Nivelles, Belgium, May 7, 2025 – Univercells Technologies, a Donaldson Life Sciences company and global provider of bioprocessing solutions, announced the launch of the scale-X™ nitro controller, the latest addition to its scale-X fixed-bed bioreactor portfolio. Designed to operate both the 200 and 600 m² scale-X nitro bioreactors, the new controller, as part of the scale-X platform, offers a cost-effective, low-footprint and user-friendly solution for large-scale viral and advanced therapy manufacturing – delivering high productivity and enabling rapid scalability from R&D to commercial production in just eight months.
The new controller complements the existing NevoLine™ bioreactor platform by providing an alternative for developers and manufacturers looking to achieve high-productivity viral manufacturing with simplified operations. Supporting both adherent and suspension cell cultures, it is suited for a wide range of applications including viral vaccines, exosomes, LV and AAV vector production, oncolytic viruses, and recombinant proteins.
“When we introduced the scale-X portfolio, our goal was to create a high-performing, cost-effective and scalable solution that could take users from early R&D through to GMP and commercial scale,” said Marie Jourdan, Director of the Bioprocessing Product Portfolio at Univercells Technologies. “This launch completes that vision. The new controller makes it possible for biotech and biopharma companies, CDMOs, and academic institutions to scale up without added complexity or cost.”
The scale-X range now spans from 0.5 m² to 600 m², with the scale-X nitro controller unlocking the full potential of the larger-scale systems for users previously limited by infrastructure or budget. With a compact 1.6 m² footprint and height under 2 meters, the controller is shipped as a single, wheeled unit that fits through standard doorways and cleanrooms and can be rolled directly into production suites—streamlining deployment and reducing time to operation. The system features an intuitive interface and easy-to-install flow paths, enabling faster ramp-up and greater operational flexibility.
By combining high productivity with a compact footprint, the scale-X™ nitro controller supports more efficient vaccine and viral vector manufacturing. Data shows it can reduce production costs by 36% to 82% compared to other adherent methods, helping manufacturers improve economic feasibility and accelerate timelines to commercial scale.
With this launch, Univercells Technologies further strengthens its commitment to delivering scalable, accessible solutions for advanced therapy and vaccine developers worldwide.