MilliporeSigma has entered into an agreement to acquire Natrix Separations, an Ontario, Canada-based provider of hydrogel membrane products for single-use chromatography. Natrix is known for its technology platform capable of delivering high productivity and impurity removal in a single-use format. This acquisition expands MilliporeSigma’s efforts to enhance next-generation bioprocessing. The transaction is expected to close 3Q17. Financial details were not disclosed.

Next-generation processing is a technology, expendable or system that changes the existing monoclonal antibody manufacturing template through unit operation intensification, connection, or fully continuous processing. Biomanufacturers look to next-generation processing to increase plant productivity, facility flexibility, cost efficiencies and reduced risk.

Natrix markets both an anion exchange membrane and cation exchange membrane. Natrix is developing additional products to enable a fully single-use, full-scale biological purification process.

“The Natrix technology platform, and the development options and capabilities that this brings for single-use and rapid cycling chromatography, will allow us to accelerate our offering in mAb and vaccine manufacturing,” said Udit Batra, chief executive officer, MilliporeSigma. “This acquisition creates tremendous opportunity to drive growth and advancement in next-generation processing—an area of increasing importance to our customers.”

“Joining MilliporeSigma gives us the opportunity to collaborate with some of the best minds in the industry, allowing us to further the great work done by our scientists,” said John Chickosky, chief executive officer, Natrix Separations. “I am truly excited to become part of a larger effort and see the benefits of this combination in the advances we will make for our customers and the global scientific community.”