Asahi Kasei Medical, a global leader in virus removal solutions, proudly announces the launch of the Planova™ FG1, a next-generation virus removal filter designed to enhance productivity in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. This new filter features significantly higher flux, delivering enhanced performance for the growing biotherapeutics sector.

As part of the Asahi Kasei Group, the bioprocess business of Asahi Kasei Medical encompasses the production and supply of Planova™ virus removal filters, biosafety testing services, and biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) operations. These services support the manufacture of critical biopharmaceutical products such as monoclonal antibodies and plasma derivatives. Since the launch of the Planova™ brand in 1989, Asahi Kasei Medical has continuously innovated its product lineup to meet the increasing global demand for viral safety in biotherapeutics.

Building on the success of previous generations, including the Planova™ BioEX filters introduced in 2009 and the Planova™ S20N filters launched in 2022, Planova™ FG1 represents a significant leap forward in virus filtration technology. With its flux approximately seven times higher than Planova™ BioEX, Planova™ FG1 offers a shorter virus filtration time, while maintaining robust virus removal capabilities, even under varied conditions.

Key Benefits of Planova™ FG1:

• Enhanced Filtration Speed: Approximately seven times the flux of Planova™ BioEX, enabling shorter virus filtration times.
• Improved Productivity: Maximized filtration performance without the need for prefilters, reducing process complexity.
• Reliable Virus Safety: Lower risk of virus breakthrough, even when filtration processes are temporarily suspended.
• Process Compatibility: Fully compatible with cleaning in place (CIP) and sterilization in place (SIP) systems, making it easy to integrate into existing manufacturing setups.

Asahi Kasei Medical will begin mass production and shipment of Planova™ FG1 filters in October 2024, initially offering smaller filters. Larger surface area filters will be introduced subsequently to support customers in scaling up their production processes efficiently. The addition of Planova™ FG1 to Asahi Kasei Medical’s broad product portfolio will further cement the Planova™ brand’s position as a trusted leader among biopharmaceutical manufacturers.

Ken Shinomiya, President of Asahi Kasei Medical, commented:
“We are thrilled to launch the Planova™ FG1 next-generation virus removal filter, which demonstrates our commitment to continuously innovating and supporting biopharmaceutical manufacturers. By expanding our product lineup with advanced solutions like Planova™ FG1, we aim to enhance the efficiency and safety of biopharmaceutical production.”