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Ординатура / Хирургия / Библиотека им академика М.И. Перельмана / Книга_101_библиотеки_им_акад_М_И_Перельмана

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The bioreactor vessel’s size is crucial in determining the impeller diameter, with a common guideline being that the impeller should be approximately one- third of the vessel’s diameter.
The combination of the sparger, impeller, and bafes plays a signicant role in determining mixing and oxygen transfer efciency in stirred- tank bioreactors.
10.13.2 aeRation
Aeration provides the necessary oxygen for cells’ aerobic requirements as oxygen is an essential substrate for cell development and maintenance in bioreactors. Dissolved oxygen, often referred to as DO, is the primary oxygen source that cells receive in both free and noncompound forms. Hence, one of the critical functions of bioreactor systems is to continuously supply dissolved oxygen to cells through aeration. In industrial bioprocesses, the most common methods for this are using air, air- enhanced oxygen, or pure oxygen.
Aeration occurs in the bioreactor when oxygen diffuses into the cell culture medium at the inter­face created by the overlay.
The oxygen from the spargers dissolves in the cell culture with the help of agitation.
The total gas ow rate through the sparger varies depending on the type of sparger. For instance, a ring sparger typically has a volume of air per volume of liquid per minute ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 vvm, while a microsparger recommends a maximum gas ow rate of 0.03 vvm for mammalian cell culture processes. Microbial processes can utilize an aeration rate between 0.5 vvm and 2.0 vvm. This aeration rate can also vary signicantly during fermentation to accommodate the increase in cell density.
The physicochemical features of the cell culture medium, the geometrical parameters of the bioreactor, and the presence of cells all have an impact on the rate of oxygen transfer (OTR) from gas to liquid interface. The OTR is critical to bioreactor design and scale- up. The DO in the cul­ture medium depends on the OTR and its consumption by the cells (oxygen uptake rate). Agitation disperses the oxygen bubbles and promotes the gas bubbles’ mass transfer through the gas-liquid (cell culture medium) interface. The movement of the bubble through the gas- liquid interface and its diffusion through the liquid membrane surrounding the cells into the cytoplasm enable oxygen to be transferred from a gas bubble to the cell. The oxygen uptake (or utilization) rate (OUR) is most often cell dependent. Therefore, monitoring the OUR is essential to assess the viability of the culture.
The rate of oxygen uptake can be expressed as follows:
Where qO2 is the specic uptake rate of oxygen, X is the biomass concentration and, Y
oxygen yield coefcient.
The oxygen uptake rates of cell lines typically used in biomanufacturing are summarized in Table 10.9.
The oxygen transfer rate (OTR) is given by
OTR = kLa (C*- CL) Equation 10.5
where C* is saturated DO concentration, CL is the actual dissolved oxygen (DO) in the culture medium, and kLa is the volumetric mass transfer coefcient.
When oxygen transfer is the rate- limiting step, OUR is balanced by OTR
OUR = OTR Equation 10.6
OUR =Xq
X
=
O2
Y
XO
/
2
Equation 10.4
is the
XO/
2
=−
()
×
dt
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TABLE 10.9
219
Oxygen Uptake Rates of Cell Lines
Cell Line OUR [10−3 mol/ cell/ h]
CHO DG44 2 CHO 5.0– 8.04 NS0 myeloma 2.19– 4.06 MAK hybridoma 4.16 FS- 4 (Human diploid cells) 0.5 HFN7.1 Hybridoma 2.0
Source: What do cells need from a bioreactor? (GElifesciences.com)
Cytiva LifeSciences, Rufeux, P. A. et al. and Xiu, Z. L. et al.
µ
X
Y
YOTR =CellGrowthRate
X/O2
XO/
2
kC*C
La L
Equation 10.7
Equation 10.8
The mass balance for dissolved oxygen in a well- mixed liquid phase is given by
dC
OTROUR=−
Equation 10.9
Where dC/ dt is the accumulation of oxygen rate in the liquid phase.
The mass transfer coefcient, represented by kLa, correlates the oxygen transfer rate with the oxygen uptake rate. kLa depends on various factors, including bioreactor size, media compos­ition, cell type, presence of salts and surfactants, pressure, temperature, agitation speed, aeration rate, and other geometric and operational features. Achieving a high kLa is crucial for bioreactor design and scale- up success. Various physical and chemical methods can measure kLa, such as the unsteady state, steady- state, dynamic, dynamic gassing- out and pressure step, sodium sulte oxidation, carbon dioxide absorption, and catechol bio- oxidation methods. Changes in specic process parameters can impact kLa, and these must be considered when evaluating different bio­reactor systems or scaling up operations. Typically, kLa should be maintained constant during scale- up, as other physicochemical parameters like pH, DO, temperature, and bioreactor geom­etry are adjusted to achieve the required oxygen transfer rate. If bioreactor designs vary, kLa serves as a metric to guide adjustments to gas ow rates, sparger designs, and more to maintain the desired cell density. The optimal conditions for cell growth are typically met when OTR exceeds OUR.
The key variables that can affect kLa include:
• Gas Flow rate: A higher oxygen supply increases the kLa, powered by increasing the bioreactor’s oxygen supply. The oxygen supply may be regulated by changing the concentra­tion, i.e., air versus oxygen and volumetric ow. However, careful evaluation and balance are required to ensure that these changes do not impact the cell culture negatively. For example, a high ow rate could lead to excessive foaming and may also cause cell damage.
()
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• Mixing: Mixing is key to ensuring homogeneity and eliminating concentration gradients within the bioreactor. The impeller type, location, and speed can impact the mixing dynamics and gas dispersion. kLa increases with tip speed in general; however, tip speed is also pro­portional to shear forces which can cause cell damage. Therefore, different impeller types and their placements are considered in bioreactor design to ensure these shear forces are not generated while achieving the target kLa.
• Gas bubble size: The gas bubbles that are smaller in size can remain in the culture medium for a more extended period. This increase in residence time increases the kLa.
• Temperature: The kLa and oxygen solubility in the culture media is inversely inuenced by temperature. The oxygen solubility in pure water diminishes.
• Sparger: The number of spargers, the pore size, and surface area are factors that inuence the bubble size, ow rate, which in turn impacts the kLa.
The kLa measurement helps determine the optimum oxygen supply that can support cell growth.
10.13.3 teMPeRatuRe contRol
Bioreactors commonly use 316 stainless steel for their wetted components. Heat transfer is neces­sary to regulate and maintain a consistent temperature during fermentation, which is vital for both mechanical agitation and exothermic metabolic activity that generates heat. Most bioreactor designs incorporate a jacketed vessel that circulates a temperature- controlling liquid (e.g., glycol or water) externally connected to the bioreactor to facilitate heating and cooling. In some cases, internal heat transfer coils are used, but microbial growth within the coils often hampers heat transfer efciency.
The heat is transferred from a heat- transfer uid to the reactor material through the heat- transfer surface or from the fermenter material to the cooling uid if cooled. Therefore, the rate of healing depends on the bioreactor volume.
The heat required to heat up or cool down the contents of the bioreactor is represented by the following equation:
Q = m x cp x (T0 − T1) = m x cp x ΔT Equation 10.10
Where Q is the heat (J), m (kg) = mass of the substance, cp, (J/ kg K) = specic heat capacity of the substance, T0 and T1 (K) = start temperature and end temperature, respectively, and
If the substance’s specic heat capacity is unknown, then the heat capacity of water is used.
In a fermentation process, cells (irrespective of the microorganism or cell type) have an optimal temperature range that supports their growth. If the temperature is below this range, then the slow growth can reduce the rate of cell production or product synthesis. On the contrary, if the tempera­ture is too high, it can lead to cell death and impact product quality.
The net cell growth rate is expressed as follows:
where X and t are cell concentration and time, µ and kd are cell growth and cell death rate, respectively.
ΔT (K) = temperature change
dX
kd,=−
µ
X
Equation 10.11
HY
HX
,/
=+
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Here, the cell growth, cell death rates are both temperature- dependent and expressed as functions of temperature following the Arrhenius equation:
μ = A x e
kd = A′ x e
(−E
/ RT)
Equation 10.12
a
(−E
/ RT)
Equation 10.13
d
The heat generated during a microbial fermentation process is given by the following equation:
H
cS
Where ΔH ΔH
is the heat of the cells’ combustion, and YF
c, X
is the heat of combustion of the substrate, YF
c, S
YF
XS
/
,
F
cX
is the metabolic heat evolved per gram of cells
H/ X
is the substrate yield factor.
x/ S
Equation 10.14
produced (Figure 10.24).
For mammalian cell culture processes, particularly CHO cell lines, the optimal temperature for cell growth and culture maintenance is typically around 37ºC. However, lower temperatures have been shown to extend cell culture viability, although cell growth may not be as robust at 37ºC. Lower temperatures can effectively slow down the decrease in cell viability while allowing the cells
FIGURE 10.24 Effect of temperature on the cell growth rate for E. coli
Source: Processes 2020, 8(1), 121; https:// doi.org/ 10.3390/ pr801 012; http:// crea tive comm ons.org/ licen ses/
by/ 10.0/
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to remain in the production phase for protein synthesis for a longer duration. Several studies have demonstrated the impact of temperature on protein synthesis or improving the specic productivity of cells. A successful cell culture process, depending on the specic protein and cell line, may ini­tially begin with temperature control at 37ºC to primarily support cell growth and achieve higher densities. Later, the temperature can be adjusted to a lower range to enhance specic productivity. However, the ideal temperature should be evaluated for each cell culture process to ensure it doesn’t affect product quality.
10.13.4 Ph contRol
Similarly to temperature, different biological systems have an optimal pH range. pH levels con­tinually uctuate during the fermentation process, with many processes requiring constant pH maintenance. Metabolite or by- product accumulation and substrate consumption often lead to shifts in pH in the culture medium. For instance, in microbial fermentation, acetic acid/ carbon dioxide accumulation can decrease pH, and ammonia consumption can also lower pH. Consequently, continuous monitoring and pH adjustment are necessary. In mammalian cell cul­ture, glucose consumption leads to lactate accumulation, resulting in pH reduction. pH control is achieved by adding a base or an acid to the bioreactor. Most modern bioreactors utilize a control strategy that automatically adjusts pH using a feedback control loop. In mammalian cell culture processes, sodium bicarbonate is commonly employed to counteract the acidic effects of lactate accumulation and CO2.
Additionally, CO2 may be added for pH control, but caution is needed to avoid oxygen depletion, which can impact dissolved oxygen (DO) levels and the culture medium balance, requiring signi­cant amounts of sodium bicarbonate for buffering. Maintaining the pH of the media is critical for the success of the cell culture process, as even minor pH changes can affect cell growth, protein production, and product quality.
10.13.5 foaM contRol
Foaming is a common issue in the fermentation process. The combination of agitation and aeration, along with foam- producing and foam- stabilizing chemicals (such as proteins, polysaccharides, and fatty acids), can lead to substantial foam formation in the bioreactor. Excessive foaming can block outlet gas lines and lters, resulting in the loss of fermenter contents, increased equipment pressure that can be detrimental, and potentially providing a route for contamination. Antifoam agents are widely used and added either at the start or during the manufacturing cycle, depending on the level of foaming. Adjusting the agitation rate can also help control foaming to some extent.
In certain cases, cell culture media may be supplemented with antifoam agents (e.g., pluronic acid) before use to minimize foaming. However, antifoam agents can also negatively affect oxygen transport rates and downstream processing due to membrane fouling. Mechanical systems, such as high- speed spinning disks at the top of the reactor, are suitable for addressing mild foam accumula­tion but consume signicant energy in large- scale bioreactors.
Uncontrolled foaming can rise and potentially wet the exhaust lters, causing clogs and increased pressure in the bioreactor or, worse, contamination. Ensuring adequate headspace in a bioreactor allows gas to disengage from the liquid, helping to minimize foaming, especially in large- scale bioreactors.
10.13.6 contRolleR systeM
Monitoring bioreactor process parameters is crucial to maintaining optimal conditions that support cell growth and product synthesis. The most common instruments required for bioreactors are
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related to the physical factors discussed earlier: temperature, agitation, gas ow, and pressure. The fundamental parameters that should be monitored include pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO). Modern bioreactor designs incorporate new probes and techniques for measuring these parameters and additional metabolites effectively. This involves a combination of online and ofine measurements using sensors and probes that provide feedback to the control system. A controller integrated with the bioreactor vessel is responsible for monitoring and controlling these parameters, adjusting them to match the user- dened set point. The sensor and control components of the bio­reactor platform, connected to the controller, provide the necessary input and output, forming the control loop. This control loop serves as the medium for process control to ensure system sta­bility and consistent performance. Control loops offer opportunities to enhance process operations. For stable operation, basic control loops for temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and agitation are integrated into bioreactor systems. Analysis of this monitoring provides valuable feedback to operators, leading to a deeper understanding of the process and improved stepwise operation. There are two types of control mechanisms: open- loop and closed- loop. In an open loop, the controller’s actions are unaffected by the process variable. In a closed- loop system, the controller’s actions depend on the setpoint (desired value) and the process variable. Feedback or feedforward loops can be used in a closed- loop system.
In bioreactor systems, the feedback closed control loop is the most common control technique. In this approach, the measured output is continuously examined in a time- dependent manner (typically every second) using a feedback element (i.e., sensor). The value is then compared to the setpoint, and the difference between the measured and setpoint values is fed back into the controller. The con­troller adjusts the control element to produce the corrected response, which is then fed back into the process. PID controllers (proportional- integral- derivative) are commonly employed in this context.
The other type of control system is feedforward, in which the input is measured by a sensor before being introduced into the process. If necessary, the value is adjusted by the controller and control element to input the control signal into the process. Unlike the feedback loop, there is no measurement of the output in this system (Figure 10.25).
These sensors and probes must be either pre- sterilized (gamma irradiated) or sterilized before use in the process. The insertion of these components should not compromise the sterility of the bio­reactor vessel. This may require the use of aseptic connectors or steam sterilization of the bioreactor with the probes/ sensors installed. The components must be able to withstand high temperatures (121°C) and humidity. Autoclavable and sterilized- in- place bioreactors, as well as vessel steriliza­tion and decontamination, make sterilization before use in the production process and decontamin­ation after operations convenient. Insertable probes may not always be reliable, especially for long- term mammalian cell culture processes, where probe performance may be a concern. Some other issues with these probes include their positioning in the bioreactor vessel, probe drift affecting their response, lack of in situ recalibration, and, most importantly, a potential route for
FIGURE 10.25 Illustration of a feedback control loop
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TABLE 10.10
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Summary of Process Parameters and Associated Measurement Components
Process Parameters Sensor Control Element
Temperature RTD Heating/ cooling jacket/ water reservoir pH pH probe (optic and conventional) Pump for base addition and CO2 from the mass
ow controller DO Polarographic oxygen sensor, DO electrode Oxygen mass ow controller Glucose Spectroscopic sensor Pump for glucose solution Gas ow rate Rotameters or mass owmeters Mass ow controllers Weight Load cell Amount of liquid in the bioreactor vessel Liquid ow rate Magnetic- inductive ow meter Flow valve Pressure Pressure gauge Backpressure regulator in the exit gas line
contamination. SUBs are single- use bioreactors with pre- installed sensors (typically for pH, DO, and cell density), as well as gamma- sterilized and ready- to- use assemblies. Setup and operation are simplied with these single- use sensors. The Celligen BLU (Eppendorf), Cultibag and AMBR (Sartorius), and Applikon Biosep (Applikon) have all successfully utilized pH and DO sensor spot technology (Applikon Biotechnology) (Table 10.10).
The desired features of a control system and its components include precision and accuracy, ease of installation and operation, scalability, compatibility with multiple platforms/ sensors/ probes (e.g., accommodating single- use or reusable sterilizable probes), and compliance with GMP standards.
In addition to online measurements, ofine measurements for cell density, glucose, lactate, and other parameters are also conducted during bioreactor operations. These ofine measurements can be used to validate online measurements and for sensor calibration. Several standalone off­line instruments are used for these measurements. Examples include a cell density counter and spectrophotometer for cell density measurements, NOVA, and YSI Biochemistry Analyzer for pH, metabolites, and substrate analysis.
Over the past decade, signicant advancements have been made in this eld, and with the emer­gence of single- use technology, online measurements for pH, DO, gas ow rate, agitation rate, temperature, pressure, and glucose concentration in the medium, as well as liquid ow rate, have become possible. Incorporating these controls and data acquisition capabilities has been facilitated by improved analytics. Suppliers and vendors (e.g., Sartorius, Cytiva, Thermo Scientic) have suc­cessfully integrated these controls and capabilities into their product offerings. In addition to these advancements, ongoing progress is being made with instrumentation and control systems to fully utilize these systems and move towards a more automated system that requires less intervention.
10.14 HARVEST AND CLARIFICATION SYSTEMS
The primary objective of the harvest process is to separate the cells from the media. In bacterial cells, the product of interest is contained within the cells, whereas in mammalian cultures, the pro­tein is secreted into the medium. The timing of the harvest process is determined based on culture conditions, including cell density, cell viability, productivity, and protein quality. Several harvest methods, such as centrifugation, sedimentation/ occulation, or newer alternatives like crossow l­tration or ultraltration (e.g., depth ltration systems, hollow ber ltration systems), are commonly used, depending on factors such as cell type, product of interest, processing time, and scalability. While the primary recovery steps involve separating cells from the culture medium, a secondary recovery step involves ltration of the harvest using a smaller pore size membrane in mammalian cell culture processes. In microbial cells, biomass/ cells are subjected to cell lysis (chemical or a
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combination of mechanical and chemical) to recover inclusion bodies containing the protein of interest. Chapter 5 provides a detailed description of various clarication/ harvest options and con­siderations for choosing a suitable harvest method for microbial and mammalian culture.
10.15 ANCILLARY AND PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT
10.15.1 steRilization
In the context of industrial fermenters, associated ttings, and piping, in situ steam sterilization under pressure, commonly known as SIP, is employed. When it comes to large- scale sterilization of equipment and liquids, thermal inactivation is the preferred method, especially for media. This involves introducing saturated hot steam into the vessel/ pipe to ensure even distribution throughout the device, eliminating cold spots or dead ends. Successful sterilization requires steam to displace the air in the vessel and pipes. In cases where heat- sensitive devices need sterilization, chemical agents or radiation may be employed. However, it’s crucial to ensure that chemical agents don’t leave any residue, which could be toxic to the culture or lead to product adulteration. Some of the commonly used compounds for sterilization include ethylene oxide, 70 percent ethanol- water acid­ied at pH 2 with HCl, formaldehyde, and 3 percent sodium hypochlorite. Radiation sterilization can take the form of gamma rays, electron beams, or UV light. It is an effective method for single­use parts and lter devices, but it is not suitable for larger equipment due to operational challenges. Additionally, radiation can penetrate materials more deeply.
Sterile ltration is a widely used method for both liquids and gases. When it comes to gases, depth lters, surface lters, and membrane cartridge lters are commonly employed. Membrane lters, designed with uniformly small pores, sieve out particles effectively. Pressure drop can affect both depth and surface lters. It is essential to inspect all sterile lters for structural integrity before and after each use. Common methods for assessing the integrity of sterile lters include bubble point diffusion testing, forward ow tests, and pressure hold tests. Filtration with a 0.2– 0.45 μm membrane lter can be utilized to remove microbiological components. Inlet and exhaust gases for bioreactors are ltered using sterilizing grade lters. For bioreactor liquid feeds, such as bulk media and heat- labile growth supplements, sterilizing grade lters are also employed. These lters can be directly connected to a sterile line on the bioreactor using a tubing welder in disposable/ single- use bioreactor systems.
When it comes to heat sterilization, the key parameters are sterilization temperature and exposure duration. Higher temperatures result in shorter sterilization times for the same degree of effective­ness. There are two methods for heat sterilization: batch and continuous. In the batch method, steam is directly sparged into the vessel, heating its contents to 121°C for a predetermined period (usually 10– 20 minutes), followed by cooling with water to return to optimal operating conditions. The use of steam allows for rapid attainment of sterilization temperature. In the continuous method, a heat exchanger is used for both heating and cooling in a continuous operation. Caution must be exercised during heat sterilization, particularly with heat- sensitive materials. Continuous heat sterilization offers energy savings and is a safer option for such materials.
10.15.2 cleaning- in- Place
Cleaning is a routine procedure for equipment that comes into contact with the product to pre­pare it for the next batch. CIP is performed without disassembling or disconnecting any parts from the processing system. After completing batch operations, equipment used in upstream pro­duction processes, including fermentation production vessels, seed train bioreactors, centrifuges, homogenizers, and tanks, are rinsed with dedicated cleaning agents suitable for the equipment. The specic cleaning agent, required quantity, and incubation period must be specied and validated for successful cleaning. All equipment cleaning for future production runs should adhere to this
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validated procedure. Commonly used cleaning agents include caustic soda (5 M NaOH) and phos­phoric acid (20% w/ v). Equipment cleaning involves multiple steps performed under different conditions, including peristaltic pump ow rates for circulating the cleaning agent, circulation times, and, if applicable, temperature. The entire cleaning process can take from a few minutes to several hours or even a day, depending on the contact time required for effective cleaning. A standard cleaning process in the industry starts with circulating water through the system, followed by an acid solution, puried water, and nally a caustic solution. pH and conductivity of the water are checked periodically to ensure no traces of the cleaning solution remain. Chromatography columns, media, and TFF systems also undergo similar cleaning using caustic solutions or a combination of cleaning agents. Packed chromatography columns are often stored in a 0.1– 1.0 N NaOH solution.
10.15.3 PuMPs, valves, tubes, and PiPes
Pumps are routinely used in nearly all unit operations for liquid transfer and circulation. The choice of pump depends on factors such as the nature of the uid, ow rate, and scale of the process. Commonly used pumps include peristaltic pumps, diaphragm pumps, and rotary lobe pumps. Peristaltic pumps, which do not come into contact with the product, use tubing and molded ow elements for liquid transfer. However, they have limitations, especially with high viscosity uids, and can generate shearing and tubing shedding due to pulsing, potentially exposing the liquid. It’s important to select the right pump head conguration and tubing. Disposable/ single- use peristaltic pumps with single- use ow channels are available. Diaphragm pumps are positive displacement pumps that use the reciprocating motion of the diaphragm and valves to pump uids, making them suitable for high viscosity liquids. Centrifugal pumps, on the other hand, rely on rotational energy from impellers and are best suited for high ow rates and low viscosity liquids. Further details on pumps are discussed in Chapter 6.
Sanitary ttings, primarily constructed from stainless steel alloy, are commonly used in bio­reactor frameworks, tri- clamp connections, and skids. These ttings typically include elbows, T­shapes, Y- connectors, and reducers. The choice of piping and tting depends on the specic unit operation requirements. Fittings used in contact with the product must be sterilized before reuse. Tubing and hoses are employed for liquid transfer. Tubing is typically considered a single- use item and is made from various materials, such as elastomer and silicone, depending on process requirements. In contrast, hoses can be single- use or reusable and are often used for air/ gas transfer due to their ability to withstand high pressure and steam. Tubing and hoses are commonly used in various bioreactor operations, including media and feed transfer, inoculum transfer between seed and production bioreactors, air supply to bioreactors, and harvest. Valves are another crucial com­ponent, especially in bioreactors for process and ow control. These include sampling valves, drain valves, and pinch valves. Valves can be potential sources of contamination, so it’s important to use sterilizable materials, especially for valves reused in the process. The inner surfaces of bioreactor vessels should be smooth and are often electropolished. O- rings are frequently used for small gaps, such as in process control probes, while gaskets are employed for larger openings, such as pipe connections to tanks and agitators.
10.16 SUMMARY
Bioreactor design has evolved over the years, incorporating in- line measurements, spectroscopy, and the constant emergence of advanced sensors and probes to enhance process control. Efforts are ongoing to integrate spectroscopy and advanced sensors to improve process control further. New bioreactor designs and models aim to handle higher cell densities resulting from perfusion by offering improved mixing and volumetric mass transfer coefcients (KLa) for oxygen transfer. Sparger and impeller designs are areas of interest in bioreactor development. Single- use systems
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have gained acceptance in the late development landscape due to their potential to increase manufac­turing capacity. Evaluation of cGMP compliance should be part of bioreactor design considerations.
Single- use bioreactors have gained greater acceptance in the industry, particularly in the past decade. These systems have undergone signicant design enhancements, including improved mixing, efcient gassing, and leak- free performance to sustain long- term high- density cultures. Many of these changes are driven by the need to expedite processes due to advancements in cell lines, product compositions, and increased use of perfusion. Computational uid dynamic modeling and other advanced techniques have been instrumental in optimizing bioreactor design. Another focus area has been optimizing shear while improving cell retention, especially in perfusion systems. Recent trends include using a xed- bed bioreactor coupled with an automated tangential ow ltration con­centrator to improve retention without increasing shear, resulting in enhanced process efciency, reduced operating costs, and a smaller process footprint.
In general, the industry is moving towards intensied, connected, and continuous bioprocessing, with a focus on enhancing process intensication. Concepts such as automatic perfusion systems integrated directly into bioreactor platforms are becoming more common. The near future is expected to witness the broader adoption of continuous bioprocessing, where unit operations and processes are performed continuously, enhancing bioreactor capabilities and ancillary components. These modications are likely to increase facility usage, reduce downtime, and maximize overall productivity. Collaboration between biopharmaceutical manufacturers and single- use suppliers is crucial to achieving these improvements, which are essential for a more robust process.
Understanding the capital costs associated with installing new equipment in an existing manu­facturing facility and the costs of consumables for solutions or process additives is essential when selecting unit operations. Therefore, process design must take a holistic approach to consider all these factors.