With the established technology of disc separators: GEA delivers kytero® single-use pharmaceutical separators to Europe, Asia and North America

With the introduction of the kytero® Single-Use Pharma Separator, GEA has struck a chord with the pharmaceutical industry. Research institutes and companies in the pharmaceutical industry from Europe, Asia and Europe have already ordered the kytero® Single-Use Pharma Separator following its launch in fall 2021. They were convinced by the high separation efficiency, the simple and safe handling, and the elimination of costly cleaning procedures. Particularly when it comes to the topic of "health", speed without compromising patient safety is also an important purchasing argument. GEA supports the biopharmaceutical industry in achieving these goals.

kytero® stands for maximum separation efficiency with extremely gentle product handling and creates new ways for processing cell culture-based fermentations with a yield of 98 percent and more. This type of technology is in high demand for pilot plants, university laboratories, and small-scale production by biopharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide, as it relies on the well-established technology of disk separators. The use of filtration technology can thus be significantly reduced. 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, another model will follow in the short term.

GEA initiated the development of kytero® at the request of the biopharmaceutical industry. The basis for the development work was the experience of around 130 years in mechanical separation technology and GEA's well-established stainless-steel pharmaceutical disk separators. ("Disk Stack"). The GEA experts succeeded in developing a single-use separator for the biopharmaceutical industry that offers the same high-quality performance as the stainless-steel separators commonly used to date. The proven GEA feed system guarantees particularly gentle product treatment, and the vitality of shear-sensitive products is preserved. Product runs and scientific tests at the ZHAW School of Engineering in Zurich have confirmed this.

In centrifugation, unlike filtration, the separation of the medium is not achieved by filter media (filter plates and filter cloths), but by utilizing the centrifugal force that occurs in conjunction with a disc stack for increased clarification efficiency. The mobile "Plug & Produce" unit with a minimal footprint fits easily into any production room.

With the single-use separator, all product-contacting parts are replaced after use, preventing any cross-contamination without the need for cleaning and sterilization. The frictionless drive system provides 100-percent biocontainment by eliminating the need for seals or mechanical bearings. Set-up and changeover time (only five to ten minutes for preparation) is minimal. No auxiliary equipment such as water, buffers, or tanks is required. The noise level is very low at less than 69 dBA due to the newly developed breezeDrive® drive system. The temperature increase of the product, which is unavoidable during centrifugation, is minimal at less than two degrees. GEA kytero® inspires the pharmaceutical industry with its high separation efficiency, gentle product handling, easy and safe handling, and minimal set-up times. GEA provides test machines. Interested parties can obtain information and register at the web address www.gea.com/kytero.