Optimized for MRC-5 Cell Growth and
High-Yield Virus Production
MRC5 CD Medium is a chemically defined, animal-free solution designed for consistent MRC-5 cell culture, supporting efficient RNA and DNA virus production. A regulatory-compliant alternative to serum-based media, it ensures scalability and stability from vaccine process development to the clinic.
Break Free from FBS: The Advantages of MRC5 CD Medium
| Serum (FBS) | MRC5 CD Medium | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply Stability |
- No internal batch testing and validation - Unreliable premium cold chain FBS supply from NZ/USA |
- Consolidated, reliable supply chain unaffected by regulations, ethics, or shortages |
| Regulatory Compliance |
- Risk of contamination (prions, viruses, pathogens) - Potential immunogenicity from foreign proteins |
- No serum-derived contaminants - Ensures public health safety and higher-quality biologics |
| Long-term Savings |
- Price fluctuations - High costs for procurement, testing, and validation |
- Predictable costs - No serum handling or storage - Reduced regulatory costs |
| Tailored Formulation |
- Variable composition - Unnecessary components affecting reproducibility |
- Optimized for MRC-5 cell growth and virus production - Ensures consistency - Seamless integration with cell banks |
| Consistency |
- High batch variability - Inconsistent yields - Difficult scalability |
- Chemically defined for stable, reproducible vaccine yields - Synthetic peptide growth factors contribute to the optimized cell growth and production efficiency |
| Streamlined Production |
- Poor bioprocess control - Complex purification - Loss of activity from overprocessing |
- Enhances virus propagation - Low protein content simplifies purification |
High-Performance MRC-5 Cell Culture​ - No Serum, No Problems.
MRC5 CD Medium supports MRC-5 cell doubling rates comparable to serum-based (FBS) media, providing a reliable, serum-free solution for cell culture. Its chemically defined formulation enhances scalability and reproducibility while eliminating the variability of serum, ensuring consistent performance in vaccine development and bioproduction.
Reliable Cell Growth – Supports doubling rates comparable to serum-based media.
This plot compares the population doubling levels (PDL) of MRC-5 cells cultured in MRC5 CD Medium (blue line) versus 10% FBS (gray line) over six passages. The data shows that while the PDLs are comparable, the slight increase in PDL observed with FBS indicates a slower growth rate. In contrast, MRC5 CD Medium demonstrates slightly faster growth, highlighting its effectiveness as a serum-free alternative. The gradual increase in PDL over passages for both media shows stable and consistent cell expansion, which is essential for vaccine production and large-scale cell culture applications. ​
Seamless Integration - No adaption needed from working cell banks.​
Seamless integration means that MRC5 CD Medium enables a smooth transition from cryopreserved MRC-5 cell banks to active culture without the need for adaptation. This eliminates delays in cell recovery, ensuring rapid and consistent proliferation from thaw. By maintaining stable growth conditions across passages, the medium reduces variability, streamlines workflows, and minimizes production downtime. Whether used for scaling up or routine manufacturing, it supports efficient and reproducible processes, making it an ideal solution for vaccine production and biopharmaceutical applications.
Efficient Viral Production – Maximizes titers for RNA and DNA viruses.
MRC5 CD Medium matches the viral yields of serum-based media, supporting efficient RNA virus production (such as VSV within 48 hours) and a three-phase process for DNA viruses, maximizing titers even at low multiplicities of infection (MOIs).
RNA Virus Production
MRC5 CD Medium effectively supports RNA virus production, achieving viral titers comparable to serum-containing media. Using VSV as a model, the medium enables high-yield RNA virus replication across different multiplicities of infection (MOIs), demonstrating its reliability for scalable virus production.
MRC5 CD Medium shows strong potential for efficiently supporting RNA viruses:
RSV, VSV, Rabies, Rubella, Influenza, Polio, Measles, HepA, HepC, HepE
DNA Virus Production ​
MRC5 CD Medium supports robust DNA virus production, facilitating a full production cycle for viruses like cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Adenovirus (Ad6). Even at low MOIs, the medium enables high viral titers, making it a strong alternative to serum-based systems.
MRC5 CD Medium shows strong potential for efficiently supporting DNA viruses:
CMV, Ad6, Hepatitis B
​
Scalable for Manufacturing – Microcarrier-compatible for high-density culture.
MRC5 CD Medium is fully optimized for use with microcarrier systems, promoting high-density cell growth essential for large-scale vaccine production. Designed to support yield optimization, it is the ideal solution for both research and commercial manufacturing applications.
Reliable Cold Chain – Ensuring consistent and secure supply.​
Securing a steady supply of critical components, such as serum, can be unpredictable due to environmental and economic factors. With MRC5 CD Medium, these risks are eliminated. Specifically designed to maintain a secure cold chain, our regionally formulated medium ensures that your supply remains consistent and reliable, mitigating potential disruptions in the supply chain tied to temperature-sensitive components.
Regulatory-Ready – Animal-free formulation for compliance and safety.
MRC5 CD Medium offers a chemically defined, animal-free formulation that addresses both ethical and regulatory concerns. Free from animal-derived components, it reduces the risk of contamination and mitigates regulatory challenges, including those associated with BSE/TSE safety. This animal-free composition ensures compliance with stringent regulatory standards, making it ideal for regions with strict safety requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does MRC5 CD Medium support viral production for RNA and DNA viruses?​
MRC5 CD Medium is specifically designed to support the growth and maintenance of MRC-5 cells, which are widely used in viral production. During the infection and virus production phases for both RNA and DNA viruses, MRC5 CD Medium is supplemented with albumin and additional salts. These supplements enhance the efficiency of infection and optimize viral production, providing the necessary conditions for robust virus replication. By improving cell growth and supporting viral activity, MRC5 CD Medium plays a critical role in the successful production of RNA and DNA viruses in vaccine manufacturing.​
Is MRC5 CD Medium compatible with all microcarrier systems?​
Yes, MRC5 CD Medium is compatible with a variety of microcarrier systems. Cells have shown successful attachment and growth on collagen-coated microcarriers as well as those using CellBind™ technology. These microcarrier systems provide an optimal surface for MRC-5 cells, supporting effective growth and viral production when used with MRC5 CD Medium.​
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