Merck unveils huge bioreactor at Achema

Merck Millipore has launched the Mobius 2000 litre single-use bioreactor at Achema - and is offering live demonstrations on the stand.

The 2000 litre bioreactor joins the Mobius stirred tank bioreactor portfolio (from 3 to 2000 liters). It comes with configurable software, hardware, and single-use Flexware assemblies for suspension and adherent cell culture applications.

The new Mobius 2000 litre single-use bioreactor features the industry’s first pull-out drawer and self-deploying bag, making Flexware assembly installation and inflation safer and simpler, according to the group. This means no hoist is needed during Flexware assembly installation and removal.

Additionally, the group stated that a patent-pending baffle design offers superior, homogenous mixing. The 5:1 turndown ratio allows users to inoculate and harvest at lower volumes, creating a wider, more flexible process window for seeding, growth, and collection strategies.

The Mobius 2000 includes an external SensorReady loop connected to the Flexware assembly via Lynx connectors to provide greater flexibility and confidence for process monitoring and control. Unlike traditional bioreactors in which sensors are inserted into the Flexware assembly, the SensorReady loop enables users to incorporate additional sensors without modifying the Flexware assembly.

The Mobius 2000 liter single-use bioreactor can be supplied as a fully-integrated system with intuitive GMP-compliant software that reduces the learning curve for operators and allows for easy integration into plant automation strategies. The automation is simple and enables users to easily customise and control their processes. For customers with plant-wide common automation strategies, the single-use bioreactor can be integrated into third party automation platforms.

“Successful development of upstream processes demands flexibility, scalability and ease of use,” said Udit Batra, president and CEO, Merck Millipore. “Our ground-breaking Mobius 2000 liter single-use bioreactor delivers these essential benefits, including superior mixing, 5:1 turndown ratio, and critical ease of use. Our complete upstream and downstream portfolio supports GMP production and allows our customers to move molecules faster and more reliably into the clinic and to market.”