All articles by Alexander Love

Alexander Love

Optimising biopharma production through process intensification

Process intensification has long been viewed in biopharma production as a means to increase production efficiency and reduce costs. Yet the pathway there is not always straightforward, there are a number of approaches that can be taken. New technologies are pivotal in delivering advances in process intensification, and we learn more about how the 3M™ Harvest RC Chromatographic Clarifier can achieve this.

Avoiding supply chain disruption with medical device coatings

Supply chain disruptions are causing severe delays to medical device development, with coatings a key area that is also experiencing issues in securing raw materials to meet strict timelines. We look at the ways that Formacoat is better insulated than most in the coatings field thanks to its innovative development processes and comprehensive in-house production capabilities.

Overcoming challenges with scalability in biopharma manufacturing

Production of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) therapies has traditionally been expensive and complicated. Scaling up from discovery to lab scale and then to commercial manufacturing can be streamlined by using a consistent approach. We speak to Dr Hani El-Sabbahy, Advanced Application Engineering Specialist from 3M, to understand more about overcoming problems with scalability and reliability of clarification solutions.

The Formacoat Formula: What’s behind the success of the innovator in coatings?

What makes a niche business like Formacoat work? The answer lies in its expertise, integrity, and methodology. Formacoat has a holistic approach that aims to address what customers want from their medical devices – and why. To learn more, we speak to Formacoat CEO Mark Gross and his two sons, Brecon and Brontë, who are both involved in company operations.

A guide to managing hazardous waterborne bacteria outbreaks

It is impossible to completely eradicate biofilm from any water system, meaning that an outbreak of hazardous bacteria can happen at any time. In a healthcare facility, it is essential to keep water running and protect the safety of patients and staff. We learn how a good water management plan and expert advice can help healthcare facilities overcome the roadblocks to promptly restoring a safe water supply.

Grafting coatings: competition for Teflon on medical devices?

Medical device coatings specialists are turning to grafting coatings to solve issues with complex geometries. We speak Formacoat to learn more about the advantages and efficiency increases with a coating that could one day be a rival to Teflon.

Solving problems with harvest clarification using fibre-based chromatography

Bottlenecks in harvest clarification caused by intensified upstream processes create challenges in the production of monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapeutics. However, new technologies are enabling an increased yield while reducing the number of steps and resources required in biopharma production. We speak to 3M’s Dr Hani El-Sabbahy to learn more.

Managing the complexities of international clinical trials

The number and complexity of clinical trials is increasing dramatically. While trials tend to enroll fewer patients, those patients are often in remote locations and increasingly prefer to be treated in the home rather than at an investigator site. In addition, the drugs being evaluated often have complicated storage, handling and transportation requirements. Sponsor companies can ensure the success of their clinical studies by partnering with a clinical logistics partner that has comprehensive and demonstrated capabilities in customs clearance, transportation and comparator sourcing.

Large-scale production of medical device coatings: Why the right machines matter

Scaling-up production for coating a new medical device is not always a straightforward process. Finding a partner with the right production machines and a willingness to take on a challenge can make all the difference. We speak to medical device coatings specialists Formacoat to learn more about what production machines they utilize to enable scaling up and help increase the speed from concept to cash flow.

Water stagnation: Preventing contamination of water systems in vacated buildings

Risks of water stagnation have increased in the last two years due to buildings being vacated during the global pandemic. Microbial growth has been made more likely in many installations, increasing the potential presence of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens harmful to human health. Dangers are not limited to hospitals, with sites such as office buildings and gyms also susceptible. We speak to experts at Pall International to learn more about the risks from water stagnation and ways to provide immediate protection from harmful bacteria.