Sartorius Stedim Biotech and Refine Technology Collaborate to Develop High-Density Cell Cultivation Platform

Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB; Aubagne, France, and Gottingen, Germany), an international pharma supplier, and Refine Technology (Pine Brook, NJ, USA), a developer and worldwide supplier to the biotech industry of the ATF (alternating tangential flow) system, a best-in-class cell retention device, will be collaborating on the development of a platform for high-density cell cultivation. This platform will enable fast, easy connection of the ATF system to SSB’s single-use Biostat bioreactors.

“This joint development project proactively responds to the current market demand for more effective connectivity between equipment from different suppliers to enable development of efficient, streamlined systems. We decided to work together, based on market feedback, to create a better platform for late-stage clinical and commercial-scale biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Our objective is to give our customers the confidence of a well thought-out system featuring optimal and robust high-density cell cultivation via perfusion and concentrated fed-batch processes,” stated Christel Fenge, vice president of fermentation Technologies at SSB.

“The market demand for cell retention systems is expanding rapidly and we are pleased to be working with Sartorius Stedim Biotech to ensure that the ATF system integrates effortlessly with the Biostat bioreactors. Our objective is to dramatically reduce the risk and cost of upstream processing through continuous culture and process intensification,” explained John Bonham-Carter, vice president of sales and business development at Refine.

As a first step, Sartorius Stedim Biotech and Refine are now providing users with initial application and protocol guidance for connecting the SSB single-use and reusable bioreactors and Refine’s ATF system online (please see Related Links below).

In the future, both companies will work closely together, along with customers, to provide improved automation and process operation.
Sartorius Stedim Biotech is a provider of cutting-edge equipment and services for the development, quality assurance, and production processes of the biopharmaceutical industry. Its integrated solutions covering fermentation, filtration, purification, fluid management, and lab technologies are supporting the biopharmaceutical industry worldwide to develop and produce drugs safely, timely, and cost-effectively.

Sartorius Stedim Biotech focuses on single-use technologies and value-added services to meet the rapidly changing technology requirements of the industry it serves. The company is listed on the Eurolist of Euronext Paris. With its own manufacturing and R&D sites in Europe, North America, and Asia and a global network of sales companies, Sartorius Stedim Biotech enjoys a worldwide presence. Its key manufacturing and R&D site is in Germany. The company employs nearly 2,600 people, and in 2010 earned sales revenue of EUR 432.9 million.

Refine Technology develops and commercializes equipment for the enhancement of cell culture processes. Its ATF system, which scales for use in the laboratory through to commercial manufacturing, has a range of use from simple culture maintenance, to generation of “extreme” cultures, to complex vaccine manufacturing.

Related Links:
Sartorius Stedim Biotech
ATF System Selector Tool
Sartorius Stedim Fermentation and Cell Cultivation