Category: News & Events

2026 – Continuous Chromatography Workshop for mAbs, Oligonucleotides and Peptides

From 8–10 September 2026, the Institute for Pharma Technology at FHNW hosts a 3-day seminar at the Muttenz (Basel) campus in Switzerland. Combining lectures, case studies and hands-on twin-column training, participants gain practical skills in continuous chromatography for mAbs, oligonucleotides, peptides and viral vectors.

News & Events Continuous Chromatography Course 08 Nov 2025

Advance your expertise in continuous chromatography for biotherapeutics with an intensive 3-day course at the FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland. From 8–10 September 2026, the Institute for Pharma Technology will host the seminar “Continuous Chromatography for Biotherapeutics” at the FHNW Campus Muttenz (Basel), Switzerland – a highly practice-oriented program for scientists and engineers who want to move beyond traditional batch processing and implement robust, scalable continuous downstream strategies.

Continuous Chromatography for Biotherapeutics – 3-Day Course at FHNW

This three-day continuous chromatography course combines lectures, case studies and hands-on laboratory workshops to give you a comprehensive introduction to modern continuous downstream processing of biotherapeutics. You will learn how multi-column and twin-column processes can boost productivity, improve resin utilisation, reduce buffer consumption and deliver more consistent product quality compared with conventional single-column batch chromatography.

Using real-world examples from monoclonal antibodies, oligonucleotides, peptides and viral vectors, the course connects core principles with practical implementation. By the end of the seminar, you will be ready to evaluate, design and communicate continuous chromatography concepts for your own lab or manufacturing environment.

Course Overview: From Fundamentals to Implementation

The “Continuous Chromatography for Biotherapeutics” course systematically guides you from fundamental concepts through process design and evaluation to scale-up and digitalisation. Each module builds on the previous one, ensuring a coherent learning journey from theory to practice.

Core Topics Covered

  • Fundamentals of continuous chromatography – principles, modes of operation and typical configurations for biotherapeutics.
  • Process design for biotherapeutics – how to apply continuous chromatography to monoclonal antibodies, oligonucleotides, peptides and viral vectors.
  • Hands-on lab workshops – practical training on laboratory-scale twin-column systems (Contichrom® CUBE) for capture and polishing steps.
  • Performance evaluation – assessing productivity, resin utilisation, solvent consumption and robustness of continuous workflows.
  • Scale-up strategies – moving from lab-scale experiments to pilot and manufacturing environments.
  • Process modeling & digitalization – using modeling tools and digital approaches to design, optimize and control continuous chromatography processes.

Throughout the course, you will see how continuous chromatography can outperform batch operation in terms of yield, purity and throughput, and how to quantify these advantages for your own molecules and processes.

Hands-On Training on Twin-Column Systems

A central element of this course is the extensive hands-on lab component. In small groups, participants work directly with laboratory-scale twin-column systems such as the Contichrom® CUBE, applying the concepts covered in the lectures to realistic capture and polishing scenarios.

  • Set up and operate twin-column continuous chromatography equipment.
  • Develop and adjust methods for different biotherapeutic modalities.
  • Monitor key performance indicators like productivity, resin loading and buffer usage.
  • Interpret chromatograms and troubleshoot process deviations.

This practical training gives you the confidence to transfer continuous chromatography concepts from the classroom to your own lab, pilot plant or manufacturing facility.

Who Should Attend

This continuous downstream processing course is ideal for professionals and researchers who already have experience with single-column chromatography and want to explore more efficient continuous approaches, including:

  • Bioprocess and downstream process development scientists.
  • Chromatography method development and purification specialists.
  • Manufacturing and scale-up engineers working with biologics.
  • Experts in quality, process analytics and separation science.
  • Researchers transitioning from batch to continuous bioprocessing.

If you are working with biotherapeutics and considering the transition to continuous operations, this course will help you build a strong conceptual and practical foundation, speak the same language as equipment and technology providers, and make data-driven decisions about implementation.

Key Course Details

Course titleContinuous Chromatography for Biotherapeutics
Dates8–10 September 2026 (3 days)
LocationFHNW Campus Muttenz, Switzerland
OrganiserInstitute for Pharma Technology, FHNW University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland
Teaching languageEnglish
Course feeCHF 3’000

After three intensive days, you will leave with a clear understanding of when and how to apply continuous chromatography, how to evaluate its performance versus batch operation, and how to plan the next steps towards implementation in your own labs or facilities.

How to Register

The full program, detailed schedule and registration form are available on the official FHNW seminar page. Seats are limited to ensure an interactive learning environment with direct access to lecturers and personalized guidance during the laboratory workshops.

For more information and to secure your place, visit the official course page via the link below:

Register Now

Frequently Asked Questions About the Continuous Chromatography Course

YMC ChromaCon Announces Contichrom® PILOT 300X — A New Standard in Pilot-Scale Continuous Chromatography

ChromaCon AG introduces the Contichrom® PILOT 300X, a next-generation preparative HPLC system for pilot-scale continuous chromatography in GMP environments. Powered by MCSGP technology with AutoPeak® control, it increases yield, purity and productivity while reducing solvent consumption.

News & Events PILOT 300X Launch 28 Aug 2025

Contichrom® PILOT 300X – Pilot-Scale Continuous Chromatography for GMP Manufacturing

The Contichrom® PILOT 300X is YMC ChromaCon’s next-generation preparative HPLC system for pilot-scale continuous purification in fully regulated GMP environments. Built around patented twin-column MCSGP technology with AutoPeak®, it enables high purity and high yield at the same time, while reducing solvent consumption and overall Process Mass Intensity (PMI).

Available from 2026, the Contichrom® PILOT 300X is designed for peptides, oligonucleotides, and other high-value synthetic molecules that demand robust, scalable, and compliant purification from lab development through to commercial manufacturing.

Key benefits at a glance: continuous chromatography with automated fraction recycling, GMP-ready hardware and software, reduced solvent use, higher productivity, and seamless scale-up to Contichrom® TWIN production systems.

What Is the Contichrom® PILOT 300X?

The Contichrom® PILOT 300X is a pilot-scale, twin-column preparative HPLC system that brings continuous chromatography into GMP manufacturing. It integrates ChromaCon’s proprietary Multicolumn Counter-Current Solvent Gradient Purification (MCSGP) technology with AutoPeak® control to overcome the classic purity–yield–throughput trade-off in batch chromatography. Instead of discarding valuable side fractions, the system automatically recycles and re-separates them, recovering more product at target purity and significantly cutting re-chromatography.

Designed for both aqueous and organic solvent processes, the Contichrom® PILOT 300X supports modern high-performance resins in reversed-phase and ion-exchange chromatography, providing a flexible platform for a broad range of synthetic APIs and advanced intermediates.

Engineered for Demanding Pilot-Scale Purification

The Contichrom® PILOT 300X translates laboratory-process understanding into reliable pilot-scale manufacturing. With a maximum operating pressure of 100 bar and flow rates up to 300 mL/min, it is optimized for columns up to 10 cm inner diameter, supporting fast, efficient methods for complex separations.

  • Twin-column continuous operation: MCSGP with AutoPeak® for automated internal recycling of impure side fractions.
  • Pilot-scale performance: up to 300 mL/min flow and 100 bar maximum pressure for modern, high-efficiency resins.
  • Flexible chemistry: compatible with aqueous and organic solvents for peptides, oligonucleotides, and small molecules.
  • Hazardous area certification: fully certified for ATEX Zone 2 and Class I Division 2 environments.
  • 24/7 automation: robust hardware and software for unattended continuous operation.

By combining these capabilities, the Contichrom® PILOT 300X provides a bridge between benchtop development and production-scale continuous chromatography, allowing process teams to lock in scalable conditions early in development.

MCSGP with AutoPeak® – High Purity and High Yield at Once

Traditional single-column batch chromatography forces a compromise: either collect narrow center cuts for high purity and lose yield, or widen fraction windows to increase recovery at the expense of purity. MCSGP (Multicolumn Counter-Current Solvent Gradient Purification) in the Contichrom® PILOT 300X changes this equation.

  • Automated side-fraction recycling: overlapping “shoulder” fractions are automatically redirected to a second column, rather than being discarded or manually reprocessed.
  • Dynamic collection windows: AutoPeak® continuously adapts fraction boundaries in real time, ensuring robust collection of in-spec product as process conditions evolve.
  • Higher productivity: more aggressive loading and gradients are possible, increasing throughput while preserving the required purity.

The result is a continuous chromatography process that delivers high purity and high yield simultaneously, with fewer manual interventions and less solvent usage compared to conventional batch methods.

2D Integrated Chromatography for Complex Purifications

Beyond continuous MCSGP operation, the twin-column architecture of the Contichrom® PILOT 300X enables true 2D integrated chromatography. Two different purification modes (for example, reversed phase followed by anion exchange) can be combined into a single automated process.

  • Integrated two-step purification: link two orthogonal methods in one continuous workflow.
  • Reduced intermediate handling: minimize pooling, transfers, and storage between steps.
  • Smaller facility footprint: fewer unit operations and reduced equipment count.
  • Improved data integrity: continuous, fully traceable data capture from feed to final pool.

This integrated approach is particularly valuable for complex molecules where a single chromatographic step cannot simultaneously achieve all required specifications.

GMP-Ready Automation with ChromIQ® X

The Contichrom® PILOT 300X is powered by ChromIQ® X, a modern control platform developed under GAMP 5 principles and designed to support 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. It delivers the level of electronic control and data integrity expected in regulated GMP manufacturing.

  • Full traceability: detailed audit trails for methods, batches, and user actions.
  • Secure data handling: controlled user access, electronic signatures, and compliant data storage.
  • Advanced visualization: real-time monitoring of continuous runs, column performance, and critical process parameters.
  • Method lifecycle support: straightforward transfer and version control from development to commercial production.

Together, the hardware and software form a complete solution for GMP-compliant continuous chromatography at pilot scale.

Seamless Scale-Up from Contichrom® CUBE to Production

Methods developed on the laboratory-scale Contichrom® CUBE can be transferred efficiently to the Contichrom® PILOT 300X, simplifying scale-up and reducing tech-transfer risk. The same core MCSGP and AutoPeak® concepts are preserved, enabling a consistent development pathway from first feasibility to commercial production.

  • Predictable scale-up: maintain chromatographic selectivity while scaling column dimensions and flow rates.
  • Shorter development timelines: reuse proven method strategies and templates across scales.
  • Production-ready architecture: pilot-scale experience translates directly to Contichrom® TWIN production systems.

This integrated platform approach allows organizations to invest once in a continuous chromatography strategy and extend it across the entire lifecycle of a molecule.

Availability and How to Request a Quote

The Contichrom® PILOT 300X will be commercially available from 2026. Process development teams and manufacturers can already begin planning their transition to continuous chromatography by requesting a budgetary quote today.

YMC ChromaCon is a pioneer in continuous chromatography solutions for biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical purification. With technologies such as MCSGP, AutoPeak®, and N-Rich®, YMC ChromaCon helps customers achieve higher yields, improved purity, and more sustainable manufacturing processes.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Contichrom® PILOT 300X

“The era of large-scale peptide & oligo purification with MCSGP has begun”

Bachem has successfully transitioned to large-scale, GMP-compliant purification of peptides and oligonucleotides using MCSGP continuous chromatography. This milestone confirms MCSGP as a proven production technology for the global TIDES market, with capacity for up to two tons of crude peptides per line.

News & Events Bachem Scale-Up 01 Feb 2024
YMC laboratory chromatography equipment with control panel display

Zürich —February 1st 2024 — YMC ChromaCon celebrates a major industry milestone: Bachem AG has successfully transitioned to large-scale, GMP-compliant purification of peptides and oligonucleotides using Multicolumn Countercurrent Solvent Gradient Purification (MCSGP). This achievement confirms that MCSGP-based continuous chromatography is now a proven production technology for the global TIDES (therapeutic peptides and oligonucleotides) market.

Bachem’s new manufacturing capability enables purification of up to two tons of crude peptides and 500 grams of oligonucleotides per line under GMP conditions, demonstrating that continuous multicolumn chromatography can meet demanding commercial-scale requirements for quality, productivity, and sustainability.

https://www.bachem.com/knowledge-center/the-era-of-large-scale-peptide-oligo-purification-with-mcsgp-has-begun/

A New Era for Large-Scale Peptide & Oligonucleotide Purification

Purification has long been a bottleneck in TIDES manufacturing. Traditional single-column batch chromatography is often constrained by high solvent consumption, long cycle times, and limited throughput. By implementing MCSGP at industrial scale, Bachem demonstrates that these limitations can be overcome with continuous, digitally controlled processes that deliver high yield and high purity at significantly improved productivity.

This milestone validates MCSGP as a scalable solution for complex synthetic biomolecules, including peptides, oligonucleotides, and other emerging modalities where downstream processing is historically challenging and expensive.

How MCSGP Continuous Chromatography Works

MCSGP (Multicolumn Countercurrent Solvent Gradient Purification) is a continuous multicolumn chromatography process. Instead of running one overloaded column in batch mode and discarding valuable side fractions, MCSGP operates with two or more columns in a countercurrent arrangement and automatically recycles impurity-containing fractions.

In a typical MCSGP configuration:

  • The feed is loaded onto one column and separated under a solvent gradient.
  • The pure center of the product peak is collected continuously as high-purity product.
  • Impurity-containing “side cuts” (shoulders) are not discarded. Instead, they are internally recycled to another column for further separation.
  • This internal recycling step recovers additional purified product that would otherwise be lost in batch chromatography.

By eliminating the classic purity–yield–throughput trade-offs of single-column batch chromatography, MCSGP enables manufacturers to meet stringent quality targets while achieving higher productivity and better resource efficiency.

Key Benefits of MCSGP for TIDES Manufacturing

Large-scale implementation of MCSGP delivers a combination of performance, sustainability, and economic benefits that are highly attractive for peptide and oligonucleotide production.

  • Higher recovery at target purity – Automated internal recycling of side fractions significantly increases yield compared to conventional batch purification, even at stringent purity specifications.
  • Reduced solvent consumption – Continuous multicolumn operation uses solvent more efficiently, directly lowering environmental footprint and operating costs.
  • 24/7 continuous operation – MCSGP is designed for steady-state, around-the-clock production, increasing overall throughput and facility utilization.
  • Fewer re-chromatography steps – Valuable material is recovered in-line through recycling, minimizing repetitive batch processing and shortening overall cycle times.
  • Simplified analytical burden – Only the combined product pool typically requires release testing, reducing analytical workload compared to multi-step batch campaigns.

Why the Bachem Milestone Matters

The successful deployment of GMP-compliant industrial MCSGP capacity at Bachem is a pivotal moment for the broader TIDES ecosystem.

  • Meeting surging TIDES demand – As peptide and oligonucleotide therapeutics move from pipelines to commercial products, scalable downstream processing becomes critical. MCSGP offers a robust answer to this demand.
  • Transforming production economics – By increasing yield and productivity and decreasing solvent usage and cycle times, MCSGP can substantially reduce cost of goods for complex molecules.
  • Supporting sustainability goals – Lower solvent consumption and reduced waste streams align with environmental objectives increasingly prioritized by regulators, manufacturers, and patients.
  • Demonstrating GMP readiness – Large-scale, GMP-compliant operation confirms that MCSGP is no longer a laboratory concept, but a mature technology for routine commercial manufacturing.

YMC ChromaCon’s Role in Pioneering MCSGP Technology

YMC ChromaCon is one of the originators of modern MCSGP technology. Building on our founding roots with ChromaCon AG and our long-standing focus on continuous chromatography, we have helped shape MCSGP from early development through to industrial implementation.

Today, YMC Chromacon continues to support biopharmaceutical companies, CDMOs, and manufacturers worldwide in adopting and optimizing continuous chromatography. The success at Bachem validates not only the technical maturity of MCSGP, but also the strategic value of continuous purification as a core platform for future TIDES manufacturing.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Continuous Purification Across Modalities

The industrial roll-out of MCSGP for peptides and oligonucleotides is an important step, but it is only the beginning. Continuous multicolumn chromatography offers significant potential for a wide range of complex synthetic biomolecules and emerging modalities.

  • Scaling capacity to support increasing volumes of commercial TIDES products.
  • Adapting MCSGP and related continuous capture technologies for new molecule classes.
  • Integrating MCSGP with upstream and downstream continuous processing steps to enable end-to-end continuous manufacturing.
  • Further optimizing process design, automation, and digital control for smart, data-driven purification.

YMC Chromacon remains committed to collaborating with partners across the value chain to accelerate adoption of MCSGP and continuous chromatography, helping bring important therapeutics to patients more efficiently and sustainably.

About YMC ChromaCon

YMC ChromaCon is a life science tools company located in Zurich, Switzerland, providing best-in-class chromatography process solutions to the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry. The company has developed and patented novel process principles, process control and simulation software, equipment designs and operating software for batch, cyclic and continuous chromatography.

These process solutions deliver significant CAPEX and OPEX savings while enabling scalable chromatographic solutions for large-scale purification applications. YMC ChromaCon’s Contichrom® laboratory-scale equipment is co-marketed worldwide by YMC ChromaCon and its partners. YMC ChromaCon has provided global licenses for its process technologies to YMC America for implementation into scale-up systems.

YMC ChromaCon Contact
Dr. Thomas Müller-Späth, CEO

www.chromacon.com

Frequently Asked Questions About MCSGP for Peptide & Oligonucleotide Purification

FDA Selects YMC Twin-Column Continuous Chromatography System for Evaluation

The U.S. FDA has selected the YMC Contichrom® CUBE twin-column continuous chromatography system to evaluate advanced purification strategies for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This acquisition signals growing regulatory interest in continuous chromatography to reduce costs and increase productivity.

News & Events FDA CUBE Purchase 16 Jul 2020

Devens, MA, USA / Zurich, Switzerland – July 2020 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has selected the YMC Contichrom® CUBE, a twin-column continuous chromatography system from YMC ChromaCon, to evaluate advanced continuous purification strategies for biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

The FDA’s acquisition of the Contichrom CUBE underscores growing industry and regulatory interest in continuous chromatography to reduce costs, increase productivity, and maintain high product quality for both small and large molecule therapeutics.

Continuous Twin-Column Chromatography Platform Chosen by FDA

The FDA has ordered a development-scale YMC Contichrom CUBE system equipped with YMC’s patented twin-column processes:

  • MCSGP – Multi-Column Countercurrent Solvent Gradient Purification for semi-continuous gradient separations of peptides, oligos and other complex molecules.
  • CaptureSMB – Twin-column continuous capture chromatography for mAbs and other biologics.

The bench-top unit also includes AutoPeak and AutoMab dynamic process control software and is capable of:

  • Conventional single-column batch chromatography
  • Sequential orthogonal (pool-less two-step polishing) chromatography
  • Unique N-Rich processing for challenging separations

MCSGP = multi-column countercurrent solvent gradient purification.

Proven Performance for Biologics and Advanced Therapies

The Contichrom CUBE platform embodies YMC’s intellectual property for twin-column continuous chromatography, already implemented at numerous GMP producers of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), vaccines, peptides, oligonucleotides and other advanced biotherapeutics in the USA, Europe and Asia.

Users report significant performance advantages when applying YMC’s patented processes:

  • MCSGP for peptides and oligos: 30–60% gains in product yield while reducing solvent consumption by up to 70%, thanks to automated internal recycling of impure side fractions.
  • CaptureSMB for mAb-based therapies: Scaled from CUBE to production processes exceeding 20 L/min, with reductions in Protein A resin and buffer consumption by up to 60% and productivity increases of up to 3× versus conventional single-column batch capture.

These gains are achieved while maintaining the high product purity demanded for clinical and commercial biopharmaceutical production.

Supporting the Transition to Continuous Bioprocessing

The FDA has long encouraged the adoption of continuous processing across the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries. With the YMC Contichrom CUBE, FDA scientists and academic collaborators will be able to generate additional data, case studies and best practices to support broader implementation of continuous chromatographic processes.

“The acquisition of YMC’s twin-column technology by the FDA is welcome and signals that this emerging technology will be evaluated by the world’s leading regulatory authority for its ability to significantly reduce costs through improved process efficiency, while maintaining product quality,” says Mark Dyment, CEO of YMC Process Technologies, the USA-based supplier of the Contichrom CUBE instrument.

“The scalable technology, patented by YMC ChromaCon and already in use by many of the industry’s largest drug manufacturers, in the hands of the FDA will add further insights on continuous chromatographic processes for customers seeking to produce new therapies at cost-effective quantities.”

The Contichrom CUBE units are manufactured in the USA and will be finally assembled at YMC’s Center of Excellence for GMP scale in Devens, Massachusetts, before shipment to the FDA’s laboratories in Maryland.

Key Benefits of YMC Twin-Column Continuous Chromatography

  • Higher yield: Automated internal recycling recovers valuable product from overlapping peak regions that are typically discarded in batch chromatography.
  • Lower solvent and buffer usage: MCSGP and CaptureSMB can significantly reduce solvent and buffer consumption, lowering overall cost of goods.
  • Increased productivity: Continuous operation and higher effective loading lead to throughput gains of up to several-fold compared with single-column batch processes.
  • Scalable from lab to GMP: Processes developed on the Contichrom CUBE can be scaled to clinical and commercial production using YMC’s GMP-scale systems.

About YMC

YMC Co., Ltd. is a privately held life science company headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. Founded in 1980, YMC operates more than nine affiliates and facilities across Asia, Europe and the Americas, employing over 500 people dedicated to providing best-in-class laboratory and process solutions to the bio/pharmaceutical industry.

YMC’s core expertise includes the innovation, production and sale of packing materials, packed columns and systems for high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), low pressure liquid chromatography (LPLC), and custom purification and synthesis. The company operates a contract manufacturing (CMO) facility and recently opened “Kyoto Works,” a state-of-the-art lab and pilot site focused on multi-column purification and process scale-up.

YMC Process Technologies (YPT) in Devens, MA, USA has supplied GMP-scale downstream process systems for nearly 20 years. Acquired by YMC in 2018, the YPT Bio/Pharma Systems Group, together with its sister affiliate YMC ChromaCon in Zurich, is a leading provider of lab and production-scale single- and multi-column chromatography systems. YMC’s intellectual assets and deep application know-how support the purification and discovery of next-generation small and large molecule therapies.

Media Contact

For additional information about this press release and YMC twin-column continuous chromatography solutions, please contact:

YMC is a registered trademark of YMC Co., Ltd. Contichrom is a registered trademark of YMC ChromaCon AG.

Frequently Asked Questions About YMC Contichrom® CUBE and FDA Continuous Chromatography Evaluation

YMC acquires ChromaCon to boost continuous chromatography solutions business

YMC Co., Ltd. has acquired ChromaCon AG, a Zurich-based leader in continuous chromatography technologies. The acquisition strengthens YMC's position in twin-column purification and scale-up, offering customers an integrated portfolio from lab-scale process development to commercial GMP manufacturing.

News & Events ChromaCon Acquisition YMC 09 Apr 2019

YMC acquires ChromaCon AG to accelerate continuous chromatography innovation

Zurich, Switzerland / Kyoto, Japan – April 9, 2019 – YMC Co., Ltd. (“YMC”), a global supplier of separation resins, services and systems for the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical markets, has acquired 100% of the shares in ChromaCon AG, a Zurich-based leader in continuous chromatography technologies.

The transfer of shares was completed on April 1, 2019. With this acquisition, YMC significantly strengthens its position in continuous chromatography, twin-column purification, and scale-up from laboratory to GMP production, offering customers an integrated portfolio from process development to commercial manufacturing.

Strategic rationale for the YMC–ChromaCon acquisition

ChromaCon AG, founded as a spin-off from ETH Zurich, is a life science tools company focused on best-in-class continuous chromatography solutions. The company is recognized for its laboratory-scale purification systems based on proprietary process technologies, process simulation and operating software.

ChromaCon pioneered twin-column purification, enabling:

  • Significantly higher productivity for large and small molecule manufacturing
  • Improved process economics through reduced operational costs (OPEX)
  • Scalable solutions from lab development to large-scale purification

YMC and ChromaCon have already been cooperating in Japan and India on the marketing and sale of ChromaCon’s laboratory-scale systems. In addition, ChromaCon has licensed proprietary continuous chromatography technologies to YMC Process Technologies (“YPT” is now YMC America) for use in GMP production-scale equipment.

YMC completed its acquisition of YPT from LEWA-Nikkiso America in December 2018. YPT develops and manufactures pilot and production-scale separation systems for the (bio-)pharmaceutical manufacturing industry. The addition of ChromaCon now creates a unified offering that spans from R&D lab systems to fully integrated GMP-scale production platforms.

Benefits for customers in biopharmaceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturing

The combination of YMC, YMC Process Technologies and ChromaCon brings together complementary strengths in HPLC, LPLC, batch and continuous purification technologies, software and system design. Customers benefit from:

  • Seamless technology transfer from lab-scale process development to pilot and GMP-scale manufacturing
  • Higher productivity through twin-column and continuous chromatography technologies
  • Lower cost of ownership via CAPEX and OPEX savings enabled by optimized process design
  • Global support from YMC’s network of affiliates across Asia, Europe and the Americas
  • Integrated hardware, software and process expertise for robust scale-up and implementation

Leadership comment on the acquisition

Michael Bavand, CEO of ChromaCon, commented:

“We have been working productively with YPT (YMC America) in development, launch and co-marketing of continuous chromatography pilot/production systems during the past three years achieving a market pole position in industrial implementation of our technology with key customers. We are looking forward to intensifying our interactions being part of the YMC Group of Companies. The acquisition of ChromaCon will benefit our customers ensuring a seamless transfer of our business relationship, technologies and products to YMC.”

Potential questions and answers around the transaction are available on request. Further information can be obtained from both ChromaCon and YMC.

About ChromaCon AG

ChromaCon AG is a life science tools company located in Zurich, Switzerland, providing best-in-class chromatography process solutions to the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry. The company has developed and patented novel process principles, process control and simulation software, equipment designs and operating software for batch, cyclic and continuous chromatography.

These process solutions deliver significant CAPEX and OPEX savings while enabling scalable chromatographic solutions for large-scale purification applications. ChromaCon’s Contichrom® laboratory-scale equipment is co-marketed worldwide by ChromaCon and its partners. ChromaCon has provided global licenses for its process technologies to YMC Process Technologies for implementation into scale-up systems.

ChromaCon Contact
Dr. Thomas Müller-Späth, CEO

www.chromacon.com

About YMC Co., Ltd.

YMC Co., Ltd. is a private life science company headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. Founded in 1980, YMC operates more than nine affiliates and facilities across Asia, Europe and the Americas. With over 500 employees, YMC provides best-in-class laboratory and process solutions to the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries.

YMC focuses on innovation, production and sales of packing materials, packed columns and systems for High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Low Pressure Liquid Chromatography (LPLC), as well as custom purification and custom synthesis. YMC also operates a CMO facility and pilot plant incorporating state-of-the-art simulated moving bed (SMB) purification and is engaged in the production and sales of micro-reactor systems.

YMC’s intellectual property, built over decades of chromatography and purification expertise, supports the development and commercialization of both small and large molecule therapies worldwide.

YMC Contact

https://www.ymc.co.jp/

Frequently Asked Questions About YMC’s Acquisition of ChromaCon AG

ChromaCon strengthens continuous chromatography partnership with YMC after LEWA acquisition

ChromaCon AG confirms the continuity and expansion of its collaboration following the acquisition of LEWA's bioprocessing division by YMC Co., Ltd. The strengthened partnership provides end-to-end solutions from laboratory-scale development to GMP production using twin-column continuous chromatography.

News & Events LEWA Acquisition 15 Aug 2018

Update: YMC Process Technologies is now under the brand YMC America

Zurich, Switzerland – August 15, 2018. ChromaCon AG, a specialist in laboratory-scale continuous and batch chromatography solutions for biopharmaceutical process development, confirms the continuity and expansion of its long-standing collaboration following the acquisition of LEWA’s bioprocessing division by YMC Co., Ltd.

ChromaCon strengthens continuous chromatography partnership with YMC Process Technologies after LEWA acquisition

LEWA-Nikkiso America Inc. and YMC Co., Ltd. have announced that LEWA’s bioprocessing division will be acquired by YMC, forming a new entity, YMC Process Technologies headquartered in Devens, MA, USA. This acquisition brings together LEWA’s expertise in bioprocessing hardware with YMC’s leadership in chromatography media and systems to better serve the biopharmaceutical market with scalable, GMP-ready purification solutions.

A joint press release by LEWA and YMC announcing the transaction and addressing key questions about the integration has been published and is available from the companies.

Commitment to customers: seamless transition and expanded capabilities

Dr. Michael Bavand, CEO of ChromaCon AG, emphasized the company’s commitment to its existing and future customers as responsibilities transition from LEWA to YMC Process Technologies.

“We want to assure our customers that a seamless transfer in our business relationship between LEWA and YMC is warranted,” said Dr. Bavand. “We have worked closely with LEWA to co-develop and co-market a leading continuous chromatography scale-up system based on our proprietary twin-column technology. YMC has been a valued business partner for many years as our distributor in Japan and India. We look forward to continuing and expanding our collaboration with YMC Process Technologies into additional, significant business areas.”

With this strengthened partnership, biopharmaceutical developers benefit from:

  • End-to-end solutions from laboratory-scale method development to GMP pilot and production scale
  • Proven twin-column continuous chromatography technology for higher productivity and improved resin utilization
  • Global support through YMC’s and LEWA’s established sales and service networks

Proven twin-column technology and industry recognition

The collaboration between ChromaCon, LEWA and YMC is built on a track record of innovation in continuous chromatography and downstream processing.

LEWA’s EcoPrime Twin system, implementing ChromaCon’s twin-column process technology, received the Aspen Award for the Advancement of Downstream Processing in 2017, recognizing its contribution to efficient and scalable biopharmaceutical purification.

Earlier in 2018, a major milestone was achieved with the successful scale-up of ChromaCon’s proprietary CaptureSMB process by Bristol-Myers Squibb. The work, published in Bioprocessing International, demonstrated robust and economical twin-column Protein A capture at larger scale, confirming the industrial relevance of ChromaCon’s technologies for monoclonal antibody purification.

Together, ChromaCon, LEWA and YMC Process Technologies provide a strong platform for companies seeking to implement continuous chromatography, improve resin utilization and reduce CAPEX and OPEX in downstream bioprocessing.

About ChromaCon AG

ChromaCon AG is a private life science tools company headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, providing best-in-class laboratory-scale chromatography equipment, software and process solutions to the biopharmaceutical industry.

The company has developed and patented novel process principles, process control and simulation software, equipment designs and operating software for batch, cyclic and continuous chromatography. These solutions enable scalable chromatographic purification with significant capital and operating cost savings across a wide range of biologics and high-value molecules.

ChromaCon’s Contichrom® laboratory-scale equipment is co-marketed worldwide together with selected partners. ChromaCon has also granted global licenses for its process technologies to YMC Process Technologies (Devens, MA, USA) for implementation in scale-up and GMP manufacturing systems.

ChromaCon Contact
To find out more about ChromaCon’s chromatography solutions, please contact:
Dr. Thomas Müller-Spaeth, CEO

www.chromacon.com

About YMC Process Technologies

YMC Process Technologies creates advanced downstream bio/pharmaceutical processing platforms. Their systems are designed to deliver the work of multiple competitive units in a smaller footprint, supporting efficient and flexible manufacturing strategies.

Leveraging deep expertise in fluid dynamics and industry-leading pump technology, LEWA provides precise batch-to-continuous processing solutions with an optimal balance of accuracy, repeatability and precision. Integrated design, fabrication and automation services deliver single-point, vertically integrated supply, helping customers accelerate time to operation.

Contact YMC Process Technologies
To find out more about LEWA’s bioprocessing platforms, please contact:
sales@ymcamerica
www.ymcamerica.com

About YMC Co., Ltd.

YMC Co., Ltd., founded in 1980 in Kyoto, Japan, is a global manufacturer of HPLC and preparative chromatography products. From its inception, YMC has focused on developing high-performance columns and packing materials that meet the demanding requirements of analytical and preparative separation.

As a pioneer in industrial chromatography, YMC has developed complete systems for large-scale preparative purification and provides separation and purification technologies for high value-added substances, including active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). By combining expertise in both packing media and chromatography systems, YMC has built a new GMP-compliant purification plant and actively offers contract purification services, with a focus on APIs and other high-value biopharmaceutical products.

YMC Contact
To find out more about YMC and YMC Process Technologies, please contact:
Mr. Yoshihisa Ohyagi, Director

www.ymc.co.jp

Frequently Asked Questions about the ChromaCon, LEWA and YMC America Partnership

The Contichrom TWIN with ChromaCon’s CaptureSMB technology honored with 2017 Aspen Award for the Advancement of Downstream Processing

LEWA's EcoPrime Twin system featuring ChromaCon's CaptureSMB® technology has received the Aspen Award for the Advancement of Downstream Processing 2017. The award recognizes technologies that significantly advance downstream bioprocessing, reaching over 50,000 biotechnology professionals worldwide.

News & Events TWIN Aspen Award 08 May 2018

Update: Following the success of EcoPrime Twin and CaptureSMB in the marketplace, YMC has acquired LEWA’s EcoPrime Twin platform and the ChromaCon business in 2018 and 2019, respectively, further strengthening the combined portfolio of continuous chromatography solutions for bioprocessing.

Zurich, Switzerland and Groton, CT, USA – May 8, 2018.

LEWA’s EcoPrime Twin continuous chromatography system, featuring ChromaCon’s CaptureSMB® technology, has received the Aspen Award for the Advancement of Downstream Processing 2017. The award is presented by Aspen Brook, the organization behind AspenXchange and the widely read Aspen Alert newsletter, which reaches more than 50,000 biotechnology professionals worldwide.

The Aspen Award recognizes technologies and teams that significantly advance downstream bioprocessing. By combining LEWA’s EcoPrime Twin system with ChromaCon’s patented CaptureSMB twin-column continuous chromatography, biopharmaceutical manufacturers can increase productivity, resin utilization and yield while maintaining high product quality — from process development through GMP manufacturing scale.

Michael Bavand, CEO of ChromaCon, commented:

“We are very happy and congratulate LEWA on this prestigious award. The collaboration between our companies has been a great success. The implementation of continuous chromatography at GMP production scale, now being implemented at major biopharma customers at pilot and production scale, confirms the benefit of continuous processing.”

A key milestone in the industrial adoption of CaptureSMB was reached when Bristol-Myers Squibb published the successful scale-up of ChromaCon’s CaptureSMB process in BioProcess International. The work demonstrates how twin-column periodic countercurrent chromatography can be used for efficient monoclonal antibody (mAb) purification in a GMP environment. The article is available at: BioProcess International – Scale-up of Twin-Column Periodic Countercurrent Chromatography for mAb Purification.

About ChromaCon

ChromaCon AG is a private life science tools company based in Zürich, Switzerland, providing best-in-class laboratory chromatography equipment and process solutions to the biopharmaceutical industry. The company has developed and patented novel process principles, process control and simulation software, equipment designs and operating software for batch, cyclic and continuous chromatography.

These process solutions enable significant CAPEX and OPEX savings and scalable chromatographic solutions for large-scale purification applications. ChromaCon’s Contichrom® laboratory-scale systems are co-marketed worldwide together with its partners. ChromaCon has granted global licenses for its process technologies to LEWA (Devens, MA, USA) for implementation into scale-up systems.

About LEWA Bioprocess Technologies Group

The LEWA Bioprocess Technologies Group of LEWA-Nikkiso develops advanced downstream bio/pharmaceutical processing platforms. Its systems can replace up to three competitive units in a smaller footprint.

By combining deep expertise in fluid dynamics with industry-leading pump technology, LEWA provides precise solutions for processes ranging from batch to fully continuous bioprocessing, ensuring an optimal balance of accuracy, repeatability and precision. LEWA’s design, fabrication and automation services offer a single, vertically integrated supply chain to help customers get online faster.

Contact

ChromaCon Contact
To find out more about ChromaCon, please contact us directly or visit our website:
Thomas Müller-Späth, CEO – – www.chromacon.com

YMC America Contact
To find out more about LEWA Bioprocess Technologies Group, please contact them directly or visit their website:
sales@ymcamerica.com – www.ymcamerica.com

Frequently Asked Questions about EcoPrime Twin and CaptureSMB Continuous Chromatography

Prof. Massimo Morbidelli Recognized for Innovation in Separation Science

Prof. Massimo Morbidelli, co-founder of ChromaCon and professor at ETH Zurich, has been honored with the 2018 ACS Award in Separations Science and Technology. The award recognizes his pioneering contributions to continuous biomanufacturing and advanced chromatography process technologies.

News & Events Massimo Morbidelli ACS Award 18 Mar 2018

Zurich / New Orleans, March 2018. Prof. Massimo Morbidelli, co-founder of ChromaCon and professor at ETH Zurich, has been honored with the 2018 ACS Award in Separations Science and Technology from the American Chemical Society. This prestigious international award recognizes his pioneering contributions to modern separation science, in particular to continuous biomanufacturing and advanced chromatography process technologies.

Prof. Massimo Morbidelli Recognized for Innovation in Separation Science

The ACS Award in Separations Science and Technology distinguishes outstanding achievements in the development and industrial implementation of separation processes. Prof. Morbidelli has significantly advanced the field with his research on continuous chromatography and integrated downstream processing, helping the biopharmaceutical industry move from traditional batch operations to more efficient, connected manufacturing platforms.

His work has enabled new ways of designing and operating chromatographic processes, delivering higher productivity and improved use of expensive resins and solvents. By translating fundamental research into industrially relevant technologies, Prof. Morbidelli has helped shape how next-generation biopharmaceutical processes are developed and scaled.

From Academic Research to Industrial Biomanufacturing

Many of the innovations originating from Prof. Morbidelli’s laboratory at ETH Zurich, including the Multicolumn Countercurrent Solvent Gradient Purification (MCSGP) technology and CaptureSMB, are now commercialized by ChromaCon and its scale-up partner LEWA. These technologies are designed to make downstream purification more productive, more sustainable, and more economical for both development laboratories and large-scale manufacturing facilities.

By combining multi-column operation, internal recycling of impure fractions, and optimized solvent gradients, MCSGP and CaptureSMB help users achieve high product purity, high yield, and high throughput at the same time. This makes them particularly attractive for the purification of complex biological molecules such as monoclonal antibodies, peptides, and oligonucleotides, where conventional batch chromatography often reaches its limits.

Driving Down the Cost of Biopharmaceuticals

Continuous and integrated processing concepts developed by Prof. Morbidelli and his team play a key role in reducing the cost of goods for biopharmaceutical production. Higher productivity, better resin utilization, and reduced solvent consumption not only lower manufacturing costs but also support more sustainable, resource-efficient processes. This is increasingly important as the demand for biologics and advanced therapies continues to grow worldwide.

By enabling more efficient downstream processing, ChromaCon’s technologies help biopharmaceutical companies and contract manufacturers bring innovative therapies to patients faster, at a lower cost, and with robust, scalable processes.

About the ACS Award in Separations Science and Technology

The ACS Award in Separations Science and Technology is presented annually by the American Chemical Society to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the theory, design, or application of separation methods. Special emphasis is placed on work that translates scientific innovation into practical industrial solutions across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemicals, and environmental technology.

Receiving this award underlines Prof. Morbidelli’s impact on both the scientific community and the global bioprocessing industry, highlighting his leadership in bridging the gap between academic research and real-world manufacturing challenges.

Further Information

For more information on MCSGP, CaptureSMB, and other continuous chromatography solutions, please visit the technology section of our website.

Additional details about the ACS Award in Separations Science and Technology can be found on the official ACS awards website.

Frequently Asked Questions about Prof. Massimo Morbidelli, the ACS Award, and Continuous Chromatography

ChromaCon’s CaptureSMB® Continuous Chromatography Process Scaled from Laboratory to Pilot and Production

A joint team from Bristol-Myers Squibb, ChromaCon and LEWA reports successful scale-up of the CaptureSMB continuous chromatography process for mAb purification. The 100-fold scale-up delivered 2.5× higher productivity and 50% reduced buffer consumption compared to conventional batch capture.

News & Events Scaleup CaptureSMB 13 Feb 2018

Zurich, Switzerland – February 13, 2018 – ChromaCon AG today announced the successful scale-up of its CaptureSMB® twin-column periodic counter-current chromatography process for monoclonal antibody (mAb) purification from laboratory scale to industrial pilot and production scale.

The CaptureSMB process, an optimized two-column periodic counter-current capture technology, has been transferred from a lab-scale Contichrom® CUBE system (ChromaCon, Zurich) to a 100-fold larger Contichrom® TWIN system (LEWA, Devens, MA). The results confirm that continuous Protein A capture with CaptureSMB can be reliably scaled for industrial bioprocessing.

A joint team from Bristol-Myers Squibb (Devens, MA), ChromaCon (Zurich) and LEWA (Devens, MA) reports these results in BioProcess International in the article “Scale-Up of Twin-Column Periodic Counter-Current Chromatography for Monoclonal Antibody Purification.”

Proven Industrial Scale-Up of CaptureSMB Continuous Capture

Lab-scale development work was carried out on a Contichrom CUBE system. The performance data from these small-scale CaptureSMB experiments accurately predicted the behavior of the process when transferred to pilot and production scale on the Contichrom TWIN platform, demonstrating a robust and seamless scale-up strategy for biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

Compared with conventional single-column batch capture chromatography, the scaled CaptureSMB process delivered:

  • 2.5-fold higher productivity (increased grams of mAb produced per liter of resin per hour)
  • Improved resin utilization from 67% to 92%, maximizing the value of chromatography media
  • Approximately 50% reduction in buffer consumption, lowering operating costs and facility footprint

These performance gains support the adoption of continuous downstream processing and twin-column capture in commercial monoclonal antibody manufacturing.

Expert Perspective on Twin-Column Continuous Chromatography

Thomas Müller-Späth, COO of ChromaCon and co-author of the study, commented:

“The data clearly show the benefit of a twin-column continuous capture process at production scale. The smooth and seamless upscaling process was facilitated by the low complexity of the twin-column CaptureSMB process. This is also an important factor when performing process validation and seeking regulatory approval.”

Michael Bavand, CEO of ChromaCon, added:

“The validation of the CaptureSMB process performance at industrial scale represents a significant milestone for the bioprocess industry. Together with our partners we pave the way for a fast adoption of continuous processes at industrial scale.”

Key Benefits of CaptureSMB for Monoclonal Antibody Purification

The successful scale-up confirms CaptureSMB as a powerful continuous chromatography solution for mAb capture, offering:

  • Higher productivity compared to batch Protein A capture
  • Significantly improved resin utilization, extending resin lifetime and reducing cost of goods
  • Lower buffer consumption and smaller storage requirements
  • A simple, two-column architecture that facilitates process validation and regulatory acceptance
  • Predictable and scalable performance from laboratory development to pilot and commercial manufacturing

For companies implementing continuous bioprocessing, CaptureSMB provides an efficient path to industrial-scale continuous capture of monoclonal antibodies with reduced operating costs and increased facility throughput.

About ChromaCon AG

ChromaCon AG is a private Life Science Tools company headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, specializing in continuous chromatography and process-intensified purification solutions for the biopharmaceutical industry. The company develops best-in-class process solutions, dynamic process control and process simulation tools for large-scale purification of biologics.

ChromaCon has developed and patented novel continuous bioprocessing principles and advanced process control concepts that deliver significant CAPEX and OPEX savings. Its Contichrom® laboratory-scale systems are marketed worldwide by ChromaCon and its partners, enabling efficient development of continuous capture and polishing processes.

ChromaCon has granted global licenses for its continuous process technologies to LEWA for implementation in EcoPrime® Twin scale-up systems, supporting a straightforward transition from lab to manufacturing scale.

ChromaCon Contact

To find out more about ChromaCon’s CaptureSMB continuous chromatography technology and Contichrom solutions, please contact:

Thomas Müller-Späth

www.chromacon.com

Frequently Asked Questions About CaptureSMB® Twin-Column Continuous Chromatography

ChromaCon Launches Contichrom® CUBE 100 FPLC System

ChromaCon AG announces the worldwide launch of the Contichrom® CUBE 100 FPLC system. With a nearly 3× higher flow rate of 100 mL/min, the system bridges small-scale discovery and GMP manufacturing, supporting batch, cyclic and continuous chromatography process development.

News & Events CUBE 100 Launch 01 Feb 2016

Zurich, Switzerland – February 2016 – ChromaCon AG, announces the worldwide launch of the Contichrom® CUBE 100 FPLC system.

The Contichrom® CUBE 100 extends the proven Contichrom® CUBE 30 platform with a nearly three-fold higher maximum flow rate of 100 mL/min, allowing users to process larger feed volumes while maintaining robust performance and user-friendly operation.

Dedicated FPLC System for Intermediate-Scale Process Development

The Contichrom® CUBE 100 FPLC system is a dedicated chromatography workstation for laboratories that need to bridge the gap between small-scale discovery and GMP-scale manufacturing. It supports a wide range of protein and oligonucleotide purification workflows and is especially suited for intermediate-scale process development of batch, cyclic, and continuous chromatography processes.

With its increased flow rate, the CUBE 100 helps process development teams work more efficiently when screening conditions, optimizing methods, and preparing larger quantities of material for downstream studies and scale-up.

Built on the Proven Contichrom® CUBE Platform

The CUBE 100 is a direct product extension of the Contichrom® CUBE 30 systems launched in early 2015. It employs the same intuitive ChromIQ® software, giving users a unified interface across the CUBE platform and simplifying technology transfer between systems.

  • Higher capacity – Maximum flow rate of 100 mL/min, nearly three times higher than the CUBE 30, enabling larger feed volumes and faster method execution.
  • Consistent software environment – Uses the same ChromIQ® control software and process library as the Contichrom® CUBE 30, ensuring a smooth learning curve and easy method transfer.
  • Flexible chromatography modes – Supports batch, cyclic, and continuous chromatography processes, allowing users to evaluate and implement advanced purification strategies.
  • Optimized for proteins and oligonucleotides – Designed for high-throughput protein purification and oligonucleotide purification applications in R&D and process development labs.

Enabling Scale-Up to GMP Twin-Column Systems

The Contichrom® CUBE 100 is particularly valuable for the development of continuous chromatography processes that are later scaled up to GMP production. Methods established on the CUBE 100 can be transferred to twin-column chromatography systems manufactured by ChromaCon’s partner LEWA Process Technologies (Devens, MA, USA).

This alignment between laboratory-scale equipment and industrial-scale systems helps shorten development timelines and supports a smoother transition from process development to clinical and commercial manufacturing.

About ChromaCon

ChromaCon AG is a private life science tools company located in Zürich, Switzerland, providing best-in-class process solutions to the biopharmaceutical industry. The company has developed and patented novel process principles, process control strategies, equipment designs, and operating software for batch, cyclic, and continuous chromatography, enabling significant CAPEX and OPEX savings and scalable solutions for large-scale purification applications.

The Contichrom® laboratory-scale equipment is co-marketed worldwide by ChromaCon and its partners. ChromaCon has granted global licenses for its process technologies to LEWA Process Technologies for implementation into scale-up systems. In addition, ChromaCon develops and markets affinity purification solutions for column and membrane chromatography, as well as tools for site-specific protein conjugation.

Contact ChromaCon

For more information about the Contichrom® CUBE 100 FPLC system and ChromaCon’s chromatography solutions, please contact:

ChromaCon AG
Dr Thomas Müller-Späth
Email:
Website: www.chromacon.com

Frequently Asked Questions About the Contichrom® CUBE 100 FPLC System