Schiedam (NL) & Aberystwyth (United Kingdom) June 9, 2008 – Applikon Biotechnology BV and Aber Instruments announce that they signed an agreement for the exclusive supply of the first integrated bioreactor controller and sensor for viable cells on the market. Applikon Biotechnology will offer the viable cell sensor and controller option in its ez-Control bioreactor controller portfolio designed for the Biotechnological and Biopharmaceutical industry.

The Aber Biomass Monitor is widely recognized as the standard in on-line instrumentation for viable biomass measurement and has been designed to meet GAMP4 requirements. It enables real time, accurate measurement of the biomass in bioreactors at both laboratory and industrial scale. The combination with Applikon’s ez-Control process control system offers the unique possibility to accurately control the biomass concentration in the bioreactor. Backed by a dedicated support team and an international distributor network, it’s easy to see why the world’s leading company in biomass measurement systems and the market leader in laboratory scale bioreactor systems for cell culture have teamed up to offer this unique technology to the global cell culture R&D community.

The unique probe suitable for cGMP applies a radio frequency field to the biomass in a bioreactor. The output is an accurate measurement of the concentration of viable cells. The Aber Biomass Monitor system is responsive to viable cells and is insensitive to cells with leaky membranes, the media, gas bubbles and debris.

By integrating the Biomass sensor into the ez-Control process controller Applikon is the first company worldwide to offer a process controller that accurately controls pH, Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Foam/Level, Agitation and Viable Biomass. The BioXpert SCADA software further enhances the capabilities of the system by offering 21 CFR part11 support, allowing the system to be operated in a validated cGMP environment.

Arthur Oudshoorn, Managing Director of Applikon Biotechnology said the agreement is a further essential milestone in exploiting the full potential of novel technologies in measurement and control for the biopharmaceutical industry.“This new capability is instrumental to the extension of our product line into advanced R&D bioprocess development tools. This new “easy to use” biomass control system will create a unique technology advancement in the areas of bioprocess R&D. In the past years, Applikon Biotechnology has built up a broad portfolio of unique bioprocessing devices for both cell culture and microbial cultivation, and this has considerably set us apart from the competition. We now are definitely a step ahead.”

Dr. John Carvell, Marketing and Sales Director of Aber Instruments, explained the benefits of the agreement for Aber Instruments:

“Applikon Biotechnology offers us the opportunity to partner with market leader in laboratory scale bioreactor systems for cell culture.. In many of the key markets including North America, a talented distribution network is already in place to sell both Aber Instruments and Applikon Biotechnology so the customers will benefit from expert advise, guidance and support for both product ranges. This agreement reinforces our tradition of innovation and staying ahead of the competition and we aim to continue to supply our clients with best range of solution available”