Inline process analytics for biotech and pharma production

From single instruments to multichannel measurement systems with data logging, diagnostics and user management.

Zutora provides inline measurement platforms and application-specific analytics for biotech and pharma processes, helping manufacturers monitor concentration, filtration, product loss, color, turbidity and process stability in real time.

Better process visibility from inline measurements

Biotech and pharma production often depends on precise control of concentration, filtration, separation and product quality. Laboratory analysis remains essential, but inline measurements can provide continuous visibility between samples and help operators detect process changes earlier.

Zutora combines industrial instrumentation, software development and process integration experience to create practical monitoring systems for demanding production environments.

What we help monitor

Concentration and composition

MT-1 based systems can monitor concentration or composition using the most suitable measurement principle for the application.

Filtration and separation

Inline analyzers can help monitor ultrafiltration, diafiltration, permeate quality, breakthrough and product loss.

Solvent and alcohol processes

Photometric measurement can be used for applications such as water in alcohols, where selected wavelengths provide sensitive composition monitoring.

Solutions for Biotech and Pharma

MT-1 — one platform for multiple inline analyzers

MT-1 is Zutora’s multichannel process analytics platform for connecting, displaying and logging data from multiple inline analyzers. It can combine photometers, refractometers and other instruments into one operator interface with real-time measurement display, trends, diagnostics, verification, event logging, audit trail, user management and configurable data export.

For biotech and pharma users, MT-1 provides a practical bridge between inline process analyzers and quality-oriented process data visibility.

Key features:

  • Multiple analyzers on one platform

  • Real-time measurement display

  • Configurable trend views

  • Sensor diagnostics

  • Sensor verification

  • Event logging

  • Audit trail

  • Multi-level user management

  • Controlled PDF and CSV export

  • Application-specific configuration

Photometer-based concentration monitoring

For many biotech and pharma concentration measurements, photometry can be the preferred measurement principle. It can be wavelength-specific, sensitive at low concentrations and practical to validate inline without removing the instrument from the process.

Photometers can be integrated with MT-1 to provide real-time concentration trends, diagnostics, alarms, audit trail and controlled data export.

Typical applications:

  • Low-concentration monitoring

  • Product loss detection

  • Permeate monitoring

  • Breakthrough detection

  • UV/VIS/NIR absorbance-based concentration

  • Color or absorbance trending

  • Turbidity or haze monitoring

  • Water in alcohols measurement

Water in alcohols measurement

Water concentration in alcohols is an important quality and process parameter in many pharma and biotech environments. Photometric measurement can provide continuous inline monitoring of water content in alcohol streams, supporting faster process feedback and reduced dependence on manual sampling.

When connected to MT-1, the measurement can be displayed, trended, logged and exported together with diagnostics, alarms and audit trail records.

Typical applications:

  • Water in ethanol

  • Water in isopropanol

  • Solvent recovery monitoring

  • Solvent drying process monitoring

  • Alcohol quality control

  • CIP or cleaning-related solvent monitoring, where applicable

Inline monitoring for ultrafiltration and diafiltration

Ultrafiltration and diafiltration processes depend on concentration, membrane performance, permeate quality and endpoint detection. MT-1 based systems can combine inline photometers, refractometers and other sensors to monitor the process continuously.

Photometers are especially useful for permeate monitoring and product loss detection, where high sensitivity and measurement specificity are important.

Typical monitoring concept:

  • Photometer on permeate for product loss or breakthrough detection

  • Photometer on retentate for absorbance-based concentration trends

  • Optional refractometer for total concentration measurement and purity calculations

  • MT-1 for display, calculations, trends, diagnostics, audit trail and data export

Refractometry for selected pharma applications

In pharma and biotech applications, refractometry can be the right choice where the process contains crystals or particles, where a robust tank measurement is required, or where refractive index is the most practical process variable.

Suitable use cases:

  • Crystallization processes

  • Particle-containing liquids or suspensions

  • Tank-based concentration monitoring

  • High-concentration process streams

  • Applications where total dissolved solids are more important than component-specific concentration

Application areas

Ultrafiltration and diafiltration

Monitor concentration trends, permeate quality, product loss and process endpoint.

Solvent and alcohol processing

Monitor water in alcohols and other composition-related parameters using photometric measurement.

Buffer and media preparation

Use inline analyzers to monitor concentration and support repeatable preparation steps.

Filtration and separation

Detect breakthrough, turbidity, haze or product carryover in selected process streams

Crystallization and particle-containing processes

Use refractometry or other suitable sensors where photometry is not the best fit.

Product loss and breakthrough detection

Monitor permeate, filtrate or outlet streams for unwanted product carryover, breakthrough or leakage using sensitive inline photometric measurement.

Products and Platforms

MT-1 Multichannel Transmitter

A flexible process analytics platform for multiple inline analyzers, with trends, diagnostics, audit trail, user management and controlled data export.

Process photometers

Specific and sensitive inline measurement for concentration, absorbance, turbidity, breakthrough, product loss and water in alcohols.

Process refractometers

Robust concentration measurement for selected applications, including crystallization, particle-containing liquids and tank-based monitoring.

Why Zutora

MT-1 platform and software capability

We develop operator interfaces, diagnostics, data logging, audit trail functions and application-specific software in-house.

Analyzer integration experience

We combine photometers, refractometers and other inline sensors into practical process monitoring systems.

Pharma-oriented measurement selection

We help choose the most suitable measurement principle.

Quality-oriented data handling

MT-1 supports audit trail, user management, event logging, diagnostics and controlled PDF/CSV export.

Practical commissioning and support

We support projects from application evaluation to installation, startup and long-term operation.

Let’s discuss your biotech application