The Impact of Downstream Recovery Operations on Upstream Production Methods: Vertical Integration and Process Optimization

Abstract

The design of a biotechnology production process is often divided between upstream production (fermentation or cell culture) and downstream recovery (purification). The upstream design has a significant effect on downstream costs. In particular, four areas have an impact: the scale or volume of material delivered; the amount of impurities relative to product; the nature of the impurities; and the number of phases present.

Integration of upstream and downstream designs results in optimization of the entire process. Failure during upstream design to consider the limitations inherent in downstream operations leads to a less than optimal process.

In this discussion, we will look at the differences and similarities between upstream and downstream activities, the ways in which they influence the downstream design and costs, and techniques for optimizing the complete process.