Solution viscosity is a key quantity for high concentration formulations of monoclonal antibodies suitable for subcutaneous injection. A dramatic increase of the viscosity with increasing antibody concentration is frequently observed, and charge effects are often believed to play a major role in this phenomenon. Unfortunately, our ability to successfully predict this for different antibodies based on their molecular structure only is very limited, and we have to rely on actual high concentration viscosity measurements that are both costly and demanding. In the course of a long-lasting and fruitful collaboration between researchers in Rome (CNR-ISC and Sapienza University) and in the Division of Physical Chemistry at Lund University, results from computer simulations now shed new light on charge interactions between antibodies and the emerging solution properties and hopefully pave the way for a predictive understanding of protein-protein interactions and the concentration dependence of the viscosity.
A longer interview with Fabrizio Camerin, the first author of this work recently published in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), can be found at the Lund University News website.
- Researchers take a step towards improved antibody therapy - on Lund University's website
- Electrostatics and viscosity are strongly linked in concentrated antibody solutions - on PNAS' website