Goettingen, Germany and Aubagne, France – Sartorius Stedim Biotech, a leading international laboratory and process technology provider, is launching the first commercially available membrane adsorber for hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). Sartobind Phenyl membrane adsorbers allow increased flow rates to ensure faster processes and can be used for process upgrades in purification and polishing of therapeutic proteins.

Sartobind Phenyl provides the advantages of an HIC ligand adsorber, while showing the specificity and behavior of a conventional HIC matrix. The hydrophobic phenyl ligand is covalently attached to the >3 µm cellulose membrane. Target molecules bind to the membrane with similar binding capacities and at the same buffer conditions as with conventional HIC columns. However, the flow rates can be increased at least 10-fold to allow a faster process upgrade in purification and polishing of therapeutic proteins. The resolution is at least as good as that obtained with comparable phenyl columns.

With a binding capacity of 0.4 mg/cm² (15 mg/ml), Sartobind Phenyl can be used for antibody medium scale capture. Its key application is removal of hydrophobic aggregates that pose the risk of unwanted immune system response when patients are treated with therapeutic proteins. Detergent removal and large molecule / bioparticle purification are further application options for HIC membranes.

The membrane adsorber is easy to handle, suitable for single and batch use and scalable from the 3 ml Sartobind nano version to the Sartobind 150 ml capsule. It will soon also be scalable to the Jumbo 5 l unit.

A profile of Sartorius Stedim Biotech – www.sartorius-stedim.com

Sartorius Stedim Biotech is a leading provider of cutting-edge equipment and services for the development, quality assurance and production processes of the biopharmaceutical industry. Its integrated solutions covering fermentation, filtration, purification, fluid management and lab technologies are supporting the biopharmaceutical industry around the world to develop and produce drugs safely, timely and economically. For next generation processes, Sartorius Stedim Biotech focuses on single-use technologies and value-added services to meet the rapidly changing technology requirements of the industry it serves. Strongly rooted in the scientific community and closely allied with customers and technology partners, the company is dedicated to its philosophy of “turning science into solutions” on a daily basis.

Headquartered in Aubagne, France, Sartorius Stedim Biotech is listed on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris. With its own manufacturing and R&D sites in Europe, North America and Asia and a global network of sales companies, Sartorius Stedim Biotech enjoys a worldwide presence. Its key manufacturing and R&D site is in Germany. The company employs over 2,300 people, and in 2008 generated sales revenue of 368.0 million euros.