New avian suspension cell lines provide production of influenza virus and MVA in serum-free media: Studies on growth, metabolism and virus propagation

Few suspension cells can be used for vaccine manufacturing today as they either do not meet requirements from health regulatory authorities or do not produce high virus titres. Two new avian designer cell lines (AGE1.CR and AGE1.CR.pIX) that have been adapted to grow in suspension in serum-free medium were evaluated for their potential as host cells for influenza and modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA, wild type) vaccine production. Their metabolism was studied during growth in static (T-flasks) and dynamic cultivation systems (roller bottles, stirred tank reactor, wave bioreactor). High cell concentrations up to 5.8 × 106 cells/mL were obtained with doubling times of 23 h for AGE1.CR and 35 h for AGE1.CR.pIX, respectively. Both viruses were produced to high titres (3.5 log HA/100 μL for influenza virus, 3.2 × 108 pfu/mL for MVA). Hence, the CR cell lines are an appropriate substrate for pharmaceutical influenza and MVA production.