In July Sartorius entered into an agreement with SAFC to move closer to creating a “totally disposable factory” and the launch of FlexAct is another aspect of its drive towards integrated, single-use biomanufacturing platforms.
The platform’s design focused in integration and standardisation to make it easy for users of stainless steel equipment or individual disposable components to fully convert to a single-use system, according to Sartorius.
By simplifying the process Sartorius hopes it can capture a chunk of the growing biomanufacturing sector. Companies interested in the platform will initially only be able to buy FlexAct BP, a technology for buffer preparation, with other equipment launched in the future.
FlexAct BP prepares buffers used for stabilising target molecules and creating optimal production conditions. The equipment is suitable for production capacity needs from 50 to 1,000 litres and has integrated monitoring and control for pH, temperature, pump speed and fluid level.
This removes the need to supervise the system, freeing the user to perform other tasks, and Sartorius believes it represents an advance in implementing process-relevant analytical tools.
In the future users will be able to use the equipment in conjunction with other systems in the FlexAct range which cover media preparation, cell harvesting, ultrafiltration/diafiltration crossflow, virus removal, inactivation and adsorption, polishing, form/fill and form/transfer.
Sartorius has designed the whole system to ensure full scalability of all components, such as bags, filter capsules or tubing, to simplify the installation process. The components are installed on the central operating module and require minimal set-up.