Cellular targets for improved manufacturing of virus-based biopharmaceuticals in animal cells

• Vaccines and viral vectors produced in animal cells constitute a growing research field and market.
• Virus–host interactions can unveil targets for cell culture optimization.
• Medium design strategies could improve productivities up to 8-fold.
• Genetic manipulation of the host cell resulted in up to 100-fold increase of viral yields.

The past decade witnessed the entry into the market of new virus-based biopharmaceuticals produced in animal cells such as oncolytic vectors, virus-like particle vaccines, and gene transfer vectors. Therefore, increased attention and investment to optimize cell culture processes towards enhanced manufacturing of these bioproducts is anticipated. Herein, we review key findings on virus–host interactions that have been explored in cell culture optimization. Approaches supporting improved productivity or quality of vector preparations are discussed, mainly focusing on medium design and genetic manipulation. This review provides an integrated outline for current and future efforts in exploring cellular targets for the optimization of cell culture manufacturing of virus-based biopharmaceuticals.