The USPTO granted a patent to Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. for a method of reducing impurities in recombinant protein manufacturing. The invention uses synthetic depth filters to remove non-aggregate produce-related impurities from buffered monoclonal antibody solutions. This is a standard patent grant providing intellectual property protection for the biopharmaceutical manufacturing process.

For biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical companies engaged in monoclonal antibody production, this patent represents a protected method that competitors may need to license or work around in their own manufacturing processes. The patent grants exclusive rights to the specified impurity reduction technique for the life of the patent.