Fisher Biosciences Partners With Alfa Laval To Provide Disposable Bioprocessing Systems
Logan, UT - -Fisher Biosciences, through its HyClone business, will partner with Alfa Laval to provide single-use bioprocessing systems for Haemacure's new manufacturing facility for Hemaseel(R) biological adhesives in Sarasota, Fla. These bioprocessing systems are marketed and sold by Alfa Laval under an exclusive agreement with HyNetics(R), a joint venture between Alfa Laval and HyClone. The contract with Haemacure marks one of the first major installations of HyNetics technology for large-scale bioprocessing.
Haemacure has selected Alfa Laval to provide all of the detailed engineering for its new facility as well as selection of the production equipment. The core bioprocessing equipment for the operation will be the HyNetics single-use mixing technology, which features control fixtures and hardware manufactured by Alfa Laval and disposable elements manufactured by HyClone.
The HyNetics systems will be used to produce Haemacure's fibrin-sealant and thrombin products sold under the Hemaseel brand. These products include Hemaseel(R) HMN fibrin sealant and Hemaseel(R) Thrombin -- innovative biological adhesives and hemostats for acute surgical-wound care.
"Our single-use, disposable bioprocessing system will provide Haemacure with significant flexibility at reduced costs when compared to traditional stainless-steel systems, thus increasing efficiency significantly," said Leland Foster, chief executive officer of Fisher Biosciences. "It eliminates cleaning validations and virtually eliminates the risk of batch-to-batch contamination."
Marc Paquin, president and chief executive officer of Haemacure, added: "The implementation of this technology allows Haemacure to establish and operate a very cost-efficient facility and to be more in control of its own destiny."
The manufacture of Haemacure products involves the processing of human plasma, and the HyNetics systems will be used primarily in the critical mixing operation. In the HyNetics system, all of the parts that will come in contact with Haemacure product materials are designed for single use.
In addition, HyClone will be providing Haemacure with its proprietary disposable BioProcess Containers(TM), which can be used for storage and transport of process materials, as well as other disposable components that complement the HyNetics system.
"We are excited about the commitment of Haemacure to HyNetics technology," said Foster. "Our goal is to provide completely disposable systems for applications throughout the entire bioprocessing stream -- from media hydration to bioreactors, to protein separation and purification, to bulk-drug storage and final filling operations."
Alfa Laval and HyClone have been working together for more than three years in developing the HyNetics single-use mixing technology. "We are extremely pleased with the Haemacure agreement because it further validates the concept of disposable bioprocessing technology," said Bill Brydges, president of Alfa Laval BioKinetics, the company's engineering division. "We look forward to continuing to work with HyClone to bring this technology to the larger biopharmaceutical market."
SOURCE: Haemacure