Since introducing the kytero single-use pharma separator in 2021, GEA has received orders from research institutes and companies in the pharmaceutical industry from Europe, Asia and the US. Clients were convinced by the high separation efficiency, simple and safe handling, and the elimination of costly cleaning procedures.
The separator enables high efficiency combined with gentle product handling, GEA says, and allows for cell culture-based fermentations with a yield of 98%. This type of technology is applicable in pilot plants, university laboratories, and small-scale production by biopharmaceutical manufacturers. The kytero 500 was developed for a capacity of up to 150 l/h and is thus suitable for laboratories and small batches. For reliable scale-up, the company has planned an additional model.
The company’s feed system is designed to ensure particularly gentle product treatment, meaning the vitality of shear-sensitive products is preserved. Product runs and scientific tests at the ZHAW School of Engineering in Zurich were done to confirm this.
In centrifugation, unlike filtration, the separation of the medium is not achieved by filter media (filter plates and filter cloths), but by utilising the centrifugal force that occurs in conjunction with a disc stack for increased clarification efficiency.
With the single-use separator, all product-contacting parts are replaced after use, preventing any cross-contamination without the need for cleaning and sterilisation. Its drive system provides biocontainment by eliminating the need for seals or mechanical bearings. Set-up and changeover requires only five to ten minutes for preparation and no auxiliary equipment such as water, buffers, or tanks is required.
The device’s noise level is less than 69 dBA. The temperature increase of the product, unavoidable during centrifugation, is less than two degrees.
