26 September 2013: Malvern, UK: The effects of excipients on the viscosities of protein formulations are examined in a new application note published by Malvern Instruments in which low volume viscometry was performed with the recently launched Viscosizer 200. This benchtop system performs automated viscosity measurements on very low sample volumes over a wide range of concentrations, which makes the instrument particularly useful in early stage biopharmaceutical development.
The work was conducted at Malvern by Applications Engineer Dr Oksana Leszczyszyn, who specializes in the analytical characterization of proteins. It demonstrates the utility of the Viscosizer 200 in discerning differences resulting from different formulations and shows how the system can be used as a tool in screening for appropriate formulation candidates.
“As biotherapeutics are usually delivered by injection at relatively high concentrations, formulation viscosity is critically important, and a variety of small molecule excipients may be used to reduce viscosity by inhibiting protein aggregation,” said Dr Leszczyszyn. “Having the ability to screen formulations for viscosity issues or against a particular viscosity threshold at an early stage of development when sample volumes are limited, using a system such as the Viscosizer 200, will facilitate and expedite candidate selection and contribute to quicker, more cost-effective routes to market.”
The new Viscosizer 200 from Malvern Instruments is the latest product to reach commercialization as a result of Malvern’s highly focused Bioscience Development Initiative. Designed primarily to help solve key analytical challenges at the preformulation stage of pharmaceutical, and particularly biopharmaceutical, development, the automated Viscosizer 200 delivers viscosity and molecular size data on UV-active samples, using volumes of less than 10 µL.
Download the application note here http://www.malvern.com/formulation-viscosity
For details of the Viscosizer 200 go to http://www.malvern.com/viscosizer200
About Malvern Instruments
Malvern provides the materials and biophysical characterization technology and expertise that enables scientists and engineers to understand and control the properties of dispersed systems. These systems range from proteins and polymers in solution, particle and nanoparticle suspensions and emulsions, through to sprays and aerosols, industrial bulk powders and high concentration slurries. Used at all stages of research, development and manufacturing, Malvern’s materials characterization instruments provide critical information that helps accelerate research and product development, enhance and maintain product quality and optimize process efficiency.
Our products reflect Malvern’s drive to exploit the latest technological innovations and our commitment to maximizing the potential of established techniques. They are used by both industry and academia, in sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals to bulk chemicals, cement, plastics and polymers, energy and the environment.
Malvern systems are used to measure particle size, particle shape, zeta potential, protein charge, molecular weight, mass, size and conformation, rheological properties and for chemical identification, advancing the understanding of dispersed systems across many different industries and applications.
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