Conclusion
Overall, this study provides strong support for modulating cellular autophagy to increase monoclonal antibody production in the CHO cell culture system, both in batch and fed-batch cultures. Despite the negative impacts on cell growth and viability (that could be reduced), the positive impacts on both cell specific and volumetric antibody production were substantial. This unique peptide and its capacity to specifically activate the autophagy cascade, merits further consideration as a media additive for bioprocess refinement, and is thus of particular relevance to industrial biotechnology.