At INTERPHEX, a panel if industry experts discussed Meeting Bioprocessing Manufacturing Capacity Demands: Solutions for Efficient, Cost-Effective Biologic Drug Manufacturing.

After a long research and development phase, pharma and biopharma companies need to get drugs to market quickly and efficiently, seeking cost-effective ways to expedite drug manufacturing processes. Equipment and facility manufacturers are introducing technology advances and contract manufacturers are offering alternatives to in-house manufacturing.
 
The panel of bioprocessing experts from equipment manufacturers and contract manufacturers discussed how technologies and innovative manufacturing strategies can be implemented to help improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of biomanufacturing processes. The panel addressed process development, single-use systems, flexible facilities, single-use systems, and contract manufacturing.
 
The decision to outsource in the area of bioprocessing is heavily influenced by capability and flexibility when it comes to facilities, particularly when dealing with aging facilities. The decision to go with single use systems is not necessarily an easy or obvious one and the case for stainless still has many practical applications.
 
While offering numerous advantages, single-use and other advanced technologies can present several challenges. According to the panel, continued challenges in the areas of continuous bioprocessing, PAT (process analytical technology), cell line development, and machine learning/AI, need to be addressed. Also, there’s room for improvement with in-line conditioning and buffers.
 
When asked what the facility of the future looks like three years out, the panelists agreed that a timeframe of three years is too short in the pharma/biopharma industry. With new technologies, the adoption rate is slow due to the heavy regulation the industry is subject to. It always has been, and always will be, a wait and see approach. However, this is where outsourcing to CMOs can be an advantage. CMOs are continually adopting and ironing out the challenges that new technologies present.
 
The panel agreed that the facility of the future will incorporate closed systems that are integrated and digitally connected. They will be intuitive and modular, leveraging single use technology. With higher adoption rates for new technologies, the contract services sector is helping to advance the facility of the future.


Speakers included: Michael Felo, Director, Downstream Process Integration, Next Generation Processing, MilliporeSigma

Eric S Langer, President and Managing Partner, BioPlan Associates, Inc.

Rick Morris, Senior Vice President R&D, Pall Biotech, Pall Corporation

Steve Perry, Senior Director, Manufacturing Sciences, Catalent Biologics

Brady Cole, Vice President, Applications, ABEC

Madhu Raghunathan, Product Strategy Leader – BioProcess Hardware, GE Healthcare Life Sciences