Albumin is the most abundant protein in blood plasma and has historically been used in cell culture for its ability to support mammalian cell growth. Albumin is known to carry many important substances including lipids, amino acids, hormones, peptides, metals, and other undefined low molecular weight molecules. It also offers antioxidant protection to cells and participates in the transport and signal mechanics of hormones and growth factors. Akron’s cGMP-compliant HSA 25% Solution can be used in a wide range of applications such as cell culture supplementation, assay standardization, protein stabilization, and product formulation.

FAQ

1. Why use Human Serum Albumin (HSA) 25% Closed System Solutions (CSS)?

Albumin has historically been used in cell culture for its ability to support mammalian cell growth. Typical stabilizers present in pharmaceutical HSA solutions are not included in Akron’s HSA 25% CSS, as they have been shown to interfere with cell culture. Akron’s novel HSA 25% CSS formulation and sterile bag packaging are ideal for closed-system commercial cell therapy manufacturing, allowing for the introduction of supplement material into culture media in a fully contained manner.

2. What are the recommended storage conditions for HSA 25% CSS?

We recommend storing these products at 2-8 °C.

3. What are the shipping conditions for HSA 25% CSS?

These products ship with cold packs.

4. What is the shelf-life for HSA 25% CSS?

This product is currently under a long-term stability program.

5. Where is the raw material sourced?

All human plasma units used as raw material are sourced from FDA-licensed collection facilities with donors traceable to the U.S.

6. How are the raw material donations screened?

Individual donor identification, registration, and education takes place, per 21 CFR 630.10. Each plasma unit used as raw material is virus tested, per 21 CFR 610.40, at the time of collection and found negative or non-reactive for Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg), antibodies against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)- 1 and 2 (anti-HIV 1/2), and antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus (anti-HCV). Each donor unit also undergoes serological testing for antibodies against Treponema pallidum (Syphilis), and Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) for Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1), and Parvovirus B19 (B19V).

7. Do you have a Master File (MF) available for this product?

Akron’s HSA material has a Type II eCTD MF (#019354) on file with the FDA. Upon request, we can provide you a Letter of Authorization, which permits the FDA to cross-reference our MF in support of your regulatory submissions.

8. Do you have a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available for this product?

Yes, a SDS statement is available upon request.

9. Is this an injectable-grade or clinical-grade material?

No, this product is not for direct use in humans. See intended use below.

10. What is the intended use for the product?

For research use or further manufacturing use in ex vivo cell therapy applications. This product is not intended for direct in vivo use or for direct clinical use as a drug, therapeutic, biologic, or medical device.

11. Can this product be used to manufacture a vaccine?

It is up to the drug product manufacturer to determine if this material fits their required specifications for further manufacturing use in their drug manufacturing process. As stated above, this product is not sold to be injected directly into humans, even though Akron’s HSA 25% Solution is manufactured using WFI (water for injection) and has a Type II MF on file with the FDA (CBER) you can reference in your filings.

12. Are stabilizers present in this HSA solution?

No, our HSA 25% Solution does not contain the stabilizers, sodium caprylate or sodium acetyltryptophanate, typically found in other pharmaceutical albumin solutions. Our formulation is intended for optimal cell culture performance and is not being sold for direct injection into humans.

13. How does the absence of stabilizers in Akron’s HSA 25% Solution affect performance relative to clinical albumin products?

The major stabilizers found in clinical albumin preparations, per the Human Albumin USP monograph, are sodium acetyltryptophanate and sodium caprylate (also known as sodium octanoate). These stabilizers bind to the albumin molecule and help to protect it against oxidation and heat damage, especially during the typical pasteurization step included in clinical human albumin preparations. Decomposition and metabolic products of acetyltryptophanate have shown to reduce cell performance when present in culture and to induce apoptosis of certain immune cells.2, 3 Caprylate has also been shown to slow growth and lower colony formation when present in stem cell culture. Our Human Serum Albumin 25% Solution is manufactured without these stabilizers and without any other additives, giving your cells the best chance of a successful culture.

14. Is this product compendial grade / USP-grade?

The HSA monographs are written with the perspective of an injectable material, but we focus on providing material optimized for cell and gene therapy manufacturing. Our HSA 25% solution is not for direct use in humans and is not fit for intravenous use.

15. What packaging options are available?

Akron’s HSA 25% CSS comes packaged in a sterile bag chamber made from Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) for inert bioreactivity and increased flexibility. The 6” outlet tubing on the distal end of the Y connector is made from weldable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (3.0 mm ID x 4.1 mm OD). Every bag is shipped in a validated CSafe Parcel insulated shipper for consistent delivery. This product can be customized, with different packaging materials and/or fill volumes available under contract.

16. What closed connection options are available to remove the material from the bag?

It is recommended to weld directly to the 6” PVC outlet tubing. A direct connection via a female Luer lock connector is available on the outlet tube. There are also two twist-off spike ports for entry with a spike adapter if desired. (for full instructions, see “Methods of Use” document).