SMB Technology Supports Shift to Continuous Biomanufacturing

Just as fixed-bed bioreactors were an innovation that advances upstream bioprocessing, simulated-moving bed (SMB) technology is a technology adopted from other industries that can help advance continuous chromatography processes in downstream bioprocessing. First used in the petrochemical industry in the 1940s (1), SMB also became useful in the chemical industry, where it allows for the scale-up of lab chromatography processes in the case of high production outputs (1). In the bio/pharmaceutical industry, SMB technology offers advantages over batch chromatography and can support a shift to continuous chromatography.

The process of adsorption has been shown to be successful for the purification of commercial products in other industries. Generally speaking, higher yield and better purity can be achieved with SMB (1). This technology can enhance process intensification; for example, fermentation products made in diluted streams have been efficiently extracted using SMB (1).

In the purification of protein therapeutics, SMB technology shows promise. In one study, an evaluation was done in which an SMB chromatograph technique was combined with a protein capture device to see how much productivity could be increased for the purification of immunoglobulin G (IgG) (2). The results of the study showed that the yield of purified IgG product using the chromatography columns with the protein capture device combined with SMB was much higher compared to conventional chromatography columns, 79% vs. 25%, respectively (2).

References

1. Sharma, D. Simulated Moving Bed Technology: Overview and Use in Biorefineries. Biorefineries—Selected Processes; Biernat, K., Ed.; IntechOpen, London, UK, 2022. DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.99991
2. Broedel, S.; McManaway, M.; Barrett, W. Highly Efficient Process for the Purification of IgG. Application Note; W.L Gore & Associates, Newark, Del., March 2020.

About the author

Feliza Mirasol is the science editor for BioPharm International.

Article details

BioPharm International
Vol. 36, No. 4
April 2023
Page: 20

Citation

When referring to this article, please cite it as Mirasol, F. SMB Technology Supports Shift to Continuous Biomanufacturing. BioPharm International 2023, 36 (4), 20.