CPi Biotech utilises low shear, low pulsation pumps from Watson-Marlow for its bioprocess skids

• Peristaltic pumps from Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) have been integrated into CPi Biotech’s advanced bioprocess skids
• CPi Biotech is using a range of peristaltic pumps from WMFTS for transfer, filling and filtration
• Low shear and low pulsation are important qualities of the pumps for CPi Biotech

CPi Biotech makes use of a range of peristaltic pumps from Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) to ensure its skid platforms provide major multinational biopharmaceutical companies with the flexibility to manage multiple processes.

Based in Cork, Ireland, CPi manufactures advanced bioprocess skids for the biopharmaceutical sector. Since 2017, CPi has integrated WMFTS pumps into its solutions for pH adjustment, depth filtration, virus filtration, virus inactivation, media and buffer preparation, final filling skids and customised single-use skids.

From smaller OEM 300 series flip-top pumps to larger process pumps—530, 630 and 730 series, and Quantum 600—CPi trusts Watson-Marlow pumps due to their low shear and low pulsation capabilities. Also important for CPi is the precision accuracy, fine adjustment of the pump speed and ease of use with single-use tubing assemblies.

The 530, 630, 730 cased pumps and the Quantum provide flexibility for CPi’s customers to manage multiple processes and save time due to their high turndown ratio and multiple options for tube materials and sizes.

The low shear, low pulsation pumping of up to 33 litres per minute are important qualities of the pumps and a requirement for CPi. Low shear is important so that the pump doesn’t damage the protein and low pulsation so there is no impact on the functionality and accuracy of the inline instrumentation on the skid.

Ease of use is also critical. The large display clearly shows the pump status and provides for intuitive navigation with pump parameters easily set allowing for automated operation through the site control software.

With their compact size, Watson-Marlow OEM pumps are used where space saving is required, for ease of integration on skids, with multi-pump head configuration also available.

Watson-Marlow’s experience and longevity in the industry provides CPi with a portfolio of products from a trusted source extending to gaskets, tubing and clamps being incorporated on its skids. Sales and technical support are also very important as CPi customises its products through collaboration.

CPi’s skid solutions save its customers real-time plant, process and molecule re-configuration time as well as enabling ongoing re-investment in bioprocessing skids. The Single Pass Tangential Flow Filtration (SPTFF) system from CPi, which features Watson-Marlow panel mount 300 series pumpheads, can be deployed in many downstream unit operations, including clarification, chromatography, and final ultrafiltration steps. The SPTFF saves on cleanroom space and the compact footprint of the 530, 630 and OEM panel mount pumps (300 series) means the pumps fit comfortably on to the platforms in CPi’s systems. Furthermore, LoadSure® tube elements offer high pressure and longer tube life.

CPi’s modular, scalable and flexible systems are being used by its customers in the development and cGMP manufacturing of life-saving medicines and therapeutics.

Not only do Watson-Marlow pumps deliver accuracy of up to +/-0.5% to guarantee process stability and product quality, but closed fluid path pumping assures complete isolation from any source of contamination during transfer, filling and filtration applications.

The Quantum 600 pump is specifically designed for linear flow under pressures of up to 3 bar as required for tangential flow filtration (TFF), virus filtration (VF), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) applications. It enables higher downstream process yields throughout the pressure range, with a maximum flow of 20 L/min.

Martin O’Reilly, Senior Life Sciences Engineer at Watson-Marlow Ireland, said: “Watson-Marlow’s wide portfolio of products allows us to address many of CPi’s application challenges through the integration of both OEM panel mount pumps and cased pumps in their skid platforms.

“In relation to the Quantum, its unique single-use cartridge with four parallel fluid paths acts to deliver extremely low pulsation of only 0.12 bar at full speed, which is a key requirement for the reliable operation of many filtration processes. It is also easy to operate with colour display and intuitive menu structures which provide visual status indication and minimal key presses. This allows the user to adjust the speed gradually, and display relevant pump status information.”