Press Release

Press Release from AM Technology

Biochemist Project


Biochemist Project

Three UK technology companies, C‐Tech Innovation, Ingenza and AM Technology are collaborating
on a £1m project to develop new flow process techniques for bio manufacturing. Co‐funded by the
Technology Strategy Board, the initial phase of the programme will run for two years. The project
will integrate all aspects of bioprocess development from catalyst discovery and engineering, to
process design, through to small footprint manufacturing of high value products.
Unlike batch reactors, the output of a flow device can be changed without altering the hardware or
set‐up conditions. This flexibility saves time and cost in development. The improved control
capabilities of flow systems can also deliver better yield and productivity. The objectives of this
project will be to design a compact flow reactor for continuous bio processing and develop improved
process design techniques to accelerate the introduction of new bio‐manufacturing processes for a
variety of product types such as unnatural amino acids and chiral amines. The reactor to be
developed for this project will be based on the Coflore design. This patented concept is the first truly
modular multi stage CSTR and represents a breakthrough in flow reactor design. It combines good
plug flow with efficient mixing independently of reaction time and has good solids handling
capabilities.
The adoption of more efficient development strategies and manufacturing techniques will be key to
future success in the bio manufacturing sectors. This project brings together three UK SMEs that are
global leaders in bio catalysis, process design and reactor technologies. Ingenza Ltd is a biocatalyst
and bioprocess development company based in Roslin, near Edinburgh. It operates molecular
biology, fermentation and chemistry laboratories which integrate its expertise in biocatalyst
discovery, production and improvement, high throughput screening, bioprocess development and
synthetic chemistry. C‐Tech Innovation Ltd develops novel technological processes to provide energy
and material efficient manufacturing solutions for the chemical, food, and process industries. The
company operates its own laboratory and workshop facilities at its premises at Capenhurst, near
Chester. AM Technology are a specialist reactor design company based in Cheshire. They have
multiple patents on flow systems and their Coflore reactor has been the winner of two major
awards.
The Technology Strategy Board is a business‐led executive non‐departmental public body,
established by the government. Its role is to promote and support research into, and development
and exploitation of, technology and innovation for the benefit of UK business, in order to increase
economic growth and improve the quality of life. It is sponsored by the Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills (BIS). For further information please visit www.innovateuk.org.

Posted: 8-Feb-2010

For more information, contact us at:

AM Technology
The Heath Business and Technical Park, Runcorn, Cheshire
WA7 4QX
United Kingdom
0044 1928 515454 Main
http://www.amtechuk.com/

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