Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
  • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
  • A61K47/56—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule
  • A61K47/59—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyureas or polyurethanes
  • A61K47/60—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyureas or polyurethanes the organic macromolecular compound being a polyoxyalkylene oligomer, polymer or dendrimer, e.g. PEG, PPG, PEO or polyglycerol
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K1/00—General methods for the preparation of peptides, i.e. processes for the organic chemical preparation of peptides or proteins of any length
  • C07K1/107—General methods for the preparation of peptides, i.e. processes for the organic chemical preparation of peptides or proteins of any length by chemical modification of precursor peptides
  • C07K1/1072—General methods for the preparation of peptides, i.e. processes for the organic chemical preparation of peptides or proteins of any length by chemical modification of precursor peptides by covalent attachment of residues or functional groups
  • C07K1/1077—General methods for the preparation of peptides, i.e. processes for the organic chemical preparation of peptides or proteins of any length by chemical modification of precursor peptides by covalent attachment of residues or functional groups by covalent attachment of residues other than amino acids or peptide residues, e.g. sugars, polyols, fatty acids
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C07—ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
  • C07K—PEPTIDES
  • C07K14/00—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • C07K14/435—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • C07K14/745—Blood coagulation or fibrinolysis factors
  • C07K14/755—Factors VIII, e.g. factor VIII C (AHF), factor VIII Ag (VWF)
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N9/00—Enzymes; Proenzymes; Compositions thereof; Processes for preparing, activating, inhibiting, separating or purifying enzymes
  • C12N9/14—Hydrolases (3)
  • C12N9/48—Hydrolases (3) acting on peptide bonds (3.4)
  • C12N9/50—Proteinases, e.g. Endopeptidases (3.4.21-3.4.25)
  • C12N9/64—Proteinases, e.g. Endopeptidases (3.4.21-3.4.25) derived from animal tissue
  • C12N9/6421—Proteinases, e.g. Endopeptidases (3.4.21-3.4.25) derived from animal tissue from mammals
  • C12N9/6424—Serine endopeptidases (3.4.21)
  • C12N9/644—Coagulation factor IXa (3.4.21.22)
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N9/00—Enzymes; Proenzymes; Compositions thereof; Processes for preparing, activating, inhibiting, separating or purifying enzymes
  • C12N9/14—Hydrolases (3)
  • C12N9/48—Hydrolases (3) acting on peptide bonds (3.4)
  • C12N9/50—Proteinases, e.g. Endopeptidases (3.4.21-3.4.25)
  • C12N9/64—Proteinases, e.g. Endopeptidases (3.4.21-3.4.25) derived from animal tissue
  • C12N9/6421—Proteinases, e.g. Endopeptidases (3.4.21-3.4.25) derived from animal tissue from mammals
  • C12N9/6424—Serine endopeptidases (3.4.21)
  • C12N9/647—Blood coagulation factors not provided for in a preceding group or according to more than one of the proceeding groups
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
  • C12N9/00—Enzymes; Proenzymes; Compositions thereof; Processes for preparing, activating, inhibiting, separating or purifying enzymes
  • C12N9/96—Stabilising an enzyme by forming an adduct or a composition; Forming enzyme conjugates
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
  • C12Y—ENZYMES
  • C12Y304/00—Hydrolases acting on peptide bonds, i.e. peptidases (3.4)
  • C12Y304/21—Serine endopeptidases (3.4.21)
  • C12Y304/21022—Coagulation factor IXa (3.4.21.22)
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S530/00—Chemistry: natural resins or derivatives; peptides or proteins; lignins or reaction products thereof
  • Y10S530/81—Carrier - bound or immobilized peptides or proteins and the preparation thereof, e.g. biological cell or cell fragment as carrier
  • Y10S530/812—Peptides or proteins is immobilized on, or in, an organic carrier
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S530/00—Chemistry: natural resins or derivatives; peptides or proteins; lignins or reaction products thereof
  • Y10S530/81—Carrier - bound or immobilized peptides or proteins and the preparation thereof, e.g. biological cell or cell fragment as carrier
  • Y10S530/812—Peptides or proteins is immobilized on, or in, an organic carrier
  • Y10S530/813—Carrier is a saccharide
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S530/00—Chemistry: natural resins or derivatives; peptides or proteins; lignins or reaction products thereof
  • Y10S530/81—Carrier - bound or immobilized peptides or proteins and the preparation thereof, e.g. biological cell or cell fragment as carrier
  • Y10S530/812—Peptides or proteins is immobilized on, or in, an organic carrier
  • Y10S530/815—Carrier is a synthetic polymer

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a process for improving the in-vivo function of a polypeptide by shielding exposed targets of said polypeptide, by i mobilizing the polypeptide to a group-specific adsorbent carrying ligands manufactured by organic-chemical synthesis, activating the biocompatible polymer, conjugating the thus activated biocompatible polymer to the immobi ⁇ lized polypeptide, and thereafter eluting the conjugate from the adsorbent.
• the present invention further relates to conjugates of a polypeptide and a biocom ⁇ patible polymer obtainable by the present process, and use of said conjugates as medicaments.
• the polypeptide is factor VIII, the von Willebrand factor or factor IX.
• the invention is particularly advantageous for conjugates where the polypeptide is factor VIII with a high specific activity using mono- methoxy polyalkyleneoxide (mPEG) as the biocompatible polymer.
• Pegylation i.e. coupling of various polyethyleneglycols (PEG) to a poly ⁇ peptide
• PEG polyethyleneglycols
• Pegylation many techniques have been propos ⁇ ed over the years. Reference is here made to Zalipsky, S. et al in Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Chemistry, Biotechnical and Biomedical Applications, Plenum, New York (1992), and Katre N.V., Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev., 10, 91-114 (1993).
• the polymer can be directed towards glycosylated sites of a protein, e.g. factor IX as disclosed in WO 94/29370 (Enzon).
• a protein e.g. factor IX as disclosed in WO 94/29370 (Enzon).
• the glycosylated sites intended for conjugation were located at a factor IX peptide sequence which is removed during proteolytic activation in-vivo.
• the biocompatible poly ⁇ mer does not influence the function of the active polypeptide.
• pegylation can be carried out without impairing the function of certain sites essential for the function of the particular protein ("first substance"). This is achieved by pro- tecting the sites by contacting the first substance with a second substance which specifically binds to the said sites. More particularly, the pegylation is carried out by immobilizing the particular protein on a resin with ligands having spe ⁇ cific affinity to the said protein. Second substances are for instance complemen ⁇ tary biological molecules.
• couples disclosed in WO 94/13322 are antibody (first substance) - corresponding antigen (second substance); specific inhibitor (first substance) - enzyme (second substance); growth factor (first sub ⁇ stance) - corresponding receptor (second substance), or the reverse of each of these couples.
• DE 3717210 relates to a process for modification of biopolymers, prefer ⁇ ably charge-carrying biopolymers, by immobilizing the biopolymer on for instance an ion-exchange adsorbent, reacting the biopolymer with reagents, e.g.
• the reaction product is preferably a nucleic acid cleaved with a restriction enzyme.
• the adsorbed state of the biopolymer is utilized to better expose the biopolymer to reagents, thereby increasing the efficiency of the modification. There is no indication of shielding exposed targets nor a purpose of retaining activity of the biopolymer, that would come to advantage for a function of the biopolymer in-vivo.
• the invention of DE 3717210 is merely aimed at mapping properties of biomolecules, such as nucleic acids, changing the original charac ⁇ ter by actual processing or increasing the number of functional entities of the macromolecuie, such as incorporation of radioactive isotopes.
• Factor VIII is a protein which participates in the intrinsic blood coagula ⁇ tion. It is a cofactor in the reaction where the enzyme factor IXa in the presence of phospholipid and calcium ions converts the proenzyme factor X to the active form, factor Xa, ultimately leading to a fibrin clot.
• Human factor VTH is synthe- sized as a single-chain molecule of approximately 300 kDa and consists of the structural domains A1-A2-B-A3-C1-C2 (Gitschier et al., 1984, Nature 312, p. 326; Wood et al., 1984, Narure 312, p. 330; Vehar et al., 1984, Nature 312, p.
• the precursor product is processed into two polypeptide chains of 200 and 80 kDa in the Golgi and the two chains held together by metal ion(s) are expressed in the blood (Kaufman et al, 1988, J. Biol. Chem., __ p. 6352; Andersson et al., 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 83, p. 2979).
• the B-domain of factor VIII seems to be dispensable as regards the factor VIII cofactor function while the A and C domains have several interaction sites for other macromolecules playing a role in the hemostasis (Sandberg et al., 1993, Thrombos. Haemostas., 69, p. 1204 and Lind et al., 1995, Eur. J. Biochem., 232, p. 19).
• the von Willebrand factor is a multifunctional polymeric plasma protein consisting of disulfide-linked subunits of about 240 kDa. The subunits form a heterogeneous population of multimers that have a range of molecular weights from c. 1 MDa to 20 MDa.
• the function of vWf in primary hemostasis is to promote platelet adhesion to the vessel wall in conditions of high shear rate.
• vWf also binds factor VIII tightly but noncovalently. In normal human plasma factor VIII and vWf circulate complexed to each other.
• vWf has an important stabilizing effect on the factor VIII molecule in that it protects the molecule from degradation by proteases (Koedam et al., 1987, Doctoral Thesis, ICG Printing, Dordrecht, 1986, p 83; Hamer et al., 1986, Haemostasis, 1987, 58, p. 223).
• proteases Kermedam et al., 1987, Doctoral Thesis, ICG Printing, Dordrecht, 1986, p 83; Hamer et al., 1986, Haemostasis, 1987, 58, p. 223
• the human in-vivo half-life of factor VIII is usually 10-15 hours.
• the reduced levels of vWf are accompanied by reduced levels of factor VIII due to an impaired release and increased rate of degradation of factor Vm. Tuddenham et al., 1982, Br. J. Haematol., 52, p.
• Factor IX is the proenzyme of factor IXa described above. It is a serine protease and is one of the vitamin K dependent coagulation proteins. The molecular mass is about 55 kDa (DiScipio et al., 1977, Biochemistry, 16, p. 698). Factor IXa interacts specifically with other components participating in the fac- tor X activation (In: Haemostasis and Thrombosis, 1994, vol. 1, third edition, ed. Bloom A. et al.)
• factor VIII is a protein with several interaction sites, each responsible for a specific function. Therefore, it is difficult to modify factor VIII with fully retained biological function.
• the pegylation technique has been applied previously to protein mix ⁇ tures containing factor VIII.
• pegylation of factor VIII using a carbamate (urethane) linkage at an undetermined modification degree resulting from a 100 fold molar excess of mPEG relative to factor VIII can increase the in-vivo half-life in mice from 13 hours to 55 hours. Conventionally, the half-life in mice is considered to be about 1 hour. Thus, 13 hours is an unusually long half-life in mice.
• factor VIII preparations 20-50 IU/mg protein
• von Willebrand factor which has a stabilizing function for factor VIII and could also very well contribute to the protection of the corresponding functional site during the process of conjugation.
• mPEG can be located on any of the proteins present in the protein mixture of which factor VIII normally constitutes only a small portion.
• the pegylated protein mixture containing factor VIII was used for intravenous administration.
• a well defined starting material is one of the essential factors constituting the controlled conditions required for pharmaceutical production.
• the polymer reagent reacts with ⁇ -amino groups of lysine residues of the polypeptide. These are often spread all over the polypeptide surface, and may very well result in a conjugation adjacent to a functional site. As a consequence, by random coupling, the activity or function is often disturbed. It is our experience, that when applying such techniques to very pure preparations, such as a B domain-deleted recombinant factor VIII with coagulant activity, this activity is severely diminished already at a modifi ⁇ cation degree of about 5 mPEG/ factor VIII molecule.
• the inventors of the present invention have found that the specific acti ⁇ vity of conjugated polypeptides can be retained to a high degree, purely by immobilizing the polypeptide on a group-specific adsorbent prior to the coupl- ing reaction, which is followed by desorption of the conjugate by conventional techniques. This is quite surprising since previously it has been considered essential to use adsorbents with specific binding properties with respect to the polypeptide at issue to achieve a protection of certain domains, important for the biological functions. The benefit of modifying biocompatible polymers often depends on the degree of modification. Thus, a high degree of modification, i.e. a high number of biocompatible polymers per polypeptide molecule, is usually required for an efficient protection against proteolytic activity.
• factor VIII can be efficiently protected against degradation in an in-vitro environment shown to have a degrading effect on this molecule. This effect can be accomplished at a modification degree of only 4-5 mPEG/factor VEL
• group-specific adsorbents according to the present invention is more economically favorable compared to the adsorbents disclosed in the prior art.
• the use of group-specific adsorbents will also facilitate registration of the conjugates as therapeutic agents.
• the present process makes it possible to improve the in-vivo function of polypeptides, especially by improving the pharmacokinetic function including the bioavailability, and by reducing the immunogenicity exhibited by the poly ⁇ peptides.
• the present invention relates to a process for improving the in-vivo function of a polypeptide by shielding exposed targets of said polypeptide, by a) immobilizing the polypeptide by interaction with a group-specific adsorbent carrying ligands manufactured by organic-chemical synthesis; b) activating the biocompatible polymer; c) conjugating the activated biocompatible polymer to the immobilized poly- peptide; and thereafter d) eluting the conjugate from the adsorbent.
• interaction site relates to various sites essential for the biological function of the particular polypeptide.
• exposed targets relate to external sites on the polypeptide at issue liable to unwanted reactions in-vivo. Examples of exposed targets include antigenic epitopes and sites for proteolytic cleavage. Certain sites for proteolytic cleavage are though referred to as interaction sites.
• the present invention makes it possible, to a hitherto unattainable extent, to reduce the influence of unwanted reactions in-vivo. e.g. proteolytic cleavage and possibly aggregation, while at the same time leaving the inter- action sites fundamental to the biological function of the polypeptide, unaffec ⁇ ted.
• polypeptides refer to proteins and oligopep- tides with at least 20 amino acids in the chain.
• the number of amino acids of the polypeptide produced according to the present invention suitably lies in the range of from 30 up to 4,500 amino acids, and preferably in the range of from 40 up to 3,000 amino acids.
• the polypeptides can be of mammalian, more specifi ⁇ cally human, origin or produced by recombinant DNA techniques.
• Polypepti ⁇ des which can be conjugated according to the present invention include poly ⁇ peptides exhibiting coagulant activity or having a supporting function for coagulation.
• the polypeptides can be full-length, i.e.
• the sequence of amino acids is identical to the corresponding sequence found in mammals in general, and in human beings in particular.
• the polypeptides can also be deletion deri ⁇ vatives of the full-length polypeptides, where one or more amino acid is miss ⁇ ing.
• the polypeptide is suitably coagulation factor VIII, the von Willebrand factor (vWf) or a combination thereof, or coagulation factor IX, and preferably coagulation factor VIII.
• Full-length factor VIII present in human plasma has a molecular mass of about 300 kDa.
• Factor VIII concentrates derived from human plasma contain several fragmented fully active factor VIII forms as described by Andersson et al (see above).
• the smallest active form has a molecular mass of about 170 kDa and consists of two chains of about 90 kDa and about 80 kDa held together by metal ion(s).
• the biologically active factor VHI produced according to the present invention therefore, suitably has a molecular mass in the range of from about 170 kDa up to about 300 kDa.
• Pharmacia AB of Sweden has developed a recombinant fac ⁇ tor VIII product which corresponds to the 170 kDa plasma factor VIII form in therapeutic factor VIII concentrates.
• r-VIII SQ The truncated recombinant factor VIII molecule is termed r-VIII SQ and is produced by Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells in a cell culture process in serum-free medium.
• the specific activity of r-VIII SQ is about 15,000 IU VII C per mg of total protein.
• the structure and biochemistry of r-VIII SQ have been described in WO-A-91/09122 assigned to Pharmacia AB.
• factor VIII can be either plasma factor VIII or recombinant factor VIII.
• factor VIII when factor VIII is recombinant it can be full-length factor VIII, or preferably, a deletion derivative of full-length factor VIII having coagulant activity. More preferably, the deletion derivative is recombinant fac ⁇ tor VIII SQ (r-VIII SQ).
• a deletion derivative is defined as a coa ⁇ gulation factor VQI, in which the whole or a part of the B domain is missing while the coagulant activity is maintained. The remaining domains are suitably linked by an amino acid linker. Examples of various linker constructions are given in P. Lind et al, Eur. J. Biochem., vol. 232 (1995) pp. 19-27.
• the present invention can be used advantageously to selectively intro ⁇ quiz biocompatible polymers in a wide variety of factor VIII products.
• the present invention can be used to further stabilize plasma factor VIII in-vivo. which is already stabilized by association with its carrier protein, the von Wille ⁇ brand factor (vWf).
• vWf von Wille ⁇ brand factor
• the specific factor VIII activity in the coupling procedure of the present invention should be at least about 1,000 IU/mg of total protein, and suitably at least 2,000 IU/mg of total protein.
• the specific factor VIII activity lies preferably in the range of from 5,000 up to 20,000 IU/mg of total protein, and more preferably in the range of from 10,000 up to 17,000 IU/mg of total protein.
• the factor VIII activity in the coupling procedure can be at least about 1,000 IU/ml, and suitably at least 2,000 IU/ml.
• the factor VIII activity lies preferably in the range of from 5,000 up to 50,000 IU/ml, and more preferably from 20,000 up to 40,000 IU/ml.
• the biocompatible polymer of the present invention can be selected from the group consisting of homopolymers, copolymers or block copolymers of monoalkyl-capped polyalkyleneoxides.
• the biocompatible polymers can be straight or branched.
• the monoalkyl-capped polyalkyleneoxide is suitably selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneglycol homopolymers and polypropyleneglycol homopolymers.
• the biocompatible polymer is preferably a polyethyleneglycol (PEG) homoplymer.
• the molecular weight of the PEG can be in the range of from about 300 up to 20,000, suitably in the range of from 1,500 up to 10,000, and preferably in the range of from 3,000 up to 5,000.
• the biocompatible polymer should be end-capped at one end to avoid cross derivatization.
• groups suitable for this purpose are straight or branched lower alkoxy groups, preferably the monomethoxy group.
• a parti - cularly preferred biocompatible polymer in the present invention is mono- methoxy polyethyleneglycol (mPEG).
• biocompatible polymers are also conceivable, e.g. dextran, poly ⁇ vinylpyrrolidone and DL amino acids.
• the biocompatible polymer must be activated prior to the coupling reac- tion, to make possible the formation of covalent bonds.
• the end of the biocompatible polymer facing the polypeptide should have attached a hydroxyl group being susceptible to activation.
• activating the bio ⁇ compatible polymer depending on the amino acid selected for covalent binding.
• Suitable mPEG derivatives for coupling to amino groups are mPEG succinimidyl succinate, mPEG succinimidyl succinamide, mPEG succinimidyl propionate, succinimidyl carbonate of mPEG, succinimidyl ester of carboxymethylated mPEG, mPEG-oxycarbonylimidazole, mPEG nitrophenyl carbonates, mPEG trichlorophenyl carbonate, mPEG tresylate (the latter disclosed by Nilsson K., Mosbach K., Methods in Enzymology, Vol 104, pp 56-69 (1984)), (all the mentioned reagents marketed by Shearwater Polymers, Inc., Huntsville, AL, USA), mPEG maleic anhydride and mPEG methylmaleic anhydride (Garman A., Kalindjian S.B., FEB Vol 223: 2, pp 361- 365), and mixed anhydrides
• Cysteine residues can be conjugated with mPEG maleimide, mPEG vinyl- sulfone and mPEG-orthopyridyldisulfide (marketed by Shearwater Polymers, Inc., Huntsville, AL, USA).
• Suitable reagents in the case of conjugation of the guanidino group of arginine is mPEG derivatives of phenylglyoxal (Zalipski see above).
• Carbohydrates must first be oxidized so that aldehyde groups are present and then they can be conjugated with mPEG hydrazide (Zalipski see above).
• the coupling procedure is performed at a pH suitable for the amino acid to be conjugated. Consideration must also be given to the pH suitable for the polypeptide at large, as well as the pH-dependency of the reactivity of the bio ⁇ compatible polymer. Normally, therefore, the pH for coupling lies in the range of from about 7 up to about 8, the lower limit being set to avoid an exten-ded coupling procedure and the upper limit to provide mild conditions for the polypeptide.
• the above pH range is suitable in conjugation involving lysines. Therefore, in the examples of the present application, we have conjugated a substance having FVIII activity under such mild conditions. pH values outside this range may also be suitable in certain cases.
• conjugation involving cysteins are suitably performed at a pH below about 7, whereas arginins are suitably conjugated at a pH in the range of from about 5.5 up to about 9.3.
• the coupling procedure should be performed at a temperature above 0°C, suitably in the range of from about 5 up to about 40°C, and preferably in the range of from 10 up to 30°C. Again consideration must be given to a tem ⁇ perature suitable to the polypeptide at large, as well as the influence of the tem ⁇ perature on the reactivity of the biocompatible polymer. In the examples of the present application, all coupling steps were performed at room temperature.
• the adsorbent used in the present invention is group-specific in relation to the polypeptide to be immobilized. Group-specific adsorbents have affinity to several polypeptides.
• adsorbents are furthermore characterized by carrying ligands manufactured by organic-chemical synthesis. Examples of adsorbents meeting these criteria are chromatography resins generally useful for the adsorption of proteins, e.g.
• biocompatible matrices to which ligands such as anionic and cationic exchange groups, sulfhydryl groups, immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) groups, straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chains and aromatic groups, have been coupled.
• ligands such as anionic and cationic exchange groups, sulfhydryl groups, immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) groups, straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chains and aromatic groups, have been coupled.
• IMAC immobilized metal affinity chromatography
• a preferred example of an aminoalkyl is aminohexyl.
• Ligands of higher complexity could also be used, such as peptides or phospho- lipids, manufactured by organic-chemical synthesis.
• the group affinity ligands being manufactured by organic-chemical synthesis includes a large variety of substances.
• reactive triazine-based textile dyes have shown useful as adsorbents for several enzymes, like kinases and hydro- genases.
• sugar derivatives, nucleotides and peptides, and analogues thereof and manufactured by organic-chemical synthesis are useful (Dechow, F.J., Separation and purification techniques in biotechnology, Noyes Publica ⁇ tions, Park Ridge, NJ, USA, p. 440-443 (1989)).
• Ligands suitable for use in the present invention are further anionic exchange groups, preferably strong, like quaternary aminoethyl (QAE), tri- methylaminoethyl (TMAE) or quaternary aminomethyl (Q), more preferably quaternary aminomethyl (Q).
• the ligands can furthermore be coupled tightly to the matrix, or with a spacer, like alkylamine, hexylamine, diaminodipropyl- amine, ethylaminesuccinamide (Persson & Lagerstrom, in Packings and statio- nary phases in chromatographic techniques, Unger, K.K., ed., Marcel Dekker Inc. 1990, p. 754), or with a branched tentacle to which the ligands are attached
• the conjugated polypeptide is eluted by conventional techniques.
• the coupling route involves a conjugating bond labile within a certain pH range, this should be avoided.
• the polypeptide when the polypeptide is immobilized on the adsorbent, the polypeptide can be contacted with a soluble blocking agent, with the purpose of excluding additional sites from conjugation.
• a blocking agent should be manufactured by organic-chemical synthesis, and in addition be conjugated to any of the above-identified ligands bound to a polymer selected e.g. from monoalkyl-capped polyalkyleneoxides, copolymers or block copolymers of polyalkyleneoxides, polyethyleneglycol homopolymers or poly- propyleneglycol homopolymers.
• the blocking agent can also carry entities having specific affinity for the polypeptide.
• the contacted soluble blocking agent is desorbed by applying suitable chemical conditions. For example if the blocking agent was adsorbed by hydrophobic interaction, it could be desorbed by decreasing the ionic strength, or simply by decreasing the temperature.
• the soluble blocking agent is thereafter separated from the conjugate by gel-permeation chromato ⁇ graphy under conventional conditions.
• the matrix of the adsorbent in the present invention can be any commer- cial resin known to be compatible with biological molecules.
• the matrix can be selected from various strongly hydrophilic matrices e.g. agarose matrices such as a wide variety of Sepharose matrices sold by Pharmacia Biotech of Uppsala, Sweden, organic polymer matrices such as TSK-GEL:s sold by Tosoh Corp. of Tokyo, Japan, or highly porous organic polymer matrices sold by Per Septive Biosystems of Boston, USA.
• Membrane matrices are also suitable, e.g.
• the matrix is preferably an agarose matrix.
• Suitable agarose matrices in the present invention are, apart from Sepharose , MinileakTM sold by Kem-En- Tec A/S of Copenhagen, Denmark and Bio-Gel A sold by Bio-Rad, of Brussels, Belgium.
• the matrix is cross-linked allowing for a fast flow (FF) and thereby high production capacity.
• chromatography of the present invention is carried out on a Q Sepharose FF gel.
• TM pentaerythroldimethacrylate like Fractogel (marketed by Merck of Germany), cellulose and porous glass can also be used to advantage.
• the conjugates of a polypeptide and a biocompatible polymer obtainable by the present process are new.
• the polypeptide acti ⁇ vity after the conjugation can be retained to at least 30% of the activity prior to said conjugation, suitably at least 50% and preferably at least 70% of the activity prior to said conjugation.
• the conjugates of a polypeptide and a biocompatible polymer obtainable by the present process can be used as medicaments.
• conjugates of factor VIII, the von Willebrand factor or a combination thereof, or factor IX, and a biocompatible polymer produced according to the present process can be used as a medicament.
• the conjugated factor VIII is suitably produced by recombinant DNA technique, preferably a recombinant deletion derivative of full-length factor VIII having coagulant activity, and more preferably deletion derivative recombinant factor VIII SQ (r-Vm SQ).
• conjugated polypeptides of the present invention are suitably used for subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal or intravenous administration.
• conjugated factor VIII can be used for the manufacture of a medica ⁇ ment for treatment of hemophilia A, and in particular for subcutaneous, intra- muscular, intradermal or intravenous administration of such a medicament.
• conjugated vWf can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of the von Willebrand disease, and in particular for subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal or intravenous administration of such a medica ⁇ ment.
• Factor VIII and the von Willebrand factor both of which have been con- jugated according to the present process, can also be used in combination.
• conjugated factor IX can be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treat ⁇ ment of hemophilia B, and in particular for subcutaneous, intramuscular, intra ⁇ dermal or intravenous administration of such a medicament.
• the present invention further relates to a method for treatment of hemo- philia A by subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal or intravenous admini- stration of a conjugate of factor VIII and a biocompatible polymer produced according to the present process.
• the conditioned medium was clarified by filtration, pH was adjusted, and
• Virus inactivation was performed by incubation for 30 min with tri- n-butyl phosphate (TNBP) and Triton X-100 at a final concentration of 0.3 % (v/v) and 1.0 % (v/v), respectively.
• TNBP tri- n-butyl phosphate
• mAb monoclonal antibody immuno- affinity column with a volume of 260 ml was equilibrated with an S-eluate buffer containing the corresponding amounts of virus inactivation chemicals. The factor VIII solution was then loaded onto the mAb column, which was subsequently washed. Elution was performed with a buffer containing 50 % ethylene glycol.
• a Q Sepharose column was preequilibrated at a high concentration of sodium chloride, and then equilibrated with a buffer of the same composition as the immunoaffinity column was eluted with.
• the mAb-eluate was loaded, and the column was then washed with equilibration buffer followed by a washing buffer of physiological ionic strength.
• the column was eluted by raising the sodium chloride concentration to 0.6 M. No detergent was used for the washing and elution of the Q-column.
• a Butyl Sepharose 4 FF column was equilibrated with a buffer containing 50 mM histidine, 1.4 M NH4AC, 50 mM CaCl2, and 0.02 % TweenTM 80, pH 6.8. NPLjAc was added to the Q-eluate to a final concentration of
• the factor VIII activity was analyzed with a chromogenic assay (Chromogenix AB of Molndal, Sweden) unless otherwise stated.
• the amount of factor VIII was determined spectrophotometrically at A280 and by amino acid analysis.
• the amount of mPEG coupled to the polypeptide was measured with a proton NMR method (Dreborg, S. and Akerblom, E.B., Crit. Rew. Therap. Drug Carr.
• EXAMPLE 2 Factor VTH conjugated with a mixed anhydride of mPEG succinate
• the buffer composition of the HIC eluate, prepared according to Example 1 was exchanged by gel permeation chromatography performed on a Superose 12 column (marketed by Pharmacia Biotech of Uppsala, Sweden), previously equilibrated with a buffer of the following composition: 0.25 M hepes, 4 mM CaCl2, pH 7.8.
• To ali ⁇ quots of the r-VIII SQ solution were added a 35, 60 and 100 fold molar excess (based on rVIII) of a mixed anhydride of mPEG succinate (MW 3,000).
• r-VIII SQ Amount Degree of Spec Spec, act (mg) added mPEG modification activity (% of native (molar excess) (mPEG/rVTII) ⁇ u/mg) r-VIII SQ)
• EXAMPLE 3 Factor VIII adsorbed on a O SepharoseTM FF gel during coupling with a mixed anhydride of mPEG succinate Reactive lysines surrounded by negative charges on the factor VIII molecule were protected from mPEG conjugation by adsorption of the factor VIII on an anionic exchange gel.
• a column packed with Q SepharoseTM FF (marketed by Pharmacia Biotech of Uppsala, Sweden), equilibrated with a buffer of the following composit ⁇ ion: 50 mM L-histidine, 0.15 M NaCl, 4 mM CaCl2, pH 6.5, was used to adsorb factor VIII.
• a HIC eluate prepared according to Example 1 was loaded onto the column.
• the column was washed with a buffer containing 0.25 M hepes, 4 mM CaCl2, pH 7.8 before the addition of the mPEG.
• the gel was transferred to a reaction vessel, a mixed anhydride of mPEG succinate (MW 3,000) was added to the slurry at an amount corresponding to the molar excess relative to factor VIII as indicated in Table II.
• the reaction was incu ⁇ bated under rotation for 1.5 hours.
• the column was then repacked and the conjuga ⁇ ted rVIII was eluted with a buffer of 50 mM L-histidine, 0.6 M NaCl, 4 mM CaCl2, pH 6.8.
• Four preparations were made, at a constant amount r-VIII SQ loaded per amount of gel. All steps were performed at room temperature. Table II presents the results from the conjugated r-VIII SQ adsorbed on a Q SepharoseTM FF gel.
• r-Vm SQ Amount Degree of Spec. act. Spec, act (mg) added mPEG modification (IU/mg) (% of native (molar excess) (mPEG/rVi ⁇ ) r-Vm SQ)
• r-Vm SQ Amount Degree of Spec. act. Spec. act. (mg) added mPEG modification (IU/mg) (% native (molar excess) (mPEG/rVm) r-Vm SQ)
• a one-stage clotting method performed essentially accord ⁇ ing to Mikaelsson et al., 1983, Blood 62, p. 1006, was used for immediate assay of samples from the reaction mixture. A thirty-fold activation was obtained within one minute, which was followed by inactivation.
• the activation-inactivation patterns obtained with thrombin were in agreement with previously reported studies on the factor VHI-thrombin interaction (Fulcher et al., 1983, Blood, 61, p. 807, Andersson et al., 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 83, p. 2979, Eaton et al., 1986, Biochemistry, 25, p. 505, Rotblat et al, 1985, Biochemistry, 24, p. 4294).
• EXAMPLE 8 BiQavailability study of mPEGylated factor VIII in cynomolgus monkeys
• a pharmacokinetic study was performed. Two preparations of mPEG conjugated factor VTII were produced as described in Example 3 and their specific activities were determined, as indicated in Table VI. To achieve high homogeneity of the derivatized material produced by the coupling procedure, fractionation of each preparation was performed twice by gel-permeation chromatography.
• a Superdex 200 PG XK 16/60 column (marketed by Pharmacia Biotech of Uppsala, Sweden) equilibrated with 19 mM L-histidine, 0.31 M NaCl, 3.4 mM CaCl2, 0.02 % Tween 80, pH 7.0 was used. Volume reduction of the factor VIII solutions prior to the second gel-permeation chromatography was performed in autoclaved Centri- plus 30 concentrators; centrifugal ultrafiltration devices (cutoff 30 kDa, marketed by Amicon Inc. MA, USA). The solutions were concentrated three times at 2,500xg for 45 min.
• the pooled fractions obtained after the second gel-permeation chroma ⁇ tography were subsequently diluted in a buffer conforming to the final formula- tion; 19 mM L-Histidine, 0.31 M NaCl, 3.4 mM CaCl2, 0.02 % Tween 80, 17.5 mM sucrose, pH 7.0.
• the protein solutions were finally filtered using 0.22 ⁇ m Millex GV filters ( marketed by Millipore, MA, USA) and subsequently filled in auto ⁇ claved bottles. The solutions were stored at -70°C until use.
• AUC AUC (S.C.) X DOSE (I.V.) AUC (I.V.) X DOSE (S.C.) wherein AUC is the area under the plasma concentration-time curve.

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