Hamilton Bonaduz AG

Giovanni Campolongo

Hamilton Company is a global leader in precision liquid handling and measurement solutions.  Hamilton Process Analytics is a business unit of the Hamilton group striving to create ground-breaking open-sensing solutions. Our aim is to augment understanding and control of critical process parameters in biopharma upstream and downstream applications through our existing state-of-the-art measurement technology and the untapped potential of future technological advancements.

I joined Hamilton in 2016, bringing with me my experience in PAT spectroscopy applied to GMP regulated environments, specifically in the pharmaceutical industry. Since then, what I immediately liked about working at Hamilton Process Analytics, and still appreciate to this day, is the clear focus on meeting customer needs, particularly within the biopharmaceutical and biotech industries. In every department, from R&D and Operations to Marketing and Sales we concentrate our efforts on the innovation and manufacturing of solutions for real-time monitoring of bioprocess critical process parameters (CPPs). We meticulously craft our range of reusable and single-use sensors to accurately measure parameters, such as: pH, dissolved oxygen, dissolved CO₂, conductivity, and cell density.

For us, sensors are not standalone products. We care about the entire solution. As we work with regulated environments, we must provide seamless integration in our users’ skids. Our solutions are not only robust and accurate, but they are also primed for compliance to guidelines such as the CFR21 part 11 or the Eudralex Annex 11. Clear examples of this are our Arc Intelligent sensors, our flagship product line. They are easy to integrate and provide real-time feedback on how good they are measuring (quality indicator) – without the need for a bulky external transmitter as they are embedded in the sensor itself. Arc technologies are space-saving solutions for small footprint applications, such as R&D laboratories.

Once again: innovation lies at the core of our operations. Embracing our mission statement, 'With our pioneering sensor technology, we solve biopharma challenges’; we've launched several trailblazing sensors that specifically cater to the evolving needs of the biotech industry. These include our Incyte sensors, which enable in-line measurement of viable cell density; and our breakthrough Dencytee Arc for total cell density, which combines two measurements modes in one device. We’ve also been the first company to market reusable solid-state optical sensors for the control of dissolved oxygen (VisiFerm) and dissolved CO₂ (CO₂NTROL) in bioreactors and fermenters. The optical technology is the best option for bioproduction as it enable the highest accuracy (no fouling/ interference), together with fastest time-to-routine (simple calibration and no polarization time). Optical sensors require very limited maintenance and in the case of the CO₂ sensor, no consumables for the entire life of the sensors.

And our pioneering doesn't stop there. In addition to our innovations for the biopharma industry, we are committed to supporting the evolving biotech industry: specifically, the field of cultivated food. The production of cultivated meat via cell culture presents a new, potentially multi-billion-dollar industry that faces significant obstacles: primarily in scaling production and reducing costs. Recognizing these hurdles, we see the role Hamilton Process Analytics can play in providing solutions for this growing market, leveraging our in-line sensors for monitoring, and controlling process conditions. We are deeply invested in the potential of the cultivated meat industry, and we are proud to offer our efficient and reliable, biomanufacturing-attested sensors for process optimization and scale-up.

As the industry trends towards digitalization and Industry 4.0, we've harnessed the power of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Our Arc sensor portfolio makes the most of real-time analytics and smart device integration, improving manufacturing, operation, and maintenance management. These developments have been critical in recent years, notably the urgency of expedited drug delivery during the COVID-19 crisis.

Moving into 2023, we anticipate the biopharma, biotech, and cultivated food markets to grow steadily. This growth will be driven by the ongoing development of novel biopharmaceuticals, individualized medicine platforms, cell and gene therapies, and cultivated food products. I am confident that our sensor technology will continue to play a pivotal role in these developments, advancing research, improving process efficiencies, and propelling the future of these industries.

In general, our solutions are integral in assisting our key customers in the biopharma, biotech, and cultivated food industries to optimize their processes and achieve their goals.