Applications

versatile filtration for MODERN BIOPROCESSING

With its unique vibrational anti-fouling mechanism and process control, Vibro® Membrane Filtration (VMF) can be used in a range of applications and downstream bioprocessing steps. It solves common filtration challenges and helps intensify downstream processing (DSP).

IDEAL APPLICATIONS FOR VMF

WORKS BEST WHERE OTHERS STRUGGLE

Challenges in filtration can significantly influence overall bioprocess efficiency, quality and economy. Common constraints, such as membrane fouling, low yield due to product loss, inconsistent removal of impurities, scalability hurdles, significant physical footprint, high energy consumption etc., often limit the effectiveness of conventional filtration steps.

Our Vibro® Membrane Filtration (VMF) technology is specifically designed to address these bottlenecks. It delivers consistent performance and up-time as well as increased product transmission while minimizing fouling and process interruptions – even with high viscosity media.

VMF is ideal for processes where conventional systems struggle due to concentration/viscosity limits. Thanks to its low-flow operation and unrestricted flow path, vigorous pumping becomes unnecessary and the pressure drop in the system is kept to a minimum. At the same time, its vibration-based fouling control maintains optimal and uniform TMP.

Example applications:

  • Protein and polymer concentration (e.g. mAbs)
  • Biomass and fermentation broths
  • High-solids suspensions

For shear-sensitive products, VMF provides gentle processing that protects product integrity. Since fouling is controlled using localized vibrations, VMF can operate at low flow rates and without shear-intensive, vigorous cross-flow pumping. This results in a very low overall system shear, preventing negative effects such as complex molecule unfolding or aggregation while maintaining the integrity of sensitive products such as cells, viruses and LNPs.

Application examples:

  • Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)
  • Messenger RNA (mRNA)
  • Adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) and lentivirus vectors (LVVs)
  • Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)

Due to its enhanced, vibration-based fouling control and low flow requirements, Vibro® Membrane Filtration (VMF) can handle streams that are typically considered difficult to process because of their high fouling propensity, viscosity or strong adsorption to membranes.

Application examples:

  • Filamentous fungi
  • Cell lysates
  • Complex fermentation broths

VMF is the ideal solution for processes where every extra percent of transmission counts. Its vibration-based anti-fouling system allows operation at low and uniform TMP, resulting in efficient transmission along the entire membrane and extremely high yields. At the same time, gentle processing minimizes product loss through shear.

Application examples:

“Within a biorefinery setup, Vibro® Membrane Filtration (VMF) was applied in downstream processing of protein‑rich industrial side streams, enabling efficient molecular-mass‑based protein separation and concentration with markedly reduced fouling compared to conventional membranes.”

Mihaela Tanase-Opedal, Senior Research Scientist, RISE PFI AS

APPLICATION EXAMPLES

Vibro® Membrane Filtration (VMF)’s effectiveness has been independently reported in a several studies, consistently demonstrating significantly better performance than conventional TFF. The studies also show VMF’s long-term process stability at stable TMP, gentle product handling and efficient processing resulting in high yields and concentrations.

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INTENSIFied Downstream Processing with VMF

By mitigating fouling through membrane vibrations instead of crossflow, VMF is able to maintain high, stable flux and transmission even under challenging conditions. This allows higher throughput in smaller, more compact units, often replacing multi-stage or recirculating systems with fewer process steps.

At the same time, precise TMP control, low-shear operation, and a fully drainable design maximize product recovery and process robustness.

The result is a streamlined downstream workflow with lower energy demand, reduced footprint, and significantly improved yield and productivity.

Visualization of a typical bioprocess showing how VMF can replace and intensify DSP.

Clarification

VMF can fully replace centrifugation and depth filtration, achieving efficient clarification in a single step.

This setup avoids the high shear forces and scalability issues associated with centrifuges as well as the frequent filter replacements necessary for depth filtration. At the same time, it lowers facility footprint and reduces both CAPEX and OPEX.

concentration

Using targeted vibrations and precise flow control, VMF can maintain stable, high flux along the entire membrane, enabling efficient concentration even at very high viscosities and solids levels.

This avoids the flux and scalability challenges typical of conventional TFF and results in higher concentration factors, fewer process steps as well as a smaller equipment footprint.

DIAFILTRATION

In diafiltration, VMF can reduce buffer consumption and processing time by maintaining a low, uniform TMP and maximizing transmission across the entire membrane surface.

Impurities are efficiently and predictably filtered out while product quality is preserved. This results in fewer interruptions, lower resource use, and improved process efficiency and yield.

THREE operation modes, ONE SYSTEM

Vibro® Membrane Filtration (VMF) is a highly adaptable platform designed to support batch, continuous, and single‑pass processing within a single system. By enabling precise control of process parameters and maintaining stable performance independent of flow conditions, VMF allows customers to choose the operating mode that best fits their process objectives — without compromising efficiency, product quality, or yield.

(FEd-) BATCH PROCESSING

In batch processing, VMF excels in concentration applications where viscosity and solids content increase over time. Its ability to operate effectively at low flow, combined with vibration-driven fouling control, ensures stable flux and high transmission throughout the batch. TMP can be adjusted to drive concentration as needed, while the fully drainable design maximizes product recovery — resulting in efficient, high-yield processing even for challenging feeds.

CONTINUOUS PROCESSING

VMF provides the steady, reliable performance required for true continuous operation. A uniform TMP across the membrane ensures consistent separation, while minimal fouling supports long, uninterrupted run times. The system’s low-shear operation protects sensitive products, and its modular, compact design allows easy integration and scale-up within continuous manufacturing environments.

Single-pass PROCESSING

In single-pass processing, VMF enables efficient separation without recirculation within a single membrane unit. The uniform TMP distribution creates a consistent driving force along the entire membrane, ensuring predictable and sustainable performance in one pass. High transmission and low fouling maintain efficiency throughout the module, while adjustable TMP allows precise tuning of separation targets—delivering simplified, high-performance single-pass operation.

APPLICATION IN Other Industries

As a flexible and versatile technology, Vibro® Membrane Filtration (VMF) can benefit a range of industries beyond pharmaceutical manufacturing, for example in the concentration of dairy products, beer brewing or the harvesting of algae.

Industrial site producing and harvesting algae.

ALGAE HARVEST

Industrial brewery tanks

BEER BREWING

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

DAIRY PROCESSING

Frequently Asked Questions

Sani Membranes’ products are designed for use in GMP‑regulated pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing and manufactured under an ISO 9001 certified quality management system. Depending on configuration, materials comply with:

  • USP Class VI
  • EU 1935/2004
  • EU 10/2011
  • EU 2023/2006
  • BSE/TSE‑free and animal‑derivative‑free declarations.

This depends on your application and your cells/products of interest. If you wish to retain and concentrate your product (e.g. cells or a molecule), your MWCO should as a rule of thumb be 3-5x smaller than the product. If you on the other hand would like to transmit your product across the membrane, then the MWCO should in general be 5-10x larger than the product. 

Yes, since the turbulence of Vibro® Membrane Filtration (VMF) is independent from the liquid flow rate, SPTFF is possible. There are already several publications available demonstrating how our standard VMF device is superior to specialised SPTFF solutions in the market. Contact Sani Membranes to hear more about the latest experience with this exciting process opportunity.

Yes, and in more than one way: 

  • VMF clarifies mammalian cultures directly from the bioreactor in a single step. 
  • VMF’s low, uniform TMP and high product transmission result in a high step yield. 
  • The clarified broth contains less HCP and host cell DNA compared to conventional TFF due to minimal cell damage. 
  • Protein A column capacity can be increased by concentrating the clarified broth on a UF Vibro® membrane.

The result is a simplified, gentle and efficient process that significantly reduces the cost of mAbs purification.

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