Pall Corporation expands biotech capabilities

Filtration, separation and purification specialist Pall Corporation is to acquire US biotechnology company MicroReactor Technologies (MRT).

The acquisition of MRT, which has developed a reliable, easy-to-use and cost-effective miniature bioreactor technology platform, expands Pall's Total Fluid Management (TFM) capabilities in the biopharmaceuticals process monitoring and process development market.

MRT's miniature bioreactor platform is able to improve cell culture process development through fast and accurate assessment of bioreactor performance. The company has developed High Throughput Process Development (HTPD) systems that control, monitor and record key process parameters for multiple individual cell culture experiments in one test sequence.

These systems are proven to simulate the performance of stirred tank bioreactors in both cell culture and microbial fermentation from bench scale (1 to 20L) to much larger scale (up to 200,000L). The disposable bioreactor cassette has 24 individual bioreactors, each of which can be independently controlled and monitored for key parameters, including pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature.

"We are excited by this acquisition and the increased opportunities it presents for our biotechnology process development and laboratory programmes," said Eric Krasnoff, Pall Corporation chairman and ceo. "The addition of MRT further broadens Pall Life Sciences support of customers in this rapidly growing market."