Xcellerex introduces XDUO Quad single-use mixing system for biomanufacturing

May 3 2012

Xcellerex, Inc., a provider of turnkey biomanufacturing solutions, has launched its XDUO™ Quad™ single-use mixing system supporting single-use biomanufacturing in upstream and downstream mixing applications and unit operations.

The XDUO mixer represents the next-generation advancement in automated single-use solutions for the mixing of buffer, media, product, and other process fluids. An evolution of the original XDM™ system, the XDUO mixer enables unparalleled performance by adding new features and onboard instrumentation to support the application needs of the GMP manufacturing environment.

The XDUO mixer integrates with existing biomanufacturing production lines as well as with the Xcellerex FlexFactory^®, a modular biomanufacturing platform that leverages single-use technology and advanced process automation. The FlexFactory flexible platform enables biomanufacturers to accelerate their deployment of new manufacturing capacity while lowering risk, decreasing time to market, and reducing capital costs. The approach enables the deployment of new production facilities in 9 to 18 months (versus 3 to 5 years for current technology) at a total cost less than 50% that of conventional plants.

The XDUO single-use mixing system is the first mixer available with all instrumentation and automation features integrated as a stand-alone single-use mixing platform. The instrument panel includes a Siemens S7 1200 PLC, analog I/O cards, a 4-port switch, and a 4-inch monochrome HMI display. The instrument panel can be equipped with pH and conductivity transmitters, weight measurement, temperature monitoring, temperature control, and onboard pumps to support automated titration applications such as pH adjustment and viral inactivation. The XDUO system is also capable of both local and remote operation, data trending, and capture for batch record requirements in GMP manufacturing suites in data historian platforms, so it's ideal for supporting downstream unit operations in a single-use platform.

The single-use nature of the system eliminates time-consuming and costly clean-in-place (CIP), steam-in-place (SIP), and cleaning validation. The results are more efficient processing and rapid batch turnover.

The XDUO mixing system is easy to install and operate. As each unit is equipped with its own onboard instrumentation, the operator can commence unit operations and mixing processes instantaneously upon startup — without any need for time-consuming charging of superconducting magnets or complicated mating of drive systems to storage tanks. The systems are available in 50-, 100-, 200-, 500-, and 1,000-liter volumes and in stainless steel and jacketed stainless steel tanks.

The XDUO mixing system is immediately available. In addition to integrating with the Xcellerex FlexFactory, the XDUO mixer is also available for use with existing biomanufacturing production lines.