Full Process View
Common problems
With the appropriate level of modeling, several key challenges can be addressed
While upstream and downstream steps are often developed and optimized individually by different teams,
decision-makers face persistent challenges when considering the entire bioprocess. Yet it is crucial to analyze
all unit operations together to identify true performance levers.
The challenge is that modeling the whole process quickly becomes overwhelmingly complex as the number of unit
operations increases, making in-silico optimization nearly impossible without the right tools.
With the appropriate level of modeling, several key challenges can be addressed around process intensification, sustainability and cost optimization such as:
Our solutions
Software license - Basic Design & Eval
With a license for the Basic Design and Eval apps of the Proxima® suite, your teams can directly model
complete bioprocesses. Basic Design provides flowsheet representations as well as mass
and heat balances, while Eval translates them into economic and environmental
metrics such as PMI, E-Factor of CO2 equivalents.
These apps rely on simplified yet powerful process descriptions, making them accessible to engineers without
specialized modeling expertise.
This mode is ideal if you want to build in-house capability and maintain full control over analyses. We can also provide support packages with a level of support adapted to your needs to help you get on track faster.
Collaborative partnership - Extended team
We work alongside your scientists and engineers, challenging assumptions and complementing internal initiatives. Acting as an extension of your team, we bring clarity by structuring data from diverse sources, testing scenarios, and identifying the most relevant process levers. This approach accelerates adoption and ensures results are aligned with your development strategy.
Independant assessement - External advice
If preferred, you can simply share process data and scenarios with us. Ypso-Facto will then deliver an agnostic, third-party evaluation using Basic and Eval. This provides clear, unbiased answers to specific questions, for example, whether a switch to a continuous chromatography system or single use technologies are adapted to your needs and constraints.
Case studies
Process: multiple downstream operations
Product: monoclonal antibody (mAb)
Results: The aim of this study was to compare the classical mAb purification process with the innovative EASY process developed by Sanofi, which is operated in full flowthrough mode with single-use technology. Figure 1 shows a representation of both the classical and EASY processes.
a)
b)
Figure 1: Representation of (a) the classical mAb purification process and (b) the EASY process in the Basic Design application of Proxima®.
The two processes were then evaluated in terms of cost. The results are presented in Figure 2 for one production batch. It is seen that the EASY process allows a significant cost reduction. It was found that the cost reduction significantly depends on the number of batches performed, the EASY process being more advantageous for small number of batches.
Figure 2: Results of the cost evalution performed in the Eval application of Proxima® for 1 production batch.
Key message: The Proxima® suite can be used to perform high level cost comparison of different process options
Further reading: Process comparison in Ypso-Proxima: EASY by Sanofi vs. classical mAb purification process
Your questions, answered
Yes. We can integrate production in bioreactors and downstream purification into a single flowsheet that provides mass balances, cost analysis, and sustainability metrics.
Yes. There is no limitation in terms of processes – may it be batch, continuous or a combination of both.
Proxima®’s Basic Design module allows users to create high-level and detailed process diagrams using functional blocks and equipment types. This supports mass and heat balance calculations across the entire process from upstream, downstream, and auxiliary steps, providing a unified view for all stakeholders. Flowsheets, mass balances and cost evaluations can be refined iteratively over the lifecycle of the process.
Yes. Proxima® supports the integration of your own cost data, allowing you to tailor economic evaluations to your specific context. This ensures accurate cost-of-goods calculations and standardized comparisons across projects and teams.
Want to know more?
Don't hesitate to contact us!