Cell culture production processes are being developed as an alternative to the egg-based influenza vaccine production. Traditional egg-based production methods are slow and risk supply chain disruptions due to external influences, e.g., avian influenza outbreaks, which can leave the human population at risk. Cell culture methods have several advantages over the egg-based production, including robust production at large volumes addressing the risk of supply shortages and rapid response to local pandemic outbreaks. This presentation focuses on the development of an upstream MDCK adherent cell-based influenza A/WS/33 flu production process in 3 L Mobius® Single-Use stirred tank bioreactors. Initial development of the cell based process was performed in 250 mL baffled shake flasks to evaluate microcarrier concentration, inoculation densities and cell growth. The process was then optimized for cell growth and virus production by evaluating process control parameters such as cell attachment, dissolved oxygen and agitation in the 3 L Mobius® bioreactor system. The developed process improved cell densities from 1.5 x 106 to 3 x 106 cells/mL and virus titer were improved from less than 10,000 HAU/mL to greater than 30,000 HAU/mL.

Influenza vaccine production using cell culture with microcarriers

251st National Meeting (2016)

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