Challenges in Predictive Modeling of Single Pass Tangential Flow
Filtration for Continuous Biomanufacturing
Abstract
Opportunities for process intensification and increased productivity
have made the field of Continuous Biomanufacturing an area of high
interest and active research. Within the purification train of producing
biologics, Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF) is typically employed after
chromatographic separations, to increase drug substance concentration,
making the process more economical and further meeting dosage
specifications. In a batch operation, concentration occurs via
recirculation of the feed material where desired output concentration is
attained through multiple pump-passes over the TFF membrane, while
steadily excluding the buffer. Single-Pass Tangential Flow Filtration
(SPTFF) enables continuity of this process by achieving similar
concentration factors through a single – pass over these membranes
while operating at low feed flow rates. Our work elucidates the
development of a mechanistic process model to predict SPTFF performance
across a relatively wide design space using a first principles approach.
The developed model is found to be accurate for a range of high feed
flow rates but is inaccurate at flow rates below 25 L/m2/hr. At very low
flow rates, small differences in the mass transfer coefficient have been
observed to significantly alter the prediction of the retentate
concentration. We thus describe the challenges in predictive process
modeling of SPTFF in antibody biomanufacturing.