Akron's Recombinant Human Interleukin-18 (rHu IL-18) products are manufactured following relevant cGMP guidelines for ancillary materials. The downstream purification process uses a multi-step orthogonal approach, without the use of affinity tags, to minimize exogenous impurities and ensure the delivery of highly purified and active substance for further manufacturing applications. Sterile filtration occurs immediately before aseptic filling and lyophilization of the final product. Endotoxin and sterility testing per USP/EP, along with a host of other critical quality tests, are performed on each final lot, giving confidence in the performance of the material and the successful integration into drug products undergoing regulatory approval.
Akron’s rHu IL-18 is a single chain, 18.3 kDa, glycosylated cytokine analog expressed in Yeast, containing 157 amino acids. It uses a chemically defined carrier protein-free formulation to reduce matrix interference. The total protein specification is 100-125% of the labeled mass, constraining mass variability within a tight range and ensuring the customer always receives at least the intended aliquot. The lyophilized product is packaged in vials and offered in 50 µg and 100 µg aliquots.
• Carrier protein-free formulation
• Accurate mass and activity control
• High Purity via RP-HPLC (≥ 95%)
• Multi-step downstream purification strategy excluding affinity tags
• Sterile microfiltration and aseptic filling/lyophilization
• Animal free expression system with yeast host
• Relevant cGMP guidelines used in manufacture, testing, and release
• USP <1043>, Ancillary Materials for Cell, Gene, and Tissue-Engineered Products
• ISO 13485:2016, Medical Devices - Quality Management Systems - Requirements for Regulatory Purposes
• ISO/TS 20399-1-3:2018, Biotechnology - Ancillary Materials Present During the Production of Cellular Therapeutic Products
• Under long-term stability
• Store at -20 °C
• Transport with cold packs
Reconstitute the lyophilized product with sterile water to a concentration of 0.1 - 0.2 mg/mL. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
For research use or further manufacturing use in ex vivo cell therapy applications. This product is not intended for direct in vivo use or for direct clinical use as a drug, therapeutic, biologic, or medical device.
• Appearance (Visual Inspection)
• pH (USP <791>)
• Residual Moisture (USP <921>)
• Total Protein (Bradford)
• Purity (RP-HPLC)
• Biological Activity (HEK-Blue™ IL-18 SEAP colorimetric assay and NIBSC standard)
• Specific Activity (Calculated from HEK-Blue™ assay and protein content)
• Bacterial Endotoxins (USP <85>)
• Sterility (USP <71>)
1. Why use Akron’s Recombinant Human Interleukin-18 (rHu IL-18)?
Akron’s Recombinant Human Interleukin-18 (rHu IL-18) products are manufactured following relevant cGMP guidelines for ancillary materials. The downstream purification process uses a multi-step orthogonal approach, without the use of affinity tags, to minimize exogenous impurities and ensure the delivery of highly purified and active substance for further manufacturing applications. Each lot is tested for critical safety and quality aspects giving confidence in the performance of the material and the successful integration into drug products undergoing regulatory approval.
2. What are the recommended storage conditions for Akron’s rHu IL-18?
We recommend storing this product at -20 ± 5 °C
3. What are the shipping conditions for Akron’s rHu IL-18?
This product ships with dry ice.
4. What is the shelf-life for Akron’s rHu IL-18?
This product is under a long-term stability program with a final target of 24 months.
5. Do you have any excursion stability data available?
No excursion data is currently available for this product, but please inquire about any specific stability needs you may have.
6. How do you reconstitute Akron’s rHu IL-18?
Reconstitute the lyophilized product with sterile water to a concentration of 0.1 - 0.2 mg/mL. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
7. How long can I store Akron’s rHu IL-15 after reconstitution?
We do not suggest an ideal storage medium or storage conditions for reconstituted aliquots, as this product is intended to be used in a single application within cGMP manufacturing protocols. Storage after reconstitution is affected by many factors such as benchtop methodology, concentration, diluent, storage temperature, etc.
8. What organism is used to express Akron’s rHu IL-18?
This product is expressed in yeast.
9. What is the molecular weight of Akron’s rHu IL-18?
Akron’s rHu IL-18 is a single chain, 18.3 kDa, glycosylated cytokine analog expressed in Yeast, containing 157 amino acids.
10. Do you have a Master File (MF) available for this product?
This product will be supported by a Type II eCTD MF on file with FDA, expected in 2023. At that time, we can provide you a Letter of Authorization that will permit the FDA to refer to the information on file in support of your submissions.
11. Does this product have a TSE/BSE statement?
Yes, a TSE/BSE statement is available upon request for this product.
12. Are animal-derived materials used in the manufacture of this product?
All raw materials, components, sub-components, and consumables used in the manufacturing of this product are either animal-free or in compliance with EMEA/410/01 rev. 3. Please see the BSE-TSE Statement.
13. What safety testing is done on this product?
Every lot of final product is tested and released, with specifications and methods per USP/EP, for both Endotoxin (USP <85> / EP 2.6.14) and Sterility (USP <71> / EP 2.6.1).
14. Which cell types are suitable?
Akron’s cGMP-compliant rHu IL-18 can be used to help differentiate, proliferate, and stimulate helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, NK cells, LAK cells, Dendritic Cells (DCs), and macrophages.
15. Do you have an a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for this product?
Yes, an SDS is available upon request for this product.
16. How does Akron measure activity for rHu IL-18?
The activity assay is based on the detection of secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) from HEK-Blue™ IL-18 reporter cells. The NIBSC standard for rHu IL-18 (03/200) is used to determine a relative activity for each lot.1
17. What is the intended use for the product?
For research use or further manufacturing use in ex vivo cell therapy applications. cGMP grade recombinant protein products are not intended for direct in vivo use or for direct clinical use as a drug, therapeutic, biologic, or medical device.
18. What packaging options are available?
Akron’s lyophilized rHu IL-18 is packaged into generic colorless vial bottles made from Type I borosilicate glass that are sterilized before aseptic filling. These ampoule bottles have a nominal fill volume of 2.0 mL with a 13 mm top.
In vivo, IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine with varied effects, influencing both innate and adaptive immunity and implicated in the mechanisms responsible for autoimmune disease. IL-18 was originally known as ‘IFN-γ inducing factor’ and is widely known for its ability to co-stimulate the production of IFN-γ in T cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells alongside IL-12 and IL-15. IL-18 is one of the 11 members of the Interleukin-1 superfamily, which all share structural homology and signal via a similar pathway. Akron’s cGMP-compliant rHu IL-18 can be used to help differentiate, proliferate, and stimulate T cells, NK cells, Dendritic Cells (DCs), and macrophages.
Lyophilized (50 μg) Cat. # AR1052-0050
Lyophilized (100 μg) Cat. # AR1052-0100