Slurry preparation is a critical step in preparing a well-packed column and achieving a successful bioprocess purification. However, this step can be challenging as different therapeutics require different chromatography media to achieve effective chromatographic separation. For instance, therapeutics in the 5 to 15 kDa range, such as insulins and oligonucleotides utilize rigid and spherical chromatography, which can be more difficult to work with. These media are based on a wide range of matrices including silica gel, polystyrene-divinylbenzene, polymethacrylate, agarose and hydroxyapatite, each with its own packing properties. As these processes are scaled up to larger column diameters, packing media becomes more complex and more crucial for success.

Simplified Slurry Preparation

Asahi Kasei Bioprocess America (AKBA) has engineered a solution to the challenge of slurry preparation with their line of standard 100 to 600 L SLURIPREP™ Systems (SPS) with customized versions available up to 1000 L. The SPS has been engineered to manage a wide range of chromatography media, provide gentle mixing, and offers multiple modes of operation all in a closed mixing unit.

SPS Multi-function Design

The multi-function design of the SPS permits slurry to be mixed, de-fined, recirculated and charged into DAC LC Columns. This system design enables a reproducible column packing experience every time. The unit is also fully non-electrical, allowing seamless installation into hazardous areas without additional costs for electrical protection or controls validation. SLURIPREP Systems are compatible with Flash, MPLC and HPLC DAC Columns with size between 30 and 120 cm i.d. and can accommodate nearly any media preparation requirement.

Highest Quality Column Packing for Best Purification

In order to implement a reverse phase chromatography or an ion exchange chromatography resin for clinical and commercial scale oligonucleotide purification, you must first successfully pack the bulk media into the DAC column and qualify the packing via one or more column performance tests. Using a reproducible system platform, like AKBA’s SLURIPREP System, permits much more efficient removal of small fine particles that tend to clog column frits and prematurely increase column backpressure and the potential for a low-quality pack. Additionally, such a platform should be able to transfer the complete volume of prepared slurry into the empty column quickly to avoid any preferential settling of large particles in the column prior to compression. Lastly, SPS slurry preparation ensures consistency, as opposed to manual preparation where the slurry can change batch after batch, leaving the conditions in the column inconsistent and yields reduced.

Increased Operator Safety

Executing slurry preparation manually is inefficient and increases safety concerns for the operator as at larger volumes the manual process becomes unwieldy. When powdered media is handled manually there is also an inherent risk of inhalation to the operator. In contrast, having the SPS do the mixing decreases inhalation risk to the operator, provided that proper precautions are taken when adding media to the SPS.

Prepare for Column Packing in 7 Easy Steps

AKBA has provided a straightforward protocol for column packing prep in just 7 steps:

1. Fill SPS vessel with slurry buffer as recommended by the media manufacturer
2. Add media from your supplier’s containers
3. Gently mix the media into a slurry with the agitator
4. Allow the media to briefly settle in the vessel for de-fining
5. Decant fines from the supernatant; repeat steps 4 and 5 as necessary
6. Add more slurry buffer and recirculate vessel to reslurry media
7. Connect to your empty column and charge the slurry using the slurry transfer pump

To support clinical and commercial cGMP manufacturing needs, all SLURIPREP Systems are provided with a GMP documentation package.

To learn more, please see https://fluidmgmt.ak-bio.com/products/slurry-prep-systems/