to ensure it is sterile before it can be used for treatment.
What is the potential impact of biologic medicines on people's lives?
-Biologic medicines offer hope where other therapies have failed, potentially making a significant difference in the lives of patients by providing effective treatments for various conditions.

Outlines

00:00

🧬 Biologic Medicines Production

Biologic medicines are proteins produced within living cells, which serve as mini factories for genetically-engineered protein treatments. This contrasts with traditional drugs made through chemical synthesis. Biologics offer new hope for conditions where other therapies have failed. The mass production of these medicines involves using the molecular machinery inside living cells, starting with the insertion of genetic material into Chinese hamster ovarian cells, known as C.H.O. cells. These cells are kept frozen in liquid nitrogen until needed. In the seed lab, a technician thaws the cells in warm water and transfers them to a glass flask containing growth media, which is a nutrient-rich mixture that includes vitamins and minerals to help the cells multiply. The flask is then moved to the production side of the plant, where the mixture is injected into a bioreactor. Over a three-week period, the number of cells increases exponentially, each programmed to produce the target biologic protein.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Biologic Medicines

Biologic medicines are proteins that are produced within living cells, which serve as mini-factories to generate genetically-engineered protein treatments. Unlike traditional drugs that are chemically synthesized, biologics are derived from biological sources, offering a different approach to treatment. In the video, biologic medicines are central to the theme as they represent a new frontier in medical treatments, offering hope where other therapies have failed.

💡Living Cells

Living cells are used as the production units for biologic medicines. The video mentions Chinese hamster ovarian cells, known as C.H.O. cells, which are utilized for their ability to produce the desired proteins. These cells are kept frozen in liquid nitrogen until needed, highlighting the importance of living cells in the biologic production process.

💡Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering is the process of inserting genetic material into cells to give them new traits or capabilities. In the context of the video, genetic engineering is used to program cells to produce specific biologic proteins, which are the active ingredients in biologic medicines. This is a key concept as it underpins the creation of these advanced treatments.

💡Seed Lab

The seed lab is where the initial stages of cell culture take place. Technicians in the seed lab thaw the frozen cells in warm water and transfer them to a growth media, which is a crucial step in the production of biologic medicines. The term 'seed lab' is used in the video to illustrate the beginning of the cell multiplication process.

💡Growth Media

Growth media is a nutrient-rich substance that contains vitamins, minerals, and other components necessary for cell growth and multiplication. In the video, the growth media is described as a 'recipe' that helps the cells multiply, emphasizing its role in nurturing the cells to produce the biologic medicines.

💡Bioreactor

A bioreactor is a vessel used to grow cells and is central to the mass production of biologic medicines. The video describes how the mixture containing the cells is injected into a five-gallon capacity bioreactor, where a propeller agitates the mixture to stimulate growth. This is a key piece of equipment in the production process.

💡Exponential Growth

Exponential growth refers to the rapid increase in the number of cells over a period of time. The video mentions that over a three-week period, the number of cells in the bioreactor increases exponentially, each programmed to produce the target biologic protein. This concept is critical to understanding the scale of biologic medicine production.

💡Purification

Purification is the process of separating the biologic protein from the cells and other impurities. The video describes how technicians measure salts and other dry ingredients to prepare a recipe for purifying the protein liquid once it has been separated from the cells. This step is essential to ensure the purity and safety of the final product.

💡Resin Beads

Resin beads are used in the purification process to separate the biologic protein from impurities. The video explains that the protein mixture is pumped through steel-and-glass columns containing resin beads, which help in the purification process. This is a key concept in the production of biologic medicines, as it ensures the final product is free from contaminants.

💡Sterility Testing

Sterility testing is a critical quality control step to ensure that the biologic medicine is free from contamination. The video mentions that a technician takes a sample and conducts a test to ensure the medicine is sterile before it can be used. This is an essential step in the production process to guarantee the safety and efficacy of the biologic medicines.

Highlights

Biologic medicines are proteins produced inside living cells, offering a different approach from traditional chemically synthesized drugs.

Biologics are genetically-engineered protein treatments that can offer hope where other therapies have failed.

Scientists use the molecular machinery inside living cells to mass produce biologic medicines.

The process begins with the insertion of genetic material into Chinese hamster ovarian cells, known as C.H.O. cells.

C.H.O. cells are kept frozen in liquid nitrogen until needed for the production process.

In the seed lab, cells are thawed in warm water and transferred to a glass flask with growth media.

Growth media contains hundreds of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, to help cells multiply.

The flask with cells is transferred to a bioreactor, where a propeller agitates the mixture to stimulate growth.

Over a three-week period, the number of cells increases exponentially, each programmed to produce the target biologic protein.

Technicians prepare a recipe for purifying the protein liquid, which includes measuring salts and other dry ingredients.

The purification process is recorded and labeled in accordance with government regulations.

Ingredients are added to purified water in a mixing tank, and an automated system monitors the purification solution.

The protein mixture is separated from cellular material and pumped through columns for purification.

Resin beads in the columns work with the purification solution to separate the protein from impurities.

A technician takes a sample and conducts a test to ensure the medicine is sterile before it is ready for use.

These biologic medicines, grown in living cells, have the potential to make a significant difference in people's lives.