Stable isotonic lyophilized protein formulation

Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention

This invention is directed to a lyophilized protein formulation. In particular, it relates to a stable lyophilized protein formulation which can be reconstituted with a diluent to generate a stable reconstituted formuiation suitable for subcutaneous administration.

Description of Related Disclosures

In the past ten years, advances in biotechnology have made it possible to produce a variety of proteins for pharmaceutical applications using recombinant DNA techniques. Because proteins are larger and more complex than traditional organic and inorganic drugs (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. possessing multiple functional groups in addition to complex three-dimensional structures), the formulation of such proteins poses special problems. For a protein to remain biologically active, a formulation must preserve intact the conformational integrity of at least a core sequence of the protein's amino acids while at the same time protecting the protein's multiple functional groups from degradation. Degradation pathways for proteins can involve chemical instability (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. any process which involves modification of the protein by bond formation or cleavage resulting in a new chemical entity) or physical instability (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. changes in the higher order structure of the protein). Chemical instability can result from deamidation, racemization, hydrolysis; oxidation, beta elimination or disulfide exchange. Physical instability can result from denaturation, aggregation, precipitation or adsorption, for example. The three most common protein degradation pathways are protein aggregation, deamidation and oxidation. Cleland <i>et al</i>. <i>Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems</i> 10(4): 307-377 (1993).

Freeze-drying is a commonly employed technique for preserving proteins which serves to remove water from the protein preparation of interest. Freeze-drying, or lyophilization, is a process by which the material to be dried is first frozen and then the ice or frozen solvent is removed by sublimation in a vacuum environment. An excipient may be included in pre-lyophilized formulations to enhance stability during the freeze-drying process and/or to improve stability of the lyophilized product upon storage. Pikal, M. <i>Biopharm.</i> 3(9)26-30 (1990) and Arakawa <i>et al</i>. <i>Pharm. Res.</i> 8(3):285-291 (1991).

EP-A-661060 is directed to stable, IV-tolerable immunoglobulin formulations having an Ig content of 13.5-17.5% w/v, with osmolarity from 250-600 mOs/l, and a viscosity of not more than 9 cP. It is stated that it can be used as a highly concentrated preparation without unduly high viscosity, which is a problem for IV administration. The concern is therefore with the viscosity of the resulting formulation, and not with the manufacture of the formulation itself. While there is mention of the possibility of lyophilisation, there is no exemplification of it, and any problems that might be associated with it are not recognised.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lyophilized protein formulation which is stable upon storage and delivery. It is a further object to provide a stable reconstituted protein formulation which is suitable for subcutaneous administration. In certain embodiments, it is an object to provide a multi-use formulation which is stable for at least the time over which it will be administered to a patient.

Summary of the Invention

This invention is based on the discovery that a stable lyophilized protein formulation can be prepared using a lyoprotectant (preferably a sugar such as sucrose or trehalose), which lyophilized formulation can be reconstituted to generate a stable reconstituted formulation having a protein concentration which is significantly higher (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. from about 2-40 times higher, preferably 3-10 times higher and most preferably 3-6 times higher) than the protein concentration in the pre-lyophilized formulation. In particular, while the protein concentration in the pre-lyophilized formulation may be 5 mg/mL or less, the protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation is generally 50 mg/mL or more. Such high protein concentrations in the reconstituted formulation are considered to be particularly useful where the formulation is intended for subcutaneous administration. Despite the very high protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation, it has been found that the reconstituted formulation is stable (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. fails to display significant or unacceptable levels of chemical or physical instability of the protein) at 2-8°C for at least about 30 days. In certain embodiments, the reconstituted formulation is isotonic. In spite of the use of lower concentrations of the lyoprotectant to achieve such isotonic formulations upon reconstitution, it was discovered herein that the protein in the lyophilized formulation essentially retains its physical and chemical stability and integrity upon lyophilization and storage.

When reconstituted with a diluent comprising a preservative (such as bacteriostatic water for injection, BWFI), the reconstituted formulation may be used as a multi-use formulation. Such a formulation is useful, for example, where the patient requires frequent subcutaneous administrations of the protein to treat a chronic medical condition. The advantage of a multi-use formulation is that it facilitates ease of use for the patient, reduces waste by allowing complete use of vial contents, and results in a significant cost savings for the manufacturer since several doses are packaged in a single vial (lower filling and shipping costs).

Based on the observations described herein, in one aspect the invention provides a stable isotonic reconstituted formulation comprising a protein in an amount of at least about 50 mg/mL and a diluent, which reconstituted formulation has been prepared from a lyophilized mixture of a protein and a lyoprotectant, wherein the protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation is about 2-40 times greater than the protein concentration in the mixture before lyophilization.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a stable reconstituted formulation comprising an antibody in an amount of at least about 50 mg/mL and a diluent, which reconstituted formulation has been prepared from a lyophilized mixture of an antibody and a lyoprotectant, wherein the antibody concentration in the reconstituted formulation is about 2-40 times greater than the antibody concentration in the mixture before lyophilization.

The ratio of lyoprotectant:protein in the lyophilized formulation of the preceding paragraphs depends, for example, on both the protein and lyoprotectant of choice, as well as the desired protein concentration and isotonicity of the reconstituted formulation. In the case of a full length antibody (as the protein) and trehalose or sucrose (as the lyoprotectant) for generating a high protein concentration isotonic reconstituted formulation, the ratio may, for example, be about 100-1500 mole trehalose or sucrose:1 mole antibody.

Generally, the pre-lyophilized formulation of the protein and lyoprotectant will further include a buffer which provides the formulation at a suitable pH, depending on the protein in the formulation. For this purpose, it has been found to be desirable to use a histidine buffer in that, as demonstrated below, this appears to have lyoprotective properties.

The formulation may further include a surfactant (<i>e.g.</i> a polysorbate) in that it has been observed herein that this can reduce aggregation of the reconstituted protein and/or reduce the formation of particulates in the reconstituted formulation. The surfactant can be added to the pre-lyophilized formulation, the lyophilized formulation and/or the reconstituted formulation (but preferably the pre-lyophilized formulation) as desired.

The invention further provides a method for preparing a stable isotonic reconstituted formulation comprising reconstituting a lyophilized mixture of a protein and a lyoprotectant in a diluent such that the protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation is at least 50 mg/mL, wherein the protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation is about 2-40 times greater than the protein concentration in the mixture before lyophilization.

In yet a further embodiment, the invention provides a method for preparing a formulation comprising the steps of: (a) lyophilizing a mixture of a protein and a lyoprotectant; and (b) reconstituting the lyophilized mixture of step (a) in a diluent such that the reconstituted formulation is isotonic and stable and has a protein concentration of at least about 50 mg/mL. For example, the protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation may be from about 80 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL. Generally, the protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation is about 2-40 times greater than the protein concentration in the mixture before lyophilization.

An article of manufacture is also provided herein which comprises: (a) a container which holds a lyophilized mixture of a protein and a lyoprotectant; and (b) instructions for reconstituting the lyophilized mixture with a diluent to a protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation of at least about 50 mg/mL. The article of manufacture may further comprise a second container which holds a diluent (<i>e.g.</i> bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI) comprising an aromatic alcohol).

The invention further provides a method for treating a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a reconstituted formulation disclosed herein to a mammal, wherein the mammal has a disorder requiring treatment with the protein in the formulation. For example, the formulation may be administered subcutaneously.

One useful anti-HER2 antibody pre-lyophilized formulation as discovered in the experiments detailed below was found to comprise anti-HER2 in amount from about 5-40 mg/mL (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. 20-30 mg/mL) and sucrose or trehalose in an amount from about 10-100 mM (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. 40-80 mM), a buffer (e.g. histidine, pH 6 or succinate, pH 5) and a surfactant (<i>e.g.</i> a polysorbate). The lyophilized formulation was found to be stable at 40°C for at least 3 months and stable at 30°C for at least 6 months. This anti-HER2 formulation can be reconstituted with a diluent to generate a formulation suitable for intravenous administration comprising anti-HER2 in an amount from about 10-30 mg/mL which is stable at 2-8°C for at least about 30 days. Where higher concentrations of the anti-HER2 antibody are desired (for example where subcutaneous delivery of the antibody is the intended mode of administration to the patient), the lyophilized formulation may be reconstituted to yield a stable reconstituted formulation having a protein concentration of 50 mg/mL or more.

One desirable anti-IgE antibody pre-lyophilized formulation discovered herein has anti-IgE in amount from about 5-40 mg/mL (<i>e.g.</i> 20-30 mg/mL) and sucrose or trehalose in an amount from about 60-300 mM (<i>e.g.</i> 80-170 mM), a buffer (preferably histidine, pH 6) and a surfactant (such as a polysorbate). The lyophilized anti-IgE formulation is stable at 30°C for at least 1 year. This formulation can be reconstituted to yield a formulation comprising anti-IgE in an amount from about 15-45 mg/mL (<i>e.g.</i> 15-25 mg/mL) suitable for intravenous administration which is stable at 2-8°C for at least 1 year. Alternatively, where higher concentrations of anti-IgE in the formulation are desired, the lyophilized formulation can be reconstituted in order to generate a stable formulation having an anti-IgE concentration of ≥50 mg/mL.

Brief Description of the Drawings

<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Figure 1 shows the effect of reconstitution volume on the stability of lyophilized rhuMAb HER2. The lyophilized formulation was prepared from a pre-lyophilization formulation comprising 25 mg/mL protein, 60 mM trehalose, 5 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0, and 0.01% Tween 20™. The lyophilized cake was incubated at 40°C and then reconstituted with 4.0 (○) or 20.0 mL (●) of BWFI. The fraction of intact protein in the reconstituted formulation was measured by native size exclusion chromatography and defined as the peak area of the native protein relative to the total peak area including aggregates.</li><li>Figure 2 illustrates the effect of trehalose concentration on the stability of lyophilized rhuMAb HER2. The protein was lyophilized at 25 mg/mL in 5 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0 (circles) or 5 mM histidine, pH 6.0 (squares) and trehalose concentrations ranging from 60 mM (360 molar ratio) to 200 mM (1200 molar ratio). The lyophilized protein was incubated at 40°C for either 30 days (closed symbols) or 91 days (open symbols). The amount of intact protein was measured after reconstitution of the lyophilized protein with 20 mL BWFI.</li><li>Figure 3 demonstrates the effect of trehalose concentration on the long term stability of lyophilized rhuMAb HER2 stored at 40°C. The protein was lyophilized at either 25 mg/mL in 5 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0, 0.0 1 % Tween 20™, and 60 mM trehalose (■) or 5 mM histidine, pH 6.0, 0.01% Tween 20™, and 60 mM trehalose (□) or 21 mg/mL in 10 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0, 0.2% Tween 20™ and 250 mM trehalose (●). The lyophilized protein was incubated at 40°C and then reconstituted with 20 mL of BWFI. The amount of intact protein was measured after reconstitution.</li><li>Figure 4 shows the stability of rhuMAb HER2 lyophilized in 38.4 mM mannitol (7 mg/mL), 20.4 mM sucrose (7 mg/mL), 5 mM histidine, pH 6.0, 0.01% Tween 20™. The lyophilized protein was incubated at 40°C and then reconstituted with either 4.0 mL (○) or 20 mL (●) of BWFI. The amount of intact protein was measured after reconstitution.</li><li>Figure 5 demonstrates stability of reconstituted rhuMAb HER2 lyophilized in 5 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0, 60 mM trehalose, 0.01% Tween 20™. Samples were reconstituted with either 4.0 mL (squares) or 20.0 mL (circles) of BWFI (20 mL:0.9% benzyl alcohol; 4 mL:1.1% benzyl alcohol) and then stored at 5°C (solid symbols) or 25°C (open symbols). The % native protein was defined as the peak area of the native (not degraded) protein relative to the total peak area as measured by cation exchange chromatography.</li><li>Figure 6 shows stability of reconstituted rhuMAb HER2 lyophilized in 5 mM histidine, pH 6.0, 60 mM trehalose, 0.01% Tween 20. Samples were reconstituted with either 4.0 mL (squares) or 20.0 mL (circles) of BWFI (20 mL:0.9% benzyl alcohol; 4 mL:1.1% benzyl alcohol) and then stored at 5°C (solid symbols) or 25 °C (open symbols). The % native protein was defined as the peak area of the native (not degraded) protein relative to the total peak area as measured by cation exchange chromatography.</li><li>Figure 7 reveals stability of reconstituted rhuMAb HER2 lyophilized in 5 mM histidine, pH 6.0, 38.4 mM mannitol, 20.4 mM sucrose, 0.01% Tween 20. Samples were reconstituted with either 4.0 mL (squares) or 20.0 mL (circles) of BWFI (20 mL:0.9% benzyl alcohol; 4 mL:1.1% benzyl alcohol) and then stored at 5 °C (solid symbols) or 25 °C (open symbols). The % native protein was defined as the peak area of the native (not degraded) protein relative to the total peak area as measured by cation exchange chromatography.</li><li>Figure 8 shows stability of reconstituted rhuMAb HER2 lyophilized in 10 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0, 250 mM trehalose, 0.2% Tween 20. Samples were reconstituted with 20.0 mL of BWFI (0.9% benzyl alcohol) and then stored at 5°C (●) or 25 °C (○). The % native protein was defined as the peak area of the native (not degraded) protein relative to the total peak area as measured by cation exchange chromatography.</li><li>Figure 9 shows aggregation of rhuMAb E25 formulated into buffers ranging from pH 5 to pH 7 at 10 mM buffer concentration and 5 mg/mL antibody concentration. Samples were lyophilized and assayed at time zero and after 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 52 weeks of storage at 2-8°C. The buffers were: potassium phosphate pH 7.0 (○); sodium phosphate pH 7.0 (□); histidine pH 7.0 (○); sodium succinate pH 6.5 (●); sodium succinate pH 6.0 (■); sodium succinate pH 5.5 (◆); and sodium succinate pH 5.0 (▲).</li><li>Figure 10 depicts aggregation of rhuMAb E25 lyophilized in 5 mM histidine buffer at both pH 6 and pH 7 and assayed following storage as follows. The buffer was at: pH 6.0 stored at 2-8°C (○); pH 6 stored at 25°C (□); pH 6 stored at 40°C (◇); pH 7 stored at 2-8°C (●); pH 7 stored at 25°C (■); and pH 7 stored at 40°C (◆).</li><li>Figure 11 illustrates aggregation of 5 mg/mL rhuMAb E25 formulated into 10 mM sodium succinate at pH 5.0 with lyoprotectant added at a concentration of 275 mM (isotonic). The lyoprotectants were: control, no lyoprotectant (○); mannitol (□); lactose (◇); maltose (●); trehalose (■); and sucrose (◆). Samples were lyophilized and assayed at time zero and after 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 52 weeks of storage at 2-8°C.</li><li>Figure 12 shows aggregation of 5 mg/mL rhuMAb E25 formulated into 10 mM sodium succinate at pH 5.0 with lyoprotectant added at a concentration of 275 mM (isotonic). The lyoprotectants were: control, no lyoprotectant (○); mannitol (□); lactose (◇); maltose (●); trehalose (■); and sucrose (◆). Samples were lyophilized and assayed at time zero and after 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 52 weeks of storage at 40°C.</li><li>Figure 13 depicts hydrophobic interaction chromatography of 20 mg/mL rhuMAb E25 lyophilized in histidine buffer at pH 6 with an isotonic concentration (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. 275 mM) of lactose stored for 24 weeks at 2-8, 25 or 40°C and reconstituted to 20 mg/mL.</li><li>Figure 14 shows hydrophobic interaction chromatography of 20 mg/mL rhuMAb E25 lyophilized in histidine buffer at pH 6 stored for 24 weeks at 2-8, 25 or 40°C and reconstituted to 20 mg/mL.</li><li>Figure 15 illustrates hydrophobic interaction chromatography of 20 mg/mL rhuMAb E25 lyophilized in histidine buffer at pH 6 with an isotonic concentration (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. 275 mM) of sucrose and stored for 24 weeks at 2-8, 25 or 40°C and reconstituted to 20 mg/mL.</li><li>Figure 16 illustrates the effect of sugar concentration on rhuMAb E25 formulated at 20 mg/mL in 5 mM histidine at pH 6.0. Sucrose (●) and trehalose (□) were added to the formulation at molar ratios ranging from 0 to 2010 (isotonic) (see Table 1 below). Samples were lyophilized and assayed after 12 weeks of storage at 50°C.<img file="EP1516628A1_D0001.tif" /><img file="EP1516628A1_D0002.tif" /></li><li>Figure 17 reveals aggregation of rhuMAb E25 formulated at 25 mg/mL into 5 mM histidine at pH 6 with 85 mM sucrose (○); 85 mM trehalose (□); 161 mM sucrose (◆) or 161 mM trehalose (▲). Samples were lyophilized and stored at 2-8°C followed by reconstitution with 0.9% benzyl alcohol to 100 mg/mL antibody in 20 mM histidine at pH 6 with isotonic (340 mM) and hypertonic (644 mM) sugar concentration.</li><li>Figure 18 shows aggregation of rhuMAb E25 formulated at 25 mg/mL into 5 mM histidine at pH 6 with 85 mM sucrose (○); 85 mM trehalose (□); 161 mM sucrose (◆) or 161 mM trehalose (▲). Samples were lyophilized and stored at 30°C followed by reconstitution with 0.9% benzyl alcohol to 100 mg/mL antibody in 20 mM histidine at pH 6 with isotonic (340 mM) and hypertonic (644 mM) sugar concentration.</li><li>Figure 19 illustrates aggregation of rhuMAb E25 formulated at 25 mg/mL into 5 mM histidine at pH 6 with 85 mM sucrose (○); 85 mM trehalose (□); 161 mM sucrose (◆) or 161 mM trehalose (▲). Samples were lyophilized and stored at 50°C followed by reconstitution with 0.9% benzyl alcohol to 100 mg/mL antibody in 20 mM histidine at pH 6 with isotonic (340 mM) and hypertonic (644 mM) sugar concentration.</li></ul>

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

I. Definitions

By "protein" is meant a sequence of amino acids for which the chain length is sufficient to produce the higher levels of tertiary and/or quaternary structure. This is to distinguish from "peptides" or other small molecular weight drugs that do not have such structure. Typically, the protein herein will have a molecular weight of at least about 15-20 kD, preferably at least about 20 kD.

Examples of proteins encompassed within the definition herein include mammalian proteins, such as, <i>e</i>.<i>g</i>., growth hormone, including human growth hormone and bovine growth hormone; growth hormone releasing factor; parathyroid hormone; thyroid stimulating hormone; lipoproteins; α-1-antitrypsin; insulin A-chain; insulin B-chain; proinsulin; follicle stimulating hormone; calcitonin; luteinizing hormone; glucagon; clotting factors such as factor VIIIC, factor IX, tissue factor, and von Willebrands factor; anti-clotting factors such as Protein C; atrial natriuretic factor; lung surfactant; a plasminogen activator, such as urokinase or tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA); bombazine; thrombin; tumor necrosis factor-α and -β; enkephalinase; RANTES (regulated on activation normally T-cell expressed and secreted); human macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1-α); serum albumin such as human serum albumin; mullerian-inhibiting substance; relaxin A-chain; relaxin B-chain; prorelaxin; mouse gonadotropin-associated peptide; DNase; inhibin; activin; vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); receptors for hormones or growth factors; an integrin; protein A or D; rheumatoid factors; a neurotrophic factor such as bone-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3, -4, -5, or -6 (NT-3, NT-4, NT-5, or NT-6), or a nerve growth factor such as NGF-β; platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF); fibroblast growth factor such as aFGF and bFGF; epidermal growth factor (EGF); transforming growth factor (TGF) such as TGF-α and TGF-β, including TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, TGF-β4, or TGF-β5; insulin-like growth factor-I and -II (IGF-I and IGF-II); des(I-3)-IGF-I (brain IGF-I); insulin-like growth factor binding proteins; CD proteins such as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19 and CD20; erythropoietin (EPO); thrombopoietin (TPO); osteoinductive factors; immunotoxins; a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP); an interferon such as interferon-α, -β, and -γ; colony stimulating factors (CSFs), <i>e</i>.<i>g</i>., M-CSF, GM-CSF, and G-CSF; interleukins (ILs), <i>e</i>.<i>g</i>., IL-1 to IL-10; superoxide dismutase; T-cell receptors; surface membrane proteins; decay accelerating factor (DAF); a viral antigen such as, for example, a portion of the AIDS envelope; transport proteins; homing receptors; addressins; regulatory proteins; immunoadhesins; antibodies; and biologically active fragments or variants of any of the above-listed polypeptides.

The protein which is formulated is preferably essentially pure and desirably essentially homogeneous (i.e. free from contaminating proteins etc). "Essentially pure" protein means a composition comprising at least about 90% by weight of the protein, based on total weight of the composition, preferably at least about 95% by weight. "Essentially homogeneous" protein means a composition comprising at least about 99% by weight of protein, based on total weight of the composition.

In certain embodiments, the protein is an antibody. The antibody may bind to any of the above-mentioned molecules, for example. Exemplary molecular targets for antibodies encompassed by the present invention include CD proteins such as CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD20 and CD34; members of the HER receptor family such as the EGF receptor, HER2, HER3 or HER4 receptor; cell adhesion molecules such as LFA-1, Mol, p150,95, VLA-4, ICAM-1, VCAM and αv/β3 integrin including either α or β subunits thereof (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. anti-CD11a, anti-CD18 or anti-CD11b antibodies); growth factors such as VEGF; IgE; blood group antigens; flk2/flt3 receptor; obesity (OB) receptor; protein C etc.

The term "antibody" is used in the broadest sense and specifically covers monoclonal antibodies (including full length antibodies which have an immunoglobulin Fc region), antibody compositions with polyepitopic specificity, bispecific antibodies, diabodies, and single-chain molecules, as well as antibody fragments (<i>e.g.</i>, Fab, F(ab')₂, and Fv).

The term "monoclonal antibody" as used herein refers to an antibody obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, <i>i</i>.<i>e</i>., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical except for possible naturally occurring mutations that may be present in minor amounts. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific, being directed against a single antigenic site. Furthermore, in contrast to conventional (polyclonal) antibody preparations which typically include different antibodies directed against different determinants (epitopes), each monoclonal antibody is directed against a single determinant on the antigen. In addition to their specificity, the monoclonal antibodies are advantageous in that they are synthesized by the hybridoma culture, uncontaminated by other immunoglobulins. The modifier "monoclonal" indicates the character of the antibody as being obtained from a substantially homogeneous population of antibodies, and is not to be construed as requiring production of the antibody by any particular method. For example, the monoclonal antibodies to be used in accordance with the present invention may be made by the hybridoma method first described by Kohler <i>et al</i>., <i>Nature,</i> 256: 495 (1975), or may be made by recombinant DNA methods (see, <i>e.g.</i>, U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567). The "monoclonal antibodies" may also be isolated from phage antibody libraries using the techniques described in Clackson <i>et al</i>., <i>Nature,</i> 352:624-628 (1991) and Marks <i>et al</i>., <i>J</i>. <i>Mol</i>. <i>Biol</i>., 222:581-597 (1991), for example.

The monoclonal antibodies herein specifically include "chimeric" antibodies (immunoglobulins) in which a portion of the heavy and/or light chain is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from a particular species or belonging to a particular antibody class or subclass, while the remainder of the chain(s) is identical with or homologous to corresponding sequences in antibodies derived from another species or belonging to another antibody class or subclass, as well as fragments of such antibodies, so long as they exhibit the desired biological activity (U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567; Morrison <i>et al</i>., <i>Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA</i>, 81:6851-6855 (1984)).

"Humanized" forms of non-human (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>., murine) antibodies are chimeric immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin chains or fragments thereof (such as Fv, Fab, Fab', F(ab')₂ or other antigen-binding subsequences of antibodies) which contain minimal sequence derived from non-human immunoglobulin. For the most part, humanized antibodies are human immunoglobulins (recipient antibody) in which residues from a complementarity determining region (CDR) of the recipient are replaced by residues from a CDR of a non-human species (donor antibody) such as mouse, rat or rabbit having the desired specificity, affinity, and capacity. In some instances, Fv framework region (FR) residues of the human immunoglobulin are replaced by corresponding non-human residues. Furthermore, humanized antibodies may comprise residues which are found neither in the recipient antibody nor in the imported CDR or framework sequences. These modifications are made to further refine and optimize antibody performance. In general, the humanized antibody will comprise substantially all of at least one, and typically two, variable domains, in which all or substantially all of the CDR regions correspond to those of a non-human immunoglobulin and all or substantially all of the FR regions are those of a human immunoglobulin sequence. The humanized antibody optimally also will comprise at least a portion of an immunoglobulin constant region (Fc), typically that of a human immunoglobulin. For further details, see Jones <i>et al</i>., <i>Nature,</i> 321:522-525 (1986); Reichmann <i>et al</i>., <i>Nature,</i> 332:323-329 (1988); and Presta, <i>Curr. Op. Struct. Biol</i>., 2:593-596 (1992). The humanized antibody includes a Primatized™ antibody wherein the antigen-binding region of the antibody is derived from an antibody produced by immunizing macaque monkeys with the antigen of interest.

A "stable" formulation is one in which the protein therein essentially retains its physical and chemical stability and integrity upon storage. Various analytical techniques for measuring protein stability are available in the art and are reviewed in <i>Peptide and Protein Drug Delivery</i>, 247-301, Vincent Lee Ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, New York, Pubs. (1991) and Jones, A. <i>Adv</i>. <i>Drug Delivery Rev.</i> 10: 29-90 (1993). Stability can be measured at a selected temperature for a selected time period. For rapid screening, the formulation may be kept at 40°C for 2 weeks to 1 month, at which time stability is measured. Where the formulation is to be stored at 2-8°C, generally the formulation should be stable at 30°C or 40°C for at least 1 month and/or stable at 2-8°C for at least 2 years. Where the formulation is to be stored at 30°C, generally the formulation should be stable for at least 2 years at 30°C and/or stable at 40°C for at least 6 months. For example, the extent of aggregation following lyophilization and storage can be used as an indicator of protein stability (see Examples herein). For example, a "stable" formulation may be one wherein less than about 10% and preferably less than about 5% of the protein is present as an aggregate in the formulation. In other embodiments, any increase in aggregate formation following lyophilization and storage of the lyophilized formulation can be determined. For example, a "stable" lyophilized formulation may be one wherein the increase in aggregate in the lyophilized formulation is less than about 5% and preferably less than about 3%, when the lyophilized formulation is stored at 2-8°C for at least one year. In other embodiments, stability of the protein formulation may be measured using a biological activity assay (see, <i>e</i>.<i>g</i>., Example 2 below).

A "reconstituted" formulation is one which has been prepared by dissolving a lyophilized protein formulation in a diluent such that the protein is dispersed in the reconstituted formulation. The reconstituted formulation in suitable for administration (<i>e.g.</i> parenteral administration) to a patient to be treated with the protein of interest and, in certain embodiments of the invention, may be one which is suitable for subcutaneous administration.

By "isotonic" is meant that the formulation of interest has essentially the same osmotic pressure as human blood. Isotonic formulations will generally have an osmotic pressure from about 250 to 350mOsm. Isotonicity can be measured using a vapor pressure or ice-freezing type osmometer, for example.

A "lyoprotectant" is a molecule which, when combined with a protein of interest, significantly prevents or reduces chemical and/or physical instability of the protein upon lyophilization and subsequent storage. Exemplary lyoprotectants include sugars such as sucrose or trehalose; an amino acid such as monosodium glutamate or histidine; a methylamine such as betaine; a lyotropic salt such as magnesium sulfate; a polyol such as trihydric or higher sugar alcohols, <i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. glycerin, erythritol, glycerol, arabitol, xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol; propylene glycol; polyethylene glycol; Pluronics; and combinations thereof. The preferred lyoprotectant is a non-reducing sugar, such as trehalose or sucrose.

The lyoprotectant is added to the pre-lyophilized formulation in a "lyoprotecting amount" which means that, following lyophilization of the protein in the presence of the lyoprotecting amount of the lyoprotectant, the protein essentially retains its physical and chemical stability and integrity upon lyophilization and storage.

The "diluent" of interest herein is one which is pharmaceutically acceptable (safe and non-toxic for administration to a human) and is useful for the preparation of a reconstituted formulation. Exemplary diluents include sterile water, bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), a pH buffered solution (<i>e.g.</i> phosphate-buffered saline), sterile saline solution, Ringer's solution or dextrose solution.

A "preservative" is a compound which can be added to the diluent to essentially reduce bacterial action in the reconstituted formulation, thus facilitating the production of a multi-use reconstituted formulation, for example. Examples of potential preservatives include octadecyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, hexamethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride (a mixture of alkylbenzyldimethylammonium chlorides in which the alkyl groups are long-chain compounds), and benzethonium chloride. Other types of preservatives include aromatic alcohols such as phenol, butyl and benzyl alcohol, alkyl parabens such as methyl or propyl paraben, catechol, resorcinol, cyclohexanol, 3-pentanol, and m-cresol. The most preferred preservative herein is benzyl alcohol.

A "bulking agent" is a compound which adds mass to the lyophilized mixture and contributes to the physical structure of the lyophilized cake (<i>e.g.</i> facilitates the production of an essentially uniform lyophilized cake which maintains an open pore structure). Exemplary bulking agents include mannitol, glycine, polyethylene glycol and xorbitol.

"Treatment" refers to both therapeutic treatment and prophylactic or preventative measures. Those in need of treatment include those already with the disorder as well as those in which the disorder is to be prevented.

"Mammal" for purposes of treatment refers to any animal classified as a mammal, including humans, domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sports, or pet animals, such as dogs, horses, cats, cows, <i>etc</i>. Preferably, the mammal is human.

A "disorder" is any condition that would benefit from treatment with the protein. This includes chronic and acute disorders or diseases including those pathological conditions which predispose the mammal to the disorder in question. Non-limiting examples of disorders to be treated herein include carcinomas and allergies.

II. Modes for Carrying out the Invention

A. Protein Preparation

The protein to be formulated is prepared using techniques which are well established in the art including synthetic techniques (such as recombinant techniques and peptide synthesis or a combination of these techniques) or may be isolated from an endogenous source of the protein. In certain embodiments of the invention, the protein of choice is an antibody. Techniques for the production of antibodies follow.

(i) Polyclonal antibodies

.

Polyclonal antibodies are generally raised in animals by multiple subcutaneous (sc) or intraperitoneal (ip) injections of the relevant antigen and an adjuvant. It may be useful to conjugate the relevant antigen to a protein that is immunogenic in the species to be immunized, e.g., keyhole limpet hemocyanin, serum albumin, bovine thyroglobulin, or soybean trypsin inhibitor using a bifunctional or derivatizing agent, for example, maleimidobenzoyl sulfosuccinimide ester (conjugation through cysteine residues), N-hydroxysuccinimide (through lysine residues), glutaraldehyde, succinic anhydride, SOCl₂, or R¹N=C=NR, where R and R¹ are different alkyl groups.

Animals are immunized against the antigen, immunogenic conjugates, or derivatives by combining 1 mg or 1 µg of the peptide or conjugate (for rabbits or mice, respectively) with 3 volumes of Freund's complete adjuvant. One month later the animals are boosted with 1/5 to 1/10 the original amount of peptide or conjugate in Freund's complete adjuvant by subcutaneous injection at multiple sites. Seven to 14 days later the animals are bled and the serum is assayed for antibody titer. Animals are boosted until the titer plateaus. Preferably, the animal is boosted with the conjugate of the same antigen, but conjugated to a different protein and/or through a different cross-linking reagent. Conjugates also can be made in recombinant cell culture as protein fusions. Also, aggregating agents such as alum are suitably used to enhance the immune response.

(ii) Monoclonal antibodies

.

Monoclonal antibodies are obtained from a population of substantially homogeneous antibodies, <i>i</i>.<i>e</i>., the individual antibodies comprising the population are identical except for possible naturally occurring mutations that may be present in minor amounts. Thus, the modifier "monoclonal" indicates the character of the antibody as not being a mixture of discrete antibodies.

For example, the monoclonal antibodies may be made using the hybridoma method first described by Kohler <i>et al</i>., <i>Nature,</i> 256:495 (1975), or may be made by recombinant DNA methods (U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567).

In the hybridoma method, a mouse or other appropriate host animal, such as a hamster, is immunized as hereinabove described to elicit lymphocytes that produce or are capable of producing antibodies that will specifically bind to the protein used for immunization. Alternatively, lymphocytes may be immunized <i>in vitro</i>. Lymphocytes then are fused with myeloma cells using a suitable fusing agent, such as polyethylene glycol, to form a hybridoma cell (Goding, <i>Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice</i>, pp.59-103 (Academic Press, 1986)).

The hybridoma cells thus prepared are seeded and grown in a suitable culture medium that preferably contains one or more substances that inhibit the growth or survival of the unfused, parental myeloma cells. For example, if the parental myeloma cells lack the enzyme hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT or HPRT), the culture medium for the hybridomas typically will include hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine (HAT medium), which substances prevent the growth of HGPRT-deficient cells.

Preferred myeloma cells are those that fuse efficiently, support stable high-level production of antibody by the selected antibody-producing cells, and are sensitive to a medium such as HAT medium. Among these, preferred myeloma cell lines are murine myeloma lines, such as those derived from MOPC-21 and MPC-11 mouse tumors available from the Salk Institute Cell Distribution Center, San Diego, California USA, and SP-2 cells available from the American Type Culture Collection, Rockville, Maryland USA. Human myeloma and mouse-human heteromyeloma cell lines also have been described for the production of human monoclonal antibodies (Kozbor, <i>J</i>. <i>Immunol.,</i> 133:3001 (1984); Brodeur <i>et al</i>., <i>Monoclonal Antibody Production Techniques and Applications,</i> pp. 51-63 (Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1987)).

Culture medium in which hybridoma cells are growing is assayed for production of monoclonal antibodies directed against the antigen. Preferably, the binding specificity of monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridoma cells is determined by immunoprecipitation or by an <i>in vitro</i> binding assay, such as radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA).

The binding affinity of the monoclonal antibody can, for example, be determined by the Scatchard analysis of Muuson <i>et al</i>., <i>Anal. Biochem.,</i> 107:220 (1980).

After hybridoma cells are identified that produce antibodies of the desired specificity, affinity, and/or activity, the clones may be subcloned by limiting dilution procedures and grown by standard methods (Coding, <i>Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Practice,</i> pp.59-103 (Academic Press, 1986)). Suitable culture media for this purpose include, for example, D-MEM or RPMI-1640 medium. In addition, the hybridoma cells may be grown <i>in vivo</i> as ascites tumors in an animal.

The monoclonal antibodies secreted by the subclones are suitably separated from the culture medium, ascites fluid, or serum by conventional immunoglobulin purification procedures such as, for example, protein A-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite chromatography, gel electrophoresis, dialysis, or affinity chromatography.

DNA encoding the monoclonal antibodies is readily isolated and sequenced using conventional procedures (e.g., by using oligonucleotide probes that are capable of binding specifically to genes encoding the heavy and light chains of murine antibodies). The hybridoma cells serve as a preferred source of such DNA. Once isolated, the DNA may be placed into expression vectors, which are then transfected into host cells such as <i>E. coli</i> cells, simian COS cells, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, or myeloma cells that do not otherwise produce immunoglobulin protein, to obtain the synthesis of monoclonal antibodies in the recombinant host cells. Review articles on recombinant expression in bacteria of DNA encoding the antibody include Skerra <i>et al</i>., <i>Curr</i>. <i>Opinion in Immunol</i>., 5:256-262 (1993) and Plückthun, <i>Immunol. Revs.,</i> 130:151-188 (1992).

In a further embodiment, antibodies can be isolated from antibody phage libraries generated using the techniques described in McCafferty <i>et al</i>., <i>Nature,</i> 348:552-554 (1990). Clackson <i>et al</i>., <i>Nature,</i> 352:624-628 (1991) and Marks <i>et al</i>., <i>J</i>. <i>Mol</i>. <i>Biol</i>., 222:581-597 (1991) describe the isolation of murine and human antibodies, respectively, using phage libraries. Subsequent publications describe the production of high affinity (nM range) human antibodies by chain shuffling (Marks <i>et al</i>., <i>Bio</i>/<i>Technology</i>, 10:779-783 (1992)), as well as combinatorial infection and <i>in vivo</i> recombination as a strategy for constructing very large phage libraries (Waterhouse <i>et al</i>., <i>Nuc. Acids</i>. <i>Res.,</i> 21:2265-2266 (1993)). Thus, these techniques are viable alternatives to traditional monoclonal antibody hybridoma techniques for isolation of monoclonal antibodies.

The DNA also may be modified, for example, by substituting the coding sequence for human heavy- and light-chain constant domains in place of the homologous murine sequences (U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567; Morrison, <i>et al</i>., <i>Proc. Natl Acad Sci. USA,</i> 81:6851 (1984)), or by covalently joining to the immunoglobulin coding sequence all or part of the coding sequence for a non-immunoglobulin polypeptide.

Typically such non-immunoglobulin polypeptides are substituted for the constant domains of an antibody, or they are substituted for the variable domains of one antigen-combining site of an antibody to create a chimeric bivalent antibody comprising one antigen-combining site having specificity for an antigen and another antigen-combining site having specificity for a different antigen.

Chimeric or hybrid antibodies also may be prepared <i>in vitro</i> using known methods in synthetic protein chemistry, including those involving crosslinking agents. For example, immunotoxins may be constructed using a disulfide-exchange reaction or by forming a thioether bond. Examples of suitable reagents for this purpose include iminothiolate and methyl-4-mercaptobutyrimidate.

(iii) Humanized and human antibodies

.

Methods for humanizing non-human antibodies are well known in the art. Generally, a humanized antibody has one or more amino acid residues introduced into it from a source which is non-human. These non-human amino acid residues are often referred to as "import" residues, which are typically taken from an "import" variable domain. Humanization can be essentially performed following the method of Winter and co-workers (Jones <i>et al</i>., <i>Nature,</i> 321:522-525 (1986); Riechmann <i>et al</i>., <i>Nature,</i> 332:323-327 (1988); Verhoeyen <i>et al</i>., <i>Science,</i> 239:1534-1536 (1988)), by substituting rodent CDRs or CDR sequences for the corresponding sequences of a human antibody. Accordingly, such "humanized" antibodies are chimeric antibodies (U.S. Patent No. 4,816,567), wherein substantially less than an intact human variable domain has been substituted by the corresponding sequence from a non-human species. In practice, humanized antibodies are typically human antibodies in which some CDR residues and possibly some FR residues are substituted by residues from analogous sites in rodent antibodies.

The choice of human variable domains, both light and heavy, to be used in making the humanized antibodies is very important to reduce antigenicity. According to the so-called "best-fit" method, the sequence of the variable domain of a rodent antibody is screened against the entire library of known human variable-domain sequences. The human sequence which is closest to that of the rodent is then accepted as the human framework (FR) for the humanized antibody (Sims <i>et al</i>., <i>J</i>. <i>Immunol.,</i> 151:2296 (1993); Chothia <i>et al</i>., <i>J</i>. <i>Mol. Biol</i>., 196:901 (1987)). Another method uses a particular framework derived from the consensus sequence of all human antibodies of a particular subgroup of light or heavy chains. The same framework may be used for several different humanized antibodies (Carter <i>et al</i>., <i>Proc. Natl</i>. <i>Acad Sci. USA</i>, 89:4285 (1992); Presta <i>et al</i>., <i>J</i>. <i>Immnol</i>., 151:2623 (1993)).

It is further important that antibodies be humanized with retention of high affinity for the antigen and other favorable biological properties. To achieve this goal, according to a preferred method, humanized antibodies are prepared by a process of analysis of the parental sequences and various conceptual humanized products using three-dimensional models of the parental and humanized sequences. Three-dimensional immunoglobulin models are commonly available and are familiar to those skilled in the art. Computer programs are available which illustrate and display probable three-dimensional conformational structures of selected candidate immunoglobulin sequences. Inspection of these displays permits analysis of the likely role of the residues in the functioning of the candidate immunoglobulin sequence, <i>i</i>.<i>e</i>., the analysis of residues that influence the ability of the candidate immunoglobulin to bind its antigen. In this way, FR residues can be selected and combined from the recipient and import sequences so that the desired antibody characteristic, such as increased affinity for the target antigen(s), is achieved. In general, the CDR residues are directly and most substantially involved in influencing antigen binding.

Alternatively, it is now possible to produce transgenic animals (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>., mice) that are capable, upon immunization, of producing a full repertoire of human antibodies in the absence of endogenous immunoglobulin production. For example, it has been described that the homozygous deletion of the antibody heavy-chain joining region (J_H) gene in chimeric and germ-line mutant mice results in complete inhibition of endogenous antibody production. Transfer of the human germ-line immunoglobulin gene array in such germ-line mutant mice will result in the production of human antibodies upon antigen challenge. See, <i>e.g.,</i> Jakobovits <i>et al</i>., <i>Proc. Natl. Acad</i>. <i>Sci. USA,</i> 90:2551 (1993); Jakobovits <i>et al</i>., <i>Nature,</i> 362:255-258 (1993); Bruggermann <i>et al</i>., <i>Year in Immuno.,</i> 7:33 (1993). Human antibodies can also be derived from phage-display libraries (Hoogenboom <i>et al</i>., <i>J</i>. <i>Mol</i>. <i>Biol</i>., 227:381 (1991); Marks <i>et al</i>., <i>J</i>. <i>Mol. Biol</i>., 222:581-597 (1991)).

(iv) Bispecific antibodies

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) are antibodies that have binding specificities for at least two different epitopes. Such antibodies can be derived from full length antibodies or antibody fragments (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. F(ab')₂bispecific antibodies).

Methods for making bispecific antibodies are known in the art. Traditional production of full length bispecific antibodies is based on the coexpression of two immunoglobulin heavy chain-light chain pairs, where the two chains have different specificities (Millstein <i>et al</i>., <i>Nature,</i> 305:537-539 (1983)). Because of the random assortment of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, these hybridomas (quadromas) produce a potential mixture of 10 different antibody molecules, of which only one has the correct bispecific structure. Purification of the correct molecule, which is usually done by affinity chromatography steps, is rather cumbersome, and the product yields are low. Similar procedures are disclosed in WO 93/08829 and in Traunecker <i>et al</i>., <i>EMBO J</i>., 10:3655-3659 (1991).

According to a different approach, antibody variable domains with the desired binding specificities (antibody-antigen combining sites) are fused to immunoglobulin constant domain sequences. The fusion preferably is with an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant domain, comprising at least part of the hinge, CH2, and CH3 regions. It is preferred to have the first heavy-chain constant region (CH1) containing the site necessary for light chain binding, present in at least one of the fusions. DNAs encoding the immunoglobulin heavy chain fusions and, if desired, the immunoglobulin light chain, are inserted into separate expression vectors, and are co-transfected into a suitable host organism. This provides for great flexibility in adjusting the mutual proportions of the three polypeptide fragments in embodiments when unequal ratios of the three polypeptide chains used in the construction provide the optimum yields. It is, however, possible to insert the coding sequences for two or all three polypeptide chains in one expression vector when the expression of at least two polypeptide chains in equal ratios results in high yields or when the ratios are of no particular significance.

In a preferred embodiment of this approach, the bispecific antibodies are composed of a hybrid immunoglobulin heavy chain with a first binding specificity in one arm, and a hybrid immunoglobulin heavy chain-light chain pair (providing a second binding specificity) in the other arm. It was found that this asymmetric structure facilitates the separation of the desired bispecific compound from unwanted immunoglobulin chain combinations, as the presence of an immunoglobulin light chain in only one half of the bispecific molecule provides for a facile way of separation. This approach is disclosed in WO 94/04690 published March 3, 1994. For further details of generating bispecific antibodies see, for example, Suresh <i>et al</i>., <i>Methods in Enzymology</i>, 121:210 (1986).

Bispecific antibodies include cross-linked or "heteroconjugate" antibodies. For example, one of the antibodies in the heteroconjugate can be coupled to avidin, the other to biotin. Such antibodies have, for example, been proposed to target immune system cells to unwanted cells (US Patent No. 4,676,980), and for treatment of HIV infection (WO 91/00360, WO 92/200373). Heteroconjugate antibodies may be made using any convenient cross-linking methods. Suitable cross-linking agents are well known in the art, and are disclosed in US Patent No. 4,676,980, along with a number of cross-linking techniques.

Techniques for generating bispecific antibodies from antibody fragments have also been described in the literature. The following techniques can also be used for the production of bivalent antibody fragments which are not necessarily bispecific. For example, Fab' fragments recovered from <i>E. coli</i> can be chemically coupled <i>in vitro</i> to form bivalent antibodies. See, Shalaby <i>et al</i>., <i>J</i>. <i>Exp</i>. <i>Med</i>., 175:217-225 (1992).

Various techniques for making and isolating bivalent antibody fragments directly from recombinant cell culture have also been described. For example, bivalent heterodimers have been produced using leucine zippers. Kostelny <i>et al</i>., <i>J</i>. <i>Immunol</i>., 148(5):1547-1553 (1992). The leucine zipper peptides from the Fos and Jun proteins were linked to the Fab' portions of two different antibodies by gene fusion. The antibody homodimers were reduced at the hinge region to form monomers and then re-oxidized to form the antibody heterodimers. The "diabody" technology described by Hollinger <i>et al</i>., <i>Proc. Natl. Acad Sci. USA,</i> 90:6444-6448 (1993) has provided an alternative mechanism for making bispecific/bivalent antibody fragments. The fragments comprise a heavy-chain variable domain (V_H) connected to a light-chain variable domain (V_L) by a linker which is too short to allow pairing between the two domains on the same chain. Accordingly, the V_H and V_L domains of one fragment are forced to pair with the complementary V_L and V_H domains of another fragment, thereby forming two antigen-binding sites. Another strategy for making bispecific/bivalent antibody fragments by the use of single-chain Fv (sFv) dimers has also been reported. See Gruber <i>et al</i>., <i>J</i>. <i>Immunol</i>., 152:5368 (1994).

B. Preparation of the Lyophilized Formulation

After preparation of the protein of interest as described above, a "pre-lyophilized formulation" is produced. The amount of protein present in the pre-lyophilized formulation is determined taking into account the desired dose volumes, mode(s) of administration etc. Where the protein of choice is an intact antibody (such as an anti-IgE or anti-HER2 antibody), from about 2 mg/mL to about 50 mg/mL, preferably from about 5 mg/mL to about 40 mg/mL and most preferably from about 20-30 mg/mL is an exemplary starting protein concentration. The protein is generally present in solution. For example, the protein may be present in a pH-buffered solution at a pH from about 4-8, and preferably from about 5-7. Exemplary buffers include histidine, phosphate, Tris, citrate, succinate and other organic acids. The buffer concentration can be from about 1 mM to about 20 mM, or from about 3 mM to about 15 mM, depending, for example, on the buffer and the desired isotonicity of the formulation (e.g. of the reconstituted formulation). The preferred buffer is histidine in that, as demonstrated below, this can have lyoprotective properties. Succinate was shown to be another useful buffer.

The lyoprotectant is added to the pre-lyophilized formulation. In preferred embodiments, the lyoprotectant is a non-reducing sugar such as sucrose or trehalose. The amount of lyoprotectant in the pre-lyophilized formulation is generally such that, upon reconstitution, the resulting formulation will be isotonic. However, hypertonic reconstituted formulations may also be suitable. In addition, the amount of lyoprotectant must not be too low such that an unacceptable amount of degradation/aggregation of the protein occurs upon lyophilization. Where the lyoprotectant is a sugar (such as sucrose or trehalose) and the protein is an antibody, exemplary lyoprotectant concentrations in the pre-lyophilized formulation are from about 10 mM to about 400 mM, and preferably from about 30 mM to about 300 mM, and most preferably from about 50 mM to about 100 mM.

The ratio of protein to lyoprotectant is selected for each protein and lyoprotectant combination. In the case of an antibody as the protein of choice and a sugar (e.g., sucrose or trehalose) as the lyoprotectant for generating an isotonic reconstituted formulation with a high protein concentration, the molar ratio of lyoprotectant to antibody may be from about 100 to about 1500 moles lyoprotectant to 1 mole antibody, and preferably from about 200 to about 1000 moles of lyoprotectant to 1 mole antibody, for example from about 200 to about 600 moles of lyoprotectant to 1 mole antibody.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, it has been found to be desirable to add a surfactant to the pre-lyophilized formulation. Alternatively, or in addition, the surfactant may be added to the lyophilized formulation and/or the reconstituted formulation. Exemplary surfactants include nonionic surfactants such as polysorbates (e.g. polysorbates 20 or 80); poloxamers (e.g. poloxamer 188); Triton; sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS); sodium laurel sulfate; sodium octyl glycoside; lauryl-, myristyl-, linoleyl-, or stearyl-sulfobetaine; lauryl-, myristyl-, linoleyl- or stearyl-sarcosine; linoleyl-, myristyl-, or cetyl-betaine; lauroamidopropyl-, cocamidopropyl-, linoleamidopropyl-, myristamidopropyl-, palmidopropyl-, or isostearamidopropyl-betaine (e.g. lauroamidopropyl); myristamidopropyl-, palmidopropyl-, or isostearamidopropyl-dimethylamine; sodium methyl cocoyl-, or disodium methyl oleyl-taurate; and the MONAQUAT™ series (Mona Industries, Inc., Paterson, New Jersey), polyethyl glycol, polypropyl glycol, and copolymers of ethylene and propylene glycol (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. Pluronics, PF68 etc). The amount of surfactant added is such that it reduces aggregation of the reconstituted protein and minimizes the formation of particulates after reconstitution. For example, the surfactant may be present in the pre-lyophilized formulation in an amount from about 0.001-0.5%, and preferably from about 0.005-0.05%.

In certain embodiments of the invention, a mixture of the lyoprotectant (such as sucrose or trehalose) and a bulking agent (e.g. mannitol or glycine) is used in the preparation of the pre-lyophilization formulation. The bulking agent may allow for the production of a uniform lyophilized cake without excessive pockets therein etc.

Other pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients or stabilizers such as those described in <i>Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences</i> 16th edition, Osol, A. Ed. (1980) may be included in the pre-lyophilized formulation (and/or the lyophilized formulation and/or the reconstituted formulation) provided that they do not adversely affect the desired characteristics of the formulation. Acceptable carriers, excipients or stabilizers are nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed and include; additional buffering agents; preservatives; co-solvents; antioxidants including ascorbic acid and methionine; chelating agents such as EDTA; metal complexes (<i>e.g.</i> Zn-protein complexes); biodegradable polymers such as polyesters; and/or salt-forming counterions such as sodium.

The formulation herein may also contain more than one protein as necessary for the particular indication being treated, preferably those with complementary activities that do not adversely affect the other protein. For example, it may be desirable to provide two or more antibodies which bind to the HER2 receptor or IgE in a single formulation. Furthermore, anti-HER2 and anti-VEGF antibodies may be combined in the one formulation. Such proteins are suitably present in combination in amounts that are effective for the purpose intended.

The formulations to be used for <i>in vivo</i> administration must be sterile. This is readily accomplished by filtration through sterile filtration membranes, prior to, or following, lyophilization and reconstitution. Alternatively, sterility of the entire mixture may be accomplished by autoclaving the ingredients, except for protein, at about 120°C for about 30 minutes, for example.

After the protein, lyoprotectant and other optional components are mixed together, the formulation is lyophilized. Many different freeze-dryers are available for this purpose such as Hull50™ (Hull, USA) or GT20™ (Leybold-Heraeus, Germany) freeze-dryers. Freeze-drying is accomplished by freezing the formulation and subsequently subliming ice from the frozen content at a temperature suitable for primary drying. Under this condition, the product temperature is below the eutectic point or the collapse temperature of the formulation. Typically, the shelf temperature for the primary drying will range from about -30 to 25°C (provided the product remains frozen during primary drying) at a suitable pressure, ranging typically from about 50 to 250mTorr. The formulation, size and type of the container holding the sample (<i>e.g.</i>, glass vial) and the volume of liquid will mainly dictate the time required for drying, which can range from a few hours to several days (e.g. 40-60hrs). A secondary drying stage may be carried out at about 0-40°C, depending primarily on the type and size of container and the type of protein employed. However, it was found herein that a secondary drying step may not be necessary. For example, the shelf temperature throughout the entire water removal phase of lyophilization may be from about 15-30°C (<i>e.g.</i>, about 20°C). The time and pressure required for secondary drying will be that which produces a suitable lyophilized cake, dependent, <i>e</i>.<i>g</i>., on the temperature and other parameters. The secondary drying time is dictated by the desired residual moisture level in the product and typically takes at least about 5 hours (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. 10-15 hours). The pressure may be the same as that employed during the primary drying step. Freeze-drying conditions can be varied depending on the formulation and vial size.

In some instances, it may be desirable to lyophilize the protein formulation in the container in which reconstitution of the protein is to be carried out in order to avoid a transfer step. The container in this instance may, for example, be a 3, 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100cc vial.

As a general proposition, lyophilization will result in a lyophilized formulation in which the moisture content thereof is less than about 5%, and preferably less than about 3%.

C. Reconstitution of the Lyophilized Formulation

At the desired stage, typically when it is time to administer the protein to the patient, the lyophilized formulation may be reconstituted with a diluent such that the protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation is at least 50 mg/mL, for example from about 50 mg/mL to about 400 mg/mL, more preferably from about 80 mg/mL to about 300 mg/mL, and most preferably from about 90 mg/mL to about 150 mg/mL. Such high protein concentrations in the reconstituted formulation are considered to be particularly useful where subcutaneous delivery of the reconstituted formulation is intended. However, for other routes of administration, such as intravenous administration, lower concentrations of the protein in the reconstituted formulation may be desired (for example from about 5-50 mg/mL, or from about 10-40 mg/mL protein in the reconstituted formulation). In certain embodiments, the protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation is significantly higher than that in the pre-lyophilized formulation. For example, the protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation may be about 2-40 times, preferably 3-10 times and most preferably 3-6 times (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. at least three fold or at least four fold) that of the pre-lyophilized formulation.

Reconstitution generally takes place at a temperature of about 25°C to ensure complete hydration, although other temperatures may be employed as desired. The time required for reconstitution will depend, e.g., on the type of diluent, amount of excipient(s) and protein. Exemplary diluents include sterile water, bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI), a pH buffered solution (<i>e.g.</i> phosphate-buffered saline), sterile saline solution, Ringer's solution or dextrose solution. The diluent optionally contains a preservative. Exemplary preservatives have been described above, with aromatic alcohols such as benzyl or phenol alcohol being the preferred preservatives. The amount of preservative employed is determined by assessing different preservative concentrations for compatibility with the protein and preservative efficacy testing. For example, if the preservative is an aromatic alcohol (such as benzyl alcohol), it can be present in an amount from about 0.1-2.0% and preferably from about 0.5-1.5%, but most preferably about 1.0-1.2%.

Preferably, the reconstituted formulation has less than 6000 particles per vial which are ≥ 10 µm in size.

D. Administration of the Reconstituted Formulation

The reconstituted formulation is administered to a mammal in need of treatment with the protein, preferably a human, in accord with known methods, such as intravenous administration as a bolus or by continuous infusion over a period of time, by intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intracerobrospinal, subcutaneous, intra-articular, intrasynovial, intrathecal, oral, topical, or inhalation routes.

In preferred embodiments, the reconstituted formulation is administered to the mammal by subcutaneous (<i>i.e.</i> beneath the skin) administration. For such purposes, the formulation may be injected using a syringe. However, other devices for administration of the formulation are available such as injection devices (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. the Inject-ease™ and Genject™ devices); injector pens (such as the GenPen ™); needleless devices (<i>e.g.</i> MediJector™ and BioJector™); and subcutaneous patch delivery systems.

The appropriate dosage ("therapeutically effective amount") of the protein will depend, for example, on the condition to be treated, the severity and course of the condition, whether the protein is administered for preventive or therapeutic purposes, previous therapy, the patient's clinical history and response to the protein, the type of protein used, and the discretion of the attending physician. The protein is suitably administered to the patient at one time or over a series of treatments and may be administered to the patient at any time from diagnosis onwards. The protein may be administered as the sole treatment or in conjunction with other drugs or therapies useful in treating the condition in question.

Where the protein of choice is an antibody, from about 0.1-20 mg/kg is an initial candidate dosage for administration to the patient, whether, for example, by one or more separate administrations. However, other dosage regimens may be useful. The progress of this therapy is easily monitored by conventional techniques.

In the case of an anti-HER2 antibody, a therapeutically effective amount of the antibody may be administered to treat or prevent cancer characterized by overexpression of the HER2 receptor. It is contemplated that a reconstituted formulation of the anti-HER2 antibody may be used to treat breast, ovarian, stomach, endometrial, salivary gland, lung, kidney, colon and/or bladder cancer. For example, the anti-HER2 antibody may be used to treat ductal carcinoma <i>in situ</i> (DCIS). Exemplary dosages of the anti-HER2 antibody are in the range 1-10 mg/kg by one or more separate administrations.

Uses for an anti-IgE formulation include the treatment or prophylaxis of IgE-mediated allergic diseases, parasitic infections, interstitial cystitis and asthma, for example. Depending on the disease or disorder to be treated, a therapeutically effective amount (<i>e.g.</i> from about 1-15 mg/kg) of the anti-IgE antibody is administered to the patient.

E. Articles of Manufacture

In another embodiment of the invention, an article of manufacture is provided which contains the lyophilized formulation of the present invention and provides instructions for its reconstitution and/or use. The article of manufacture comprises a container. Suitable containers include, for example, bottles, vials (<i>e.g.</i> dual chamber vials), syringes (such as dual chamber syringes) and test tubes. The container may be formed from a variety of materials such as glass or plastic. The container holds the lyophilized formulation and the label on, or associated with, the container may indicate directions for reconstitution and/or use. For example, the label may indicate that the lyophilized formulation is reconstituted to protein concentrations as described above. The label may further indicate that the formulation is useful or intended for subcutaneous administration. The container holding the formulation may be a multi-use vial, which allows for repeat administrations (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. from 2-6 administrations) of the reconstituted formulation. The article of manufacture may further comprise a second container comprising a suitable diluent (<i>e.g.</i> BWFI). Upon mixing of the diluent and the lyophilized formulation, the final protein concentration in the reconstituted formulation will generally be at least 50 mg/mL. The article of manufacture may further include other materials desirable from a commercial and user standpoint, including other buffers, diluents, filters, needles, syringes, and package inserts with instructions for use.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following examples. They should not, however, be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. All literature citations are incorporated by reference.

EXAMPLE 1

ANTI-HER2 FORMULATION

Overexpression of the <i>HER2</i> proto-oncogene product (p185^HER2) has been associated with a variety of aggressive human malignancies. The murine monoclonal antibody known as muMAb4D5 is directed against the extracellular domain (ECD) of p185^HER2. The muMAb4D5 molecule has been humanized in an attempt to improve its clinical efficacy by reducing immunogenicity and allowing it to support human effector functions (see WO 92/22653). This example describes the development of a lyophilized formulation comprising full length humanized antibody huMAb4D5-8 described in WO 92/22653.

In the development of a lyophilized formulation, excipients and buffers are initially screened by measuring the stability of the protein after lyophilization and reconstitution. The lyophilized protein in each formulation is also subjected to accelerated stability studies to determine the potential stability of the protein over its shelf-life. These accelerated studies are usually performed at temperatures above the proposed storage conditions and the data are then used to estimate the activation energy for the degradation reactions assuming Arrhenius kinetics (Cleland <i>et al</i>., <i>Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems</i> 10(4): 307-377 (1993)). The activation energy is then used to calculate the expected shelf-life of the protein formulation at the proposed storage conditions.

In early screening studies, the stability of several lyophilized recombinant humanized anti-HER2 antibody (rhuMAb HER2) formulations was investigated after incubation at 5°C (proposed storage condition) and 40°C (accelerated stability condition). In the liquid state, rhuMAb HER2 was observed to degrade by deamidation (30Asn of light chain) and isoaspartate formation via a cyclic imide intermediate, succinimide (102Asp of heavy chain). The deamidation was minimized at pH 5.0 resulting in degradation primarily at the succinimide. At pH 6.0, slightly greater deamidation was observed in the liquid protein formulation. The lyophilized formulations were therefore studied with: (a) 5 or 10 mM succinate buffer, pH 5.0 or (b) 5 or 10 mM histidine buffer, pH 6.0. Both buffers contained the surfactant, polysorbate 20 (Tween 20™), which was employed to reduce the potential for aggregation of the reconstituted protein and minimize the formation of particulates after reconstitution. These buffers were used with and without various sugars. The protein was formulated in the buffer at 5.0, 21.0 or 25.0 mg/mL. These formulations were then lyophilized and assessed for protein stability after 2 weeks at 5°C and 40°C. In the lyophilizer, the vials were frozen at a shelf temperature of -55°C for approximately 5 hours followed by primary drying at a shelf temperature of 5°C and 150 mTorr for 30 hours, and drying to 1-2% residual moisture was achieved with secondary drying at a shelf temperature of 20°C for 10 hours. The major degradation route for this protein upon lyophilization was aggregation, and therefore the protein stability was assessed by native size exclusion chromatography to measure the recovery of intact native protein (% intact protein in Table 2 below).

The stabilizing effects of various lyoprotectant sugars on lyophilized protein was measured in 10 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0 (Table 2). At high sugar concentrations (250-275 mM) and low protein concentration (5.0 mg/mL), trehalose and lactose stabilized the protein against aggregation for the lyophilized protein stored for 2 weeks at 40°C. However, lactose, a reducing sugar, was observed to react with the protein over longer term storage at 40°C. The formulations at 5.0 mg/mL protein containing either sorbitol or mannitol yielded aggregated protein after storage at 40°C for 2 weeks. At the higher protein concentration (21.0 mg/mL), formulations comprising mannitol, or mannitol in combination with sorbitol or glycine, contained aggregated protein after lyophilization and storage at both conditions. In contrast, trehalose and sucrose prevented aggregation at both storage conditions.

The 250 mM trehalose and 250 mM lactose formulations were assessed for long term stability. After 9 months at 40°C or 12 months at 5°C, there was no change in the % intact protein for the trehalose formulation. For the lactose formulation, the % intact protein remained constant (same as initial) after 3 months at 40°C or 6 months at 25°C. The trehalose formulation could be stored at controlled room temperature (15-30°C) for 2 years without a significant change in % intact protein.

The 10 mM histidine, pH 6.0 formulation with mannitol contained less aggregated protein after storage at 40°C for 2 weeks than the 10 mM succinate formulation, pH 5.0 with mannitol. This result may be related to some stabilizing effect contributed by histidine alone. After storage at 40°C for 2 weeks, there was, however, significant aggregation for histidine alone or histidine/mannitol formulations. The addition of sucrose at an equal mass to mannitol (10 mg/mL of each) in the histidine formulation stabilized the protein against aggregation for both storage conditions. The use of glycine with mannitol did not improve the protein stability, while the sucrose/glycine formulation provided the same stability as the sucrose/mannitol formulation. These results further indicated that sucrose was useful for preventing aggregation of the lyophilized protein during storage. <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><img file="EP1516628A1_D0003.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><img file="EP1516628A1_D0004.tif" /></tables>

The delivery of a high protein concentration is often required for subcutaneous administration due to the volume limitations (≤ 1.5 mL) and dosing requirements (≥100 mg). However, high protein concentrations (≥ 50 mg/mL) are often difficult to achieve in the manufacturing process since at high concentrations, the protein has a tendency to aggregate during processing and becomes difficult to manipulate (<i>e</i>.<i>g</i>. pump) and sterile filter. Alternatively, the lyophilization process may provide a method to allow concentration of the protein. For example, the protein is filled into vials at a volume (Vf) and then lyophilized. The lyophilized protein is then reconstituted with a smaller volume (Vr) of water or preservative (<i>e.g.</i> BWFI) than the original volume (<i>e.g.</i> Vr = 0.25Vf) resulting in a higher protein concentration in the reconstituted solution. This process also results in the concentration of the buffers and excipients. For subcutaneous administration, the solution is desirably isotonic.

The amount of trehalose in the lyophilized rhuMAb HER2 was reduced to produce an isotonic solution upon reconstitution to yield 100 mg/mL protein. The stabilizing effect of trehalose was determined as a function of concentration for 5 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0 and 5 mM histidine, pH 6.0 at 25.0 mg/mL protein (Table 3). At trehalose concentrations from 60 to 200 mM, there was no significant aggregation after incubation of the lyophilized protein for 4 weeks at 40°C. These formulations were reconstituted with 20 mL of bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI, USP, 0.9% benzyl alcohol). Reconstitution of the 50 mM trehalose formulation (5 mM sodium succinate) with 4 mL of BWFI (100 mg/mL protein) after incubation for 4 weeks at 40°C yielded a slight increase in aggregate formation. The preserved reconstituted formulations provided the advantage of multiple withdrawals from the same vial without sterility concerns. When sterile needles are used, these formulations would then allow for several doses from a single vial. <tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><img file="EP1516628A1_D0005.tif" /></tables>

Currently, rhuMAb HER2 is under investigation as a therapeutic for the treatment of breast cancer. The protein is dosed to patients at 2 mg/kg on a weekly basis. Since the average weight of these patients is 65 kg, the average weekly dose is 130 mg of rhuMAb HER2. For subcutaneous administration, injection volumes of 1.5 mL or less are well tolerated and, therefore, the protein concentration for a weekly subcutaneous administration of rhuMAb HER2 may be approximately 100 mg/mL (130 mg average dose/1.5 mL). As mentioned above, this high protein concentration is difficult to manufacture and maintain in a stable form. To achieve this high protein concentration, rhuMAb HER2 formulated in: (a) 5 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0 or (b) 5 mM histidine, pH 6.0, was lyophilized at 25 mg/mL protein in 60 mM trehalose, 0.01% Tween 20™. The lyophilization was performed by filling 18 mL of the protein formulation into 50 cc vials. In the lyophilizer, the vials were frozen at a shelf temperature of -55°C for approximately 5 hours followed by primary drying at a shelf temperature of 5°C and 150 mTorr for 30 hours, and drying to 1-2% residual moisture was achieved with secondary drying at a shelf temperature of 20°C for 10 hours. Thermocouples placed in vials containing the placebo (formulation without protein) indicated that the product in the vials was maintained below -10°C throughout primary drying. Sequential stoppering studies during the lyophilization revealed that the residual moisture after primary drying was usually less than 10%.

The lyophilized protein was then reconstituted with either 4 or 20 mL of BWFI (0.9 or 1.1% benzyl alcohol) to yield concentrated protein solutions: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>(a) 4 mL: 102 mg/mL rhuMAb HER2, 245 mM trehalose, 21 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0 or 21 mM histidine, pH 6.0, 0.04% Tween 20™;</li><li>(b) 20 mL: 22 mg/mL rhuMAb HER2, 52 mM trehalose, 4 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0 or 4 mM histidine, pH 6.0, 0.009% Tween 20™.</li></ul>

After storage of the lyophilized formulations for 4 weeks at 40°C and reconstitution to 22 mg/mL protein, the amount of aggregated protein appeared to increase slightly with decreasing trehalose concentration. The stability of the lyophilized protein was not affected by the volume of reconstitution. As shown in Figure 1, the amount of intact protein after incubation of the lyophilized protein at 40°C was the same for the 60 mM trehalose, 5 mM sodium succinate, pH 5.0, 0.01% Tween 20™ formulation reconstituted with either 4 or 20 mL of BWFI.

The results shown in Table 3 suggested that there may be a relationship between the trehalose concentration and the protein stability. To further assess this relationship, the formulations containing different concentrations of trehalose formulated in either sodium succinate or histidine were incubated for 91 days at 40°C. The stability was then measured as a function of the trehalose to protein molar ratio for each concentration of trehalose. As shown in Figure 2, the protein stability clearly decreased with decreasing trehalose concentration for both formulations. There was no apparent difference between the two buffers, succinate and histidine, in these formulations suggesting that the primary stabilizer under these conditions is trehalose. In addition, the observed decrease in intact protein for both these formulations would be acceptable even at the low trehalose concentration for a formulation that is stored at 2-8°C throughout its shelf-life. However, if controlled room temperature (30°C maxmimum temperature) stability is required, higher trehalose concentrations (≥ 600:1 trehalose:protein) may be needed depending on the stability specifications for the product (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. the specification for the amount of intact protein remaining after 2 years of storage). Typically, a controlled room temperature storage condition would require stability for 6 months at 40°C which is equivalent to storage at 30°C for 2 years.

As shown in Figure 3, the 250 mM trehalose formulation was unchanged after 6 months at 40°C while both the 60 mM trehalose formulations were less stable. The 60 mM trehalose formulations may then require refrigerated storage if the product specification at the end of its shelf-life is, for example, &gt;98% intact protein by nat!ve size exclusion chromatography.

In the previous screening study, sucrose was also observed to prevent aggregation of rhuMAb HER2 after lyophilization and subsequent storage. To achieve isotonic solutions after reconstitution for subcutaneous administration (approximately four-fold concentration of formulation components and protein), the sucrose concentration must be reduced significantly. The equal mass concentration of sucrose and mannitol (bulking agent) used in the screening studies prevented aggregation of the protein. A lower concentration of sucrose and mannitol (equal mass concentrations) was chosen as a potential subcutaneous formulation of rhuMAb HER2. The protein solution (25 mg/mL protein, 5 mM histidine, pH 6.0, 38.4 mM (7 mg/mL) mannitol, 20.4 mM (7 mg/mL) sucrose, 0.01% Tween 20™) was lyophilized in the same manner as the 60 mM trehalose formulation except that the primary drying cycle was extended to 54 hours. After 4 weeks at 40°C, there was a slight increase in the amount of aggregates after reconstitution with 4.0 or 20.0 mL of BWFI (Table 3). The amount of aggregated protein was the same for reconstitution at 22 or 100 mg/mL protein (Figure 4). Like the 60 mM trehalose formulations, the mannitol/sucrose formulation yielded less intact protein over time at 40°C. The molar ratio of sucrose to protein for this formulation was 120 to 1, indicating that the mannitol/sucrose combination may be more effective than trehalose alone at the same molar ratio of stabilizing sugar (Figures 2 and 4).

In the previous examples, the stability of the lyophilized rhuMAb HER2 formulations was determined as a function of temperature. These studies demonstrated that the trehalose and mannitol/sucrose formulations prevented degradation of the protein in the lyophilized state at high temperatures (40°C). However, these experiments did not address the stability of the protein after reconstitution and storage. Once reconstituted with BWFI, the lyophilized rhuMAb HER2 formulations may be used for several administrations of the drug. In particular, the vial configuration (450 mg rhuMAb HER2) was designed to provide three doses to the average patient (130 mg rhuMAb HER2 per dose). Since the drug is dosed weekly, the vial may be stored at least three weeks after reconstitution. To assure that the rhuMAb HER2 remained stable after reconstitution, stability studies on the reconstituted rhuMAb HER2 formulations were performed at 5°C and 25°C.

For subcutaneous administration, the formulations were reconstituted to 100 mg/mL (4 mL BWFI). At this high protein concentration, the protein may be more susceptible to aggregation than the intravenous dosage form that was reconstituted to 22 mg/mL protein (20 mL BWFI). The four rhuMAb HER2 formulations from the previous example were assessed for aggregation (loss of intact protein). As shown in Tables 4 through 6, there was no difference in stability for formulations reconstituted at 22 and 100 mg/mL protein. Furthermore, these formulations maintained the protein completely intact for up to 90 days at 5°C and 30 days at 25°C, indicating that the reconstituted protein could be stored refrigerated for at least 90 days. Unlike the lyophilized protein stability in the previous example, the trehalose concentration in the formulation did not affect the protein stability (Table 7). <tables id="tabl0004" num="0004"><img file="EP1516628A1_D0006.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0005" num="0005"><img file="EP1516628A1_D0007.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0006" num="0006"><img file="EP1516628A1_D0008.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0007" num="0007"><img file="EP1516628A1_D0009.tif" /></tables><tables id="tabl0008" num="0008"><img file="EP1516628A1_D0010.tif" /></tables>

As mentioned previously, the major degradation route for rhuMAb HER2 in aqueous solutions is deamidation or succinimide formation. The loss of native protein due to deamidation or succinimide formation was assessed for the four reconstituted rhuMAb HER2 formulations.

Analysis of rhuMAb HER2 deamidation and succinimide formation was performed using cation exchange chromatography. A Bakerbond Wide-Pore Carboxy Sulfon (CSX) column (4.6 x 250 mm) was operated at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The mobile phase buffers were (A) 0.02 M sodium phosphate, pH 6.9, and (B) 0.02 M sodium phosphate, pH 6.9, 0.2 M NaCl. The chromatography was then performed at 40°C as follows: <tables id="tabl0009" num="0009"><img file="EP1516628A1_D0011.tif" /></tables>

Again, there were no differences in stability of the formulations reconstituted at 22 and 100 mg/mL protein (Figures 5 through 7). The protein degradation was more rapid at 25°C than 5°C for each formulation, and the rate of degradation was comparable for all the formulations stored at 5°C. The formulations containing histidine underwent a slightly greater rate of degradation at 25°C than the succinate formulations. The amount of trehalose in the formulation did not affect the degradation rate at either temperature (Figures 5 and 8). These results indicated that these four formulations provide an acceptable rate of degradation under refrigerated storage conditions (5°C) for the intended period of use (30 days after reconstitution with BWFI).

Multi-use formulations should pass preservative efficacy testing as described by the US Pharmacopeia (USP) for use in the United States. The rhuMAb HER2 lyophilized formulation consisting of 25 mg/mL protein, 5 mM histidine, pH 6.0, 60 mM trehalose, 0.01% Tween 20™ was reconstituted with 20 mL of benzyl alcohol at concentrations between 0.9 and 1.5% w/w. For concentrations at or above 1.3% w/w, the reconstituted solution became cloudy after overnight incubation at room temperature (~25°C). Reconstitution with the standard BWFI solution (0.9% benzyl alcohol) resulted in a solution that did not consistently pass the preservative challenge tests. However, reconstitution with 1.0 or 1.1% benzyl alcohol was both compatible with the formulation and passed the preservative challenge testing. The manufacturer's specifications for the solution required a range of ± 10%, and therefore, the lyophilized formulations are reconstituted with 1.1% benzyl alcohol (1.1 ± 0.1%).

A single step lyophilization cycle for the rhuMAb HER2 formulation was developed . In the single step lyophilization cycle, rhuMAb HER2 at 25 mg/mL, 60 mM trehalose, 5 mM histidine pH 6 and 0.01% polysorbate 20 was lyophilized at a shelf temperature of 20°C, and a pressure of 150 mTorr. After 47 hours, the residual moisture content of the lyophilized cake was less than 5%. This lyophilization cycle is considered to be useful in that it simplifies the manufacturing process, by eliminating the secondary drying step.

EXAMPLE 2

ANTI-IgE FORMULATION

IgE antibodies bind to specific high-affinity receptors on mast cells, leading to mast cell degranulation and release of mediators, such as histamine, which produce symptoms associated with allergy. Hence, anti-IgE antibodies that block binding of IgE to its high-affinity receptor are of potential therapeutic value in the treatment of allergy. These antibodies must also not bind to IgE once it is bound to the receptor because this would trigger histamine release. This example describes the development of a lyophilized formulation comprising full length humanized anti-IgE antibody MaE11 described in Presta <i>et al</i>. <i>J. Immunology,</i> 151: 2623-2632 (1993).

<i>Materials:</i> Highly purified rhuMAb E25 (recombinant humanized anti-IgE antibody MaE11) which did not contain Tween 20™ was used in the formulations described below. Spectra/For 7 dialysis membranes were purchased from Spectrum (Los Angeles, CA). All other reagents used in this study were obtained from commercial sources and were of analytical grade. Formulation buffers and chromatography mobile phase were prepared by mixing the appropriate amount of buffer and salt with Milli-Q water in a volumetric flask.

<i>Formulation:</i> E25 S Sepharose pool was dialyzed into formulation buffers as specified. Dialysis was accomplished by a minimum of 4 x 2L buffer exchanges over a 48 hour period at 2-8°C. Following dialysis, lyoprotectant was added at a isotonic concentration to some of the formulations as required. Protein concentration following dialysis was determined by UV spectroscopy using a molar absorptivity of 1.60. The dialyzed protein was diluted to the predetermined formulation concentration with an appropriate formulation buffer, sterile filtered using a 0.22 µm Millex-GV filter (Millipore) and dispensed into pre-washed and autoclaved glass vials. The vials were fitted with siliconized teflon lyophilization stoppers and lyophilized using the following conditions: the E25 formulation was frozen to -55°C at 80°C/hour and the vial content was kept frozen for 4 hours. The shelf temperature was ramped to 25°C at 10°C/hour for primary drying. Primary drying was carried out at 25°C, 50 µ chamber vacuum pressure for 39 hours such that the residual moisture of the lyophilized cake was 1-2%. Following lyophilization, a vial of each formulation was removed for t=0 analysis and the remaining vials were held at various temperatures which include -70°C, 2-8°C, 25°C, 30°C (controlled room temperature) 40°C and 50°C.

<i>Chromatography:</i> Native size exclusion chromatography was carried out on a Bio-Rad Bio-Select™ SEC 250-5 column (300 x 7.8 mm). The column was equilibrated and ran in PBS at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min using a Hewlett Packard 1090L HPLC equipped with a diode array detector. Molecular weight standards (Bio-Rad, Inc.) consisting of thyroglobulin (670 kd), gamma-globulin (158 kd), ovalbumin (44 kd), and cyanocobalamin (1.35 kd) were used to calibrate the column. The sample load was 25 µg and protein was detected by monitoring the UV absorption at 214 nm using Turbochrom 3 software (PE Nelson, Inc).

<i>Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography:</i> F(ab')₂ fragments of the E25 antibody were chromatographed using a TosoHaas Butyl-NPR column (3.5 x 4.6 mm) and a Hewlett Packard 1090L HPLC equipped with a diode array detector. Elution buffer A was: 20 mM Tris, 2 M ammonium sulfate, 20% (v/v) glycerol, pH 8.0 while elution buffer B was: 20 mM Tris, 20% (v/v) glycerol, pH 8.0. The column was equilibrated with 10% elution buffer B at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min for a minimum of 20 minutes. The sample load was 5 µg and protein was detected by monitoring the UV absorption at 214 nm using Turbochrom 3 data acquisition software (PE Nelson, Inc). Following injection of the sample, the column was maintained at 10% buffer B for 1 minute followed by a linear gradient of from 10% to 62% buffer B in 20 minutes. The column was washed with 100% buffer B for 5 minutes and re-equilibrated with 10% buffer B for a minimum of 20 minutes between successive sample injections.

<i>Antibody Binding Activity:</i> IgE receptor binding inhibition assay (IE25:2) was carried out as described in Presta <i>et al</i>., <i>supra</i>, on samples diluted to 20 µg/mL and 30 µg/mL in assay diluent (phosphate buffered saline, 0.5% BSA, 0.05% polysorbate 20, 0.01% Thimerosol). Each dilution was then assayed in triplicate and the results were multiplied by an appropriate dilution factor to yield an active concentration. The results from 6 assays were averaged. The assay measures the ability of rhuMAb E25 to competitively bind to IgE and thereby prevent IgE from binding to its high affinity receptor which is immobilized to an ELISA plate. The results are divided by the antibody concentration as determined by UV absorption spectroscopy and reported as a specific activity. Previous experiments have shown that this assay is stability indicating.

<i>Particulate Assay:</i> Reconstituted vials of lyophilized rhuMAb E25 were pooled to achieve a volume of approximately 7 mL. A count of the number of particles of size ranging from 2 to 80 µm present in 1 mL of sample was determined using a Hiac/Royco model 8000 counter. The counter was first washed with 1 mL of sample three times followed by the measurement of 1 mL of sample in triplicate. The instrument determines the number of particles per mL that are equal to or greater than 10 µm and the number of particles per mL that are equal to or greater than 25 µm.

The first step in the development of a formulation for the anti-IgE antibody was to determine a suitable buffer and pH for lyophilization and storage of the product. Antibody at a concentration of 5.0 mg/mL was formulated into 10 mM succinate buffers ranging from pH 5.0 to pH 6.5 and into sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate and histidine buffers at pH 7.0. Figure 9 shows increased antibody aggregate was observed in the higher pH formulations both before and after lyophilization. An exception was the histidine formulation at pH 7, where no increase in aggregate was observed upon storage at 2-8°C. Figure 10 shows rhuMAb E25 lyophilized in 5 mM histidine buffer at both pH 6 and pH 7 and stored for 1 year at 2-8°C, 25°C, and 40°C. At each assay time point and storage temperature the pH 6 formulation had less aggregate than the antibody formulated at pH 7. These results show histidine at pH 6 is a particularly useful buffer system for preventing aggregation of the antibody.

To facilitate screening of lyoprotectants, the anti-IgE antibody was formulated into sodium succinate at pH 5 with or without a lyoprotectant. Potential lyoprotectants, added at isotonic concentrations, were grouped into 3 categories: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>(a) non-reducing monosaccharide (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. mannitol);</li><li>(b) reducing disaccharides (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. lactose and maltose); and</li><li>(c) non-reducing disaccharides (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. trehalose and sucrose).</li></ul>

Aggregation of the formulations following storage at 2-8°C and 40°C for one year is shown in Figures 11 and 12. With storage at 2-8°C, the monosaccharide formulation (mannitol) aggregated at a rate similar to the buffer control, while formulations containing the disaccharides were equally effective in controlling aggregation (Figure 11). The results following storage at 40°C where similar with the exception of the sucrose formulation which rapidly aggregated (which correlated with a browning of the freeze-dried cake (Figure 12)). This was later shown to be caused by degradation of sucrose following storage at both acidic pH and high temperature.

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography of the antibody formulated in histidine buffer at pH 6 with lactose shows the antibody is altered following storage for 6 months at 40°C (Figure 13). The chromatography peaks are broadened and the retention time decreases. These changes are not observed with the buffer control and sucrose formulations stored under similar conditions as shown in Figures 14 and 15, respectively. Furthermore, isoelectric focusing showed an acidic shift in the pI of the antibody formulated in lactose and stored at 25°C and 40°C. This indicates that reducing sugars are not suitable as lyoprotectants for the antibody.

Aggregation of lyophilized formulations of anti-IgE at a concentration of 20 mg/mL in 5 mM histidine buffer at pH 6 with various concentrations of sucrose and trehalose following storage for 12 weeks at 50°C is shown in Figure 16. Both sugars have a similar protective effect on aggregation when the sugar concentration is greater than 500 moles of sugar per mole of antibody. From these results, isotonic and hypertonic formulations of both sucrose and trehalose were identified for further development. The formulations are designed to be filled prior to lyophilization at a relatively low concentration of antibody and the lyophilized product is reconstituted with less volume than was filled with bacteriostatic water for injection (BWFI) comprising 0.9% benzyl alcohol. This allows the concentration of the antibody immediately prior to subcutaneous delivery and includes a preservative for a potential multi-use formulation while avoiding interactions between the protein and preservative upon long-term storage.

<i>Isotonic formulation:</i> Anti-IgE at 25 mg/mL formulated in 5 mM histidine buffer at pH 6 with 500 moles of sugar per mole antibody which equals a sugar concentration of 85 mM. This formulation is reconstituted with BWFI (0.9% benzyl alcohol) at a volume which is four times less than was filled. This results in a 100 mg/mL of antibody in 20 mM histidine at pH 6 with an isotonic sugar concentration of 340 mM.

<i>Hypertonic formulation:</i> Anti-IgE at 25 mg/mL formulated in 5 mM histidine buffer at pH 6 with 1000 moles of sugar per mole antibody which equals a sugar concentration of 161 mM. This formulation is reconstituted with BWFI (0.9% benzyl alcohol) at a volume which is four times less than was filled. This results in a 100 mg/mL of antibody in 20 mM histidine at pH 6 with a hypertonic sugar concentration of 644 mM.

Comparisons of the antibody aggregation following storage of the isotonic and hypertonic formulations for up to 36 weeks are shown in Figures 17 to 19. No change in aggregation is observed in either the hypertonic or isotonic formulations with storage at 2-8°C (Figure 17). With storage at controlled room temperature (30°C) increased aggregation is not observed in the hypertonic formulations while an increase in aggregate of from 1 to 2% occurs in the isotonic formulations (Figure 18). Finally, following storage at 50°C a minimal increase in aggregate is observed with the hypertonic formulations, a 4% increase in aggregate occurs with the isotonic trehalose formulation and a 12% increase in aggregate occurs with the isotonic sucrose formulation (Figure 19). These results show the isotonic formulation contains the minimum amount of sugar necessary to maintain the stability of the antibody with storage at a temperature up to 30°C.

The binding activity of the anti-IgE in the isotonic and hypertonic formulations was measured in an IgE receptor inhibition assay. It was discovered that the binding activity of the isotonic and hypertonic sucrose and trehalose formulations was essentially unchanged following storage at -70°C, 2-8°C, 30°C and 50°C for up to 36 weeks.

Lyophilized formulations of proteins are known to contain insoluble aggregates or particulates (Cleland <i>et al</i>., <i>Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems,</i> 10 (4):307-377 (1993)). Accordingly, a particulate assay of antibody lyophilized at a concentration of 25 mg/mL in 5 mM histidine, pH 6 with the addition of 85 mM and 161 mM sucrose and trehalose was performed. Polysorbate 20 was added to the formulations at a concentration of 0.005%, 0.01%, and 0.02%. Samples were lyophilized and assayed following reconstitution to 100 mg/mL antibody in 20 mM histidine, pH 6 with 340 mM and 644 mM sugar. The polysorbate 20 concentration following reconstitution was 0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.08%.

Table 9 below shows the number of particles of size equal to or greater than 10 µm and equal to or greater than 25 µm from the isotonic and hypertonic sucrose and trehalose formulations. Polysorbate 20 was added to the formulations at concentrations of 0.005%, 0.01%, and 0.02% prior to lyophilization. The results show that the addition of Tween™ to the formulation significantly reduces the number of particles in each size range tested. The US Pharmacopeia (USP) specification for small volume injections are not more than 6,000 particles of greater than or equal to 10 µm and not more than 600 particles of greater than or equal to 25 µm per container (Cleland <i>et al</i>., <i>supra</i>). With the addition of polysorbate 20, both the hypertonic and isotonic formulations pass this specification. <tables id="tabl0010" num="0010"><img file="EP1516628A1_D0012.tif" /></tables>

One formulation developed for the anti-IgE antibody (<i>i</i>.<i>e</i>. 143 mg vial isotonic formulation of rhuMAb E25) which is considered to be useful for subcutaneous delivery of this antibody is shown in Table 10 below. A 10 cc vial is filled with 5.7 mL of rhuMAb E25 at a concentration of 25 mg/mL formulated in 5 mM histidine at pH 6.0 with 0.01% polysorbate 20. Sucrose is added as a lyoprotectant at a concentration of 85 mM which corresponds to a molar ratio of sugar to antibody of 500 to 1. The vial is lyophilized and reconstituted with 0.9% benzyl alcohol to one quarter of the volume of the fill or 1.2 mL. The final concentration of components in the formulation is increased four fold to 100 mg/mL rhuMAb E25 in 20 mM histidine at pH 6 with 0.04% polysorbate 20 and 340 mM sucrose (isotonic) and 0.9% benzyl alcohol. The formulation contains histidine buffer at pH 6 because of its demonstrated protective effect on antibody aggregation. Sucrose was added as the lyoprotectant because of previous use in the pharmaceutical industry. The concentration of sugar was chosen to result in an isotonic formulation upon reconstitution. Finally, polysorbate 20 is added to prevent the formation of insoluble aggregates. <tables id="tabl0011" num="0011"><img file="EP1516628A1_D0013.tif" /></tables>