Invitrogen Offers New Animal Origin Free Foam Reduction Agent

Main Category: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 27 Mar 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ:IVGN), a provider of essential life science technologies for research, production and diagnostics, has introduced GIBCO® FoamAway™ Irradiated AOF (Animal Origin Free), a first of its kind sterile, ready-to-use, anti-foaming reagent that contains no components of human or animal origin. It is being offered in addition to the original FoamAway™ Irradiated released in June 2007.

In cell culture, proteinaceous foam is a symptom of the breakdown of proteins in solution. For processes where cell culture is used to produce proteins for biotherapeutics, diagnostics or other downstream uses, preventing foam formation means a higher yield of protein. In addition, foam in a bioreactor can trap cells, added supplements or other reagents, reducing batch efficiency. Foam also traps the proteins being produced in the culture, preventing their purification and reducing batch yields.

FoamAway™ Irradiated AOF eliminates proteinaceous foam in mammalian and microbial cell culture. Pre-diluted and sterilized through a validated gamma irradiation process, FoamAway™ Irradiated AOF can be quickly added to a foaming culture without spending time and effort preparing the reagent before adding to the bioreactor. It can be used to prevent foam before it forms and eliminate existing foam.

"Traditional anti-foaming reagents require costly and labor-intensive pre-processing before use in cell culture," said Jeff Greenberg, vice president for Invitrogen's bioproduction segment. "In contrast, FoamAway™ saves time and expense and allows the customer to skip the often messy processing steps required with many existing anti-foaming reagents. It has the added advantage of being animal origin free, facilitating regulatory acceptance and eliminating the risk of introduction of animal-based agents that can cause problems in downstream applications."

"FoamAway™ Irradiated AOF again demonstrates Invitrogen's commitment to improving the production workflow by providing products that are part of complete cell system solutions," Greenberg added.

For added convenience, FoamAway™ Irradiated AOF is pre-diluted to 3% concentration in water for injection and is packaged in versatile media bags that can connect sterilely to most common bioreactors.

FoamAway™ Irradiated AOF is available in a 500ml bag for small-scale use and evaluation of performance without major expense and also in a 2.5L bag as an affordable method of bulk purchase for larger-scale usage.

For more information about FoamAway™ Irradiated AOF, visit http://www.invitrogen.com/foamaway.

About Invitrogen

Invitrogen Corporation (NASDAQ:IVGN) provides products and services that support academic and government research institutions and pharmaceutical and biotech companies worldwide in their efforts to improve the human condition. The company provides essential life science technologies for disease research, drug discovery, and commercial bioproduction. Invitrogen's own research and development efforts are focused on breakthrough innovation in all major areas of biological discovery including functional genomics, proteomics, stem cells, cell therapy and cell biology -- placing Invitrogen's products in nearly every major laboratory in the world. Founded in 1987, Invitrogen is headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and conducts business in more than 70 countries around the world. The company employs approximately 4,700 scientists and other professionals and had revenues of approximately $1.3 billion in 2007.

Invitrogen Corporation