Precision Fermentation and Bio-Processing

Overview Upstream & Downstream Capabilities Equipment

EKF Life Sciences division operates a state of the art Precision Fermentation facility in South Bend, Indiana, equipped with advanced bioprocessing technology to produce biomolecules for the diagnostic, biopharmaceutical, food, and agriculture industries.

With 40+ years of fermentation experience EKF are a flexible Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO), we support small companies looking for agile, scalable manufacturing solutions while also providing large-scale, routine fermentation production for global leaders.

Our South Bend Facility:

Our 24,000-square-foot facility is designed to meet the highest industry standards, holding cGMP compliance, FDA approval, and ISO 13485 & ISO 9001 certifications. Key facility features include:

HEPA-filtered fermentation suites for optimal process control.
Two-story refrigerated downstream processing (DSP) area for purification and refinement.
ISO-certified cleanroom for final product processing, including lyophilization, formulation, dispensing, and packaging.
Dedicated analytical laboratory for in-process testing and final product release.
Temperature-controlled storage for raw materials and finished products.

Fermentation Expertise Across Expression Hosts & Product Types:

E. coli
Pichia Pastoris
Bacillus subtilis
Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We produce a diverse range of biomolecules at multiple scales, including:

Enzymes & Recombinant proteins
Peptides
Probiotics

Upstream Processing:

Our fermentation systems feature automated monitoring and control for critical parameters such as agitation, airflow, supplemental gases, pH, temperature, pressure, dissolved oxygen, and off-gas composition (O₂ & CO₂). Additional off-line glucose and lactate monitoring provides deeper metabolic insights for precision control.

Our PLC-controlled automation enables:

Automated cascading of aeration, agitation, and vessel pressure to maintain optimal dissolved oxygen levels.
Custom-configured control schemes tailored to each client’s specific production protocol.

Downstream:

Our advanced downstream processing ensures efficient purification of cell paste and cell slurry with the following capabilities:

Cell harvesting
Homogenization
Filtration & diafiltration
Chromatography purification

Following purification, we offer formulation for concentration or lyophilization, depending on the required final product format.

We offer fermentation and processing solutions across various scales to meet different production needs our equipment are capabilities include:

Up-stream Processing	Downstream Processing	Quality Control
Cell Banking (Shaker Flasks & PreSens)	AS-26 Super Sharples Centrifuges (x4)	Protein & DNA Electrophoresis
Bench-Top Fermenters (5–10L) – Ideal for tech transfer & process optimization	SPX Homogenizers (x2)	PCR/qPCR Analysis
Verification Scale (65–300L) – Suitable for small-batch production	Hollow Fiber Microfiltration Unit	UPLC & TOC Evaluation
Pilot Scale-Up (1,500L) – For pilot or small multiple-batch production	Disc Stack Centrifuge System	Digital Light Scattering Microscopy
Demo Scale-Up (3,000L) – For medium-scale production	TFF Ultrafiltration Unit	Quantitative & Qualitative Micro
Commercial Scale (14,500L, 10,000L Working volume) – Custom-built for large-scale fermentation Semi-Continuous Volumes up to 30,000L	Chromatography Systems (IEX, Affinity, HIC), AKTA & BPG Columns	UV/Vis & Fluorescence Spectrophotometry
		Temperature-Controlled Enzymatic Rate Determination

Why Partner with EKF Life Sciences?

Dedicated Technical, Quality & Operational Teams: Our expert teams work closely with you to define project needs, timelines, and to develop a fully scoped project proposal allowing you to assess whether EKF is the right partner for you.

Stage-Gated Project Management: We break down projects into manageable, stage-gated work packages, ensuring clear milestones, controlled execution, and transparent communication at every step.

Risk-Based Scale-Up Strategy: Our manufacturing approach is risk-based, balancing timeline, cost, and scalability to determine the most efficient path for your process.

In-House Expertise for Seamless Technology Transfer: With extensive experience in fermentation and downstream processing (DSP), our in-house technical team ensures successful tech transfer, rapid troubleshooting and smooth scale-up.

Dedicated Project Management for Streamlined Communication: Every client is assigned a dedicated technical project lead, ensuring efficient communication and coordination from project initiation to final production and beyond.

Precision Fermentation & Bio-Processing:

Advanced biomolecule production

EKF Life Sciences division operates a state of the art Precision Fermentation facility in South Bend, Indiana, equipped with advanced bioprocessing technology to produce biomolecules for the diagnostic, biopharmaceutical, food, and agriculture industries.

Why Partner with EKF Life Sciences?

Explore your life sciences future with confidence

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