Company Announcements

In May, Sartorius Stedim Biotech announced an agreement with Nova Biomedical to integrate Nova’s BioProfile FLEX2 into its ambr mullti-parallel bioreactor systems for automated, in-line cell analysis (see below).

In June, Ireland’s National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) and GE Healthcare opened a training center, the NIBRT-GE Single-Use Centre of Excellence, for the training of up to 1,500 professionals annually.

In June, Thermo Fisher Scientific announced the opening of a customer evaluation center for single-use technologies at its production facility in Cramlington, UK.

In August, MilliporeSigma formed a strategic alliance with Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, and its vaccine product development partnership, Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, to advance vaccine R&D for neglected and emerging infections. The partners will work to optimize the vaccine manufacturing process to increase vaccine stability and yield, initially targeting the parasitic disease schistosomiasis.

Product Introductions

Hamilton Bonaduz introduced in March single-use sensors for pH and DO for bioprocess applications. The electronic components can be used multiple times.

In May, Eppendorf launched the BioFlo 120 bioprocess control system for microbial and mammalian cell culture R&D applications. It features universal connections for digital Mettler-Toledo ISM and analog sensors, and the new Auto Cultures modes for push-button control.

BioOutsource, a Sartorius Stedim Biotech company, launched in May chemistry testing services for characterizing the physiochemical properties and structural attributes of therapeutic mAbs.

In June, Startorius Stedim Biotech introduced the ambr 15 automated micro bioreactor system combined with the Nova Biomedical BioProfile FLEX2 automated cell culture analyzer for running, sampling and analyzing massive numbers of cell conditions during cell line and media development by Design of Experiments. The complete cycle time is 6–7 minutes.

Sartorius Stedim Biotech released in June the Active Dashboard 2 software solution, which provides real-time process information from multivariate SIMCA-online data analysis systems, part of Umetrics’ Suite of Data Analytics Solutions. New features include innovative data visualization options and the ability to connect other data sources.

In July, RoosterBio unveiled the RoosterReplenish-MSC-XF bioreactor feed designed to economically and rapidly scale up 3D culture for bioprocess hMSC banks.

IKA launched in July the IKA Algaemaster 10 control, a closed photo bioreactor system, constructed from entirely inert materials.

ABEC released in July the single-use CSR (Custom Single Run) Bioreactor with a production volume of 4,000 L.

In July, Pall, a Danaher company, released the mPath bioreactor control system for single-use process development­–scale bioprocesses. It supports the Allegro XRS 25 bioreactor. It features plug-and-play connectivity and provides access to features of Pall bioreactors that other commercial control options do not allow. Six mass flow controllers are standard.

INFORS announced in August that its eve bioprocess platform software is now compatible with a number of different bioreactors, including those from Applikon, Matlab and Sartorius. It supports all OPC standards, and offers a Rest API used to connect analytical devices and software.