WS Investor
29 Sep 2026, 19:49
Rockwell Automation and PBS Biotech Expand Automation for Cell Therapy Development
Rockwell Automation said PBS Biotech has embedded its automation technology into the MiniPRO bioreactor platform, aiming to accelerate cell therapy process development and make the transition to commercial manufacturing more consistent.
The MiniPRO is a closed, automated system that supports up to 24 independently controlled bioreactors for parallel process development. It uses Rockwell’s FactoryTalk software and Process Library to provide real-time process control and visibility, while also supporting integration with larger PlantPAx distributed control systems used in commercial-scale facilities.
The collaboration is designed to address common challenges in advanced therapy development, including manual workflows, limited throughput, inconsistent process environments and difficulties transferring processes from development into GMP manufacturing.
PBS Biotech said the platform allows developers to generate manufacturing-relevant data earlier in the development cycle. The company has also demonstrated that MiniPRO process performance is consistent with its larger Vertical-Wheel bioreactor systems, supporting a more predictable scale-up path.
The Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute was an early adopter of the platform and highlighted the ability of Rockwell controls to simplify integration between bioreactor systems and broader manufacturing infrastructure.
For Rockwell Automation, the project extends its industrial automation technology further into cell and gene therapy manufacturing, where standardized control, reproducibility and process transfer are becoming increasingly important as therapies move from development toward clinical and commercial production.
Rockwell Automation said PBS Biotech has embedded its automation technology into the MiniPRO bioreactor platform, aiming to accelerate cell therapy process development and make the transition to commercial manufacturing more consistent.
The MiniPRO is a closed, automated system that supports up to 24 independently controlled bioreactors for parallel process development. It uses Rockwell’s FactoryTalk software and Process Library to provide real-time process control and visibility, while also supporting integration with larger PlantPAx distributed control systems used in commercial-scale facilities.
The collaboration is designed to address common challenges in advanced therapy development, including manual workflows, limited throughput, inconsistent process environments and difficulties transferring processes from development into GMP manufacturing.
PBS Biotech said the platform allows developers to generate manufacturing-relevant data earlier in the development cycle. The company has also demonstrated that MiniPRO process performance is consistent with its larger Vertical-Wheel bioreactor systems, supporting a more predictable scale-up path.
The Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute was an early adopter of the platform and highlighted the ability of Rockwell controls to simplify integration between bioreactor systems and broader manufacturing infrastructure.
For Rockwell Automation, the project extends its industrial automation technology further into cell and gene therapy manufacturing, where standardized control, reproducibility and process transfer are becoming increasingly important as therapies move from development toward clinical and commercial production.
