Vasudevan M, Technical Leader – Fluid Handling Solutions, IMEA, Avantor Biosciences, delivered an insightful presentation on “From Standardisation to Customisation: Rethinking Single-Use Technologies in Modern Bioprocessing.” His session shed light on how the biopharma industry’s evolving needs demand a paradigm shift from standardised to customised single-use solutions (SUTs).
Vasudevan began by tracing the evolution of single-use technologies—from their early days of standardisation to today’s pressing need for customisation. He pointed out that as biopharma pipelines diversify and facilities juggle multiple products, platforms, and batch types, standard SUTs often fall short in addressing the unique requirements of modern manufacturing environments. Vasudevan highlighted common constraints such as non-standard ceiling heights, complex cleanroom layouts, and localised utility limitations.
In contrast, custom SUTs—designed to fit exact facility layouts and process needs—enhance operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and support compliance and safety.
A key message from the session was that customisation, when executed correctly, doesn’t slow down manufacturing—it removes the barriers that do. Purpose-built assemblies minimise validation steps, streamline training, and enable seamless process transfers, particularly critical for CDMOs and facilities handling high-potency APIs, gene therapies, or running parallel product lines.
Vasudevan also explained how Avantor’s portfolio is designed for flexibility, scalability, and compliance with modern bioprocessing demands.
The session ended with a call to industry stakeholders to rethink their approach to SUTs, not just as a plug-and- play option, but as an enabler of speed, safety, and success in the competitive biopharma landscape.