Merck Millipore launches Cellvento CHO-100 cell medium

Merck Millipore has announced the launch of a new non-animal origin, chemically-defined medium designed for cell cultivation in biopharmaceutical applications.

Cellvento CHO-100 has been formulated to encourage long-term growth of Chinese hamster ovary cells to express antibodies or protein products, and contains no hydrolysates or components of unknown composition.

Its benefits include strong cell growth, high productivity and lot-to-lot consistency in batch mode operation, while it also uses high-grade raw materials that meet Merck Millipore's stringent quality requirements.

Cellvento CHO-100 is the latest addition to the company's Pharm Chemical Solutions business portfolio.

Dr Antoine Heron, head of biopharmaceutical materials and technologies at Merck Millipore, said: "It delivers outstanding lot-to-lot consistency in physico-chemical characteristics as well as in growth and production profiles, optimising the cell culture process and allowing manufacturers to bring protein products to market faster."

Last month, the company expanded its capabilities through the acquisition of cell-culture media and buffer solutions provider Biochrom, a deal which will be finalised before the end of 2012.