Press Release

The full press release can be downloaded as a pdf.

ChromaCon adds CaptureSMB^® patent in a major Asian market to its growing patent portfolio.

Zurich, November 18, 2014. The Japan Patent Office granted ChromaCon full protection of its CaptureSMB^® process technology in November 2014. The CaptureSMB^® process is a novel chromatographic process principle based on a twin column configuration, offering significant advantages for the capture of monoclonal antibodies and IgG plasma proteins. As Protein A is expensive, applying CaptureSMB^® saves 40-60% of consumables, amounting to several million USD per annum for a standard monoclonal antibody process in commercial manufacturing. Furthermore it allows more efficient processing, and consequently significantly faster project turnover in clinical trial manufacturing. The CaptureSMB^® process uses ChromIQ^® software, the same operating system as ChromaCon's successful Contichrom^® equipment line. In October 2014 the CaptureSMB^® process was licensed to LEWA – Nikkiso (key facilities in Leonberg, Germany, Devens, MA USA and Tokyo, Japan) for implementation on LEWA’s EcoPrime platform of GMP scale-up systems worldwide. The CaptureSMB^® patent application was classed as highly innovative and fast-tracked through the Patent Prosecution Highway, a route set up to allow such patents to be evaluated and approved faster.

Commenting on this favorable decision for ChromaCon, CEO Dr. Michael Bavand noted: "We are pleased to extend our patent portfolio in process chromatography with the granting of the CaptureSMB^® patent in Japan. It allows us and our licensees to offer and implement superior equipment and process solutions for cyclic and continuous processes." (full press release)