We explore a process control platform for oligonucleotide synthesis and purification presented by Asahi Kasei Bioprocess.
An interactive demonstration of the OCELOT™ System Control platform was presented by Stefan Hyde, the Automation Manager at Asahi Kasei Bioprocess (AKB).
AKB facilitates efficient and safe biomedical manufacturing, by providing solutions for biomedical manufacturing, including platforms for virus filtration, chromatography, oligonucleotide synthesis, bioprocessing, and automation solutions.
Mr. Hyde’s talk was focused on AKB’s process control solution for oligonucleotide synthesis and purification: the OCELOT™ System Control runs on Asahi Oligosynthesizer™.
In a biomedical manufacturing plant, it is critical that all equipment and systems are integrated and controlled via a process control platform.
This allows the user to have better visibility and control of the individual parameters involved in the manufacturing processes, improving the overall safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
Mr. Hyde delivered an interactive demonstration of the OCELOT™ System Control, including an overview of the interface, different functionalities of the platform, and their relevance to the end-users.
The OCELOT™ System Control is an open platform communication solution, that allows intuitive synchronization into existing infrastructure.
Thanks to its kiosk-style interface, the OCELOT™ System Control selectively displays only the screen or menu relevant to the current step, minimizing the risk of errors along the way.
Through the interface, the user can remotely monitor process values, value status, batch status, and alarms, in addition to being able to remotely download the methods and control batches and devices.
Alarm screen and audit trail functionalities are also included in the process control platform. The platform is network-based and can be accessed via a VPN, and there is no specific licensing requirement to share access to the platform.
One of the most interesting functionalities of the OCELOT™ System Control is its process control function, interactively demonstrated by Mr. Hyde using a mock presentation.
The process control function allows the user to visualize individual processes in the plant, observe their operational status and manipulate individual components interactively through the interface.
Batch control buttons and remote control during an alarm are also available to the operator, allowing full control of the systems and processes.
The emphasis on precision, control, and error risk mitigation are the main features of the OCELOT™ System Control, informing the interface design and user experience. Mr. Hyde focused most of his talk on the ‘recipes’ function in the OCELOT™ System Control.
The recipes function allows the user to change the method and control parameters, save these as a recipe and download it. The user can choose from template steps for synthesis and manipulate individual parameters.
Any values can be parameterized as control parameters, allowing sharing of variables across the recipe, expediting the editing process.
The parameterization allows sharing of variables across the recipe which is an additional point of security. For example, the Process Engineer can set up parameters globally across the recipe, but the operator can still modify flexible parameters at the point of use.
After the allocation of control parameters is complete, method parameters are defined by the user. Parameter favorites can be saved and available for different recipes, using a system of libraries.
The user interface is very interactive, allowing the user to modify the color and shape of individual icons, and offering a visual representation of differences across parameters in a recipe, and so a better control over the editing process.
The operator can drag and drop individual control parameters in process order, and the process order can be specifically defined (5’-3’ 3’-5’), to avoid confusion.
A recipe draft is completed once the method and control parameters are set up, and the draft can be modified by adding batch information.
Fields can be made mandatory, depending on the functionality required. To download a recipe, a new batch needs to be created with an authorized signature.
Having completed the entire set-up, the operator can then access the process control screen, where a Start button is available to start the process, requiring comment, username, password, and an authorized signature.
The individual steps are initiated and highlighted on the screen in green as the different processes are completed. Once a batch is completed, a report is created and available for download.
The format can be selected as pdf or csv, and the format of the final report can be customized using a preview function.
Mr. Hyde’s presentation demonstrated that the OCELOT™ System Control platform has an impressive level of control over the individual step synthesis processes and parameters, allowing the user to remotely manipulate the individual parameters interactively, and with an astonishing level of precision.
Operating the platform is intuitive and its risk mitigation features add an additional level of safety and security to biomedical manufacturing.
Ocelot System Control
Oligosynthesis Manufacturing Solutions Brochure
Follow us on LinkedIn
Contact Sales
