Merck Millipore Introduces Compaction Technology to Improve Solubility and Facilitate Handling of Cell Culture Media Used in Biopharmaceutical Production

• Dry compression process compacts powder media into granules
• Compacted media minimize dust formation and increase flowability, improving handling and cleanliness
• Accelerated solubility helps optimize media preparation

Merck Millipore, the Life Science business of Merck, today introduced a new technology that compacts dry powder cell culture media into granules, accelerating solubility and improving flowability and handling. The compacted media are therefore more convenient to use, allowing biopharmaceutical manufacturers to further optimize their upstream processes.

The technology is water- and additive-free and applies compression force to Merck Millipore's highly homogenous dry powder media, fixing that homogeneity in place and creating granules several millimeters in size. The process does not alter the media's amino acid or vitamin composition, and leaves intact the physico-chemical parameters of dissolved media and feeds, preserving the media's ability to support cell growth and productivity.

"Biopharmaceutical manufacturers need cell culture media that are highly soluble, homogenous and convenient to handle," said Matthias Bucerius, head of Pharm Chemicals Solutions. "We developed our compaction technology to address the market need for dry powder media that reliably meet those requirements. Our unique process produces compacted media that are easier to handle and deliver the expected performance."

Merck Millipore will use compaction technology to produce customized cell culture media formulations for customers' specific process needs. The company also plans to use compaction technology to enhance its established portfolio of cell culture media products.