Hercules, CA – Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. today announced the launch of its new automated Chromatography Station and its InPlace™ Control Console at INTERPHEX 2011, held March 29 – 31, in New York, NY. The Chromatography Station performs all process operations within a single unit, optimizing valuable clean room space and processing time.

The Chromatography Station includes Bio-Rad’s Process Skid 00, the industry’s first compact skid designed for small-scale GMP biopharmaceutical manufacturing. It also incorporates one of Bio-Rad’s process chromatography columns and Bio-Rad’s new PrepStation, which enables media transfer and column lifting. This compact design can be scalable to larger skids.

Process engineers can simplify column preparation from slurry transfer to unpacking and cleaning by choosing either preprogrammed or manual methods for all functions of the process chromatography column and Process Skid 00. This enables customers to completely automate these processes with reproducible and traceable results.

“Prior to the integrated design of Chromatography Station, users purchased chromatography systems, columns, and packing accessories in separate units,” said Emily Dale, Division Marketing Manager of Bio-Rad’s Process Chromatography Division. “Such standalone systems required the use of valuable clean room space, leaving biopharmaceutical manufacturers with limited options for small-scale production. The Chromatography Station addresses these issues, providing users with the same feature functionality as Bio-Rad’s Process Chromatography Skid 01 through 05 in a compact, affordable design.”

Key Benefits of the Chromatography Station

• Interchangeable with multiple columns ranging in diameter from 10 to 30 cm with flow rates from 5 to 120 L/hr

• Integrates the tabletop Process Skid 00 and Prep Station into a single footprint

• Enables control from outside the clean room using a wireless industrial tablet PC for added convenience and flexibility

The InPlace Control Console provides the same automation features as the Chromatography Station for standalone InPlace process chromatography columns ranging in diameters from 18 cm to 2 m using conventional skids and media transfer. Existing InPlace columns can be upgraded to the automated InPlace Control Console.

Key Benefits of the InPlace Control Console

• Simplifies column operations using preprogrammed methods for column filling, bed consolidation, unpacking, and cleaning

• Ensures precise packing, speed, and bed-height adjustment at each step

• Manages all programming using an intuitive touch screen interface

To see a demo of the new Chromatography Station and the InPlace Control Console at INTERPHEX, visit the Bio-Rad Booth (# 2371) at the Exhibit Hall. For more information, visit www.bio-rad.com/interphex.

About Bio-Rad

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: BIO and BIOb) has remained at the center of scientific discovery for more than 50 years, manufacturing and distributing a broad range of products for the life science research and clinical diagnostic markets. The company is renowned worldwide among hospitals, universities, and major research institutions, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies for its commitment to quality and customer service. Founded in 1952, Bio-Rad is headquartered in Hercules, California, and serves more than 85,000 research and industry customers worldwide through its global network of operations. The company employs over 6,800 people globally and had revenues exceeding $1.9 billion in 2010. For more information, please visit http://www.bio-rad.com.