Bioreactors can accelerate success
Bioreactors, also known as fermentation processes, are systems designed to sustain a desired environment for a required biological reaction. Here, Greg Sutcliffe from Burkert Fluid Control Systems argues that the next generation of bioreactors must boast a comprehensive range of capabilities.
Bioreactors, also known as fermentation processes, are systems designed to sustain a desired environment for a required biological reaction. Here, Greg Sutcliffe from Burkert Fluid Control Systems argues that the next generation of bioreactors must boast a comprehensive range of capabilities.
Used extensively in areas such as the treating of chemical contaminates, cell and drug production, bioreaction techniques have already been adapted to produce both environmental and commercial successes. Bioreactor vessels developed for bioremediation work, cell culture and drug applications rely on the precise control of the environment within the vessel, maintaining variables such as temperature, pressure, pH, fluid and gas dosing.
Yet much more can be achieved: with cutting edge technology, research, development and strong alliances with science-based sectors, suppliers are providing a new wave of bioreactors that will allow greater precision, keener evaluation and higher reproducibility.
Commercial imperatives drive the need for bioreactor and other related technologies to innovate constantly. Such pressure is further fuelled by the public and government requirements for solutions to longstanding diseases, such as cancer in all its variants, HIV/AIDS and the potential pandemic of Avian Flu.
It is in this context that industry and suppliers must ensure that solutions cannot just be fit for purpose but are developed with this ever-changing need for an innovative manufacturing infrastructure. It will be no surprise to the industry that there is an under-capacity for production of bioreactor solutions. Therefore the trick is to come up with business processes that include smarter manufacturing methods.
As a key player in the supply chain, Burkert's core is for stronger and candid dialogue between manufacturers, academia, research partners and government, both in terms of robust public policy and public and private sector investment. Without these major constituents the pharmaceutical industry will not achieve what is required for end users or shareholders.
