Dow, Sartorius, and Südpack work closely together to support the global availability of COVID-19 vaccines

The companies Dow (New York Stock Exchange: DOW), Sartorius, and Südpack Medica have entered into a joint partnership along the value chain for the production of bioreactors and 3D bags, supporting global efforts to combat coronavirus infections. The bioreactors and 3D bags are an indispensable component for the safe production and worldwide secure transport of COVID-19 vaccines.

The global fight against the pandemic continues, and therefore people around the world need access to vaccines that are produced efficiently and according to strict safety standards. Dow, together with Sartorius, a leading international partner in life science research and the biopharmaceutical industry, and the Südpack packaging group contribute with innovative solutions to the global supply of these vaccines, ensuring that they reach their destinations quickly and safely.

Sterile bioreactor bags made from multi-layer films accelerate and support the necessary process steps for vaccine manufacturing and commercial marketing. They have a capacity of up to 2,000 liters and are designed for extremely efficient mixing and high oxygen transfer. They are ideal for mammalian cell cultures, i.e., processes that require high cell densities or are based on microcarriers. For example, cells produce the active ingredient for COVID-19 vaccines under precisely controlled conditions in bioreactors.

The result of the successful collaboration between the three partners is a stable, predictive process that provides patients worldwide with a safe, reliable biological pharmaceutical.

The flexible 3D bags are intended for sterile and ready-to-use liquids and have been developed for the storage and shipment of large quantities of biopharmaceutical solutions. They are a safe and convenient disposable solution for handling, storing, and shipping liquids throughout the entire value chain.

Sartorius's technology currently supports the production of existing and future vaccines. The company's bioreactor and 3D bags are used by pharmaceutical companies for cultivating important vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines. Südpack supplies Sartorius with the corresponding polymer films.

The high performance of Südpack films is essential for the safe production of vaccines. With their innovative technologies and R&D processes, as well as their high hygiene and quality standards, the Südpack group possesses the necessary capabilities to meet the rapidly changing demands of the pharmaceutical industry and respond to the challenges of the pandemic. The bioreactor films support the reproductive growth behavior of sensitive cell lines. Their excellent cell viability and density reduce the risk of batch losses or inconsistencies and lead to high product purity and improved productivity.

Thomas Freis, Managing Director of Südpack Medica AG, says: “Because our films are so robust, highly sensitive biopharmaceutical processes can be developed, controlled, and scaled globally. Our multi-layer films are an essential part of the value chain for the manufacture of disposable bioreactors, enabling scalability and faster development of mRNA technology. We at Südpack Medica are extremely proud to make an indispensable contribution to the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. But we are also aware of the responsibility that comes with it.”

“Sartorius is part of the solution. As we comprehensively support our customers with our technologies in vaccine production, many of our products play a key role in overcoming the pandemic. That’s why our customers rely on us to always deliver. In this challenging situation, with supply chains under pressure, we are especially pleased to have reliable partners like DOW and Südpack Medica at our side,” says Günther van de Rijt, Head of Procurement, Supply Network & Logistics BPS at Sartorius.

“At Dow, we strive to support the global COVID-19 vaccination campaign to the best of our abilities. We are very proud that our granulates, as part of the value chain, promote the development and introduction of vaccines worldwide. It’s an impressive team effort: from raw material production at our site to vaccine administration, so many companies and people are involved, working hard behind the scenes to support the value chain at this critical moment,” says Abby Turner, Global Marketing Director for Healthcare & Hygiene Business at Dow.