Speaking at CPHI Milan, Craig Cox, Vice President of Global Sales, Bioprocessing at Ecolab, shared insights into the company’s role in supporting drug development and manufacturing.
“Ecolab supports drug development within the process, including chromatography resins for biologic purification and resin-based APIs and excipients,” Cox explains. He emphasizes Ecolab’s commitment to sustainability, noting its unique manufacturing process for bioprocessing resins reduces the use of harmful solvents and has the potential to reduce water usage.
Listen to the full episode:
Cox underscores the critical importance of purification in monoclonal antibody production: “Purification ensures that the antibodies produced are free from contaminants such as other proteins, nucleic acid and cell debris. These contaminants can provoke an immune response or adverse effects when these MAbs are used in therapeutic settings.”
Regarding industry trends, Cox highlights the increasing complexity of drugs and the pressure to reduce costs. “Our strategy is to supply CDMOs with cost-effective resins to add to their toolbox that improve manufacturing efficiencies and ultimately save time and money for their customers,” he states. This approach aims to help CDMOs handle challenging molecules like antibody fragments and bispecifics while maintaining efficiency and speed.
Looking ahead to 2025, Cox notes that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic continue to shape the industry. “Regulatory bodies are looking at pharma companies to mitigate risk through dual sourcing for important materials like resins and to have solid plans in place to handle any unexpected shortages,” he explains. Cox expresses optimism about the industry’s continued innovation and Ecolab’s readiness to support growing demand for new therapies.