MAST away: Lonza sells bioreactor sampling tech to MilliporeSigma

MilliporeSigma says the addition of the MAST (Modular Automated Sampling Technology) platform will help its customers optimize their bioprocesses and speed up development time.

Lonza is offloading the platform to bioprocess vendor and fellow contract manufacturer MilliporeSigma – the life sciences service division of Germany’s Merck – for an undisclosed fee.

The technology provides biomanufacturers near real-time sampling and analysis of bioreactors, the results of which can be used to deliver a range of analytical devices measuring titer, metabolites, and protein isoforms – all key indicators of product quality. According to MilliporeSigma, the automated, aseptic bioreactor sampling system can significantly speed up clients’ development projects.

Image c/o Lonza: http://mastsampling.com/

“Today, biopharmaceutical companies are under immense pressure to get products to patients faster,” said Andrew Bulpin, head of Process Solutions at Life Science business sector at Merck.

“This technology, coupled with the software to analyze and manage data, allows us to offer unique and integrated solutions to help customers optimize their bioprocesses. The MAST platform moves us closer toward our vision of connected and continuous bioprocessing to increase speed and lower costs.”

MilliporeSigma, claims MAST allows the gathering of frequent samples and collection of real-time data significantly faster than manual sampling: “hours instead of weeks.”

Furthermore, the platform can collect samples from up to 10 bioreactors and connect them to four primary analyzers.

Contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Lonza added the MAST technology through its $5.5 billion acquisition of Capsugel in 2017, but says it is selling the platform to focus on its core biomanufacturing business.

“Merck’s established experience implementing real-world data into its projects will enable it to further unlock the potential of the MAST platform that Lonza has worked diligently to develop,” said Jean-Christophe Hyvert, president of Biologics and Cell & Gene, Lonza.

“With this divestment, we remain focused on our broad Bioscience offering, providing our customers with the tools to develop, manufacture and test therapeutics from basic research to the final product release.”