PBS Biotech Integrates Rockwell Automation to Standardize Cell Therapy

The MiniPRO platform features up to 24 independently controlled bioreactors, now powered by FactoryTalk software and the Process Library. This integration allows developers to utilize a consistent automation architecture from the initial process development stage through to large-scale facility operations using the PlantPAx distributed control system. According to Sharon Harvey, director of product management at PBS Biotech, this setup ensures that users generate high-quality process data in an environment that mirrors commercial manufacturing requirements.

Early adoption by the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI) highlights the shift toward better system interoperability. Tom Bollenbach, chief technology officer at ARMI, noted that the Rockwell controls simplify the hand-off between subsystems, a persistent challenge in complex manufacturing lines. Because the MiniPRO maintains performance consistency with larger Vertical-Wheel bioreactors, teams can preserve critical process knowledge as they move toward Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) settings, effectively reducing risks during the scale-up phase.