Biochemical production processes can be difficult to both control and monitor. Sam Watts from Stratophase, looks at improving biopharmaceutical process control with real time, in-line monitoring tools developed from fibre optics.
The tool kit of analytical techniques currently available to monitor chemical and biochemical production processes is difficult to apply in real-time. Advances in solid state fibre optic sensing technology allow new techniques to complement the current tool kit. The use of optical in-line sensing enables real-time monitoring of production status, highlighting problems as and when they occur.
Within biopharmaceutical fermentation processes, yields can be maximised by close control of the process feedstock – for example, glucose. Timing is similarly important and entire batches can be spoiled if the process is allowed to continue just a few hours past the optimum harvest time. Continuous and final product quality control procedures are employed across the industry, but often the parameters measured, or the time delay between sampling and analysis, make it difficult to uncover and rectify any problems as they occur.
If the problems are serious enough there are major costs associated with the wasted batch – from expensive precursors, equipment time and the batch itself, not to mention the lost labour and downtime costs arising from having to clean down the whole system (or replace disposable components) and start the entire process again.
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