The firm – the pharmaceutical contracting arm of Japan’s Fujifilm – has installed a TAP ambr250 automated bioreactor system for microbial fermentations at its site in Billingham, UK.
Fujifilm already has experience using TAP’s technologies according to spokesman Mark Douglas, who told BioPharma-Reporter.com that this coupled with the system’s automation capabilities were key to its bioreactor choice.
“For us, the TAP ambr250 was the leading platform - the nearest competitor is not automated and the use of disposable bioreactors, along with automation, in the ambr 250 makes this system very efficient and simple to set up and run. In addition, the bioreactor format of the ambr250 makes it inherently scalable.
Douglas added that: “We are very happy with the performance of the ambr15 in our mammalian development group - this was a factor in our decision to acquire the TAP ambr250.”
The system was developed by Sartorius Stedim Biotech's TAP Biosystems division, which has worked closely with Fujifilm during the installation Douglas continued.
“TAP has been great. They built the system on site and carried out SAT. They also provided detailed on-site training and were, and are, highly responsive to our questions and requests for support as we establish the system as part of our process development offering.”
Investment driver
The UK expansion is the first since October last year when Fujifilm installed an Xcellerex system at the facility.
Now, as then, the addition in new technology was not driven by the demands of any particular customer said Douglas.
“This is more driven by our desire to consolidate our position as a leader in process development and LPC studies. We are investing in systems that fit closely with our DoE driven approach to process design and application of HTS to increase efficiency - and speed. This is something we want to offer all customers.
He added that: “We are strongly committed to growth and, the investments we are making in leading edge technology need the best scientists and engineers for value to be realised - we are always on the look-out for good people.”
Fujifilm has also set up four new labs at its facility in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, US.