Insect Cell-Based Recombinant Protein Production

Abstract

Insect cells in conjunction with the baculovirus expression vector (BEV) system represent a fast and efficient system for the generation of recombinant tool proteins (mg- to g-range). This is quite evident from scores of application reports which have been published since 1970. Moreover, the European approval of the vaccine Cervarix (for cervical cancer) from Glaxo SmithKline in autumn 2007 and the development of further potential product candidates (e.g. influenza vaccine FluBIok from Protein Sciences Inc.) indicate the growing industrial interest in commercial use of the BEV/insect cell culture system for manufacture of biopharmaceuticals. Starting with a short description of main characteristics of insect cells, this chapter delineates generation methods of recombinant virus, the scale-up to protein production (suitable bioreactors and optimum process design), application examples and current trends in insect cell-based protein production. Finally, pros and cons of the BEV/insect cell culture system are summarized.