Precision Chroma: Improving biological medicine manufacture

Many of today's most advanced medicines, including protein therapies, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies, rely on complex manufacturing processes. One of the most important steps is chromatography, which separates valuable biological molecules from unwanted materials during production. 

Researchers at the University of Canterbury (UC) have spent more than a decade developing a new approach to chromatography using advanced 3D-printing technologies. The work originated from research led by Professor Conan Fee from the School of Product Design and was further developed by Dr Sean Feast through postgraduate and postdoctoral research at UC.

Traditional chromatography systems rely on packed particles and multiple processing steps that can be slow, costly, and result in product losses. UC researchers developed patented 3D-printed chromatography columns that apply engineering design principles to optimise fluid flow and improve separation performance. 

The resulting technology, known as Printed Monolith Adsorption (PMA), enables faster processing, reduces pressure limitations, and can simplify the purification of biological products. The technology has the potential to improve the manufacture of proteins, antibodies, vaccines, and gene therapies while reducing production costs.

To accelerate commercialisation, UC partnered with Bridgewest Ventures, a Callaghan Technology Incubator and venture capital firm to launch Precision Chroma in January 2022 with Sean as founding CEO and Conan as Technical Advisor.

The company was established to commercialise the UC-developed technology and help address growing global demand for more efficient biomanufacturing solutions. 

Talk to Professor Conan Fee about the underlying technology, chromatography, biomanufacturing and biotechnology innovation, or contact the Commercialisation Team to explore partnership, licensing, and investment opportunities.