Chemical Processing - October 2007 - (Page 42)

>> Manifolded filters solidation,” he concludes. Crazy the market might be, but Pall is not alone in looking to a whole disposable process. Acquiring an interest The “industrialization” of disposables technology also is a driving force at GE Healthcare’s BioProcess business, Chalfont St. Giles, U.K. “GE came into biopharma three years ago with the acquisition of Amersham. The business is really made up of this and other acquisi- The logical extension of the increasing integration of disposable modules is an entire disposable process. tions, including filter businesses and businesses that create carriers for cell-based vaccines. We want to industrialize our vision, make the whole process disposable. This will make pharma companies faster to market, with more reliable production and improved efficiency,” explains Ann O’Hara, general manager. This was the thinking behind April’s acquisition of Wave Biotech, Somerset, N.J. That firm develops and manufactures novel bioreactors that are designed to replace traditional and more-expensive stainless steel tanks and piping while providing rapid installation and the other advantages of disposable units. The equipment is already in use in more than 300 companies worldwide (Figure 5). In its drive to move from mainly downstream processing into the whole process stream, GE Healthcare intends to carry out ongoing development of Wave Biotech’s stable of products. At the moment, for example, the largest biowave reactor available is 500 L but Figure 4. Connection technology enables a fully integrated disposable system. Source: Pall. core products, for example the biocontainer. Now we find that disposables are being adopted more and more. The market itself is driving developments. Manufacturers gain big advantages if they aren’t having to do cleaning and validation, for example. This means you get products to market faster and don’t have such large up-front capital costs.” The company is tapping into its years of experience on the stainless steel side of the business and leveraging this for the disposables group. “We don’t just want to be an integrator. We try to understand the whole process stream. Our steel people have that expertise and it’s a huge benefit to us that we have that applications knowledge,” he notes. The logical extension of the increasing integration of disposable modules is an entire disposable process. “We are seriously considering offering the entire bioprocess manufacturing stream,” he acknowledges. “We’re looking to gain this, achieve this through using our own R&D capability together with external companies — perhaps involving alliances, partnerships and exclusive distribution arrangements.” “This market is crazy, dynamic and with a lot of con42 • October 2007 >> Bioreactor Figure 5. Rocking of this reactor subjects its contents to a wave-like motion. Source: GE Healthcare. www.chemicalprocessing.com http://www.chemicalprocessing.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Chemical Processing - October 2007

Chemical Processing - October 2007 Contents From the Editor ChemicalProcessing.com Field Notes In Process Energy Saver Compliance Advisor Biofeedstocks See Real Growth Become a Cyber-Security Pacesetter Go Beyond Condition Monitoring Disposable Equipment Earns Lasting Role Improve Control Loop Performance Ethanol Plant Boosts Output and Saves Energy Process Puzzler Plant InSites Equipment & Services Ad Lits Product Spotlight/Classifieds Ad Index End Point

Chemical Processing - October 2007

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