Tarpon Biosystems BioSMB™ System

BioSMB™ is a technology that provides reduced costs and
increased process efficiency in biopharmaceutical
production. Flexibility is achieved through multi-column
technology; its systems are designed with disposable
components to be practical and functional within virtually all
bioprocessing environments. Tarpon has a goal of
“reducing the cost of therapeutics through unparalleled
efficiency and flexibility of biopharmaceutical purification.”
The design team needed to support this mission in its
design.

Typically the setup for production of this type is complex;
the considerable amounts of tubing can be confusing and
unsightly. Effective management of the fluid, tubing and
pathways were key in the design. The design team utilized
an intuitive left-to-right flow for the series of pathways.
Two arches, one on either side of the front panel of the
main unit, were designed to route the tubing within the
canals, keep the area neat, and protect the fluid lines.

Fluids run through the series of columns at the front of the
unit; the columns can vary in size but must be held in front
of the unit to allow for proper functioning. The design team
developed a rack to hold the columns; the rack was
removable and fit into fold-away arms that tucked inside the
unit. This made the unit more compact - a major
consideration for a system of this size - and allowed for
better access for setting up fluid lines.

This equipment enables bio-manufacturers to purify a drug
product (injectable dosage form) using ‘disposables’ while
consuming 1/2 the water, 1/3 of the physical space, much
less (up to 80% less) of the consumable materials and less
energy; this decreases the need for creating energy
intensive “clean steam” to purify fixed stainless steel piping
(now the industry standard) thereby providing a ‘greener’
solution.