Asahi Kasei Medical launches PlanovaTM FG1 next-generation virus removal filter

by Oliver Johnson

Asahi Kasei

Asahi Kasei Medical has launched the Planova FG1, a 'next-generation' virus removal filter featuring higher flux for the manufacture of biotherapeutics.

The company says the new Planova FG1 is expected to contribute to improved productivity as demand for monoclonal antibodies and other biopharmaceuticals steadily grows by 5–10% per year.

Developed to maximise productivity in the process of manufacturing biopharmaceuticals, Asahi Kasei Medical says the Planova FG1 provides high performance in terms of the filtration speed and robustness in virus removal capability. Its high flux is approximately 7 times that of Planova BioEX, enabling virus filtration time to be shortened, and feature less risk of virus breakthrough when the filtration process is suspended.

Customer evaluation in the development stage of Planova FG1 confirmed high protein filtration and virus removal performance under various conditions using several solutions according to the company, and without a prefilter to remove aggregates. Planova FG1 is also compatible with standard cleaning in place (CIP) and sterilisation in place (SIP) processes, allowing it to be used with many types of existing equipment for biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Following the October 2024 start of mass production and shipment of smaller filters of Planova FG1, Asahi Kasei Medical will extend the product lineup with new filters having larger surface areas to support its customers in scaling up their process.

“Asahi Kasei Medical is thrilled to launch the Planova FG1 next-generation virus removal filter,” said Ken Shinomiya, President of Asahi Kasei Medical. “We look forward to continuing to support biopharmaceutical manufacturers with our broad and growing lineup of products that help them to safely and efficiently manufacture pharmaceuticals that patients can trust.”

by Oliver Johnson