(159c) Tutorial on Membrane Separations Technology for the Biopharmaceutical Industry

Membrane processes play a critical role in the purification of biopharmaceuticals. This presentation will review current applications of membrane technology in downstream processing, including clarification of cell culture fluid, bioburden reduction, virus removal filtration, sterile filtration, and ultrafiltration for final product concentration and formulation. Specific emphasis will be placed on the special characteristics of the membranes and modules used for commercial production of biotherapeutics. In addition, increasing demand for biopharmaceutical products and competition from biosimilars has generated interest in transitioning to continuous biopharmaceutical processes, creating exciting new opportunities for development of membrane technology for bioprocessing.