Cytiva unveils new single-use magnetic mixing system at Interphex 2024

Announced at Interphex 2024, the mixer is sized in 2000 and 3000 L capacities and offers several configurations to cater to ‘diverse’ mixing processes.

Amanda Halford, president, bioprocess, at Cytiva said: “We're tapping into our differentiated portfolio to solve a wide range of challenges for our customers.

“Our new magnetic mixing system is flexible and capable of meeting the many demands and constraints during buffer and cell culture media preparation. By reimagining the design, we’ve tackled some of the biggest obstacles to downtime.

“We are always listening to our customers - solving issues to more quickly get life-changing therapies to patients.”

Leaks can significantly impact projects, resulting in financial losses and timeline extensions.

According to Cytiva​, even a minor leak can cause major setbacks – meaning a ‘full working day lost’ for its customers.

When dealing with a 3000 L batch of cell culture media, the estimated financial loss can cost between $60k to upwards of $100k.

To help prevent such leaks, Cytiva’s system includes a novel mixer biocontainer incorporating user-centered design elements aimed to bolster durability and improve ease of use.

This evolution in design results in enhanced safeguards, providing added protection against leaks throughout shipping, storage, and operation, the company claims.

Another constraint during the development of drug therapies is the quality and time it takes to mix a batch.

Specifically, mixing floating powders like cell culture media, can be a challenge.

In addition, Cytiva explains that many systems have ‘underpowered’ impellers and with a circular or cubicle shape that is less than ideal, particularly for large production volumes.

“Powder tends to float on the surface of the liquid, making it difficult to mix evenly into the fluid or leading to prolonged mixing times,” the life sciences firm said in a release.

However, the company said its new mixing system is equipped with a powerful impeller that when combined with the mixer’s hexagonal shape creates a vortex, enhancing the interaction at the liquid surface.

This vortex pulls down the floating powders into the main body of the liquid to allow for a ‘more efficient and shorter’ mixing process.