The choice of adsorbent for EBA processes has direct consequences for stability, flow rate, productivity and yield. Both adsorbent density and adsorbent size distribution are critical design parameters for process robustness and optimal performance. Rhobust® adsorbent beads are manufactured in certified clean rooms, which comply with ISO 14644 quality procedures, using agarose polymer, which is well known to the regulatory authorities and has been classified as safe for use for the biopharmaceutical and food/feed industries.

Research and development has determined that for optimal performance adsorbent density should be in the range of at least 2.5-3.5g/ml in order to achieve a high degree of bed stability and reduce expansion for minimal buffer consumption. This has been achieved through a manufacturing process in which tungsten carbide particles (d= 15.5 kg/L) are encapsulated within agarose beads, with tungsten carbide occupying approximately 10-15% of the volume of the bead.

Another feature of Rhobust® adsorbent is small diameter size distribution. Upfront has managed to bring down the particle size range of the beads to 20 - 200 micrometer in order to maximise the surface area and thus improve the mass transfer kinetics. The combination of high density adsorbents with small diameter size distribution and an open pore structure agarose matrix with a suitable ligand ensures an efficient binding performance.

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