Valion Bio, Inc.

Initial Data Supports Continued Development

The initial feasibility evaluation captured a strong correlation between the signal measured by the BioScan-NMR™ platform and optical density at 600 nm or OD600, a widely used biological measurement for estimating cell density in liquid cultures, providing an encouraging early signal that the BioScan-NMR™ platform has the potential to capture information associated with microbial growth.

“While this project remains an early-stage proof-of-concept, the initial results are encouraging,” added Mr. Zikria. “We believe BioScan-NMR™ has the potential to provide greater visibility into fermentation processes, including information related to the media composition, fermenter environment, process conditions, and potentially product-related attributes - without relying solely on routine invasive sampling and sample processing. We look forward to the full implementation of this unique PAT system at Velocity Bioworks.”

Microbial fermentation can offer important advantages over mammalian cell culture for certain biologics and smaller-molecule production processes, including potentially faster production cycles, lower operating costs, and suitability for high-throughput or specialized manufacturing applications.1 However, effective process monitoring remains critical to maintaining consistency, optimizing yields, and identifying changes in a fermentation process.

Today, microbial fermentation is commonly monitored using indirect indicators of metabolic activity, including glucose, pH, and dissolved oxygen. While these measurements furnish important information about process conditions and cellular growth, they do not necessarily provide a direct view of cell health or other underlying biological changes.

LarmorBio’s next-generation BioScan-NMR™ technology platform is being designed for its potential to address monitoring gaps through closed-system measurements that could reduce reliance on routine offline sampling. By reducing or potentially eliminating the need for repeated invasive sampling, the technology could help preserve the sterile barrier while enabling real-time, continuous, and non-invasive visibility into key biological parameters.2,3,4

“The potential to move beyond episodic sampling toward continuous process visibility is particularly compelling from a CDMO perspective,” concluded Mr. Zikria. “If subsequent development work confirms that BioScan-NMR™ can reliably monitor additional critical process attributes in a closed system, it could become an important enabling technology for more data-rich, responsive, and efficient bioprocessing.”

Velocity Bioworks intends to use the results of the initial feasibility evaluation to inform subsequent development activities, including assessment of the closed-system and continuous monitoring capabilities.