DexLeChem is nominated with its new service "Optimize Biotech" for the Innovation Prize of Chemie-Cluster Bayern. The final prize will be awarded in Fürstenfeld at November, 9.

Theoretical modeling and computer based dynamic simulations are valuable tools to design and optimize industrial processes.

So far, these techniques are mainly used in chemical production, helping to identify ideal operation parameters, optimize the process or achieve better scale-up result. Technically, these methods are also applicable to biotechnological processes. In reality, this is rarely the case, because at the moment, there is no easy to use toolbox for model development available that takes all the special requirements of complex fermentation processes into account.

Therefore, state-of-the-art to determine operation conditions for biotechnological production is a combination of experience, “trial-and-error”, and if possible DoE (Design of Experiments). The process design for production scale is extrapolated based on experiments carried out at laboratory scale.

The probability that this approach at once identifies the ideal operation point is very low. Additional costly experiments at intermediate scales are needed. Complex non-linear interactions, changes of the fermentation system over time, or influences of the reactor dimension cannot be directly addressed by these methods. As a result, problems during scale-up to production level occur, thus leading to worse yield.

Dynamic simulation can solve such problems. Non-linear interactions and dynamic phenomena are considered, such that the transferability and predictability will be significantly increased and the optimum operation parameters can be identified.

Prof. Neubauer head of the chair of Bioprocess Engineering at the TU Berlin successfully develops theoretical models for the dynamic simulation of biotechnological processes. He could show that his methods are capable to optimize such processes and deliver higher yields, shorter fermentation times and less unwanted byproducts. It was possible to obtain improvements of 20% and more for industrial processes.[1]

Since July 2015 DexLeChem offers a new service in the field of dynamic simulations for biotech applications, optimizing space-time yields, robustness, handling and other process parameters. In our cooperation with the chair of Bioprocess Engineering we combine knowledge from the fields of reaction engineering, process engineering, biotechnology and theoretical modeling.

Theoretical modeling and computer based dynamic simulations can describe the complex behavior of biotechnological processes such that new optimization goals can be reached:

• Minimize time to reach cell mass & cell concentration
• Maximize biomass production
• Maximize protein activity
• Controlled scale-up

DexLeChem transfers innovations from the field of biotechnological process engineering to industrial application.