Sartorius and Repligen Corporation launched an integrated bioreactor system that incorporates Repligen XCell ATF upstream intensification technology into Sartorius’ Biostat STR bioreactor, simplifying intensified seed train and N perfusion implementation for biopharmaceutical manufacturers. 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). The system aims to give users a streamlined way to control cell growth and improve cell retention in perfusion processes without using a separate cell retention control tower.

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. According to the company, the single, integrated controller provides easy integration into Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Distributed Control Systems (DCS).

Customers are now able to purchase the integrated system from Sartorius, with available pretested and predefined configurations, resulting in faster delivery times than engineered-to-order solutions.

“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 Mario Becker, head of product group bioreactor technologies, Sartorius. “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.”

Christine Gebski, senior vice president filtration & chromatography at Repligen, said, “It’s been our pleasure to partner with Sartorius on this program and to share this milestone achievement. The successful pairing of our market-leading 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.”