Cytiva Expands Bioreactor Portfolio with Addition of 500-L and 2000-L Bioreactors, Which Will be Exhibited at INTERPHEX 2025

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On March 25, 2025, Cytiva announced that it is expanding its Xcellerex X-platform portfolio with the addition of 500-L and 2000-L bioreactors. The new offerings will allow scientists and researchers to more easily scale up manufacturing of next-generation advanced therapeutics, from 50 L to 2000 L. The X-platform is a flexible single-use system designed to increase operational efficiencies and production capacity. The platform aims to lower costs, reduce risks, and speed the time to bring new therapeutics to the next clinical milestone (1).

According to a company press release, the X-platform bioreactor portfolio was designed to meet the processing needs of researchers in early stage clinical development through to commercial manufacturing. In addition to facilitating scale-up and reducing time spent optimizing, additional features include:

• an infrared-based camera: provides accurate detection of foam appearing in the process, which allows for early, automated intervention
• working height management of exhaust filters and heaters: this feature is designed to simplify filter changes and minimize the need for manipulations at height
• “off-the-shelf” bag configuration and installation: this quick and easy configuration helps reduce the risk of error by offering a rigid base construction that ensures consistent installation of the single-use bioreactor bag, thus minimizing the risk of batch failure.

“Our customers need speed and flexibility to develop advanced therapeutics. The expansion of Cytiva’s Xcellerex X-platform portfolio and its additional features will help our customers scale their operations more efficiently. The design and functionality of the hardware, biocontainers, and software will allow our customers to safely manufacture life changing therapeutics faster,” said Ludovic Brellier, president of Hardware Solutions, Cytiva, in the press release (1).

The Xcellerex line consists of single-use technologies. The line was launched more than 20 years ago and has since played a significant role in the development of protein-based therapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies. Today, the technology is playing an important role in the development of advanced therapeutics, such as cell and gene therapies (CGTs), messenger RNA vaccines, and antibody drug conjugates (1).

In January 2025, Cytiva partnered with Cellular Origins, a TTP company based in the UK, to combine technology platforms to offer automated, robotic manufacturing of CGTs. Under this collaboration, Cytiva’s automated Sefia platform will be combined with Cellular Origins’ Constellation, an automated robotic platform, with the purpose of scaling up CGT manufacturing to industrial levels without changing the initial manufacturing process used during discovery phases or clinical trials (2).

In an interview with BioPharm International®, Edwin Stone, PhD, CEO of Cellular Origins, emphasized the need to "industrialize" the CGT field, leveraging advanced technologies to enable reliable, high-volume production. He pointed to tough market conditions in 2024 which have led companies to focus on cash flow and partnerships, as companies have come to recognize that no single entity can tackle the complex technical and operational hurdles alone (3).

Cytiva will be showcasing the 2000-L X-platform bioreactor at Booth 2815 at INTERPHEX 2025, being held in New York City on April 1–3, 2025.

References

1. Cytiva. Cytiva Broadens Xcellerex X-platform to Include 500 L and 2000 L Bioreactors. Press Release. March 25, 2025.
2. Cytiva. Cellular Origins and Cytiva are Collaborating to Deliver Automated Robotic Manufacturing Capabilities for Cell and Gene Therapies. Press Release. Jan. 16, 2025.
3. Mirasol, F. Discussing the Need to Industrialize CGT Manufacturing (Part 1). BioPharmInternational.com, March 11, 2025.