Process for obtaining antibodies

1. A method for the manufacture of a recombinant antibody, the method comprising culturing a host cell sample transformed with an expression vector encoding the recombinant antibody in culture medium; separating the host cell sample from the culture medium; adding an extraction buffer to the host cell sample that has been separated from the culture medium; and subjecting the composition comprising the separated host cell sample and extraction buffer to a heat treatment step for a period of at least one hour and a maximum of 24 hours, said composition having a pH of 6 to 9; wherein the pH of the composition comprising the separated host cell sample and extraction buffer is detected after addition of the extraction buffer, and the pH of the composition comprising the separated host cell sample and extraction buffer is adjusted to 6 to 9 prior to the heat treatment.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said heat treatment step is performed within the range of 30° C. to 70° C.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the extraction buffer is selected from the group consisting of NaOH, NH 4 OH, sulfuric acid, EDTA, Tris buffer and combinations thereof.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the recombinant antibody specifically binds to an antigen selected from IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL- 4 , IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-13, IL-14, IL-16, 1 L-17, interferon α, interferon β or interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), tumor necrosis factor-β(TNF-β), G-CSF, GM-CSF, PDGF-α, PDGF-β, VLA-4, E-selectin, P selectin, L-selectin, CD2, CD3, CD4, CD5, CD7, CD8, CD11a, CD11b, CD18, CD19, CD20, CD23, CD25, CD33, CD38, CD40, CD40L, CD45, CDW52, CD69, CD134 (OX40), ICOS, BCMP7, CD137, CD27L, CDCP1, CSF1, CSF1-Receptor, DPCR1, DPCR1, dudulin2, FLJ20584, FLJ40787, HEK2, KIAA0634, KIAA0659, KIAA1246, KIAA1455, LTBP2, LTK, MAL2, MRP2, nectin-like2, NKCC1, PTK7, RAIG1, TCAM1, SC6, BCMP101, BCMP84, BCMP11, DTD, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), human milk fat globulin (HMFG1 and 2), MHC Class I antigens, MHC Class II antigens, KDR or VEGF.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the antibody is selected from a VH, VL, VHH, Fab, modified Fab, altered hinge Fab, Fab', F(ab') 2 , Fv fragment;

a light chain or heavy chain monomer or dimer; a single chain antibody or a dual specificity antibody.

6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the pH of the sample is adjusted to 7 to 9 prior to the heat treatment step.

7. The method according to claim 4 , wherein said antibody binds to TNF-α.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the antibody is selected from a VH, VL, VHH, Fab, modified Fab, altered hinge Fab, Fab', F(ab') 2 , Fv fragment;

a light chain or heavy chain monomer or dimer; a single chain antibody or a dual specificity antibody.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein said antibody is a Fab'.

10. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said heat treatment step is performed within the range of 40° C. to 65° C.

11. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said heat treatment step is performed within the range of 45° C. to 60° C.

12. A method for the manufacture of a recombinant antibody, the method comprising culturing a host cell sample transformed with an expression vector encoding the recombinant antibody; adding an extraction buffer to the sample; and subjecting the sample to a heat treatment step within a temperature range of 50° C. to 60° C. for a period of 10 to 16 hours; wherein the pH of the sample is detected after addition of the extraction buffer, and the pH of the sample is adjusted to 6 to 9 prior to the heat treatment step.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said heat treatment step is performed for a period of between 6 and 16 hours.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said heat treatment step is performed for a period of between 4 and 18 hours.