Millipore Corporation and HyClone Laboratories have announced the formation of a bioprocessing alliance. HyClone is a global leader in cell culture consumables and disposable bioprocess liquid containment products and a subsidiary of Fisher Scientific International Inc. (NYSE: FSH), a world leader in serving science. The alliance between Millipore and HyClone combines the critical elements required for value-added disposable manufacturing solutions. Biopharmaceutical manufacturers will have one supplier contact for the design, development, and validation support of disposable manufacturing systems combining HyClone bioprocess containers with various Millipore disposable separation products.

Disposable processing systems received initial acceptance as cost-saving measures. Now, proven benefits include not only lower costs, but also less down-time, enhanced process security, greater process flexibility, and the capacity to facilitate greater speed-to-market. Disposable manufacturing also enables companies to run multiple products in a single plant without risking cross-contamination.

“Both Millipore and HyClone have worked with pioneering biopharmaceutical companies to validate single-use disposable systems. Our collaborative efforts indicate that these companies are committing significant resources to the validation and implementation of disposable strategies,” said Susan Vogt, President of Millipore’s BioPharmaceutical division.

Through this relationship, HyClone and Millipore will jointly address customers’ needs for disposable combined products for pilot plant, process development and production applications. Future innovations required to meet evolving industry demands for combined products will come through the alliance partners’ complementary R&D efforts in separation technology, connectology, and in validation, and applications engineering.

“This alliance delivers the competencies and reliability required to support the continuing acceptance and growth of disposable biopharma manufacturing,” said Leland Foster, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fisher Scientific’s Biochemicals Group. “The expertise both companies bring to the effort can speed the drug development process and enhance customer process economics.”