A Cost Analysis And Evaluation Of Perfused Seed Train Scenarios Through Process Modeling

Jeffrey Barna, Research Scientist, Process Solutions – BioContinuum™ Platform; Habib Horry, Ph.D, Associate Director Marketing – BioContinuum™ Platform; Douglas Rank, R&D Senior Manager – BioContinuum™ Platform

Among the strategies available for upstream process intensification is use of perfusion in the N-1 step to increase cell density prior to the production bioreactor. N-1 perfusion can also be used to eliminate the need for an intermediate-scale bioreactor prior to the production bioreactor. Use of perfusion and continuous protein harvest from the production bioreactor is also a strategy for intensification but is a relatively complex process compared to use of perfusion in the seed train.

This white paper describes process modeling and compares the process economics of a conventional upstream process versus three perfused seed train alternatives in combination with either a conventional fed-batch bioreactor or high-seed fed-batch bioreactor.