Case Study: Delivering continuous manufacturing for a next generation digital Biotech facility
Posted on December 9, 2019 by
Helena Graham
In this case study we see how a global Biotech company leverages real-time monitoring and advanced data analytics through automation excellence to achieve continuous manufacturing in a new digital manufacturing facility.
Introduction
Rising costs of drug production and an increasingly competitive environment, combined with global pressures are forcing even the most established Biotech companies to reassess their manufacturing processes. Batch processing, although tried and tested, can prove slow as the product is released when quality requirements are met, and new batches only start once the last one is finished. Many are looking to innovate in a bid to improve efficiencies and reduce costs. One proven way to do this is to transition from batch processes to continuous manufacturing. No longer are there batch delays as production is 24/7, only stopping for scheduled maintenance breaks. The continuation of production means companies can minimise waste and energy usage, reduce changeover costs and better monitor drug quality on a continuous basis through data analytics and real time checks.
The US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) are heavily supportive of this switch due to the increased process reliability and flexibility it brings as well as the fact that it shortens production time while minimising the risk of human errors.
However, continuous manufacturing is not easy to implement in the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry.
For it to be successfully implemented, the technology supporting the process must be integrated and installed correctly. Without checks between batches, the only way to ensure quality and compliance is through data analytics tools and real-time monitoring. Data Analytics tools are central to the continuous manufacturing environment in order to look through massive data sets quickly and spot any potential impacts on production in real-time. This predictive and prescriptive style of manufacturing will set the pharma companies of the future ahead of others.
In this case study we see how a global Biotech company leverages real-time monitoring and advanced data analytics through automation excellence to achieve continuous manufacturing in a new digital manufacturing facility.
The challenge: creating one of the first digital manufacturing facilities in the world to use continuous, intensified biologic production technology
The main goal for this global Biotech customer was to be at the forefront of biologic manufacturing. This greenfield facility was designed to be an inspirational Factory of the Future and ramp-up Biotech production capabilities in the US. As part of this revolutionary new build, the client wanted to reap the benefits of continuous manufacturing.
Compared to batch processing, Continuous downstream bio-manufacturing operates at significantly reduced volumetric rates. This allows large reductions in facility footprint and equipment sizes (~75% reduction). Additionally, continuous bio-processing operates at a faster process cycle time compared to batch, which reduces work in progress inventory and improves product stability. Continuous processing is widely used in other industries but has been slow to be adopted by biotech.
This project aimed to use continuous, intensified biologic production technology to build one of the world’s first digital manufacturing facilities. This Factory of the Future design also included single use process trains, which dramatically shorten time to market, reduce capital costs, improve cycle time and reduce energy consumption.
This digital transformation of the company’s manufacturing network sought to enable better use of data to optimise manufacturing processes and ultimately speed up the commercialisation of new medicines emerging from the R&D pipeline.
The facility was the first digital transformation initiative of its kind for the company and the plan was to roll out its innovations as standard and establish a gold standard of biologic manufacturing across the network.
There are many challenges to implementing a complex facility of this nature. From complex equipment designs and controls requiring a robust operation for long duration’s to be able to compare batch processes to no universal sampling approach or proven methodology for obtaining representative samples across all stages of the continuous process. This does however mean there are opportunities to develop new methodologies and wider scale product portfolios for continuous equipment.
The solution: part of the team
Zenith Technologies was part of the engineering team from the very beginning and led the automation project, from concept development, through to being the largest engineering team during design, construction and testing. Focused on creating a flexible and continuous manufacturing strategy, the team developed the automation system for equipment monitoring and process tracking, monitoring and control and efficient utilisation of resources and facilities.
Zenith delivered:
- Sophisticated process control for single use unit operations, including continuous upstream and downstream processing
- Integrated data collection systems for process measurement, alarming and reporting
- Interconnected, advanced material tracking systems throughout the facility
As the main systems integrator, Zenith engineers developed the software to control every unit operation. The team also developed the software that integrated the sensors, unit operations, and materials management into a cohesive and effective system. At its peak they had a comprehensive team of 20 engineers on the project team, all ensuring this bespoke system was stable and optimised as well as being delivered on time and to budget.
Chosen as their automation partner, Zenith are widely recognised as leaders in automation engineering for Biotech manufacturing. Zenith’s reputation of being at the cutting edge of technology development and support, meant they were a reliable choice for implementation.
Outcome: next generation biotech manufacturing
Working in close collaboration with Zenith, the company successfully opened the new facility and was able to achieve higher levels of productivity, agility and flexibility, which will reduce the time for a product to move from development lab to patient.
The facility leads the way in delivering the next generation of biologic manufacturing by using data to optimise processes. Its success will shape not only the future of the company but also the industry as a whole.
Highlights of what was achieved during this project were:
- Continuous, multi column chromatography for downstream processing
- Plug and play automation integration of mobile process equipment and product totes.
- Continuous buffer manufacturing using in-line dilution
- Advanced process sensors for real time data analysis and reporting for process control
Beyond this initial facility, there are now similar digital transformation initiatives planned for other sites in Europe and The Americas. This factory will help meet increasing world-wide demand at lower capital and operating expenses, making it economically feasible for the customer to continue to supply the medicine to so many people whose lives depend on it.
At a glance:
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