Tim Korwan, Director, New Product Introduction in Avantor’s single-use business spoke to BioSpectrum International in April 2021 about the integration of single-use technologies into fluid handling systems

Avantor’s Tim Korwan, Director of New Product Introduction in Avantor’s single-use business spoke to BioSpectrum International in April 2021 about the increasing demand for single-use systems in downstream unit operations.

Fluid transfer steps in downstream processing can benefit from the implementation of single-use systems. Single-use tubing, connectors, and valve components are among the components that can eliminate cleaning-in-place and sterilizing-in-place (CIP/SIP) procedures – costly, time-consuming steps that contribute to downtime.

In particular, single-use hose assemblies improve processes, but it’s necessary to have a correct assembly for the specific application. This requires many things: understanding the proper process flow rates to ensure that the fluid pathway meets the specification; deep industry knowledge of available fittings to ensure that the proper fittings are selected; and selecting the appropriate material that will be in contact with the fluid.

There is a market need for a single-use high pressure hose assembly that is able to withstand the pressure fluctuations of chromatography and filtration, as these are two common areas for single-use systems.

Avantor, having expertise in single-use manufacturing, including areas such as hose fitting and retainment design, recognized this common failure point and designed a new high-pressure fitting (SterilEnz®).

Traditional buffer prep in monoclonal antibody (mAb) manufacturing requires a large footprint and significant time. Ready-to-use buffers, packaged in single-use bags, allow a manufacturer to directly use the buffers in the process, eliminating the time it would normally take to prepare, mix, and store buffers.

Korwan also explained the ways in which single-use products support better buffer preparation methods.

"Buffers play a significant role in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, typically representing the major component by volume used in biopharma downstream processing steps to help control pH levels and stabilize reactions during purification."

Read the full interview