Sartorius Stedim Biotech and Refine Technology Announce Cooperation

Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB), a leading international pharma supplier, and Refine Technology (Refine), the developer and worldwide supplier to the biotech industry of the ATF™ System, a best-in-class cell retention device, will be collaborating on the development of a robust platform for highdensity cell cultivation. This platform will enable fast, easy connection of the ATF System to SSB's field-proven single-use BIOSTAT® bioreactors.

This joint development project proactively responds to the current market demand for more effective connectivity between equipment from different suppliers to enable development of efficient, streamlined systems. "We decided to work together, based on market feedback, to create a better platform for late-stage clinical and commercial-scale biopharmaceutical manufacturing processes. Our objective is to give our customers the confidence of a wellthought- out system featuring optimal and robust high-density cell cultivation via perfusion and concentrated fed-batch processes," stated Christel Fenge, Vice President of Fermentation Technologies at SSB.

"The market demand for cell retention systems is expanding rapidly and we are pleased to be working with Sartorius Stedim Biotech to ensure that the ATF System integrates effortlessly with the BIOSTAT bioreactors. Our objective is to dramatically reduce the risk and cost of upstream processing through continuous culture and process intensification," explained John Bonham-Carter, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at Refine.

As a first step, Sartorius Stedim Biotech and Refine are now providing users with initial application and protocol guidance for connecting the SSB single-use and reusable bioreactors and Refine's ATF System on the following websites:

www.refinetech.com/atf-selector-tool.php
www.sartorius-stedim.com/WW/en/fermentation_und_zellkultivierung/8v4u2jvba8q_artikel_liste.htm

In the future, both companies will work closely together, along with customers, to provide improved automation and process operation.

This press release contains statements about the future development of the Sartorius Stedim Biotech Group. We cannot guarantee that the content of these statements will actually apply because these statements are based upon assumptions and estimates that harbor certain risks and uncertainties.

About Refine Technology

Refine Technology develops and commercializes equipment for the enhancement of cell culture processes. Its ATF System, which scales for use in the laboratory through to commercial manufacturing, has a range of use from simple culture maintenance, to generation of "extreme" cultures, to complex vaccine manufacturing. Refine Technology is dedicated to quality, customer support and providing solutions to a rapidly evolving biopharmaceutical industry.

Based in New Jersey, USA, Refine Technology distributes and services its products worldwide through its network of highly trained sales and support personnel.