N-1 Perfusion: The Proven, Practical Gateway To Upstream Process Intensification

As demand for monoclonal antibodies and biosimilars continues to outpace manufacturing capacity, biopharmaceutical companies are seeking scalable, cost-effective solutions that don’t disrupt existing fed-batch processes. N-1 perfusion using the XCell® ATF System offers a proven pathway to upstream process intensification, enabling up to 20-fold higher inoculum densities and significantly boosting productivity—often by 2X to 4X—without requiring larger bioreactors. This strategy shortens production timelines, improves facility throughput, and reduces the upstream cost of goods by up to 60%. Real-world implementations by leading manufacturers like Lonza®, Syngene®, and Samsung Biologics® demonstrate consistent gains in yield and efficiency across scales and antibody formats. With minimal regulatory burden and seamless scalability, N-1 perfusion is positioned as a practical, low-risk intensification strategy for biologics production.

For teams looking to meet rising market demands without expanding footprint, this white paper offers a compelling case for adopting ATF-based N-1 perfusion.