See the Improvement Before You Commit

CaptureSMB® is a twin-column continuous capture process designed to dramatically improve the throughput of affinity chromatography steps while reducing resin and buffer costs. It addresses the fundamental limitation of batch capture — that columns must be loaded conservatively to avoid product breakthrough, leaving a large fraction of the resin’s binding capacity unused in every cycle. CaptureSMB® eliminates this constraint by loading columns well beyond the batch endpoint, capturing any breakthrough on a second column, and alternating roles continuously. The result is near-complete resin utilization, 2–3× higher productivity, and significantly lower buffer consumption per gram of product — without compromising yield.

What the study evaluates:

• Static and dynamic binding capacity of your resin under your conditions
• Breakthrough curve characterisation
• Optimal loading, washing, elution, and regeneration flow rates for continuous operation
• Impact of hold steps (e.g. regeneration incubation) on overall cycle time and productivity
• Column pressure profile across all process phases
• Comparison of batch vs. CaptureSMB®: productivity (g/L resin/day), resin capacity utilisation (%), yield (%), buffer consumption (L/g product), and product concentration (g/L)

Typical applications:

• Protein A capture of mAbs, bispecifics, and Fc-fusion proteins
• Affinity chromatography for hormones (e.g. hCG) and recombinant proteins
• Any bind-elute step using expensive affinity resins where maximising resin utilisation directly reduces cost
• Processes bottlenecked by column throughput or resin cost

Scale-up path: CaptureSMB® performance is predictable from small-scale data. The study includes basic scale-up scenarios based on measured process performance parameters (cycle time, capacity utilisation, flow rates) so you can estimate what a production-scale CaptureSMB® process would deliver.

MCSGP is a multicolumn counter-current solvent gradient purification process. It addresses the fundamental yield-purity tradeoff in gradient chromatography by automatically recycling impure side fractions (the leading and trailing edges of the product peak) back into the process. The result is simultaneous high purity and high yield — something batch chromatography cannot achieve when product and impurity peaks overlap.

What the study evaluates:

• Reproduction of your existing batch preparative method as a performance benchmark
• Where needed: adaptation of the batch method for continuous operation (e.g. smaller particle sizes, shorter columns, modified gradients)
• Development of a first MCSGP operating point targeting high yield and purity
• Analytical characterisation of all collected fractions
• Comparison of batch vs. MCSGP: productivity (g/L resin/day), yield (%), purity (%), buffer consumption (L/g), and product concentration
• Basic scale-up scenarios based on MCSGP process performance parameters

Typical applications:

• Charge variant and isoform fractionation of monoclonal antibodies (SCX, WAX, SAX)
• Oligonucleotide purification (anion exchange)
• Peptide and small-molecule polishing (reversed phase)
• Purification of diagnostic substrates and specialty chemicals
• Any gradient-based separation where batch chromatography faces a compromise between yield and purity

Scale-up path: MCSGP can be scaled by increasing column diameter while maintaining bed height and linear flow rate. The study report includes performance parameter estimates for production-scale operation.

• Description of your current chromatography step (capture or polishing) including the challenge you want to address
• Preparative chromatographic method to be used as the batch reference (column dimensions, resin, buffers, gradient, flow rate, load)
• Chromatogram from a representative preparative batch run with fraction annotations
• Starting material — typically ≥ 20× the amount used in a single preparative reference run, scaled to 1 cm i.D. columns. Exact quantity defined during project scoping.
• Concentration and purity of starting material
• Documentation for starting material (MSDS / safety data sheet)
• Any known stability or handling constraints (pH, temperature, light sensitivity, storage conditions)

• Analytical HPLC method to determine sample purity and concentration (column, buffers, gradient, detection wavelength)
• Analytical standard(s) for method calibration
• Analytical column (if a specific column type is required for your method)
• If you have additional characterisation methods (e.g. CE, isoelectric focusing, mass spectrometry), let us know — we can ship fractions for your independent analysis

If you don’t have a suitable analytical method, or if yours needs adapting for our instruments, we can discuss including analytical method setup in the study scope.

The feasibility study is a standalone deliverable — there is no obligation to proceed further. However, if the data supports it, common next steps include:

Purchase a Contichrom® system If you want to run CaptureSMB or MCSGP in-house, we offer a discounted system price when ordered following successful study completion. The system price includes a non-exclusive right to use the continuous chromatography process for internal R&D. Commercial or manufacturing use requires a separate sub-license, negotiated in good faith.

Commission a custom purification project If you need purified material but don’t want to invest in equipment, our custom purification services can produce the fractions you need using the method developed during the feasibility study.

Optimise further If the initial study shows promise but you want to push productivity further, explore different resins, or validate at larger scale, we can scope a follow-up project.

Do nothing The data is yours. You can use the report internally to inform your process development decisions on your own timeline.

A feasibility study evaluates whether continuous chromatography can improve your existing batch process. The deliverable is a comparative performance report. Custom purification services produce purified material for your use — the deliverable is product. If your goal is to get purified fractions, see our custom purification page. If your goal is to evaluate a technology change, a feasibility study is the right starting point.

Yes, if your downstream process includes both a capture step and a polishing step, we can scope a combined study. Each technology would be evaluated as a separate work package.

At least 3 continuous chromatography runs per technology, with progressive optimisation of operating parameters between runs. The number may increase if the separation is complex or if multiple operating conditions need to be compared.

It’s possible — and that’s exactly why we do the study. You receive a full report on what was tested, what was achieved, and why continuous may or may not be advantageous for your specific process. There is no obligation to proceed.

Yes. We work with whatever resin your process uses — including custom affinity resins, specialty ion exchangers, and client-supplied columns. If you need us to procure or self-pack columns, we can arrange this.

A CDA or a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) are signed prior to sharing information.

Yes YMC ChromaCon cannot carry out feasibility studies for HPAPI, toxic, contagious, radioactive or restricted substances. A safety data sheet needs to be provided with each starting material.

A general guideline is approximately 20× the amount used in a single preparative batch reference run, assuming scale-down to 1 cm i.D. columns. This provides enough material for batch reference runs plus multiple continuous chromatography runs. We calculate the exact requirement during project scoping based on your method parameters.

Yes — if your analytical method requires a specific column type or reference standard, please supply these along with the starting material. If you use a widely available column, we can procure it ourselves and include the cost in consumables.

All feasibility studies are performed at YMC ChromaCon’s R&D facility in Zurich, Switzerland. Starting materials are shipped to us; purified samples are shipped back under appropriate temperature control.

Yes. We welcome on-site visits or workshops during the study. Some clients find it valuable to be present during the continuous chromatography runs, particularly if technology transfer is a potential next step.

Typically 4–6 weeks after receipt of starting material and purchase order. Single work package studies (e.g. MCSGP feasibility only) can complete in as little as 4 weeks. Two-phase studies with initial benchmarking followed by continuous process development may take 6–8 weeks. Timelines depend on the complexity of the separation.

No. The feasibility study is an independent service. A post-study system discount is offered as an incentive, but there is no obligation whatsoever.

Ownership depends on the agreement structure. In most cases, all project-specific results (data, methods, reports) belong to you. Inventions or improvements specifically relating to the MCSGP or CaptureSMB® processes remain YMC ChromaCon’s intellectual property. We are transparent about this in every agreement.

Only with your written consent. In some cases, clients agree to anonymised publication (e.g. application notes where the molecule and client identity are not disclosed). This is always discussed upfront and never assumed.

YMC ChromaCon’s feasibility studies are available to customers worldwide. Studies are performed at our Zurich facility regardless of customer location — you ship material to us and we ship results and samples back. Regional distributors may also offer study services under separate arrangements.

Yes. If either party terminates before completion, payment is agreed in good faith for work already completed, materials purchased, and consumables used.