Investigation of the Competitive Adsorption between Monoclonal Antibodies and Non-ionic Surfactants at the Air-Water Interface

We aim to gain insight into protein-surfactant complex behaviours at the air-water interface. Specifically, we will investigate two mAbs, supplied by Eli Lilly, with different long-term stabilities and the non-ionic surfactant Poloxamer 188. We propose to investigate the the competitive adsorption between the two components and how it varies based on order of addition and compression/expansion cycling which can represent some conditions seen during formulation and drug administration. This study has high industrial impact and would improve therapeutic formulations to evaluate how well this new surfactant can prevent interfacial mAb aggregation, which can reduce drug efficacy and shelf-life. Neutron reflectivity, alongside a Langmuir trough, can be used to characterize this interface under compression. The experiments will be complemented with other interfacial measurement techniques.