Evaluation of a Novel 2-D Rocking Motion Bio-Reactor System with Superior Gas Transfer Rates and Mixing Capabilities Suited for a Process Development Environment

Disposable bioreactors are being increasingly used in process development due to improved simplicity of operation and for the economic advantages they offer over the conventional stirred tanks. Rocking motion reactors have proved to be an efficient alternative to produce antibodies. Several rocking bioreactor systems are currently available and are equipped with various probes/sensors and control systems. Recently, a novel 2D rocking motion bioreactor has been introduced in the disposables market by Cell-ution Biotech. The vendor claims that the system is suitable for growing high cell density cultures due to its superior gas transfer rates and mixing capabilities over its peers. In this study we characterized oxygen mass transfer and mixing. The performance of this system was also evaluated by comparing cell growth data, metabolic profiles and controls with similar bioreactor systems.