Process Analysis

Product Introductions

Metrohm Process Analysis released in February the 2035 Process Analyzer, an integrated solution for 24/7 online monitoring of chemical parameters such as ortho- and total phosphate phosphorus in wastewater streams. It utilizes a compact digestion cuvette photometer module.

In March, Emerson Automation Solutions and TopNIR introduced what they called the first complete blending solution that includes online crude characterization. It provides hydrocarbon property data in real time to help identify the potential value content in each crude stream.

In March, Gasera introduced the Gasera One Formaldehyde system, a portable system for affordable and easy and continuous background monitoring. It can achieve detection below 1 ppb.

Mettler-Toledo Process Analytics introduced in April a new version of its multiparameter M400 transmitter series, featuring a combined touchscreen and tactile soft-key user interface.

In April, Hiden Analytical introduced the Hiden ExQ quantitative gas analyzer, a multifeatured and compact MS system providing continuous online analysis of dynamic gas streams at pressures from sub-atmospheric up to 30 bar. It is now configurable for either benchtop and rack mounting operation.

IONICON released in April the PTR-TOF 6000 X2 trace gas analyzer, based on the new ioniTOF platform and featuring X2 tools, such as the ION-BOOSTER funnel and hexapole ION-GUIDE.

In May, ABB Measurement & Analytics introduced the PGC5009 “Fast” process GC for simulated distillation analysis.

TOMRA released in May the TOMRA FatScan for the continuous analysis of the composition and standardization of meat products, enabling chemical lean content measurements. It utilizes interactance spectroscopy. It was developed for small- and medium-sized meat processers.

In May, AMETEK Process Instruments introduced the Dycor FlarePro quadrupole process MS for flare-gas combustion monitoring.  It provides BTU content measurement, even when confronted with widely changing flare gas streams. It is able to monitor and quantify 16 components in flare gas streams.

Bioprocess Analysis

Company Announcements

Synthetic biology firm Synpromics announced in January a research collaboration with GE Healthcare to jointly develop customized synthetic promoters optimized for GE’s biopharmaceutical manufacturing platform specifically, for extensive screening in GE’s CHO-based expression system.

GE Healthcare Life Sciences announced in February a three-year cell line engineering research collaboration with the Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology to bring increased productivity to biomanufacturers. The goal is to modify and optimize CHO cell line performance using new analytical tools.

In April, GE Healthcare Life Sciences China and Cellular Biomedicine established a strategic research collaboration to codevelop certain high-quality industrial control processes in CAR-T and stem cell manufacturing. A joint lab will be established.

GE Healthcare Life Sciences completed a strategic minority investment in Zenith Technologies, a global enterprise integration company, in April. Methodologies, systems and libraries will be offered as a service to GE Healthcare clients in bioprocessing. The two companies will integrate process control systems, manufacturing execution system solutions and other supporting technologies. Zenith Technologies has 700 employees.

In February, biotech services company Stratophase entered into a joint collaboration agreement with Merck KGaA to apply its Ranger technology to Merck’s cell culture manufacturing platforms. The companies will also develop dynamic control strategies that enable complex feeding regimes to be optimized and controlled in real time. Ranger technology is based on the real-time, online assessment of the metabolic activity of the cell culture.

In April, MilliporeSigma announced its sponsorship of the Startup Program at LabCentral, a nonprofit biotech incubator in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MilliporeSigma will give biotech startups access to process development tools, educational programs and training.

MilliporeSigma opened in May a new joint Process Scale-Up Lab in Bengaluru, India, to provide end-to-end solutions from process development to scale-up manufacturing for pre-clinical, clinical and commercial supply.

In May, MilliporeSigma expanded its M Lab Collaboration Center in Bengaluru, India, for biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

In April, Thermo Fisher Scientific entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with China-based Mab-Venture Biopharma to establish an antibody drug manufacturing facility utilizing Thermo Fishers’ SmartFactory automated control solution, according to BioSpace.

Product Introductions

In March, MilliporeSigma launched the Mobius MyWay portfolio, which features off-the-shelf and configured-to-order assemblies, as well as fully customizable configurations. Assemblies consist of three categories: Mobius Stock for on-demand solutions, which ship in 24 hours; Mobius Select consisting of custom assemblies, which ship in six weeks; and Mobius Choice, a highly customized solution.

Sartorius Stedim Biotech introduced in April the next generation BIOSTAT STR, a fully scalable, single-use bioreactor family based on a conventional stirred-tank design. It features upgraded hardware and software, as well as a fully integrated, new design of Flexsafe STR single-use bags. The series consists of five systems with working volumes of 12.5–2,000 L.

Sales/Orders of Note

In April, MilliporeSigma announced that BioInvent International updated its manufacturing capabilities with a full line of its Mobius single-use bioreactors, adding 2 L, 50 L, 200 L and 1,000 L bioreactors to its upstream facility in Lund, Sweden.

MilliporeSigma announced in May that Avid Bioservices will update its Myford clinical and commercial manufacturing facility in California with multiple Mobius 2,000 L single-use bioreactors.