In this exclusive interview with BioPharma BoardRoom, Jessay Devassy, Manager, Bioprocess Applications at Ecolab Bioprocessing provides a behind-the-scenes look at Ecolab’s newly launched US Bioprocessing Applications Laboratory in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. From state-of-the-art chromatography capabilities and process development support to sustainable purification solutions and strategic academic collaborations, Devassy outlines how this lab is designed to accelerate drug development, reduce manufacturing costs, and strengthen global support for biopharmaceutical customers.

Could you provide details on the exact location of the new lab and the strategic reasons for choosing this site?

Our new US Bioprocessing Applications Laboratory is located within our Pharma Center of Excellence in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Ecolab chose to further develop this site because it is strategically located near many large pharmaceutical operations and is a hub of bioprocessing innovation. This proximity allows us to provide timely and comprehensive technical support to our biopharma customers.

What are the primary technologies and services that this lab will offer to support biotherapeutic purification processes?

The lab offers a range of advanced technologies and services to support biotherapeutic purification processes. We are equipped with high-throughput screening tools, lab-scale process development equipment and manufacturing-scale chromatography columns. The lab is staffed with biopharma scientists with deep expertise in downstream process development and GMP manufacturing. These capabilities enable us to provide turnkey support for process development, from early to late stage and commercialization. We help our customers screen for the best purification conditions, develop efficient processes and characterize alternative resins to reduce manufacturing costs and to support their regulatory submissions.

Are there any planned collaborations with academic institutions or industry partners to enhance the lab's offerings?

We are currently supporting a small number of academic partnerships. Beyond the lab, we will be hosting industry collaborations and events in The Xchange, our co-located customer experience center, included in the Ecolab Life Sciences Pharma Center of Excellence. This interactive space facilitates knowledge sharing, innovation, and collaboration within the biopharma community.

How does this new facility align with Ecolab's broader goals in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and purification?

Ecolab Life Science is dedicated to helping biopharma accelerate timelines, improve efficiencies, and de-risk their manufacturing. This new lab is a critical part of Ecolab’s solution to help biopharma companies achieve those objectives. By combining innovative resin technologies with deep domain expertise and services, Ecolab is helping to optimize purification processes and empower its customers to accelerate the delivery of life-saving therapies to market.

Are there any sustainability or environmental considerations integrated into the lab's operations?

Sustainability is at the heart of Ecolab’s mission, and as such, we are constantly innovating to improve sustainability within our own operations and our customers’ operations. It starts with our proprietary Jetted resin manufacturing technology, which enables the production of uniform resin beads, reducing waste and the use of harmful solvents. Next, within our Bioprocessing Applications Lab, we focus on developing drug purification processes that use less buffer and water. Finally, we work with our biopharma customers, whether in the applications lab, onsite, or remotely, to improve the sustainability of their own manufacturing processes, including helping them to reduce water usage in the purification process and beyond.

Does Ecolab have plans to establish similar facilities in other regions to support global biotherapeutic purification efforts?

This new lab complements our European Applications and Research & Development Lab in Wales, U.K., which is co-located with our bioprocessing resin manufacturing facility. The labs closely collaborate and share key insights and best practices to support our global biopharma customers.