Sartorius Stedim Biotech Forms Pact with em-tec to Develop PAT Solutions for Flow Rate Measurements

Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB), supplier of pharmaceutical and biotech equipment, has entered into an agreement with em-tec, a flow measurement company that specializes in non-invasive flow engineering solutions for blood vessels and flexible tubing. This type of technology is used in the biopharmaceutical industry in process steps requiring accurate measurement of flow rates and mass balances, in particular in downstream processes, such as virus inactivation, ultrafiltration, and diafiltration.

Under the terms of the agreement, em-tec’s technology will be used to jointly develop single-use components, such as FlowTube. SSB will hold exclusive marketing rights to these applications and will distribute them as private label products under the brand name, BioPAT Flow.

SSB is constantly working to expand its process analytics portfolio in the sensor technology to enable non-invasive real-time measurement of critical process parameters, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, glucose, lactate and biomass. The new flow sensors, BioPAT Flow, enable precise, reproducible data to be collected on flow rates and mass balances without coming in contact with the medium during measurement.

Stefan Schlack, senior vice president of marketing at SSB, commented in a press release, that the sensors make downstream unit operations more intelligent and increase the level of automation. He added that these sensors are useful tools for designing robust biopharmaceutical processes and further optimizing them.

Dr. Hannspeter Schubert, managing director of em-tec, stated that his company is pleased to have SSB opting for its technology of non-invasive flow rate measurement. “The use of our sensors in fully integrated, automated bioprocesses represents an ideal application field and an innovative technological advance for us.”

Source: Sartorius Stedim Biotech