New virus removal filter enhances biopharmaceutical efficiency

Asahi Kasei Medical announced the launch of its Planova™ FG1, a next-generation virus removal filter designed for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Released in October 2024, the Planova™ FG1 features significantly higher flux, enhancing the efficiency and safety of biotherapeutic production processes.

The bioprocess business of Asahi Kasei Medical focuses on providing Planova™ virus removal filters, equipment, biosafety testing services, and biopharmaceutical CDMO operations. Planova™ products, sold since 1989, have continuously evolved to meet the rising global demands for viral safety in biopharmaceuticals. The product lineup expanded with the introduction of Planova™ BioEX in 2009 and Planova™ S20N in 2022. With the addition of the Planova™ FG1, the company aims to further support the growing demand for monoclonal antibodies and biopharmaceuticals, which are projected to grow at 5-10% annually.

 The Planova™ FG1 is engineered for optimal productivity in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, offering rapid filtration and robust virus removal capabilities. Its high flux rate - approximately seven times greater than that of Planova™ BioEX - enables faster filtration and minimises the risk of virus breakthrough during filtration suspension. Customer evaluations during development confirmed excellent protein filtration and virus removal performance, even without a prefilter for aggregates. Additionally, Planova™ FG1 is compatible with standard cleaning-in-place (CIP) and sterilisation-in-place (SIP) processes, ensuring it integrates smoothly with a wide range of existing manufacturing equipment.

Mass production and shipments of smaller Planova™ FG1 filters began in October 2024, with plans to expand the product range to include larger filters for process scaling. This new addition to the Planova™ lineup strengthens Asahi Kasei Medical’s commitment to enhancing the productivity, safety, and efficiency of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

“We are excited to introduce the Planova™ FG1 and to continue supporting the biopharmaceutical industry with our growing portfolio of innovative solutions,” said Ken Shinomiya, President of Asahi Kasei Medical. “Our products are designed to ensure the safe, efficient manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals that patients can trust.” 

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