When a customer needed a larger quantity of native human Apolipoprotein C-II (Apo C-II) on a shorter timeline, Athens Bioscience faced a significant manufacturing challenge.
Our established purification process was effective, but it was slow and yielded relatively little finished material. A typical production campaign took approximately six months and produced just 6 milligrams of purified Apo C-II.
For a customer needing more material faster, that production model wasn't sufficient.
Rather than simply scaling up the existing process, our scientists approached the challenge differently: reconsidering the purification strategy around Apo C-II's biochemical properties.
The result was a 10-fold increase in yield and a reduction in production time from approximately six months to two.
Why Apo C-II Is So Hard to Purify
Apolipoprotein C-II (Apo C-II) is a small, 79-amino-acid protein that associates with circulating lipoproteins, including VLDL, HDL, and chylomicrons. Its lipid-binding properties are essential to its biological function, but they also make it particularly challenging to isolate.
Unlike many soluble proteins, Apo C-II behaves differently depending on its surrounding environment. It must also be separated from thousands of other proteins and lipid-associated molecules present in human plasma.
The challenge becomes even greater when manufacturing yield is considered. Each purification step creates opportunities for material loss, and those losses accumulate. With our previous process producing approximately 6 mg of purified Apo C-II over six months, improving production required more than simply optimizing individual steps.
Rethinking the Purification Strategy
With the customer's approval, Athens scientists Clay Pritchett and Mary Phillips took a fresh look at the established purification process.
Rather than simply scaling up production, they examined where Apo C-II was being lost, which purification steps were contributing meaningful separation, and how the protein's unique biochemical properties could inform a more effective approach.
Drawing on their experience in native protein purification and a review of the scientific literature, they redesigned the process around the behavior of Apo C-II itself.
The revised process was documented and implemented through Athens Bioscience's established process-control procedures.
The Result: 10 Times the Yield in One-Third the Time
The redesigned process reduced production time from approximately six months to two while increasing the amount of purified Apo C-II recovered by roughly 10-fold.
That improvement significantly increased our manufacturing capacity for a protein that had historically been difficult to produce in meaningful quantities.
It also created opportunities to fulfill larger orders, replenish inventory faster, and respond to customer demand on shorter timelines.
What This Means for Customers
Difficult-to-purify native proteins can create real sourcing problems, particularly when projects require larger quantities, specialized specifications, or dependable long-term supply.
The Apo C-II project illustrates that limitations in an existing manufacturing process don't always represent the limits of what's scientifically achievable.
At Athens Bioscience, we work with customers facing challenges involving:
- Native proteins that are difficult to source or purify
- Larger quantities than standard catalog offerings
- Specialized purity or formulation requirements
- Custom purification and manufacturing needs
- More efficient and dependable long-term supply
With more than four decades of experience in native protein purification, our team understands that solving these challenges often requires rethinking the process rather than simply repeating it at a larger scale.
Have a Native Protein Purification Challenge?
Whether you need more of an existing protein, specialized purification support, or a more efficient manufacturing approach, our team can help you evaluate your options.