Summary

The advent of biopharmaceuticals in current medicine brought enormous benefits to the treatment of life-threatening human diseases (e.g., cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders), and improved the well-being of many people worldwide. The global portfolio of these therapeutic products include proteins and antibodies, nucleic acids, and cell-based products, and continues to expand at a rapid pace - approvals in the period 2015-2018 essentially double the typical five-yearly historical approval pace (G. Walsh, Nat. Biotechnol., 36:1136-1145, 2018) -, representing a significant share of the entire market of pharmaceuticals.

Innovation in the (bio)pharmaceutical industry has been driven towards the development of cost-effective manufacturing processes, envisaging the delivery of products in high quantity, with superior quality (purity), and high specificity, with the ultimate goal of benefiting patients. Progress in this direction have resulted from the application of novel technologies in the upstream stage (high-throughput, single-use devices, statistical optimization of media and fermentation conditions, QbD, and continuous processing), while at the downstream level, chromatography has evolved through the development of new resins and ligands, coupled with advances in process modelling, operating and control strategies.

An emerging trend is the application of alternative solvents such as ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents, in which their structure and physicochemical properties can be tuned to address unmet needs in (bio)pharmaceutical research. These compounds may be derived from natural and reneawable sources and hold great promise in the development of efficient, sustainable and cost-effective biopharmaceuticals purification processes.

This Entry Collection aims to provide the latest progresses achieved in pharmaceuticals bioprocessing. We welcome submissions of original research, comprehensive reviews and perspectives, including, but not limited, to the following fields:

- Upstream processing (genetic engineering, systems biology, difficult-to-express proteins, expression conditions, Quality by Design approaches, process analytical technologies);

- Chromatographic purification methods (process modelling and control, continuous bioprocessing, design and characterization of resins and ligands, new formats);

- Alternative purification methods (aqueous biphasic systems, filtration, crystallization, precipitation);

- Application of neoteric solvents in upstream and downstream stages;

- Analytical characterization of biopharmaceuticals (stability, post-translational modifications, biological activity, immunogenicity); 

Expand All
Entries
Topic Review
Chitosans and Nanochitosans
Chitosan displays a dual function, acting as both an active ingredient and/or carrier for pharmaceutical bioactive molecules and metal ions. Its hydroxyl- and amino-reactive groups and acetylation degree can be used to adjust this biopolymer’s physicochemical and pharmacological properties in different forms, including scaffolds, nanoparticles, fibers, sponges, films, and hydrogels, among others. 
  • 586
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Green Innovation and Industry and Talent
With increasing pressure on industry resulting from the need for ecological and environmental protection and sustainable development, green innovation development has gradually become a central issue of concern. With predictions of “peak” carbon, the need for carbon neutrality, and the requirement to pursue sustainable development goals, green innovation is not only important for the high-quality growth of the pharmaceutical industry but also represents an impetus to develop high-level talent. The promotion of the further coordination and integration of industry and talent through green innovation is an important issue in contemporary industrial economic development. 
  • 430
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Sulfated Galactofucans
Fucoidans encompass versatile and heterogeneous sulfated biopolysaccharides of marine origin, specifically brown algae and marine invertebrates. The reported studies revealed diverse chemical skeletons in which l-fucose is the main sugar monomer. However, other sugars, i.e., galactose, mannose, etc., have been identified to be interspersed, forming several heteropolymers, including galactofucans/fucogalactans (G-fucoidans). Particularly, sulfated galactofucans are associated with rich chemistry contributing to more promising bioactivities than fucans and other marine polysaccharides. The previous reports showed that G-fucoidans derived from Undaria pinnatifida were the most studied; 21 bioactivities were investigated, especially antitumor and antiviral activities, and unique biomedical applications compared to other marine polysaccharides were demonstrated.
  • 377
  • 30 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Antiviral Properties of Seaweeds
Bioactive compounds from seaweed’s currently receive major attention from pharmaceutical companies as they express several interesting biological activities which are beneficial for humans. The structural diversity of seaweed metabolites provides diverse biological activities which are expressed through diverse mechanisms of actions. This research mainly focuses on the antiviral activity of seaweed’s extracts, highlighting the mechanisms of actions of some seaweed molecules against infection caused by different types of enveloped viruses: influenza, Lentivirus (HIV-1), Herpes viruses, and coronaviruses. Seaweed metabolites with antiviral properties can act trough different pathways by increasing the host’s defense system or through targeting and blocking virus replication before it enters host cells. Several studies have already established the large antiviral spectrum of seaweed’s bioactive compounds. 
  • 615
  • 04 Jul 2022
Topic Review
WT Parent Virus for Effective LAIV
Current influenza vaccine candidates, for potential use in vaccine manufacturing, are reassortants of master donor virus (MDV) with wild-type (WT) virus that is antigenically similar to the recommended strain. MDVs have all the necessary characteristics for the type of vaccines of which they are intended. Two types of MDVs are used in the preparation of influenza vaccines—high-yielding donors for IIV and temperature-sensitive (ts) and cold-adapted (ca) donors of attenuation—for LAIV. There are a number of main features of WT influenza virus that may dramatically affect different aspects of the preparation of egg-derived live attenuated vaccine candidates and their effectiveness. 
  • 348
  • 30 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Bioactive Compounds Present in Oilseeds
Oilseeds are a great source of affordable and potent bioactive compounds (e.g., carotenes, flavonoids, PUFAs, organosulphur compounds, phytosterols, and polyphenols) generally used in the pharmaceutical (anti-microbial toxins, adjuvants for cancer therapy, cholesterol-lowering therapeutics), agricultural (animal welfare) and cosmetic (oil-based creams) industries. However, oilseeds also contain certain molecules called anti-nutrients, which are toxic compounds synthesized by plants as a defense mechanism. Controlling these compound’s amounts, namely glucosinolates and phytic acid, is essential to maximize beneficial effects over toxicity.
  • 683
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Cannabis Sativa Revisited
Critically ill patients with sepsis require a multidisciplinary approach, as this situation implies multiorgan distress, with most of the bodily biochemical and cellular systems being affected by the condition. Moreover, sepsis is characterized by a multitude of biochemical interactions and by dynamic changes of the immune system. At the moment, there is a gap in our understanding of the cellular, genetic, and molecular mechanisms involved in sepsis. One of the systems intensely studied in recent years is the endocannabinoid signaling pathway, as light was shed over a series of important interactions of cannabinoid receptors with biochemical pathways, specifically for sepsis. Furthermore, a series of important implications on inflammation and the immune system that are induced by the activity of cannabinoid receptors stimulated by the delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have been noticed. One of the most important is their ability to reduce the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators and the modulation of immune mechanisms. Different studies have reported that cannabinoids can reduce oxidative stress at mitochondrial and cellular levels. In detail, the entry shows the important mechanisms modulated by the endocannabinoid signaling pathway, as well as of the molecular and cellular links it has with sepsis. At the same time, the possible implications of cannabinoids in the most important biological pathways involved in sepsis, such as inflammation, redox activity, immune system, and epigenetic expression will be presented.
  • 1.3K
  • 04 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Ascorbate in Cancer Therapy
Cancer is a disease of high mortality, and its prevalence has increased steadily in the last few years. Ascorbate (ascorbic acid or vitamin C) is a potent water-soluble antioxidant that is produced in most mammals but is not synthesised endogenously in humans, which lack enzymes for its synthesis. Ascorbate has antioxidant effects that correspond closely to the dose administered. Interestingly, this natural antioxidant induces oxidative stress when given intravenously at a high dose, a paradoxical effect due to its interactions with iron. Importantly, this deleterious property of ascorbate can result in increased cell death. Although, historically, ascorbate has been reported to exhibit anti-tumour properties, this effect has been questioned due to the lack of available mechanistic detail. Recently, new evidence has emerged implicating ferroptosis in several types of oxidative stress-mediated cell death, such as those associated with ischemia–reperfusion. This effect could be positively modulated by the interaction of iron and high ascorbate dosing, particularly in cell systems having a high mitotic index. In addition, it has been reported that ascorbate may behave as an adjuvant of favourable anti-tumour effects in cancer therapies such as radiotherapy, radio-chemotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or even in monotherapy, as it facilitates tumour cell death through the generation of reactive oxygen species and ferroptosis.
  • 309
  • 28 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Renal Inflammation
Renal inflammation is an initial pathological process during progressive renal injury regardless of the initial cause. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a truly proinflammatory stress mediator that is highly expressed in a variety of both inflammatory cells and intrinsic kidney cells. MIF is released from the diseased kidney immediately upon stimulation to trigger renal inflammation by activating macrophages and T cells, and promoting the production of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and stress molecules via signaling pathways involving the CD74/CD44 and chemokine receptors CXCR2, CXCR4, and CXCR7 signaling. In addition, MIF can function as a stress molecule to counter-regulate the immunosuppressive effect of glucocorticoid in renal inflammation. Given the critical position of MIF in the upstream inflammatory cascade, the regulatory role and molecular mechanisms of MIF in kidney diseases will be focused on.
  • 653
  • 29 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Natural Polymer-Based Hydrogels for Glaucoma Therapy
Biopolymers have been extensively investigated in a number of medical fields, including tissue engineering and drug delivery. This is largely due to the fact that they are biodegradable within the body, and do not induce an inflammatory reaction. Polynucleotides such as nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), proteins such as polypeptides, and polyesters derived from both plants and animals are also used. When compared to synthetic polymers, naturally occurring biopolymers and their derivatives have acquired preference, and have a comprehensive range of applications in pharmaceutical as well as biomedical research. Natural biopolymers are preferred for medical applications due to their biodegradability, biostability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity. Additionally, natural polymers have the advantage of being readily available, economically friendly, and ecofriendly. Hydrogels designed from natural polymers exhibit high potential as drug delivery systems for biomaterials to treat ocular impairments.
  • 460
  • 28 Jun 2022
  • Page
  • of
  • 65

Featured Entry Collections

>>