Impact of single-use technology on continuous bioprocessing

Background Single-use (SU) technologies supply a number of values to any mode of bioprocessing, but can provide some specific and enabling features in continuous bioprocessing (CB) implementations [1-3]. Most every operation in a CB process train is now supported by a commercially available single-use, or at least hybrid, solution (Figure 1). First of all, many of the SU equipment and solutions being developed for batch bioproduction have the same or related application in CB systems. Examples here include simple equipment such as tubings and connectors, to more complex applications such as the cryopreservation of large working stock aliquots in flexible bioprocess containers (BPCs). The list of CB-supporting SU technologies being developed is large and growing.