Biomolecule separation is generally required in workflows in agricultural, biotechnology, environmental, food and pharmaceutical applications. The type of separation used is crucial for successful product recovery or purification, and reliable delivery of protein composition is important in downstream processing. Bioprocess chromatography is frequently used for downstream processing of cells, including the purification of peptides, oligonucleotides, recombinant proteins, active pharmaceutical ingredients and small molecules.

An important application of the technology is the separation of monoclonal antibodies, which have become essential in biotherapeutics. In addition, chromatography is used for purifying plasma proteins, including albumin, blood clotting factors and immunoglobulins. It is also used in the removal of pathogens to ensure purity of plasma.

The bioprocess chromatography market is somewhat fragmented, with only a handful of companies that offer complete systems. GE Healthcare leads the market with its ÄKTAprocess, an automated LC system built for large-scale biopharmaceutical manufacturing. The ÄKTAprocess has three different flow rate ranges extending up to 2,000 L/h for large-volume manufacturing, as well as flexibility for a variety of valves, pumps and other options. The ÄKTAprocess can be incorporated into low-pressure LC processes and is compatible with all chromatography columns used in the biopharmaceutical industry. The system’s modular design enables it to be tailored to customers’ specific needs.

Merck Millipore is also a key player in the market with its Mobius FlexReady Solution with Smart Flexware Assemblies for chromatography. The automated system features adjustable filtration technologies that allow users to switch from tangential flow filtration to chromatography in a few steps. This modular system is beneficial to pilot plants and CMOs with rapidly changing demands.

Novasep and VERDOT Ips2 are also significant contributors to the market. Novasep offers its Prochrom process-scale HPLC technology. It recently introduced the BioSC Lab, a low-pressure LC system that allows the purification of a few grams of proteins per day in continuous or batch modes. VERDOT specializes in integrated purification solutions at process scale, particularly for the food and pharmaceuticals industries. The InPlace process-scale chromatography columns are designed for industrial applications, with filling, packing, unpacking and cleaning occurring within a closed system. Special piston motors enable high quality, reproducible packing by axial compression, and inlet valves minimize stress during loading and unloading.

The market for bioprocess chromatography totaled approximately $1.0 billion in 2014. Biotech and pharmaceuticals are the dominant sector for the technology, followed by CMOs and food.

Bioprocess Chromatography at a Glance:

Leading Suppliers

• GE Healthcare

• Merck Millipore

• Novasep

Largest Markets

• Biopharmaceutical

• CMOs

• Food

Instrument Cost

• $150,000–$300,000