Biophysical Characterization of Proteins in Developing Biopharmaceuticals is concerned with the analysis and characterization of the higher-order structure (HOS) or conformation of protein based drugs. Starting from the very basics of protein structure this book takes the reader on a journey on how to best achieve this goal using the key relevant and practical methods commonly employed in the biopharmaceutical industry today as well as up and coming promising methods that are now gaining increasing attention. As a general resource guide this book has been written with the intent to help today’s industrial scientists working in the biopharmaceutical industry or the scientists of tomorrow who are planning a career in this industry on how to successfully implement these biophysical methodologies. In so doing a keen focus is placed on understanding the capability of these methodologies in terms of what information they can deliver. Aspects of how to best acquire this biophysical information on these very complex drug molecules, while avoiding potential pitfalls, in order to make concise, well informed productive decisions about their development are key points that are also covered.
Damian J. Houde is Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at the Northeastern University in Boston, MA. He teaches undergraduate and graduate level chemistry, biochemistry courses, and bioanalytical biochemistry. Further he is scientist, analytical development at Biogen Idec, Inc. in Cambridge, MA. He performs detailed biochemical and biophysical characterization of protein biopharmaceuticals (primarily
monoclonal antibodies and Fc-fusion proteins) for structure activity relationship studies, investigates the conformation, dynamics, and interactions (epitope mapping) of protein biopharmaceuticals, with hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, assesses, develops, and evaluates new biochemical and biophysical protein characterization tools, coordinates and manages external academic (Northeastern University and University of Mass at Amherst) and internal research collaborations, manages and maintains mass spectrometry instrumentation, and conducts method transfers to QC. In 2009 he received the Douglas and Irena DeVivo Award (Northeastern University), in 2008 the Biogen IDEC Technology Investment Award, in 2008 the Biogen IDEC Technology Investment Award, Outstanding presentation, and in 2007 the Biogen IDEC Technology Investment Award
Steven A. Berkowitz is a principal investigator in the department of analytical development at Biogen Idec, Inc. in Cambridge MA. His technical areas of expertise are concentrated in the separation sciences and the physical sciences associated with the characterization of biopolymers and synthetic polymers where he has over 40 peer reviewed publication and has presented numerous talks and posters at a wide range of technical meetings. Much of Dr. Berkowitz’s work has centered on assessing the physico-chemical properties, micro-heterogeneity and aggregation properties of biopharmaceuticals using light scattering, analytical ultracentrifugation, chromatography, electrophoresis, and various forms of spectroscopy. His present responsibilities are now focused on providing biophysical information on the higher-order structure and structural dynamics of biopharmaceuticals and the development and evaluation of analytical tools such as H/DX-MS and NMR to support this area.
Dr. Berkowitz received a B.S. degree in Biology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Ph.D. degree in Biochemistry from New York University. He then spent several years as a post-doctoral fellow at Yale University and the NIH. After his post-doctoral work Dr. Berkowitz held various positions at Celanese Research Company, J.T. Baker, and Lederle Laboratories before taking his present position at Biogen Idec.
