“Just because something is traditional is no reason to do it, of course.”
— Lemony Snicket, The Blank Book
As therapeutics become more and more specialized, the processes to manufacture them are becoming less and less routine. “Off the shelf” designs just don’t fit every application!
At VERDOT, customization is the standard for 85% of our products. We’ve designed everything from novel sanitary micro-valves for microliter volumes to chromatography skids with the footprint of a school bus.
Sometimes it’s a small thing – like adding a simple spool piece for column HETP testing. Other times, we’ve created equipment that can run an entire downstream process from the capture purification step to formulation in a single unit.
“Define what the product will do before you design how the product will do it.”
— Alan Cooper, About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design
Project Managers at VERDOT have a deep understanding of the requirements for GMP manufacturing and know the common pain points. When launching the design phase of a custom product, our team of engineers and scientists really listen to the customer to learn the process. It’s not about copying what you already have, it’s about finding ways to improve and streamline your process to make it work better for you.
Each project is a collaboration to develop the best product possible. Every step of the way, the expertise of VERDOT is with you.
Regularly scheduled checkpoints allow for real-time updates and ensure that changes on either end are fully communicated. As is often the case, scope management is a critical part of the process!
Because of VERDOT’s concentrated focus on downstream manufacturing, everyone has the same vision and that allows us to be nimble and adapt quickly when there are necessary revisions to the project.
Within VERDOT, the design team – engineers, R&D scientists, electricians, and SCADA & instrumentation experts – works hand in hand with the manufacturing unit. The welders are some of the most experienced you’ll come across.
Because all fabrication is also done in-house, project managers can work closely with welders and technicians to make sure that any mid-project modifications are easy to incorporate.
Some of the most satisfying projects are for things that haven’t existed before. Innovation is at the heart of what we do. When developing the single-use FlexiPro™ TFF, we heard from customers that Pressure Control Valves (PCVs) were notably unreliable. The R&D Team came up with the simple design of a rotating eccentric disc that compresses the single-use tubing. The patented PCV works smoothly and efficiently to control flux on the FlexiPro TFF, another example of the “VERDOT difference” when it comes to innovation.
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
— Steve Jobs
About the Authors
Kim Brisack is the Global Applications Support Manager for VERDOT and in that role, she has worked with companies all over the world. She has extensive experience in GMP downstream operations for almost thirty years, including roles in PD and MSAT at Bayer Healthcare in Berkeley CA as well as R&D Applications and Marketing for Process Chromatography at Bio-Rad in Hercules CA. Based in San Francisco CA, she spends her free time at her ranch near Yosemite National Park with her partner and five dogs, two cats, and three horses.
Alexis Monserrat is a Senior Project Manager at VERDOT based in Riom, Auvergne, France, specializing in the design of chromatography columns and process skids. In this role, he has successfully led multiple projects with his background in mechanical engineering and a hands-on approach. He spends his free time working with a professional car racing team as a race engineer and enjoys mechanical DIY projects and 3D printing.
Sébastien Magnaud is the Vice President, Business Development APAC and Project Management. He has more than 20 years’ experience in biopharmaceutical, electronics and industrial projects. With 16+ years with VERDOT, Sébastien is an expert in business development and an experienced industrial projects manager. He holds a Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
How can our engineering expertise accelerate your innovation?
Reach out to learn more about how we can help you with your downstream processing needs.
