Protein aggreagation and biopharmaceuticals


Research in protein aggregation and other degradation routes is of major importance in view of quality and consistency of biopharmaceutical drugs used to treat various life-threatening conditions. We study selected soft-matter physics questions behind such processes that affect developability, safety and efficacy of aqueous solutions of therapeutic proteins. The focus lies on processes of irreversible aggregation and reversible self-association, which can be most influenced by the physical properties of the solution.

Selected papers

  • M. Zidar, P. Rozman, K. Belko-Parkel, M.Ravnik, Control of viscosity in biopharmaceutical protein formulations, J. Coll. Int. Sci. 580, 308 (2020). [Link] [PDF].

  • M. Zidar, G. Posnjak, I. Muševič, M. Ravnik and D. Kuzman Surfaces Affect Screening Reliability in Formulation Development of Biologics, Pharm. Res 37, 27 (2020). [Link] [PDF].

  • M. Zidar, D. Kuzman and M. Ravnik Characterisation of protein aggregation with the Smoluchowski coagulation approach for use in biopharmaceuticals, Soft Matter 14, 6001 (2018). [Link] [PDF].

  • M. Zidar, A. Šušterič, M. Ravnik and D. Kuzman High Throughput Prediction Approach for Monoclonal Antibody Aggregation at High Concentration, Pharm. Res. 9, 34 (2017). [Link] [PDF].