Trade press information
kytero® separator from GEA: a real game changer for the biopharmaceutical industry
04 Oct 2021
With the new kytero® Single-Use Pharma Separator, GEA presented a world first for the biopharmaceutical single-use industry at the Single-Use Conference in Leiden, the Netherlands.
Presented the new kytero® Single Use Pharma Separator at the Single Use Conference in Leiden, the Netherlands: (from left to right): Andreas Biewald, GEA Product Manager Sales and Rüdiger Göhmann, GEA Product Group Manager and Edwin Telgenkamp, GEA Netherlands, Account Manager. (Photo: GEA)
The GEA kytero® single-use separator is designed for obtaining fermentation solutions and cell cultures and is equipped with the proven GEA Westfalia Separator disk stack technology for maximum yield, high separation efficiency and gentle product handling. The GEA kytero® combines the high performance of larger GEA stainless steel pharmaceutical centrifuges with the features and benefits offered by disposable separation. This type of equipment is in high demand for animal cell and gene therapy processes, as well as for pilot plants, university laboratories, in R&D environments and small-scale production, and by biopharmaceutical manufacturers worldwide, as it relies on centrifugation to significantly reduce filtration dependency. In centrifugation, unlike filtration, 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 the disc pack for increased clarification efficiency. The mobile plug & produce unit also fits into any clean room.
GEA presents the kytero®Single Use Pharma Separator, a world first for single-use biopharmaceutical processing. (Photo: GEA)
Celebrated premiere of the GEA kytero® at the top networking event of the biopharma industry in Leiden/Netherlands.
The GEA experts responsible for the new technology very deliberately chose the conference in Leiden as the premiere venue in Europe. Here, (bio)process technologists, (bio)pharmacists, (bio)chemists, life scientists, biotechnologists, process engineers and process managers met to exchange ideas on technology and product developments in the fields of "continuous bioprocesses", "cell culture systems" and "microbial systems". Andreas Biewald, GEA Product Manager Sales and Rüdiger Göhmann, GEA Product Group Manager and Edwin Telgenkamp, GEA Account Manager from the Netherlands, were highly satisfied with the response. "Immediately after our presentation, there were many inquiries. The response showed us that with the GEA kytero® we are entering a real gap in the market and can cover an application that is new to us," Rüdiger Göhmann summed up with satisfaction.
GEA kytero® combines easy handling with highest separation technology
The GEA kytero® is user-friendly and easy to handle. All elements in contact with the product, such as hoses and containers, are made of recyclable material and are replaced after use. This prevents any cross-contamination and ensures hygienic harvesting of the cells. The change of the single-use parts is very easy due to aseptic connector systems. The design of the aseptic connector system makes the exchange of single-use components fast and very easy.
The small footprint of the GEA kytero® for single-use processing makes it highly mobile and minimizes the need for expensive storage or production space. Buffer tanks are not required. The elimination of CIP (clean-in-place) and SIP (sterilize-in-place) also eliminates the cost of chemicals and water, especially water-for-injection (WFI). In addition, the energy and labor required for cleaning and sterilization are eliminated.
Set-up and changeover time (only five to ten minutes for preparation) is minimal. No auxiliary equipment such as water, buffers or tanks are required.
The noise level is very low at less than 69 dBA. The unavoidable temperature increase of the product during centrifugation is minimal at less than two degrees.
In the end, a 500-liter batch of animal cells is processed in about four hours - an excellent result in an excellent time.
Contact
Dr. Michael Golek
Media Relations
GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft
Ulmenstrasse 99
40476
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. For instance, every second pharma separator for essential healthcare products such as vaccines or novel biopharmaceuticals is produced by GEA. In food, every fourth package of pasta or every third chicken nugget are processed with GEA technology.
With more than 18,000 employees, the group generated sales of about EUR 5.5 billion in more than 150 countries in the 2025 fiscal year. GEA plants, processes, components and services enhance the efficiency and sustainability of customers’ production. They contribute significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions, plastic usage and food waste. In doing so, GEA makes a key contribution toward a sustainable future, in line with the company’s purpose: ”Engineering for a better world.”
GEA is listed on the German MDAX, the European STOXX® Europe 600 Index and is also a constituent of the leading sustainability indices DAX 50 ESG, MSCI Global Sustainability and Dow Jones Best-in-Class World.
