Cell-Based Assay (Activity, Infectivity, Binding)

Method Introduction

Cell-based assays are critical analytical techniques used to evaluate biopharmaceutical products’ biological activity, infectivity, and binding properties. These assays involve using living cells to test the functional properties of therapeutic proteins, small molecules, antibodies, and viral vectors. By mimicking the physiological environment, Cell-based assays provide relevant and accurate data on the efficacy and safety of biopharmaceuticals, ensuring their optimal performance in clinical applications.

Applications

Cell-based assays are extensively utilized in various stages of biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Key applications include:

Assessing the biological activity of small molecules, therapeutic proteins and antibodies.
Evaluating the infectivity and transduction efficiency of viral vectors.
Testing the binding affinity and specificity of antibodies and receptor-ligand interactions.
Supporting potency and stability studies by monitoring changes in biological activity over time.
Conducting comparability studies for biosimilars by ensuring similar biological activity profiles.

Quality and Biosafety Level

We provide all our analytical services with the highest quality standards. Experienced scientists carry out each project, and a scientific reviewer comprehensively checks every report or data presentation.

We offer this technology with the following quality and biosafety levels:

Up to GMP Level

This method is available under GMP in dedicated labs with qualified equipment and full QA involvement.

Up to biosafety level 2

This method can be applied to nucleic acids, viruses, cells, viral vectors and more.

Analytical Method Development, Qualification and Validation

For common sample types, we can often apply standardized methods with little setup effort. However, when needed, our experienced analytical experts create or optimize custom methods tailored to your active pharmaceutical ingredient, product type and development phase.

Method Development

Our method development approach tailors sample preparation, method settings and data analysis to the needs of your project and sample.

We include representative samples and, where available, suitable reference standards and stressed/degraded materials, allowing our analytical scientists to design a highly suitable, stability-indicating, robust and repeatable method. Upon request, we will compile a detailed description of the method for your records.

Method Qualification

Method qualification is the initial assessment of an analytical procedure’s performance to show its suitability for its intended purpose.

During method qualification, our analytical scientists perform documented testing demonstrating that the analytical procedure meets criteria in several categories. Criteria may include factors such as repeatability, specificity and robustness. We compile a qualification plan and report, including all relevant data.

Method Validation

Under GMP conditions, method validation confirms that an analytical procedure’s performance suits its intended purpose. Depending on the method’s scope, a broad range of method characteristics, such as specificity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection/limit of quantification (LOD/LOQ), linearity and range, is considered.

During method validation, our analytical scientists perform documented testing demonstrating that the analytical procedure consistently produces a result that meets the predetermined acceptance criteria. We compile a validation plan and report that includes all relevant data.

Depending on the development phase, a fit-for-purpose validation approach can be offered, adjusting the validation required efforts in a phase-appropriate way to meet the method’s needs.

Method Verification

Compendial method verification confirms that a compendial method (e.g., from Ph. Eur. or USP) is suitable and reliable for its intended purpose under the specific conditions of the laboratory.

Unlike full method validation, compendial method verification is often considered a partial validation since the method has already undergone extensive testing and validation during its inclusion in the compendium. The extent of method verification depends on the type of method.

During method verification, our analytical scientists perform documented testing demonstrating that the developed analytical method performs adequately for the specific product or matrix being tested and within the specific laboratory where the method will be employed.

Talk to Our Experts or Request a Quote

Our expert team is ready to answer your questions and guide you to the services best suited to your program’s modality, stage and challenge. If your needs are well-defined, we’ll begin the quotation process.

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