Comparison between scale-X™ bioreactors and microcarrier cultivations
In viral vaccines production, anchorage-dependent cell lines, such as Vero cells are commonly used. Most viral vaccine manufacturing processes are therefore based on surface-dependent cell platforms. Typical cultivation systems such as roller bottles, multi-tray cell culture dishes and microcarrier bioreactors have constraints for large-scale production.
To overcome potential scale-up limitations and to ease manufacturing, fixed-bed bioreactors are a valuable alternative.
In comparison to randomly packed fabric strips found in commonly used fixed-bed bioreactors, the proprietary scale-X™ technology uses a structured, spiral wound fixed-bed to reduce local over compaction and dead zones, while making optimal usage of available surface area with high batch-to-batch reproducibility.
Delivering homogeneous cell growth and scalable adherent cell culture
A homogenous cell growth is an important scaling factor. It allows maximum use of an available surface area in a reproducible manner. Ensuring an optimized cell culture can directly influence the yield and productivity of viral particles for vaccine manufacturing.
A study was carried out to compare adherent Vero cell culture in a scale-X hydro bioreactor (2.4 m²) with standard microcarrier cultivations. Univercells Technologies has extended this study with complementary cell growth profiles among the scale-X bioreactor range (from 2.4 m²to 30 m²). The valuable obtained results demonstrate the reproducibility and homogeneity of cell growth within scale-X bioreactors, making it a suitable alternative to traditional “scale-out” technologies.