Patent Description:
Conjugation links one molecule to another via a specific linker by a biological or chemical method. Demands for high-quality conjugates, particularly bioconjugates, such as those for bioscience research, diagnosis or therapeutics purposes, are continuously increasing. The bioconjugates, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), antibody-immune agonist conjugates, antibody-cytokine conjugates and antibody-nuclide conjugates, are formed by linking a targeting molecule with a payload via a linker.

Taking ADC as an example, major components of ADC include an antibody, a linker and a small-molecule compound. The antibody is mainly used to deliver the small-molecule compound to a specific target, and the small-molecule compound (including but not limit to cytotoxin) produces therapeutic effects on the target. At present, the nine ADC drugs approved by FDA are formed in a chemical conjugation manner, i.e., the cytotoxin is randomly conjugated onto lysine or cysteine residues of an antibody frame.

In the chemical conjugation manner, a monoclonal antibody stock solution needs to be produced by upstream and downstream processes which utilize raw materials of the antibody prior to a conjugation process. Thereafter, the following steps are performed in the conjugation process. The antibody is pretreated (e.g. chemically reduced), then the linkers are conjugated and dissociative linkers are removed by UF/DF and/or chromatography. After that, the small-molecule compounds are conjugated and aggregates are removed by cationic and/or anionic and/or hydrophobic chromatography. Finally, dissociative small-molecule compounds are removed by UF/DF and/or chromatography. <CIT> discloses (Fig. <NUM>) a conjugation unit (<NUM>) for the processing of a guidance molecule linker complex and a biologically active substance.

Many problems exist in chemical conjugation, such as random conjugation sites, heterogeneous product, complex central control and restricted yield scale-up.

Firstly, a chemical conjugation product is generally a mixture of non-uniform structures and components. The conjugation between the linker and the antibody is highly random, which leads to diverse number of small-molecule compounds conjugating to the antibody and also diverse conjugation site of the antibody, and therefore the bioconjugates such as the ADC drugs may have different drug/antibody ratios (DAR). As a result, the bioconjugates exhibit high heterogeneity which results in great inter-batch differences and narrow therapeutic window and accordingly brings challenge to drug production as well as quality control.

Secondly, as described above, the production process of the chemical conjugation involves a significant number of steps, including multiple upstream and downstream purification steps, which is time-consuming and labor intensive.

Further, in some cases, the operator needs to conduct timed sampling during chemical conjugation and then DAR of the sample is calculated. The next operation will suspend until the calculation result is in line with an inner quality standard. Therefore, in these cases, the calculation of DAR is time-consuming, relatively costly, and the risk of a human error is increased.

In addition, a conventional reactor is generally used in chemical conjugation. The volume of the reactor restricts the potential to scale up. Also, an organic phase is required in the process of conjugation. Therefore, the conjugation process is difficult to be precisely controlled.

With respect to the above technical problems, a first aspect of the disclosure provides a conjugation device. Said conjugation device includes at least one flow reactor having an inlet and an outlet, the flow reactor(s) being completely filled with a support such as a matrix including chromatography beads, fibers or membranes, and a biologic catalyzer, namely the enzyme ligase, are immobilized onto the support; a fluid delivery unit in fluid communication with the inlet of the flow reactor(s) and configured to continuously provide the flow reactor(s) with at least one kind of reaction fluid (antibody, linker-toxin, mixed antibody and linker-toxin, etc.) according to stages of the conjugation process, the at least one kind of process fluid containing a first moiety and a second moiety of a conjugate to be produced; and a fluid collection unit in fluid communication with the outlet of the flow reactor(s) and configured to control collection of fluid flowing out of the outlet of the flow reactor(s) according to the stages of the conjugation process. In a period of enabling the at least one kind of reaction fluid to continuously flow through the flow reactor(s), a conjugation reaction is conducted between the first moiety and the second moiety under catalysis of the ligase to produce the conjugate.

In the conjugation device provided by the first aspect of the disclosure, the ligase is directionally immobilized onto the support and filled into the flow reactor, so that the two moieties of the conjugate to be produced contained in the reaction fluid are continuously and stably conjugated while the reaction fluid passes the fluid reactor. Compared with the chemical conjugation, the conjugation device greatly decreases the process steps, significantly reduces the complexity and is highly suitable to save expensive manufacturing costs. Moreover, by virtue of the flow reactor, linear scale-up of the conjugation process can be realized to satisfy industrial demands for larger scales, unit time for conjugation is shortened, and the occupied space in the manufacturing area is reduced. By producing the bioconjugates using the conjugation device, site-specific conjugation between payload-linker and targeting molecule is realized, the homogeneity is improved, and accordingly the therapeutic window is widened. In addition, the conjugation process can be integrated with production procedures of biomolecules such as monoclonal antibodies. For example, conjugation may be completed at stages of producing monoclonal antibody intermediates and monoclonal antibody stock solutions. Therefore, the process is high in flexibility and excellent in coherence.

In some embodiments, the at least one kind of reaction fluid includes first reaction fluid and second reaction fluid. The first reaction fluid contains the first moiety and the second reaction fluid contains the second moiety.

In some embodiments, the conjugation process sequentially includes the following stages: equilibrium prior to reaction, conjugation reaction, post-reaction, and flushing after post-reaction. Moreover, the fluid delivery unit is further configured to continuously provide the flow reactor(s) with a buffer solution during the stages of equilibrium prior to reaction, post-reaction and flushing after post-reaction and continuously and simultaneously provide the flow reactor(s) with the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid during conjugation reaction.

In some embodiments, the buffer solution, the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid are respectively stored in a first container, a second container and a third container. The fluid delivery unit includes a first delivery pump and a second delivery pump. The first container and the second container are connected to the first delivery pump via a first container outlet tube and a second container outlet tube; the third container is connected to the second delivery pump via a third container outlet tube; the first delivery pump and the second delivery pump are respectively connected to an inlet main tube via a first inlet branch tube and a second inlet branch tube, and the inlet main tube is connected to the inlet of the flow reactor. Moreover, during the stages of equilibrium prior to reaction, post-reaction and flushing after post-reaction, the buffer solution in the first container is pumped into the inlet main tube by the first delivery pump; and during the stage of conjugation reaction, the first reaction fluid in the second container is pumped into the inlet main tube by the first delivery pump, and the second reaction fluid in the third container is pumped into the inlet main tube by the second delivery pump.

In some embodiments, the fluid delivery unit further includes a first valve, a second valve, a third valve, and a fourth valve. The first valve, the second valve and the third valve are respectively arranged on the first container outlet tube, the second container outlet tube and the third container outlet tube and are respectively used for controlling flow path of fluid in the first container outlet tube, the second container outlet tube and the third container outlet tube; and the fourth valve is arranged on the first inlet branch tube and is used for controlling flow path of fluid in the first inlet branch tube.

In some embodiments, during the stages of equilibrium prior to reaction, post-reaction and flushing after post-reaction, the first valve and the fourth valve are opened, while the second valve and the third valve are closed; and during the stage of conjugation reaction, the first valve is closed, while the second valve, the third valve and the fourth valve are opened.

In some embodiments, the first container outlet tube, the second container outlet tube, the third container outlet tube, the first inlet branch tube, the second inlet branch tube and the inlet main tube are disposable or non-disposable and respectively made of one of stainless steel, titanium and silicone. The first container, the second container and the third container are respectively selected from one of disposable liquid storage bags, disposable liquid storage bottles, stainless steel containers, and both disposable and non-disposable glass or plastic containers.

In some embodiments, the fluid collection unit is further configured to collect fluid flowing out of the outlet of the flow reactor(s) into a fourth container during the stages of equilibrium prior to reaction and flushing after post-reaction, and collect fluid flowing out of the outlet of the flow reactor(s) into a fifth container during the stages of conjugation reaction and post-reaction.

In some embodiments, the fourth container and the fifth container are respectively connected to an outlet main tube connected to the outlet of each flow reactor via a fourth container inlet tube and a fifth container inlet tube. Moreover, the fluid collection unit includes a fifth valve and a sixth valve respectively arranged on the fourth container inlet tube and the fifth container inlet tube and used for controlling flow path of fluid in the fourth container inlet tube and the fifth container inlet tube.

In some embodiments, during the stages of equilibrium prior to reaction and flushing after post-reaction, the fifth valve is opened, while the sixth valve is closed; and during the stages of conjugation reaction and post-reaction, the fifth valve is closed, while the sixth valve is opened.

In some embodiments, the fourth container inlet tube and the fifth container inlet tube are disposable or non-disposable and respectively made of one of stainless steel, titanium and silicone. The fourth container and the fifth container are respectively selected from one of disposable liquid storage bags, disposable liquid storage bottles, stainless steel containers, and both disposable and non-disposable glass or plastic containers.

In some embodiments, the conjugation device further includes a temperature control unit configured to control a temperature of fluid flowing into the inlet of the flow reactor(s) and fluid flowing out of the flow reactor(s) in the conjugation process.

In some embodiments, the temperature control unit includes a heating module arranged at the inlet of the flow reactor(s) and used for heating fluid flowing into the inlet; and a cooling module arranged at the outlet of the flow reactor(s) and used for cooling fluid flowing out of the outlet.

In some embodiments, the conjugation device further includes a sampling detection unit in fluid communication with the outlet of the flow reactor(s) and configured to collect sample fluid from the fluid flowing out of the outlet of the flow reactor(s) according to preset sampling time, and detect a conjugate in the sample fluid to obtain a detection result, wherein the detection result indicates whether the conjugate meets a predefined standard.

In some embodiments, the sampling detection unit includes a sampling pump, a first switching valve, an elution pump, at least one analytical column and a detector. The sampling pump is connected to the outlet of the flow reactor(s) via a sampling tube, a sample loop is arranged on the first switching valve, and the first switching valve is able to switch between a first state and a second state according to the preset sampling time. When the first switching valve is in the first state, the sampling pump is in fluid communication with the sample loop, and to collect the sample fluid from the fluid flowing out of the outlet of the flow reactor(s) via the sampling tube and to pump the sample fluid into the sample loop, and when the first switching valve is in the second state, the elution pump, the sample loop, the at least one analytical column and the detector are in fluid communication via a detection tube, and the elution pump is to pump an eluant into the detection tube to enable the eluant to flow through the sample loop, thereby enabling the sample fluid in the sample loop to flow through one of the at least one analytical column before entering the detector.

In some embodiments, two analytical columns are arranged, and the sampling detection unit further includes a second switching valve able to switch between two states and a washing pump. When the second switching valve is in any of the states, the sample loop and the detector are in fluid communication with one of the two analytical columns, the eluant enables the sample fluid in the sample loop to flow into one analytical column, and the washing pump is in fluid communication with the other analytical column and to pump buffer solution into the other analytical column for equilibrating.

In some embodiments, the first switching valve is a six-way valve, the second switching valve is a ten-way valve, and the elution pump is a quaternary pump.

In some embodiments, the conjugation device further includes a recycling unit arranged between the inlet and the outlet of the flow reactor(s). When the detection result indicates that the conjugate does not meet the predefined standard, the fluid collection unit is configured to stop collection of the fluid flowing out of the outlet of the flow reactor(s), and the recycling unit is configured to control the fluid flowing out of the outlet of the flow reactor(s) to enter the inlet again so as to conduct a re-conjugation reaction in the flow reactor(s).

In some embodiments, the recycling unit includes a seventh valve arranged on a recycling tube. The recycling tube is connected between the inlet and the outlet of the flow reactor, and a recycling container is arranged on the recycling tube. When the detection result indicates that the conjugate does not reach the predefined standard, the seventh valve is opened, and the fluid flowing out of the outlet of the flow reactor flows through the recycling tube and the recycling container and then flows into the inlet.

In some embodiments, the flow reactor is a conjugation column.

In some embodiments, the first moiety includes one of a recognition motif of the ligase acceptor substrate and a recognition motif of the ligase donor substrate, and the second moiety includes the other of the recognition motif of the ligase acceptor substrate and the recognition motif of the ligase donor substrate.

In some embodiments, the conjugation device further includes at least one of: a pressure sensing module, a flow measuring module, a pH metering module, a conductivity metering module and a UV detecting module respectively arranged at the inlet and/or the outlet.

A second aspect of the disclosure provides a method for producing a conjugate, including: providing at least one kind of reaction fluid containing a first moiety and a second moiety of a conjugate to be produced; and producing the conjugate by using any of the conjugation devices in the above embodiments.

In the method for producing the conjugate provided by the second aspect of the disclosure, the ligase is directionally immobilized onto the support and filled into the flow reactor, so that the two moieties of the conjugate to be produced contained in the reaction fluid are continuously and stable conjugated while the reaction fluid passes the fluid reactor. Compared with the chemical conjugation, the conjugation method greatly decreases the process steps, significantly reduces the complexity and is highly suitable to save expensive manufacturing costs. Moreover, by virtue of the flow reactor, linear scale-up of the conjugation process can be realized to satisfy industrial demands for larger scales, unit time for conjugation is shortened, and the occupied space in the manufacturing area is reduced. By using the conjunction method to produce the conjugation, site-specific conjugation between payload-linker and targeting molecule is realized, the homogeneity is improved, and accordingly the therapeutic window is widened. In addition, the conjugation process can be integrated with production procedures of biomolecules such as monoclonal antibodies. For example, conjugation may be completed at stages of producing monoclonal antibody intermediates and monoclonal antibody stock solutions. Therefore, the process is high in flexibility and excellent in coherence.

The features, advantages and other aspects of various embodiments in the disclosure become more apparent by referring to drawings and in combination with detailed descriptions below. Several embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive manner. In the drawings:.

Technical contents of the present invention are described below by virtue of specific embodiments.

Before describing specific embodiments of the disclosure in detail, some terms used in the disclosure are firstly explained.

Unless otherwise defined in the following context, meanings of all technical terms and scientific terms used herein are intended to be the same as those generally understood by those skilled in the art. Mentioned techniques involved herein are intended to refer to the commonly understood techniques in the art, including technical changes or replacements of equivalent technologies obvious to those skilled in the art. Although it is believed that the terms herein are well understood by those skilled in the art, the definitions are still stated below so as to well explain the present invention. Trade names that appear herein are intended to refer to corresponding commodities. All patents, disclosed patent applications and publications cited herein are included herein by virtue of reference.

Unless otherwise stated in the context, a singular form such as "one" and "the" includes a plural form. The expression "one or more" or "at least one" may represent <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> or more.

The term "simultaneously" used herein means one or more events described herein occur at the same time.

The terms such as "include", "contain" and "comprise" and similar terms used herein are open terms, i.e., "include/comprise but not limited to", which represents that other contents may also be included. The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" represents "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" represents "at least another one embodiment".

The term "and/or" used herein (such as in a phrase of A and/or B) is intended to include "A and B", "A or B", "A" and "B". Similarly, the term "and/or" used herein (such as in a phrase of "A, B and/or C") is intended to cover each of implementations as follows: A, B and C; A, B or C; A or C; A or B; B or C; A and C; A and B; B and C; A (alone); B (alone) and C (alone).

The term "connect", "connection", "couple" or "coupled" and other similar words used herein are not limited to direct connection, and may include indirect connection.

Definitions of "biomolecules" used herein cover proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, small nucleotides, amino acids and derivatives thereof.

The term "ligase" used herein refers to an enzyme that can catalyze covalent bonds of two or more molecules. The ligase may specifically catalyze conjugation between a first moiety including the recognition motif of the ligase donor substrate and a second moiety including the recognition motif of the ligase acceptor substrate, so as to produce a target conjugate.

The term "conjugation" used herein refers to covalent linkage of at least two parties (e.g., at least two molecules or at least two ends of the same molecule).

The term "conjugate" used herein may be prepared by at least two parties (e.g., at least two molecules or at least two ends of the same molecule) by virtue of covalent linkage.

The term "bioconjugate" used herein refers to a conjugate of which at least one conjugation party is a biomolecule. Examples of the bioconjugates include, but not limited to, antibody-drug conjugates, antibody-immune agonist conjugates, antibody-cytokine conjugates, antibody-nuclide conjugates, and the like.

The term "linker" used herein refers to any chemical part that can conjugate a payload to a targeting molecule in a stable covalent manner.

The term "payload" used herein refers to a functional part included in a conjugate linked by the linker. Examples of the payload include, but not limited to small molecule compounds (also called small molecule drugs, such as inhibitors and toxic drugs (e.g., cytotoxic drugs), radionuclide, glycan, nucleic acids and analogues, tracer molecules, and the like. The payload and the linker are covalently linked by an active group so as to obtain a linker-load intermediate.

The term "targeting molecule" used herein refers to a molecule having an affinity for a particular target (such as receptor, cell surface protein, cytokine, etc.). A targeting molecule can deliver the payload to a specific site in-vivo in a targeted manner. A targeting molecule may recognize one or more targets, and its specific target sites are defined by the recognized target. For example, a targeting molecule that targets the receptor can deliver the cytotoxic drug to a site containing lots of the receptors. Examples of the targeting molecules include, but not limited to antibodies, antibody fragments, binding proteins for a given antigen, antibody mimics, scaffolding proteins having affinity to a given target, ligands, and the like.

The term "antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)" used herein refers to a conjugate including an antibody or an antibody fragment that is covalently conjugated to the payload.

The term "small molecule compound" used herein refers to a molecule with a size comparable to that of an organic molecule commonly used in medicine. The term does not encompass biological macromolecules (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids, etc.), but encompasses low molecular weight peptides or derivatives thereof, such as dipeptides, tripeptides, tetrapeptides, pentapeptides, and the like. Typically, the molecular weight of the small molecule compound can be, for example, about <NUM> Da to about <NUM> Da, about <NUM> Da to about <NUM> Da, about <NUM> Da to about <NUM> Da, about <NUM> Da to about <NUM> Da, about <NUM> Da to about <NUM> Da, about <NUM> Da to about <NUM> Da, about <NUM> Da to about <NUM> Da.

The term "cytotoxin" used herein refers to a substance that inhibits or prevents the expression activity of a cell, cellular function, and/or causes destruction of cells. In some cases, the cytotoxins currently used in ADCs may be more toxic than commonly used chemotherapeutic drugs. Examples of cytotoxins include, but are not limited to, drugs that target the following targets: microtubule cytoskeleton, DNA, RNA, kinesin-mediated protein transport, and regulation of apoptosis.

The term "continuously conjugated" or "continuous conjugation process" used herein means that one or more kinds of reaction fluids needed in the conjugation process are continuously added into the conjugation device when a conjugation reaction is being conducting and at least one conjugate has been produced. The produced conjugate can be continuously collected from the conjugation reaction when the conjugation reaction is being conducting.

The term "flow reactor" used herein refers to any reaction container used for continuously conducting chemical reactions (such as conjugation). The flow reactor may be made of stainless steel, glass, polymer and other materials, and is generally tubular. Flowing reaction fluids enter the flow reactor, continuously conducting a chemical reaction in the flow reactor, and then flow out of the flow reactor.

The term "support" used herein refers to a water-insoluble substance that can be isolated from a reaction mixture in solid or semi-solid form, such as a surface, a gel, a polymer, a matrix, a particle, a resin, a bead or a membrane.

The term "conjugation column" used herein is a kind of flow reactor and refers to a tube-shaped or column-shaped reaction container which is used for continuously conducting conjugation reaction.

The term "online monitoring" or "real-time monitoring" used herein refers to detecting certain parameters or properties, such as pH, pressure, flow, conductivity and conjugation conditions of the moieties, of buffer solution, reaction fluids and fluid flowing out of the flow reactor in real time during use of the conjugation device. Different from offline detection or analysis, the online monitoring or real-time monitoring can provide real-time feedback of the detection result.

In the following, one embodiment of the disclosure is described by referring to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> shows a flow path diagram of a conjugation device according to one embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> shows a conjugation process of the conjugation device in <FIG>. For the purpose of illustration, in <FIG>, various components of the conjugation device <NUM> are connected via tubes, and connected with five containers used for storing fluids. The ligase is directionally immobilized onto the support such as matrixes and filled in the flow reactor <NUM>. The support and the ligase may be selected according to actual needs. For example, the support may include, but not limited to, fillers such as silica gel, agarose, polyacryl, synthetic fibers, cellulose acetate membranes and polyethersulfone membranes. The ligase may be transpeptidase or glycosidase. The flow reactor <NUM> has an inlet <NUM> and an outlet <NUM>. Fluid continuously flows into the inlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>, flows through the flow reactor <NUM>, and then continuously flows out of the outlet <NUM>. In this embodiment, the flow reactor <NUM> is a conjugation column, while in other embodiments, the flow reactor <NUM> may be any other similar reaction container.

A fluid delivery unit <NUM> is in fluid communication with the inlet <NUM> on the inlet <NUM> side of the flow reactor <NUM>. The fluid delivery unit <NUM> continuously provides the flow reactor <NUM> with a first reaction fluid and a second reaction fluid or a buffer solution according to different stages of the conjugation process. A fluid collection unit <NUM> is in fluid communication with the outlet <NUM> on the outlet <NUM> side of the flow reactor <NUM>. The fluid collection unit <NUM> controls collection of fluid flowing out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM> according to the different stages of the conjugation process. In a period of enabling the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid to continuously flow through the flow reactor <NUM>, a conjugation reaction is conducted between a first moiety contained in the first reaction fluid and a second moiety contained in the second reaction fluid under catalysis of the ligase so as to produce a conjugate; and the conjugate is contained in the fluid flowing out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the inlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM> is connected to an inlet main tube <NUM>. Two branch tubes, i.e., a first inlet branch tube <NUM> and a second inlet branch tube <NUM>, are arranged in parallel, and connected to the inlet main tube <NUM> via a fluid connector (such as T junction). Openings of a first container <NUM>, a second container <NUM> and a third container <NUM> are respectively connected to a first container outlet tube <NUM>, a second container outlet tube <NUM> and a third container outlet tube <NUM>. The fluid delivery unit <NUM> includes a first valve <NUM>, a second valve <NUM>, a third valve <NUM>, a fourth valve <NUM>, a first delivery pump <NUM> and a second delivery pump <NUM>. The first container outlet tube <NUM> and the second container outlet tube <NUM> are arranged in parallel, connected together via a fluid connector and connected to the first delivery pump <NUM>. The third container outlet tube <NUM> is connected to the second delivery pump <NUM>. The first delivery pump <NUM> and the second delivery pump <NUM> are respectively connected with the inlet main tube <NUM> via the first inlet branch tube <NUM> and the second inlet branch tube <NUM>.

A first pinch valve <NUM> and the first valve <NUM> are arranged on the first container outlet tube <NUM>. Similarly, a second pinch valve <NUM>, the second valve <NUM>, a third pinch valve <NUM> and the third valve <NUM> are respectively arranged on the second container outlet tube <NUM> and the third container outlet tube <NUM>. The first pinch valve <NUM>, the second pinch valve <NUM> and the third pinch valve <NUM> are all manual pinch valves and are used for controlling outflow of the fluid from the first container <NUM>, the second container <NUM> and the third container <NUM>. During conjugation preparation, the buffer solution, the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid are respectively pumped into corresponding containers by a peristaltic pump. The pinch valves <NUM>-<NUM> are opened during conjugation. Thus, the buffer solution, the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid flow out of the corresponding containers. The first valve <NUM>, the second valve <NUM> and the third valve <NUM> are respectively used for controlling flow path of the fluid in the first container outlet tube <NUM>, the second container outlet tube <NUM> and the third container outlet tube <NUM>. A fourth valve <NUM> is arranged on the first inlet branch tube <NUM> and is used for controlling flow path of the fluid in the first inlet branch tube <NUM>.

As exciting forces of the fluid, the first delivery pump <NUM> and the second delivery pump <NUM> may be pumps of any type, include but not limited to an injection pump, a plunger pump, a peristaltic pump and a diaphragm pump, and may provide different flow rate ranges. For example, some injection pumps may be precision syringe pumps of <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> and may provide a flow rate range of <NUM>-<NUM>/min; some peristaltic pumps may provide a flow rate range of <NUM>-<NUM>/min; and some diaphragm pumps may provide a flow rate range of <NUM>-<NUM>/min.

Although the first to fourth valves <NUM>-<NUM> for controlling flow path of the buffer solution or the reaction fluids in corresponding tubes are shown in the present embodiment, the fluid delivery unit <NUM> may only include the first delivery pump <NUM> and the second delivery pump <NUM> in other embodiments, and the first to fourth valves <NUM>-<NUM> are not needed. For example, when the first delivery pump <NUM> and the second delivery pump <NUM> are plunger pumps or diaphragm pumps, the first to fourth valves <NUM>-<NUM> are not needed.

By continuously referring to <FIG>, the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM> is connected to an outlet main tube <NUM>. Openings of a fourth container <NUM> and a fifth container <NUM> are respectively connected to a fourth container inlet tube <NUM> and a fifth container inlet tube <NUM>. The fluid collection unit <NUM> includes a fifth valve <NUM> and a sixth valve <NUM>. The fifth valve <NUM> and the sixth valve <NUM> are respectively arranged on the fourth container inlet tube <NUM> and the fifth container inlet tube <NUM>. In addition, a fourth pinch valve <NUM> is arranged on the fourth container inlet tube <NUM>. Similarly, a fifth pinch valve <NUM> is arranged on the fifth container inlet tube <NUM>. Identical to the first to third pinch valves <NUM>-<NUM> described above, both of the fourth pinch valve <NUM> and the fifth pinch valve <NUM> are manual pinch valves and are used for controlling outflow of the fluid from the fourth container <NUM> and the fifth container <NUM>. A fifth valve <NUM> and a sixth valve <NUM> are respectively used for controlling flow path of the fluid in the fourth container inlet tube <NUM> and the fifth container inlet tube <NUM>. The fourth container inlet tube <NUM> and the fifth container inlet tube <NUM> are connected with the outlet main tube <NUM> via a fluid connector.

The first to sixth valves <NUM>-<NUM> may be valves of any type, such as a pneumatic valve, an electrical valve and a hydraulic valve, etc. Preferably, the first to sixth valves <NUM>-<NUM> are electromagnetic valves.

The form, material and capacity of the first to fifth containers <NUM>-<NUM> may be selected according to actual needs, such as disposable liquid storage bags, disposable liquid storage bottles, stainless steel containers, and both disposable and non-disposable glass or plastic containers of different specifications. Meanwhile, materials and specifications (such as inner diameters) of the tubes connected among the various components of the conjugation device <NUM> may be selected according to actual needs. The tubes may be made of silicone, titanium, stainless steel, or any other suitable materials. For example, the first to third container outlet tubes <NUM>-<NUM>, the fourth and fifth container inlet tubes <NUM> and <NUM> and the outlet tube <NUM> are disposable silicone tubes of normal thicknesses, while the inlet main tube <NUM> and the first and second inlet branch tubes <NUM> and <NUM> are disposable silicone tubes of increased thicknesses. Thus, higher flow and pressures can be borne. Preferably, the first to fifth containers <NUM>-<NUM> and the various tubes are a set of the disposable silicone tubes and disposable liquid storage bags and can directly be used as sterilized (such as by gamma ray irradiation) tubes and bags. The set of the disposable silicone tubes and liquid storage bags can be in a plug-and-play manner on the conjugation device <NUM>, which avoids repeated cleaning and are convenient to use. Therefore, a fully closed system required by drug production can be conveniently matched; and the drugs can be prevented from being suffered from external pollution in the production process. In other embodiments, the first to fifth containers <NUM>-<NUM> and the tubes connected among various components of the conjugation device <NUM> are made of stainless steel, which may be used repeatedly by applying cleaning validation. In these embodiments, the production cost can be reduced and the working life of the containers and the tubes can be extended.

In addition, the conjugation device <NUM> shown in <FIG> further includes a temperature control unit <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the temperature control unit <NUM> includes a heating module <NUM> arranged on the inlet main tube <NUM> and a cooling module <NUM> arranged on the outlet main tube <NUM>. The heating module <NUM> and the cooling module <NUM> are used for respectively heating and cooling the inlet main tube <NUM> and the outlet main tube <NUM>. The heating module <NUM> heats the fluid flowing into the inlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM> to an appropriate reaction temperature (e.g. <NUM>) and the cooling module <NUM> cools the fluid flowing out of the flow reactor <NUM> to an appropriate temperature (e.g. room temperature). The temperature control ranges, flow rates and materials of the heating module <NUM> and the cooling module <NUM> may be selected according to actual needs. For example, the temperature control range of the heating module <NUM> is <NUM>-<NUM>, the temperature control range of the cooling module <NUM> is <NUM>-<NUM>, and the heating module <NUM> and the cooling module <NUM> are both of stainless steel sanitary grades or disposable materials. In the other embodiments, the temperature control unit <NUM> may be of other forms, including but not limited to air heating temperature control, water bath temperature control (i.e. the flow reactor <NUM> is placed in a water bath), jacket water bath temperature control (i.e. the outer part of the flow reactor <NUM> sleeves with a jacket, and water at a fixed temperature circulates in the jacket), and coil winding temperature control, etc..

In the conjugation device <NUM> in <FIG>, the buffer solution is stored in the first container <NUM>, and the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid are respectively stored in the second container <NUM> and the third container <NUM>. However, in other embodiments, the reaction fluids and the buffer solution may be stored in the containers in a different way according to actual needs. The number of the containers storing the reaction fluids or the buffer solution may also be expanded according to actual needs. For example, more containers and container outlet tubes as well as pinch valves and valves are increased in parallel with the first container <NUM>, the second container <NUM> and/or the third container <NUM>. Correspondingly, the reaction fluid or the buffer solution needing to be pumped is selected by the first delivery pump <NUM> and the second delivery pump <NUM> according to process procedures. In other embodiments, the numbers of the transfer pumps may be selected according to actual needs, e.g., a corresponding transfer pump is equipped for each container.

The first reaction fluid includes the first moiety of the conjugate to be produced, and the second reaction fluid includes the second moiety of the conjugate. The reaction fluid may be liquid or gas. The first moiety includes one of a recognition motif of the ligase acceptor substrate and a recognition motif of the ligase donor substrate, and the second moiety includes the other of the recognition motif of the ligase acceptor substrate and the recognition motif of the ligase donor substrate. In the present embodiment, the first moiety further includes targeting molecules, such as antibodies, antibody fragments, antigen-specified binding proteins and artificial antibodies. The second moiety further includes a linker-payload intermediate formed by coupling molecules of cytokines, small molecule toxins and nuclides with a linker, and the produced conjugate is a bioconjugate. In other embodiments, the first moiety and the second moiety may include molecules of other types, as long as one molecule has the recognition motif of the ligase acceptor substrate and the other molecule has the recognition motif of the ligase donor substrate.

In one embodiment, the ligase is a transpeptidase. In one embodiment, the ligase is selected from the group consisting of a natural transpeptidase, an unnatural transpeptidase, variants thereof, and the combination thereof. Unnatural transpeptidase enzymes can be, but are not limited to, those obtained by engineering of natural transpeptidase. In a preferred embodiment, the ligase is selected from the group consisting of a natural Sortase, an unnatural Sortase, and the combination thereof. The species of natural Sortase include Sortase A, Sortase B, Sortase C, Sortase D, Sortase L. plantarum, etc. (see <CIT>). The type of ligase corresponds to the ligase recognition motif and is thereby used to achieve specific coupling between different molecules or structural fragments. In one embodiment, the recognition motif of the ligase acceptor substrate is selected from the group consisting of oligomeric glycine, oligomeric alanine, and a mixture of oligomeric glycine/alanine having a degree of polymerization of <NUM>-<NUM>. In a particular embodiment, the recognition motif of the ligase acceptor substrate is Gn, wherein G is glycine (Gly), and n is an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>. In another particular embodiment, the ligase is Sortase A from Staphylococcus aureus. Accordingly, the ligase recognition motif can be the typical recognition motif LPXTG of the enzyme. In yet another particular embodiment, the recognition motif of the ligase donor substrate is LPXTGJ, and the recognition motif of the ligase acceptor substrate is Gn, wherein X can be any single amino acid that is natural or unnatural; J is absent, or is an amino acid fragment comprising <NUM>-<NUM> amino acids, optionally labeled. In one embodiment, J is absent. In yet another embodiment, J is an amino acid fragment comprising <NUM>-<NUM> amino acids, wherein each amino acid is independently any natural or unnatural amino acid. In another embodiment, J is Gm, wherein m is an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>. In yet another particular embodiment, the recognition motif of the ligase donor substrate is LPETG. In another particular embodiment, the recognition motif of the ligase donor substrate is LPETGG. In one embodiment, the ligase is Sortase B from Staphylococcus aureus and the corresponding recognition motif of the donor substrate can be NPQTN. In another embodiment, the ligase is Sortase B from Bacillus anthracis and the corresponding recognition motif of the donor substrate can be NPKTG. In yet another embodiment, the ligase is Sortase A from Streptococcus pyogenes and the corresponding recognition motif of the donor substrate can be LPXTGJ, wherein J is as defined above. In another embodiment, the ligase is Sortase subfamily <NUM> from Streptomyces coelicolor, and the corresponding recognition motif of the donor substrate can be LAXTG. In yet another embodiment, the ligase is Sortase A from Lactobacillus plantarum and the corresponding recognition motif of the donor substrate can be LPQTSEQ. The ligase recognition motif can also be other artificially designed recognition sequence for transpeptidase optimized by manual screening.

In other embodiments, the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid may be mixed before being conjugated by using the conjugation device <NUM>. In such embodiments, the mixture of the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid is pumped into the second container <NUM> or the third container <NUM> in the conjugation preparation process. In the conjugation process, only the container storing the mixture and its associated tubes and components are used. Alternatively, the conjugation device <NUM> may only include one of the second container <NUM> and the third container <NUM> and its associated tubes and components.

Then, the conjugation process <NUM> of the conjugation device <NUM> is described by referring to <FIG> and <FIG>. In the conjugation process <NUM> of <FIG>, step <NUM> includes performing equilibrium prior to reaction on the flow reactor <NUM> to discharge waste fluid. At this stage, the first valve <NUM>, the fourth valve <NUM> and the fifth valve <NUM> are all in an opened state, while the other valves are all closed. The buffer solution in the first container <NUM> continuously flows out of the first container <NUM> under the control of the first delivery pump <NUM> and enters the inlet main tube <NUM> after flowing through the first container outlet tube <NUM> and the first inlet branch tube <NUM>. The outflow speed and duration of the buffer solution may be determined by presetting a pump speed and operating time of the first delivery pump <NUM>. During the process of flowing into the inlet main tube <NUM>, the buffer solution flows into the heating module <NUM> and is preheated by the heating module <NUM>. After flowing out of the heating module <NUM>, the buffer solution flows into the inlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>, so as to equilibrate the flow reactor <NUM>. Later, the buffer solution flows out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>, through the outlet main tube <NUM> and into the cooling module <NUM> for post-cooling, and then is discharged into the fourth container <NUM> via the fourth container inlet tube <NUM> so as to collect the waste fluid. By equilibrating the flow reactor <NUM> before providing the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid, a reaction environment of an appropriate pH and ion strength can be provided for the flow reactor <NUM>.

Then, at step <NUM>, a conjugation reaction is conducted and the fluid flowing out of the flow reactor <NUM> is collected. At this stage, the first valve <NUM> and the fifth valve <NUM> are switched to a closed state and the fourth valve <NUM> is maintained in an opened state, while the second valve <NUM>, the third valve <NUM> and the sixth valve <NUM> are switched to an opened state. The first reaction fluid in the second container <NUM> continuously flows out of the second container <NUM> under the control of the first delivery pump <NUM> and flows through the second container outlet tube <NUM> and the first inlet branch tube <NUM>. The second reaction fluid in the third container <NUM> continuously flows out of the third container <NUM> under the control of the second delivery pump <NUM> and flows through the third container outlet tube <NUM> and the second inlet branch tube <NUM>. The flow rates of the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid are determined by respectively presetting the pump speeds of the first delivery pump <NUM> and the second delivery pump <NUM>. According to different process requirements, the conjugation flow rate and the flow rate of each kind of reaction fluid (such as <NUM>/<NUM> conjugation flow rate) are calculated by dividing a reaction volume of the flow reactor <NUM> by retention time of the reaction fluid in the flow reactor <NUM>.

The two kinds of reaction fluid are then merged in the inlet main tube <NUM>, preheated in the heating module <NUM> and then flow into the inlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>. In the flow reactor <NUM>, a conjugation reaction is conducted between the first moiety contained in the first reaction fluid and the second moiety contained in the second reaction fluid by virtue of catalysis of the ligase, and the conjugate is produced. Meanwhile, the reacted fluid containing the conjugate continuously flows out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>. The fluid flowing out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM> is post-cooled in the cooling module <NUM> and then flows into the fifth container <NUM> via the fifth container inlet tube <NUM> so as to collect the conjugate. It should be noted that, since the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid are continuously provided to the flow reactor <NUM>, the above conjugation reaction is a continuous conjugation reaction. Theoretical conjugation time may be calculated by dividing the relatively small volume of the first reaction fluid and the second reaction fluid by the flow rate of the reaction fluid. The operating time of the first delivery pump <NUM> and the second delivery pump <NUM> is set to be longer than the theoretical conjugation time in advance.

After the conjugation reaction, there still exists a small part of unreacted and being-reacted reaction fluid in each tube and the flow reactor <NUM>, and therefore the tubes and the flow reactor <NUM> shall be flushed, so that the unreacted and being-reacted reaction fluid can be reacted as much as possible and then collected. Therefore, step <NUM> includes performing post-reaction, and the fluid flowing out of the flow reactor <NUM> is collected. At this stage, the first valve <NUM> is switched to the opened state, the second valve <NUM> and the third valve <NUM> are switched to the closed state, the fourth valve <NUM> and the sixth valve <NUM> are maintained in the opened state, and the fifth valve <NUM> is maintained in the closed state. The buffer solution in the first container <NUM> continuously flows out of the first container <NUM> under the control of the first delivery pump <NUM>, through the first container outlet tube <NUM> and the first inlet branch tube <NUM> and then enters the inlet main tube <NUM>. Similarly, the outflow rate and duration of the buffer solution may be determined by presetting the pump speed and the operating time of the first delivery pump <NUM>. Later, the buffer solution flows into the heating module <NUM> and is preheated by the heating module <NUM>. After flowing out of the heating module <NUM>, the buffer solution flows into the inlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>, so as to flush the flow reactor <NUM>. Then, the buffer solution flows out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>, flows into the cooling module <NUM> via the outlet main tube <NUM> for post-cooling, and then flows into the fifth container <NUM> via the fourth container inlet tube <NUM> so as to continue to collect the conjugate. By performing post-reaction with the buffer solution after the conjugation reaction is ended, the residual reaction fluid in the tubes and the flow reactor can be fully utilized, thereby increasing yield.

After step <NUM>, flushing after post-reaction is performed in step <NUM>, and the waste fluid is discharged. At this stage, both of the first valve <NUM> and the fourth valve <NUM> are maintained in the opened state, the fifth valve <NUM> is switched to the opened state, the sixth valve <NUM> is switched to the closed state, and the states of the second valve <NUM> and the third valve <NUM> are maintained in the closed state. The buffer solution in the first container <NUM> continue to flow out of the first container <NUM> under the control of the first delivery pump <NUM>, flows through the first container outlet tube <NUM> and the first inlet branch tube <NUM> and then enters the inlet main tube <NUM>. Similarly, the outflow rate and the duration of the buffer solution may be determined by presetting the pump speed and the operating time of the first delivery pump <NUM>. Later, the buffer solution is preheated in the heating module <NUM>, enters the inlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM> and continues to flush the flow reactor <NUM>. Then, the buffer solution flows out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>, flows into the cooling module <NUM> via the outlet main tube <NUM> for post-cooling, and is discharged into the fourth container <NUM> via the fourth container inlet tube <NUM> so as to collect the waste fluid. By providing the buffer solution after the stage of flushing after post-reaction, residues in the tubes and the flow reactor can be fully flushed.

The above first to sixth valves <NUM>-<NUM>, the first delivery pump <NUM> and the second delivery pump <NUM> can be controlled by a control signal, thereby enabling them to cooperate with each other. In the present embodiment, control units or processing units of the above components are commutatively coupled to a computing device. The computing device and the conjugation device form a physically integral conjugation system. In other embodiments, the computing device may be positioned away from the conjugation device, such as a remote computing device. The computing device is commutatively coupled to the above components via analog, digital or combined analog/digital buses or via a wireless communication link or network, and may be a computing device of any type, such as a server, a workstation or a portable computing device (e.g., a laptop, a tablet personal computer and a mobile phone). The computing device and the various components respectively store multiple applications to be executed by them. The computing device receives signals or other information related to the components from respective components, and executes a control application. The control application makes a control decision and generates one or more control signals based on the received information. Then, the control application transmits the one or more control signals to the various components via the communication link or network, thereby controlling operations of the components. By using a configuration application in the computing device, the operator is able to create or modify setup parameters in the control application via a user interface before the conjugation process starts, such as starting and ending time of each stage in the conjugation process and flow rates of the fluid. The setup parameters may be determined by the operator based on instances of the reaction fluids in specific process design and conditions needed by conjugation. A view application in the computing device receives data from the control application, and displays the data to the operator via the user interface. For example, the data may include the current flow rate, the state of each valve, the pump speed of each delivery pump, the temperature of the inlet fluid, the temperature of the outlet fluid, and the like. Thus, in the conjugation process <NUM>, a real-time state of the conjugation device can be monitored by the production personnel. A data historian application in the computing device receives data from the configuration application and the control application, and stores historical data including personnel historical operations in the conjugation process <NUM> and historical parameters and conjugation results in the conjugation process <NUM> in a storage of the computing device. The steps <NUM>-<NUM> in the conjugation process <NUM> can be performed automatically and continuously without human intervention.

In the above embodiments, the ligase is directionally immobilized onto the support and filled into the flow reactor, so that the two moieties of the conjugate to be produced contained in the reaction fluid are continuously and stably conjugated while the reaction fluid passes the fluid reactor. Compared with the chemical conjugation, the conjugation device greatly decreases the process steps, significantly reduces the complexity and is highly suitable to save expensive manufacturing costs. Moreover, by virtue of the flow reactor, linear scale-up of the conjugation process can be realized to satisfy industrial demands for larger scales, unit time for conjugation is shortened; and the occupied space in the manufacturing area is reduced. By producing the bioconjugates using the conjugation device, site-specific conjugation between payload-linker and targeting molecule is realized, the homogeneity is improved, and accordingly the therapeutic window is widened. In addition, the conjugation process can be integrated with production procedures of biomolecules such as monoclonal antibodies. For example, conjugation may be completed at stages of producing monoclonal antibody intermediates and monoclonal antibody stock solutions. Therefore, the process is high in flexibility and excellent in coherence.

In the following, another embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> shows a flow path diagram of a conjugation device in another embodiment of the disclosure. <FIG> shows a conjugation process of the conjugation device in <FIG>. In <FIG>, reference numerals identical to those in <FIG> identify the same features as those described with reference to <FIG>. Compared with <FIG>, the flow path diagram of the conjugation device <NUM> in <FIG> further includes a sampling detection flow path, while the conjugation flow path in <FIG> is the same as <FIG> and will not be described.

The conjugation device <NUM> in <FIG> includes a sampling detection unit <NUM> in fluid communication with the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>. The sampling detection unit <NUM> collects sample fluid from the fluid flowing out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM> according to preset sampling time, and detects the conjugate in the sample fluid to obtain a detection result indicating whether the conjugate meets a predefined standard. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the sampling detection unit <NUM> includes a sampling pump <NUM>, a first switching valve <NUM>, an elution pump <NUM>, a washing pump <NUM>, a first analytical column <NUM>, a second analytical column <NUM> and a detector <NUM>. The sampling pump <NUM> is connected to the outlet tube <NUM> via a sampling tube <NUM>. The first switching valve <NUM> is connected to the sampling pump <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first switching valve <NUM> is a six-way valve on which a sample loop is arranged. The first switching valve <NUM> is switched between two states for sample injection and sample delivery. The first switching valve <NUM> is connected to the elution pump <NUM> and the second switching valve <NUM> via a detection tube <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the second switching valve <NUM> is a ten-way valve. The first analytical column <NUM> and the second analytical column <NUM> are connected in parallel to form a dual-column sample injection mode. By switching the second switching valve <NUM> between two states, one of the first analytical column <NUM> and the second analytical column <NUM> is selected so as to allow the sample fluid to flow through. The washing pump <NUM> pumps the buffer solution when the sample fluid flows through the selected analytical column, so that the buffer solution flows through the other analytical column so as to equilibrate the other analytical column.

As shown in <FIG>, the first switching valve <NUM> includes <NUM> ports <NUM>-<NUM> as well as a sample injection state and a sample delivery state. The second switching valve <NUM> includes <NUM> ports <NUM>-<NUM> as well as an equilibrium state and a detection state. Connections of the various ports of the first switching valve <NUM> are as follows: port <NUM> and port <NUM> are connected by externally connecting a sample injection loop; port <NUM> is connected to the elution pump <NUM>; port <NUM> is connected to port <NUM> of the second switching valve <NUM>; port <NUM> is connected to the sampling pump <NUM>; and port <NUM> is connected to a waste discharge tube. Connections of the various ports of the second switching valve <NUM> are as follows: port <NUM> and port <NUM> are respectively connected to two ends of the first analytical column <NUM>; port <NUM> is connected to the washing pump <NUM>; port <NUM> and port <NUM> are respectively connected to two ends of the second analytical column <NUM>; port <NUM> is connected to port <NUM> of the first switching valve <NUM>; port <NUM> is connected to port <NUM>; port <NUM> is connected to the waste discharge tube; and port <NUM> is connected to an inlet of the detector <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, compared with the conjugation method <NUM> in <FIG>, steps <NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> in the conjugation method <NUM> are respectively identical to steps <NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> in <FIG>, the only difference in <FIG> and <FIG> is step <NUM>. For this reason, only step <NUM> is described with reference to <FIG>, while description of steps <NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> will be eliminated.

Step <NUM> includes conducting the conjugation reaction and performing online monitoring of the produced conjugate to determine whether the produced conjugate meets the predefined standard. In the process of the conjugation reaction, the sampling pump <NUM> collects predetermined quantity of sample fluid from the outlet main tube <NUM> according to the preset sampling time. At this time, the first switching valve <NUM> is in the first state (the sample injection state). In this state, port <NUM> and port <NUM> of the first switching valve <NUM> are communicated with each other; port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>; and port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>. Since port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM> via the sample loop, the flow path of the sample fluid is as follows: port <NUM>-port <NUM>-sample loop-port <NUM>-port <NUM>. In this way, the sample fluid is pumped in and stored in the sample loop, and excessive sample fluid is discharged from port <NUM>, thereby completing sampling. Specifications of the sample loop can be selected based on different detection methods and the volume of the sample fluid needed for each sampling, such as <NUM>µL, <NUM>µL, <NUM>µL and <NUM>µL. Meanwhile, the elution pump <NUM> pumps the buffer solution to port <NUM> of the first switching valve <NUM> via a detection tube <NUM>, the buffer solution flows out of port <NUM> and then flows into port <NUM> of the second switching valve <NUM>. At this time, the second switching valve <NUM> is in the first state, port <NUM> of the second switching valve <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>; port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>; port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>; and port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>. The flow path of the inflow buffer solution in the second switching valve <NUM> is as follows: port <NUM>-port <NUM>-port <NUM>-port <NUM>-first analytical column <NUM>-port <NUM>-port <NUM>-detector <NUM>, so as to pre-equilibrate the first analytical column <NUM>. The inlet tube of the washing pump <NUM> receives equilibration buffer solution, and therefore the equilibration buffer solution is pumped into port <NUM> of the second switching valve <NUM>. The flow path of the equilibration buffer solution in the second switching valve <NUM> is as follows: port <NUM>-port <NUM>-second analytical column <NUM>-port <NUM>-port <NUM>-waste discharge, so as to equilibrate the second analytical column <NUM>.

The first switching valve <NUM> is switched to the second state (i.e. the sample delivery state) after sampling. In the second state, port <NUM> of the first switching valve <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>; port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>; and port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>. Therefore, the flow path of the sample fluid is as follows: elution pump <NUM>-port <NUM>-port <NUM>-sample loop-port <NUM>-port <NUM>-port <NUM> of the second switching valve <NUM>. After entering the second switching valve <NUM>, the flow path of the sample fluid is as follows: port <NUM>-port <NUM>-port <NUM>-port <NUM>-first analytical column <NUM>-port <NUM>-port <NUM>-detector <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the elution pump <NUM> is a quaternary pump and controls a ratio of four eluants and pumps the eluants into the detection tube <NUM>, so that the eluants flow through the sample loop between port <NUM> and port <NUM> of the first switching valve <NUM>, thereby enabling the sample fluid in the sample loop to enter the second switching valve <NUM>. The sample fluid is eluted in the first analytical column <NUM> by controlling gradients of the eluants by the elution pump <NUM>, and the fluid flowing out of the first analytical column <NUM> enters the detector <NUM> for detecting the conjugate.

Valve position of the second switching valve <NUM> is switched for the next sample injection, i.e., port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>; port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>; port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>; port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>; and port <NUM> is communicated with port <NUM>. In this valve position, the fluid flowing from port <NUM> of the second switching valve <NUM> flows through port <NUM> and enters the second analytical column <NUM>, and then flows out of the second analytical column <NUM> and sequentially flows through port <NUM>, port <NUM>, port <NUM> and port <NUM> to enter the detector <NUM>. Meanwhile, the first analytical column <NUM> is equilibrated by the buffer solution pumped by the cleaning pump <NUM>.

The detection result obtained by the detector <NUM> indicates whether the conjugate meets the predefined standard. In the process of the conjugation reaction, the sampling pump <NUM> collects the sample fluid according to the preset sampling time (e.g. a fixed time interval) and detects the conjugate contained in the sample fluid in real time, thereby monitoring the conjugate produced in the whole conjugation process on line. When the ADC drug is produced by the conjugation device <NUM> in <FIG>, the mean DAR value of the ADC is detected for evaluating an average number of small molecule toxins conjugated to each antibody molecule. Thus, the quality of the conjugate can be rated. The detection result may also be transmitted to control units of the fifth valve <NUM> and the sixth valve <NUM>, so that opening and closing of the fifth valve <NUM> and the sixth valve <NUM> can be controlled according to the detection results. Under this circumstance, after the flow reactor <NUM> is equilibrated and the conjugation reaction just starts, the fifth valve <NUM> is maintained in the opened state, while the sixth valve <NUM> is maintained in the closed state. The sampling pump <NUM> collects the sample fluid from the fluid in the outlet main tube <NUM> and the conjugate in the sample fluid is detected. When the conjugate meets the predefined standard, the fifth valve <NUM> is switched to the closed state, while the sixth valve <NUM> is switched to the opened state, and the fluid in the outlet main tube <NUM> is collected into the fifth container <NUM>.

The above described first to sixth valves <NUM>-<NUM>, the first delivery pump <NUM> and the second delivery pump <NUM> are identical to those in the conjugation device <NUM> in <FIG>. The control units or processing units of the various components are commutatively coupled to one computing device. The device further enables control and integration of the sampling pump <NUM>. Control units or processing units of the first switching valve <NUM>, the elution pump <NUM>, the second switching valve <NUM> and the detector <NUM> are commutatively coupled to the same computing device, thereby enabling them to cooperate with each other. In addition to the above described content, in the present embodiment, the detector <NUM> transmits the obtained detection result to the control application in the computing device, and the control application determines whether the conjugate meets the predefined standard based on the detection result. Setup parameters in the control application may further include sampling start time, fixed sampling interval, the pump speed of the sampling pump, the pump speed of the elution pump, the pump speed of the washing pump, valve position switching time of each switching valve, eluant gradient, detecting time, the predefined standard of the conjugate (e.g. a preset DAR value), and the like. The view application in the computing device further displays real-time data of the above parameters received from the control application via the user interface.

In the present embodiment, the detector <NUM> is a UV detector (ultraviolet absorption detector). Both the first analytical column <NUM> and the second analytical column <NUM> are HIC (hydrophobic interaction chromatography) analytical columns. Efficiency of the conjugate is detected by an HIC-HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) detection method. In other embodiments, the efficiency of the conjugate may be detected by other detection methods such as RP-HPLC, SEC-HPLC and Protein A-HPLC. Alternatively, the detector <NUM> may be a mass spectrometry detector or a fluorescence detector, etc. In the present embodiment, dual-column detection is used, and flow paths in the two analytical columns are switched by the second switching valve <NUM>. In other embodiments, analytical columns of other numbers may also be used. For example, only one analytical column is arranged, and in this case, the second switching valve <NUM> is not needed any more.

In the present embodiment, active sampling is conducted from the outlet main tube <NUM> by the sampling pump <NUM> via the sampling tube <NUM>. The sampling pump <NUM> may be a peristaltic pump or an injection pump, so that the sampling volume can be accurately controlled and decreased, and thus the product yield can be increased. In other embodiments, instead of using the sampling pump <NUM>, one valve is arranged on the sampling tube <NUM>. By switching the valve position of the valve, fluid in the outlet main tube <NUM> flows into the sampling tube <NUM> and enters the sample loop of the first switching valve <NUM>.

By adding the sampling detection unit in the conjugation device <NUM>, whether the conjugate produced in the flow reactor meets the predefined standard can be monitored on line, thereby facilitating collection of the reacted fluid meeting the standard, decreasing the processing time and cost as well as increasing the product consistency. Moreover, manual sampling by the operator in the conjugation process is no longer needed, and thus process convenience is increased, operating complexity is decreased, and possible human errors are avoided.

In the above embodiments, the ligase is directionally immobilized onto the support and filled into the flow reactor, so that the two moieties of the conjugate to be produced contained in the reaction fluid are continuously and stably conjugated while the reaction fluid passes the fluid reactor. Compared with the chemical conjugation, the conjugation device greatly decreases the process steps, significantly reduces the complexity and is highly suitable to save expensive manufacturing costs. Moreover, by virtue of the flow reactor, linear scale-up of the conjugation process can be realized to satisfy industrial demands for larger scale s, unit time for conjugation, and the occupied space in the manufacturing area is reduced. By producing the bioconjugates using the conjugation device, site-specific conjugation between payload-linker and targeting molecule is realized, the homogeneity is improved, and accordingly the therapeutic window is widened. In addition, the conjugation process can be integrated with production procedures of biomolecules such as monoclonal antibodies. For example, conjugation may be completed at stages of producing monoclonal antibody intermediates and monoclonal antibody stock solutions. Therefore, the process is high in flexibility and excellent in coherence.

In the following, a yet another embodiment of the present disclosure is described with reference to <FIG> shows a flow path diagram of a conjugation device in the further embodiment of the disclosure. In <FIG>, reference numerals identical to those in <FIG> and <FIG> identify the same features as those described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Compared with <FIG>, the flow path diagram of the conjugation device <NUM> in <FIG> further includes a recycling flow path. In the flow path diagram of <FIG>, a recycling unit <NUM> is arranged between the inlet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>. In the process of the conjugation reaction, when the detection result obtained by the detector <NUM> indicates that the conjugate does not meet the predefined standard, the fluid collection unit <NUM> stops collection of the fluid flowing out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM>. Moreover, the recycling unit <NUM> controls the fluid flowing out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM> to enter the inlet <NUM> again, so that the fluid conducts a cyclic conjugation reaction in the flow reactor <NUM>.

Specifically, in <FIG>, in addition to connection with the sampling tube <NUM>, the outlet main tube <NUM> is also connected to one end of a circulating tube <NUM>. The other end of the circulating tube <NUM> and the third container outlet tube <NUM> are both connected to the second inlet tube <NUM> via a fluid connector. A recycling container <NUM>, a sixth pinch valve <NUM>, a seventh pinch valve <NUM>, a seventh valve <NUM> and an eighth valve <NUM> are arranged on the circulating tube <NUM>.

The recycling container <NUM> is used for storing reaction fluid that does not meet the predefined standard. Similar to the first to fifth containers <NUM>-<NUM>, the form, material and capacity of the recycling container <NUM> may be selected according to actual needs, such as disposable liquid storage bags, disposable liquid storage bottles, stainless steel containers and both disposable and non-disposable glass or plastic containers of different specifications. The material and specification (such as the inner diameter) of the circulating tube <NUM> may be selected according to actual needs, such as a disposable silicone tube of normal thickness. Preferably, the recycling container <NUM>, the first to fifth containers <NUM>-<NUM> and the various tubes are a set of the disposable silicone tubes and the liquid storage bags.

Both the seventh pinch valve <NUM> and the eighth pinch valve <NUM> are manual pinch valves and are used for controlling inflow and outflow of the fluid in the recycling container <NUM>. The seventh valve <NUM> and the eighth valve <NUM> are used for controlling flow path of the fluid in the circulating tube <NUM> in the circulating conjugation process. Similar to the first to sixth valves <NUM>-<NUM>, the seventh valve <NUM> and the eighth valve <NUM> may be valves of any type, such as a pneumatic valve, an electrical valve and a hydraulic valve. Preferably, the seventh valve <NUM> and the eighth valve <NUM> are electromagnetic valves.

In the process of the conjugation reaction, the sampling pump <NUM> collects predetermined quantity of sample fluid from the outlet main tube <NUM> according to the preset sampling time. The sample fluid enters the second switching valve <NUM> by the cooperation of the elution pump <NUM> and the first switching valve <NUM>, flows through one of the analytical columns <NUM> and <NUM>, and flows into the detector <NUM>. The detector <NUM> detects the sample fluid, and the detection result indicates whether the conjugate contained in the sample fluid meets the predefined standard. The detailed detection process is the same as that in <FIG>, and thus will not be described. If the conjugate contained in the sample fluid does not meet the predefined standard, the first to sixth valves <NUM>-<NUM> are all switched to the closed state, and the seventh valve <NUM> and the eighth valve <NUM> are open. The fluid flowing out of the outlet main tube <NUM> flows into the circulating tube <NUM> and is temporarily stored in the recycling container <NUM>. Later, the temporarily stored fluid flows through the eighth valve <NUM> under the control of the second delivery pump <NUM>, flows into the inlet tube <NUM> and is re-conjugated in the flow reactor <NUM>.

If the conjugate contained in the sample fluid sampled after re-conjugation meets the predefined standard, the sixth valve <NUM> is switched to the opened state, the seventh valve <NUM> is switched to the closed state, and the fluid flowing out of the outlet main tube <NUM> is collected into the fifth container <NUM>. If the conjugate contained in the sample fluid sampled after re-conjugation still does not meet the predefined standard, the first to sixth valves <NUM>-<NUM> are maintained in the closed state, the seventh valve <NUM> and the eighth valve <NUM> are maintained in the opened state, and the re-conjugated fluid continues to flow into the circulating tube <NUM> to be re-conjugated until the produced conjugate meets the predefined standard. In the cyclic conjugation process, the fluid conducting the conjugation reaction in the flow reactor <NUM> is the fluid delivered by the circulating tube <NUM> until the fluid in the recycling container <NUM> and the circulating tube <NUM> is substantially discharged. The flow rate of the fluid may be determined by presetting the pump speed of the second delivery pump <NUM>. The flow rate of cyclic conjugation is calculated by dividing a retention volume of the recycling container <NUM> (such as <NUM>/<NUM> of the reaction volume of the flow reactor <NUM>) by the retention time according to different process requirements. When the fluid in the recycling container <NUM> and the circulating tube <NUM> is substantially discharged, the second valve <NUM>, the third valve <NUM> and the fourth valve <NUM> are switched to the opened state, and the seventh valve <NUM> and the eighth valve <NUM> are switched to the closed state, so that the first reaction fluid in the second container <NUM> and the second reaction fluid in the third container <NUM> continuously flow into the flow reactor <NUM> to conduct the conjugation reaction. The conjugation process of the conjugation device <NUM> is the same as the conjugation process <NUM> of the conjugation device <NUM> in <FIG>, and thus will not be described.

As described above, the conjugation conditions of the moieties contained in the reaction fluid can be monitored on line. By adding the circulating flow path in the conjugation device <NUM>, when the detection result of the conjugate meets the standard, the fluid flowing out of the flow reactor is automatically collected, and when the detection result of the conjugate does not meet the standard, the fluid flowing out of the flow reactor is recycled into the flow reactor to be re-conjugated until the standard is met. The whole production process of the conjugate is automatically completed without manual sampling by the operator in the production process, thereby increasing the process convenience, decreasing the personnel operation complexity and avoiding possible human errors.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, in the present embodiment, a pressure sensing module <NUM> and a flow measuring module <NUM> are respectively arranged on the inlet main tube <NUM> of the conjugation flow path. Therefore, the fluid entering the inlet main tube <NUM> flows through the pressure sensing module <NUM> and the flow measuring module <NUM> and then enters the heating module <NUM>. A pressure threshold may be set for the pressure sensing module <NUM> in advance, and when a fluid pressure measured by the pressure sensing module <NUM> exceeds the pressure threshold, the conjugation device <NUM> sends an alarm and automatically pauses to avoid burst of the flow reactor <NUM> due to an extremely high pressure. The flow measuring module <NUM> can monitor the flow of the fluid flowing through the inlet main tube <NUM> in real time.

In other embodiments, the pressure sensing module <NUM> and/or the flow measuring module <NUM> may also be arranged on the outlet main tube <NUM> to monitor the pressure and the flow of the fluid flowing out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM> in real time. In addition, in other embodiments, other measuring devices, such as a conductivity metering module, a pH metering module and a UV detecting module, may be arranged on the inlet main tube <NUM> and/or the outlet main tube <NUM>, so as to monitor parameters such as conductivity, pH and UV value of the conjugation buffer solution, the reaction fluids and/or the fluid flowing out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM> in real time. In other embodiments, an automatic collector may be arranged on the outlet main tube <NUM>, so as to collect the fluid flowing out of the outlet <NUM> of the flow reactor <NUM> in sections.

The above described first to sixth valves <NUM>-<NUM>, the first delivery pump <NUM>, the second delivery pump <NUM>, the sampling pump <NUM>, the first switching valve <NUM>, the elution pump <NUM>, the second switching valve <NUM> and the detector <NUM> are identical to those in the conjugation device <NUM> in <FIG>. The control units or processing units of the various components are commutatively coupled to one computing device. The control units or the processing units of the pressure sensing module <NUM>, the flow measuring module <NUM> and the seventh and eighth valves <NUM>-<NUM> are commutatively coupled to the same computing device, thereby enabling them to cooperate with each other. In addition to the above described content, in the present embodiment, the pressure sensing module <NUM> and the flow measuring module <NUM> transmit the measurement results to the control application in the computing device. The control application makes control decision based on these measurement results and transmits the control signals to the related components. The setup parameters in the control application may further include the pressure threshold, a flow threshold, the flow rate during cyclic conjugation, and the like. The view application in the computing device further displays real-time data of the above parameters received from the control application via the user interface.

In still another embodiment of the disclosure, a method for producing a conjugate is provided. The method includes: providing at least one kind of reaction fluid containing a first moiety and a second moiety of a conjugate to be produced; and producing the conjugate by using any of the conjugation devices in the above embodiments.

Claim 1:
A conjugation device (<NUM>), comprising:
at least one flow reactor (<NUM>) having an inlet (<NUM>) and an outlet (<NUM>), each flow reactor (<NUM>) being filled with a support, and a ligase is immobilized onto the support;
a fluid delivery unit (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the inlet (<NUM>) of the flow reactor and configured to continuously provide the flow reactor (<NUM>) with at least one kind of reaction fluid according to stages of a conjugation process, the at least one kind of reaction fluid including a first moiety and a second moiety of a conjugate to be produced; and
a fluid collection unit (<NUM>) in fluid communication with the outlet (<NUM>) of the flow reactor and configured to control collection of fluid flowing out of the outlet (<NUM>) of the flow reactor according to the stages of the conjugation process, wherein
in a period of enabling the at least one kind of reaction fluid to continuously flow through the flow reactor (<NUM>), a conjugation reaction is conducted between the first moiety and the second moiety under catalysis of the ligase to produce the conjugate.