Sartorius launches single-use anti-virus chromatography

Sartorius has launched improved membrane chromatography capsules for single-use recombinant protein manufacturing.

Membrane chromatography separates biologics from unwanted proteins that are a side-product of manufacturing, like DNA, HCP, and viruses.

Sartorius’ capsules catch the unwelcome proteins and viruses in a porous membrane, with gaps sized greater than 3 µm. It claims a ten times higher binding capacity for viruses and virus-like particles with its Sartobind tech than with traditional resins.

The company says the capsules’ higher binding capacity reduces operational costs by lowering void volumes and using less buffer.

It said, “the capsules’ upstream flow channels have been optimized, and an internal core forms a miniaturized downstream channel, resembling that in existing 8 mm bed height capsules.

The new Q, S and salt-tolerant STIC PA ion exchanger capsules, all with a 4 mm bed height, increase dynamic binding capacity by approximately 15% and reduce void volumes by approximately 40% compared with their predecessors, while maintaining high flow rates of 10 to 30 membrane volumes per minute.

Single use

“Polishing” biologics in this way is a single-use alternative to reusable stainless steel columns.

Stefan Fischer-Frühholz, membrane chromatography expert at Sartorius Stedim Biotech, added, “Traditionally, membrane adsorbers have been using available filter housings, often ignoring chromatographic process parameters, such as back-mixing effects and elution volumes.

“This new generation of membrane adsorber capsules takes these specific requirements into account and reflects substantial progress for bind and elute applications.

The expanded offering now includes capsule sizes with a 4 mm bed height, from the 1 mL nano unit up to the new 2.5 L jumbo version.