Sartorius and Repligen Launch Integrated Bioreactor System

Sartorius and Repligen launched an integrated bioreactor system that incorporates Repligen XCell^® ATF upstream intensification technology into Sartorius’ Biostat STR^® bioreactor. The goal is to simplify intensified seed train and N perfusion implementation for biopharmaceutical manufacturers, according to both companies.

The Biostat STR now contains a fully compatible embedded XCell ATF hardware and software module offering predefined advanced control recipes with integrated Process Analytical Technology (PAT), noted Mario Becker, head of product group bioreactor technologies, Sartorius, adding that this system gives users a streamlined way to control cell growth and improve cell retention in perfusion processes without using a separate cell retention control tower.

In addition, customers can better utilize facility space with a reduced equipment footprint from the incorporation of the XCell Controller hardware and software in the Biobrain^® automation platform, creating a single point of control for 50 L–2000 L upstream intensification processes, pointed out Christine Gebski, senior VP filtration & chromatography at Repligen. The single, integrated controller also reportedly provides integration into Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Distributed Control Systems (DCS).

“The market introduction of this integrated bioreactor—intensification system created in partnership with Repligen further reinforces Sartorius’ commitment to being an innovator in process intensification and demonstrates our expertise in upstream processing technologies,” said Becker. “Ultimately, our goal is to help customers bring more therapeutics to patients faster, and this launch advances our journey along that path to enable continuous manufacturing.”

Customers are now able to purchase the integrated system from Sartorius, with available pretested and predefined configurations, he explained.

“The successful pairing of our XCell ATF intensification control technology with Sartorius’ single-use bioreactors provides end users with a simplified, easy-to-implement perfusion-enabled bioreactor solution for more efficient, higher density cell culture processes,” said Gebski.