2024 High Concentration Suspension Formulation (HCSF) Platform Intern

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

About AbbVie

AbbVie’s mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people’s lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women’s health, and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.

For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at  www.abbvie.com .

Follow @abbvie on  Twitter,  Facebook,  Instagram,  YouTube, and  LinkedIn .  

High Concentration Suspension Formulation (HCSF) Platform Internship Overview

Subcutaneous delivery of biologics is often challenging because of the high protein concentration required to deliver the desired dose within a small volume. Therapeutic proteins are typically formulated in an aqueous solution at concentrations less than 200 mg/mL to avoid challenges arising from molecular crowding. To achieve protein concentrations greater than 200 mg/mL, the HCSF platform uses the novel approach of suspending powder in non-aqueous vehicles. At this time, only one molecule has been thoroughly investigated in the High Concentration Suspension Formulation (HCSF) platform, therefore it is critical to understand the applicability of the platform to a diverse set of biologics. 

The goal of this intern project is to assess biologics with different stability profiles within the HCSF platform. Different molecules may require customization of the process and formulation to create a stable HCSF drug product. This level of understanding will provide context to the molecules that are well-suited for this platform. Identification of the key stability limitations will enable critical assessment of process and formulation conditions.

The intern will evaluate the stability of a diverse set of biologics within the HCSF platform. The intern will prepare the suspensions and stage the samples for stability testing. The powder and suspension stability will be evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Particle Size Distribution (PSD) analysis. The protein stability will be compared to an aqueous control and will be assessed using biophysical and biochemical characterization assays (icIEF, SEC, MS, etc).

Key responsibilities include:

·        Evaluate a diverse set of biologics within the HCSF platform and compare the stability to an aqueous control.

·        Identify key formulation or process customizations that are required for biologics with certain stability liabilities.

·        Write an internal memo summarizing key findings.

·        Share knowledge through a group presentation to the department and key stakeholders.  

Minimum Qualifications  

·        Currently enrolled in university, pursuing a PhD in Chem istry, Biochemistry, Engineering, or other related field.

·        Must be enrolled in university for at least one semester following the internship.

Preferred Qualifications  

·        Expected graduation date between December 2024 – July 2025.

·        Exposure to biologics formulation and process development.

·        Experience with biochemical and biophysical characterization assays.

·        Strong understanding of the structure and stability of biologics (i.e. monoclonal antibodies).

Benefits and Amenities

·        Competitive pay.

·        Relocation support for eligible students.

Equal Employment Opportunity
At AbbVie, we value bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds to develop new and innovative solutions for patients. As an equal opportunity employer we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.​

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​
• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

AbbVie is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, serving our community and embracing diversity and inclusion.  It is AbbVie’s policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected group status.