Agilent Technologies and Groton Biosystems reach agreement to co-market solutions for the process analytical technology (Pat) initiative for the pharmaceutical industry in the United States and Canada
Pat is a system for designing, analysing and controlling manufacturing by measuring critical quality and performance attributes of raw and in-process materials and processes, all with the goal of ensuring final product quality.
The alliance is designed to benefit biopharmaceutical customers who perform in-process and final product testing in a wide range of production segments and who are looking for state-of-the-art online sampling with HPLC analysis for rapid quality-related decision-making.
The agreement, expected to expand to Europe and Asia in the near future, brings together Agilent's HPLC systems with Groton Biosystems's online sampling products and services.
Groton Biosystems, based in Boxborough, Mass., specialises in providing biotechnology production companies with online and laboratory process monitoring solutions.
"Our joint customers in the pharmaceutical industry require a high degree of integration and automation," said Nick Roelofs, vice president and general manager, life sciences unit, at Agilent Technologies.
"This agreement will enable us to deliver better, faster solutions to our mutual customers in the biopharmaceutical industry and increase the quality of final products in manufacturing".
"The Pat initiative is becoming a major driving force in the pharma industry," added Groton Biosystems CEO Bill Dinardo.
"The elimination of human intervention in online sample acquisition and analysis steps will save labour, reduce the risk of contamination and minimise the potential for error.
"This collaboration was driven by a strong demand from industry leaders and from current Agilent HPLC users".
Under the agreement, Agilent and Groton Biosystems will jointly market 1200 series HPLC solutions with Groton Biosystems's automated reactor sampling ARS series on-line process autosampling products within the USA and Canada, including pre- and post-sales activities, such as product presentations, trade show participation and customer events.
These activities will be tailored to the specific needs of biopharmaceutical production sites requiring online sampling and subsequent HPLC separation method development using the Groton ARS in combination with Agilent 1200 series HPLC systems.
