Advances in Bio-Separations Biologics Characterisation from Cradle to Grave 12th – 13th May 2015 at MedImmune, Cambridge

THE SUBJECT OF THE SYMPOSIUM

The Chromatographic Society strives to present leading edge Separation Science in-context. This symposium is devoted exclusively to examining the challenges facing chromatographers by the rapidly emerging field of therapeutic biologics development.

BIOLOGICS

Biologics can be composed of sugars, proteins or nucleic acids and/or complex combinations of these substances, or may be living entities such as cells and tissues. Biologics are isolated from a variety of natural sources and may be produced by biotechnology methods and other technologies. Gene-based and cellular biologics are often at the forefront of biomedical research being used to treat a variety of medical conditions for which no other treatments are available.

In most cases, the term ‘biologics’ is reserved for a class of therapeutics produced by means of biological processes involving recombinant DNA technology. These medications are usually one of three types, namely:

• Substances that are almost identical to the body’s own key signalling proteins. An example is the growth-stimulating hormone named generally as ‘growth hormone’ or biosynthetic human insulin and its analogues.

• Monoclonal antibodies similar to the antibodies that the human immune system uses to counter bacterial and viral infections, being ‘custom-designed’ to specifically counteract or block a given substance in the body, or to target a specific cell type.

• Receptor constructs (fusion proteins), usually based on a naturallyoccurring receptor linked to the immunoglobulin frame.