Finesse Solutions and ATMI Sign Distribution Agreement for Turnkey Bioreactor Systems

SANTA CLARA, Calif., April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Finesse Solutions, Inc., a manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for life sciences process applications, announced the signing of a Distribution Agreement with ATMI, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATMI), a global technology company and a leader in single-use process solutions. Over the last two years, and after several collaborative projects, the relationship between the companies has gained in strategic importance. 

This agreement will allow both companies to offer customers seamless support for single-use bioreactor systems enabled by Finesse  SmartSystems™, and ATMI's single-use Integrity® PadReactor™ bioreactor. The solution combines the optimized mixing and gas transfer performance of the space-efficient PadReactor system with the industry's leading bioreactor control platform and single-use sensors, namely, state-of-the-art TruFluor™ sensors for pH and dissolved oxygen and TruTorr™ sensors for pressure.  The integrated system couples ATMI LifeScience's Integrity PadReactor bioreactor with Finesse's G3-series SmartControllers™ and TruBio® 4.X DV software, which are pre-configured for controlling process parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, agitation, gas/liquid flow and auxiliary analog inputs/loops.

The integrated ATMI-Finesse bioreactor system can be purchased in a single transaction with follow-on application and technical support from both ATMI and Finesse. Under the terms of the agreement, Finesse will offer fully-integrated turnkey systems for upstream bioprocessing. Additionally, ATMI will provide all post-point-of-sale customer requirements for PadReactor hardware and disposables while Finesse will support and service the controller, sensors and software.

"Based on the DeltaV® control platform from Emerson, Finesse controllers allow users to scale their processes seamlessly from 1L lab-scale R&D bioreactors into cGMP single-use process trains having volumes up to 2,000L.  By integrating our measurement and control solutions with the PadReactor system, Finesse will be able to offer a superior solution to its customer base for the production of recombinant proteins or vaccines.  The end results will include suspension cell configurations as well as the most effective and productive system for micro-carrier based processes in the industry," stated Barbara Paldus, CEO of Finesse.

Jeffery Craig, LifeSciences Global Director, Business Development at ATMI added, "Specifically designed to meet the needs of cell culturists, ATMI's PadReactor system is perfectly suited to process development, clinical material supply and flexible GMP manufacturing. The innovative, cube-shaped bioreactor vessel, which offers functionality that is comparable or better than classical stirred tank bioreactors, includes a single-use bag integrating an internal low-shear mixing paddle and sparger system. It is considerable end-user value that all ATMI bags are made with our in-house produced TK8 film which is designed specifically for cell culture and bioprocess applications. .The reactor, available in sizes ranging from 25L to 1200L, has been engineered to work in harmony with Finesse's cGMP-capable, highly configurable SmartSystems, which feature comprehensive functionality combined with easy process configuration and display."

For more information on the turnkey bioreactor system, please contact ATMI LifeSciences or Finesse representatives.

About Finesse Solutions, Inc.

California-based Finesse Solutions, Inc., has established a proven record in providing turnkey, scalable solutions for single-use upstream bioprocessing. The Finesse product platform includes an extensive portfolio of novel disposable sensors, modular configure-to-order automation hardware, and intelligent software that can harmonize global bioprocess information and technology transfer. Finesse also offers a complete set of services including startup, commissioning, and validation for rapid and reliable deployment of single-use equipment into cGMP manufacturing applications. Visit www.finesse.com.

Finesse Solutions, the Finesse logo, SmartSystems SmartControllers, TruBio, TruFluor, and TruTorr are trademarks or registered trademarks of Finesse Solutions Inc., in the United States, other countries or both. All other names are trademarks of their respective companies.

About ATMI

ATMI, Inc. provides specialty semiconductor materials, and safe, high-purity materials handling and delivery solutions designed to increase process efficiencies for the global semiconductor, flat panel, and life sciences industries. ATMI is a leader in single-use mixing, storage, and bioreactor technology, fluoropolymer-based products, and custom-engineered, flexible packaging solutions. The business's fundamental knowledge of polymers, specially selected resins, and its clean room manufacturing experience combine to help drive optimum performance in critical disposable process operations. For more information, please visit www.atmi.com or www.atmi-lifesciences.com.

ATMI, the ATMI logo, Integrity and PadReactor are trademarks or registered trademarks of ATMI, Inc., in the United States, other countries or both. All other names are trademarks of their respective companies.

SOURCE Finesse Solutions, Inc.