High-performance tangential flow filtration: a highly selective membrane separation process Original Research Article

High-performance tangential flow filtration (HPTFF) is a new technology for protein and nucleotide purification. Conventional ultrafiltration (UF) is limited to separation of solutes that differ by tenfold in size. HPTFF is a two-dimensional purification method that exploits differences in both size and charge characteristics of biomolecules. It is hence possible to separate biomolecules with the same molecular weight. It is even possible to retain one biomolecule while passing a larger molecular weight species through the membrane. Current processes often use ion-exchange chromatography, UF and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) in three separate steps for purification, concentration and buffer exchange. HPTFF makes it possible to perform all of these steps in a single-unit operation, thereby reducing production costs. HPTFF uses the same linear scale-up principles already established for UF. Since HPTFF builds on existing UF technology, there is already a well-established industrial infrastructure in place for implementation of HPTFF processes. HPTFF can provide high-resolution purification while maintaining the inherent high throughput and high yield characteristics of conventional UF. HPTFF can therefore be used in initial, intermediate, and final purification stages. This presentation overviews the key aspects of this technology in terms of operation and optimization and reviews several real-world separations in biotechapplications such as IgG and monoclonal antibodies.