Product news
GEA: XStream Lab homogenizer for cell disruption and optimal scale-up
22 Aug 2022
To extend the homogenization process from laboratory to production scale while achieving the same cell-dissolving effect in the manufacturing process of proteins and microorganisms, GEA developed the XStream Lab Homogenizer. The benchtop unit is designed for laboratory testing and reliably delivers transferable results to industrial production scale.
GEA presents the XStream Lab homogenizer at ACHEMA 2022. (Photo: GEA)
High-pressure homogenization is used in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries primarily for cell disruption. GEA homogenizers such as the XStream Lab homogenizer can achieve cell disruption of more than 90 percent, depending on the product. Applications of homogenizers in pharmaceutical production include vaccines, intravenous emulsions, liposomes, yeast, enzymes and bacteria. GEA presents the XStream Lab homogenizer at ACHEMA 2022 in Frankfurt.
The XStream Lab homogenizer is ergonomically and specifically designed for a perfect fit on lab benches. The machine is easy to operate and to control via a PLC and HMI 7'' touch screen. Furthermore, the equipment has automatic pressure setting and adjustment, cGMP, CFR21 and Gamp certifications. There is replication and scalability of test results and an overall straightforward validation process.
The XStream Lab Homogenizer is available as a version for a maximum pressure of 1,000 bar (XStream Lab Homogenizer 1000) and for a maximum pressure of 2,000 bar (XStream Lab Homogenizer 2000).
Background information on homogenizers
Homogenizers stabilize active ingredients and dispersion in liquid pharmaceutical products for improved clinical efficacy, enhanced drug tolerance and reduced dosage. Homogenization is also used for cell disruption in yeast and bacteria to extract intracellular substances.
Example: Production of proteins by GEA homogenizers
Homogenizers enable the release of the inner cell content. The basic process for producing proteins involves first growing the engineered microorganisms in fermentation bioreactors, where the microbial cells are provided with all the nutrients and other factors they need to multiply rapidly. The bacteria are then removed from the bioreactors and subjected to homogenization, in which the cells are broken open to release their contents. The recombinant proteins released from the bacteria can then be isolated and purified for the customer, who can use them, for example, as starting material for further manufacturing steps or as active pharmaceutical ingredients that are either already on the market or under development.
Contact
Dr. Michael Golek
Media Relations
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft
Peter-Müller-Str. 12
40468
Düsseldorf
Germany
+49 211 9136-0
About GEA
GEA is one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. The international technology group, founded in 1881, focuses on machinery and plants, as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services.
