German contract manufacturing organisation Rentschler Biotechnologie has added a 2,000 L single-use bioreactor to its facility in Laupheim. The expansion is anticipated to be fully operational by the end of the first quarter next year.
The new bioreactor will supplement two existing 1,000 L single-use bioreactors already in operation and will double the total single-use production capacity at the plant.
'We see an increasing need for production capacity in the mid-scale,' said Frank Ternes, Rentschler's Chief Business Officer. 'The expansion will allow us to match the growing demands of our clients for all clinical phases. The addition of the 2,000 L single-use bioreactor will increase our flexibility to serve the market with either stainless steel or single-use technology as the client requires.'
In 2012, Rentschler received the Facility of the Year Award in the annual ISPE Awards for its flexible, multi-product 1,000 L manufacturing facility, which was designed to minimise manufacturing costs and product cycle times.
The company says single-use equipment reduces contamination risks and permits a faster product turnaround with a shortened set up time and hence increases capacity utilisation.
The Laupheim facility features a flexible space concept comprising four independent, connectable, multi-purpose cleanroom suites.
