Merck Millipore’s new technology to improve solubility and facilitate handling of cell culture media used in biopharma production

Will allow biopharmaceutical manufacturers to further optimise their upstream processes process compacts powder media into granules

Merck Millipore has introduced a new technology that compacts dry powder cell culture media into granules, accelerating solubility and improving flowability and handling. The compacted media are more convenient to use, allowing biopharmaceutical manufacturers to further optimise their upstream processes.

The technology is water- and additive-free and applies compression force to Merck Millipore’s highly homogenous dry powder media, fixing that homogeneity in place and creating granules several millimeters in size. The process does not alter the media’s amino acid or vitamin composition, and leaves intact the physico-chemical parameters of dissolved media and feeds, preserving the media’s ability to support cell growth and productivity.

The resulting compacted media offers important advantages over traditional dry powder media. First, compaction significantly minimises dust formation, improving media handling as well as cleanliness within the production area. In addition, the higher density of compacted media allows for faster dissolution, while improved product flowability facilitates the dosing and mixing processes and limits media caking.

“Biopharma manufacturers need cell culture media that are highly soluble, homogenous and convenient to handle,” said Matthias Bucerius, Head of Pharm Chemicals Solutions.