June 15, 2009
Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd.

Bioprocess

Launch of Planova™ BioEX Virus Filters for Biopharmaceutical Processing

Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce the commercial launch on June 17 of Planova™ BioEX, its new generation of hollow fiber membrane virus filters. Planova™ BioEX filters are specifically designed to meet the urgent need in downstream biopharmaceutical processing for robust virus filters that not only enhance safety, but also have higher filtration capacities and shorter processing times, even under demanding filtration conditions such as high protein concentration and high filtration pressure.

Developed using Asahi Kasei Medical’s unique technology base in cellulose hollow fiber virus filters and polymer science, Planova™ BioEX filters incorporate a durable hydrophilic PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) hollow fiber membrane, enabling them to cope with the harsh processing conditions typical of state of the art biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Using Planova™ BioEX filters, it is now possible to safely and efficiently filter large volumes of high protein concentration solutions, which are typically problematic for traditional types of virus removal filters, particularly those with flat membranes.

The key features of Planova™ BioEX filters are as follows:
1. Optimized for filtration under high protein concentrations.
2. Suited to high pressure filtration.
3. SIP (steam in place) compatible.
4. Superior validated virus filtration performance, even with small parvoviruses.
5. Various filter surface area sizes, making for easy scale up or scale down.

About Asahi Kasei Medical

Asahi Kasei Medical is the global market leader in virus filtration products. Cellulose hollow fiber Planova™ virus removal filters from Asahi Kasei Medical have an unrivalled 20 year history of trusted use in the production of biotherapeutics, and Asahi Kasei TechniKrom, Inc. (a wholly owned US subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Medical) offers an innovative line - up of equipment solutions for bioprocessing, including chromatography equipment, in - line buffer dilution systems and virus filtration and integrity test skids.

By adding Planova™ BioEX to its family of advanced virus removal filters, Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd. continues its long tradition of virus filter innovation and contribution to the enhancement of biotherapeutic virus safety. For further information about Planova™ BioEX filters, please contact:

North & South America

Asahi Kasei Medical America, Inc., Long Island Branch

1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 602, Westbury, NY 11590 USA
Tel: +1-516-620-3130 Fax: +1-516-620-3135
Email: planova_us@om.asahi-kasei.co.jp

Europe

N.V. Asahi Kasei Planova Europe S.A.

Rue Colonel Bourg, 122, 1140 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32-2-526-0500 Fax: +32-2-526-0510
Email: planova_de@om.asahi-kasei.co.jp

Asia

Asahi Kasei Medical Co., Ltd., Planova Division

1 - 105 Kanda Jinbocho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8101 Japan
Tel: +81-3-3296-3780 Fax: +81-3-3259-5725
Email: planova_jp@om.asahi-kasei.co.jp

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