Inside the Repligen MAVEN.
The MAVEN is an on-line glucose and lactate analyzer built around a deceptively simple idea: the bioreactor itself should never have to give up material to know what’s happening inside it. A semi-permeable diffusion probe sits in the vessel; glucose and lactate molecules diffuse out, an enzymatic biosensor reads them, and a feeding pump can respond — all without breaking sterility, all without removing a drop of culture, all in real time. Whether you’re characterising a CHO line, scaling a perfusion process, optimising a microbial fermentation or running CAR-T expansion, the MAVEN delivers continuous metabolic insight where sampling-based methods only give you scattered snapshots.
Built with Excellence and Experience.
The MAVEN is engineered by Repligen, a leading provider of bioprocessing technologies, and was originally developed by the 908 Devices bioprocessing team — specialists in PAT instrumentation for upstream cell culture and fermentation. The MAVEN platform brings their proprietary selective-flow diffusion measurement into the bioreactor cabinet, paired with enzymatic biosensor chemistry that’s field-proven across the industry’s leading manufacturers. Resea Biotec is the Swiss distribution and service partner — see below for support details.
Ease of Setup with Advanced Process Control.
The MAVEN measures continuously without ever drawing a sample from the bioreactor. Glucose and lactate molecules diffuse through a semi-permeable membrane into a circulating transport buffer, which carries them to an enzyme-based electrochemical biosensor. The biosensor’s selective enzymatic recognition generates an electrical signal proportional to analyte concentration — fast, repeatable, and immune to the sampling losses and time delays that limit at-line or offline methods.
Process control runs through MAVEN’s integrated PID controller, which can drive a feeding pump directly for stand-alone closed-loop operation, or expose live concentration data to SCADA, LIMS, historians and bioreactor controllers via OPC UA, Analog and Serial outputs. Both reusable autoclavable probes and gamma-irradiated single-use probes are supported, alongside flow cells for external-loop integration — so the same MAVEN unit moves cleanly between PD-lab characterisation and GMP manufacturing.
MAVEN specifications
The Repligen MAVEN’s continuous-monitoring architecture brings PAT-grade glucose and lactate measurement into the bioreactor cabinet without sampling losses, sterility breaks or time delays.
Measurement
- 1 Sensor technology — Enzyme-based electrochemical biosensor.
- 2 Glucose measurement range — 0.01 – 40 g/L.
- 3 Lactate measurement range — 0.05 – 10 g/L.
- 4 Measurement frequency — Up to every 2 minutes (max. 720 data points per analyte per day).
- 5 Measurement principle — Selective flow diffusion through a semi-permeable membrane.
Probes & service life.
- 1 Probe and flow-cell options — Reusable autoclavable, gamma-irradiated single-use, external flow cells.
- 2 Biosensor service life — 5,000 measurements or 30 days, field-replaceable.
Integration.
- 1 Control output — Integrated PID controller for direct feeding-pump control.
- 2 Data connectivity — OPC UA, analog, serial.
- 3 Mounting — Mobile stand-mounted unit.
Compliance.
- 1 PAT-ready, GMP-suitable.
The MAVEN delivers continuous metabolic insight where sampling-based methods only give scattered snapshots — the same unit moves between PD-lab characterisation and GMP-bridging manufacturing without re-engineering the workflow.
| Cell Type | Cell Culture and Microbial Cell Culture Microbial |
| Technology Platform | Multi-Use Single-Use |
| Measured Parameter | Glucose / Lactate |
| Diameter | Different options available |
| Measurement range | Lactate: 0.05 to 10 g/L Glucose: 0.01 to 40 g/L |
| Measurement Accuracy (±) | Glucose: <1.5% at 2.0 g/L Lactate: <1.5% at 1.0 g/L |
| Sensors Autoclavable | Yes |
| Sensors Max sterilization temperature | N/A |
| Measurement principle | Selective flow-diffusion with enzyme-based amperometric Biosensor |
| Reference System | Defined Glucose / Lactate Calibration System |
| Communication type | RS232 /Ethernet – ModBus |
| Sensors Compatible bioreactors | Applikon Autoclavable Glass Bioreactor Applikon BioBench Stainless Steel Bioreactor Applikon BioPilot Stainless Steel Bioreactor Applikon MiniBio Bioreactor AppliFlex ST single use-Bioreactors |
| Controller (compatible) | Applikon ez2-Control Bioreactor Controller Applikon in-Control Bioreactor Controller Applikon Livit Flex Bioprocess Controller Applikon my-Control Bioreactor Controller |
| PAT-enabled (sensors) | Yes |
Research & Process Development.
The MAVEN delivers continuous glucose and lactate measurement during early-stage process characterisation, media optimisation and cell-line evaluation — without sampling losses or sterility breaks. Up to 720 data points per analyte per day reveal metabolic dynamics that sampling-based methods miss entirely, supporting the parameter screening and DoE work that defines the process.
Screening & Optimization.
Sample-free continuous measurement at every 2 minutes makes the MAVEN well-suited to high-throughput screening campaigns where sampling discipline and operator time become bottlenecks. Compatible with stirred-tank, fermenter, rocking and membrane bioreactor formats — the same MAVEN unit moves between parallel campaigns with reusable autoclavable probes, or sterile-out-of-the-box single-use probes for closed-loop operation.
Closed-Loop Control.
The MAVEN’s integrated PID controller can drive a feeding pump directly for substrate-uptake-based feeding — turning continuous metabolic data into closed-loop process control, without requiring an external SCADA layer. Glucose and lactate setpoint tracking runs autonomously, with operator intervention only when the process requires it.
GMP Manufacturing.
Built for use in regulated environments — PAT-ready architecture, GMP-suitable construction, OPC UA / serial / analog connectivity into SCADA, LIMS and DCS landscapes. The same MAVEN unit that runs PD-lab characterisation moves into GMP-bridging manufacturing without re-engineering the workflow; gamma-irradiated single-use probes carry the regulatory posture clinical and small-commercial production demands.
- Applikon MiniBio Bioreactor The Applikon MiniBio is a small glass autoclavable stirred-tank bioreactor, smal…
- Applikon Autoclavable Glass Bioreactor The Applikon Autoclavable Glass Bioreactor is a stirred tank bioreactor designed…
- AppliFlex ST Single-Use Bioreactor The Applikon AppliFlex ST is a fully customizable single-use stirred tank biorea…
- Applikon BioPilot Stainless Steel Bioreactor The Applikon BioPilot is a stainless steel bioreactor system for simple and reli…
- Applikon BioBench Stainless Steel Bioreactor The Applikon BioBench is a stainless steel bioreactor system designed for simple…
Compatible controllers
- Applikon ez2-Control Bioreactor Controller The Applikon ez2-Control is an advanced bioreactor controller designed to simpli…
- Applikon in-Control Bioreactor Controller The Applikon in-Control is a process controller for laboratory scale bioreactors…
- Applikon Livit Flex Bioprocess Controller The Applikon Livit Flex is the next generation of bioprocess control systems — c…
- Applikon my-Control Bioreactor Controller The Applikon my-Control is the most advanced bioreactor controller for small-sca…
Compatible software
Mammalian Cells
Mammalian cells have become the linchpin in the production of recombinant glycoproteins such as hormones, enzymes, cytokines, and antibodies, all of which play pivotal roles in human therapy.
Learn MoreStem Cells
Stem cells represent a pioneering achievement in biomedical research and therapy, offering unprecedented opportunities for regenerative medicine, including tissue engineering and the treatment of various diseases.
Learn MoreMicrobials
In the field of industrial microbiology, the cultivation of microorganisms through bioreactor fermentation stands as a cornerstone technique for producing a broad spectrum of microbial products, from antibiotics, biofuels to food and beverages
Learn MorePlant Cells and Algae
At the forefront of sustainable biotechnology, the cultivation of plant cells and algae within bioreactors presents a revolutionary approach to producing valuable biochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biofuels
Learn MoreInsect Cells
In the rapidly evolving landscape of biotechnology, the Baculovirus Expression Vector System (BEVS) with insect cells stands out as a versatile and powerful tool for protein production.
Learn More
Cellular Agriculture
Cellular agriculture represents a groundbreaking shift in food production, centering around the concept of cellular food solutions. This innovative field harnesses biotechnology to cultivate animal and plant cells for food, directly in a controlled environment, bypassing traditional farming methods.
Learn MoreBiotherapeutics
Discover biologicals, where innovation meets healthcare to revolutionize treatment methodologies and patient care. Biotherapeutics include a broad range of biologically derived products, such as monoclonal antibodies (mABs), viral vectors, and vaccines, each playing a pivotal role in targeted disease treatment and prevention.
Learn MoreCell and Gene Therapy
Cell and gene therapy is revolutionizing modern medicine. For the safe development and manufacturing of these therapies, Resea Biotec bioreactors provide the ideal controlled environment, guaranteeing precision, scalability, and efficiency in the production process.
Learn More
Continuous insight — built for real-time control
The MAVEN is unlike sampling-based glucose-lactate methods: every measurement is live, in-situ and continuous. Up to 720 data points per analyte per day means you see metabolic shifts as they happen — not hours later. The biosensor’s wide measurement range (0.01–40 g/L glucose; 0.05–10 g/L lactate) holds accuracy at both the high concentrations of bolus feeding and the deliberately low set points of dynamic feeding strategy — where keeping glucose just above zero is what unlocks improved glycosylation and reduced glycation.
For process development teams, the impact is structural. The blind spots between manual samples — the hours where glucose drifts, lactate accumulates and metabolic state is unknown — disappear. Whether you’re optimising a media formulation, scaling a perfusion process or running CAR-T expansion, MAVEN gives you the data density to actually control the process instead of just observing it.
Sample-free operation — no sampling losses, no contamination risk
Every sampling event on a bioreactor is a small loss: volume out, sterility risk in, time spent at the bench instead of at the data. MAVEN eliminates that entirely. The diffusion probe stays in the vessel for the full run; nothing comes out except a signal. The fully closed measurement loop removes the contamination risk of repeated port access, and the operator time recovered from sampling-and-analysis cycles is substantial — especially on long perfusion runs and weekend campaigns where sampling discipline tends to slip.
The architecture carries the same advantages across the full upstream landscape — from benchtop process development through to commercial manufacturing, and across stirred-tank bioreactors, fermenters, rocking bioreactors and membrane bioreactors. For regulated environments, the operational consistency this delivers is itself a compliance advantage: continuous validated measurement, every 2 minutes, throughout the run.
What is the MAVEN workflow?
The MAVEN workflow runs across three phases.
Install. Select probe format (reusable, single-use or external flow cell), connect to your bioreactor port, and configure measurement intervals from once every 2 minutes upward. The biosensor cassette installs in seconds and is field-replaceable — no service intervention required.
Run. MAVEN measures continuously throughout the run. The integrated PID controller can drive a feeding pump directly for closed-loop dynamic feeding, or expose live data to your existing SCADA, LIMS and bioreactor controller via OPC UA, Analog or Serial outputs. Glucose and lactate trends appear in real time — no waiting for the next sample point.
Maintain. Each biosensor delivers 5,000 measurements or 30 days of operation, whichever comes first, then swaps out in the field. The probe remains in the bioreactor for the full campaign. Process parameters established with MAVEN feed cleanly into PAT documentation and tech-transfer packages, so insights from the PD lab carry forward into GMP manufacturing.
Why use the MAVEN?
- On-line, every 2 minutes — continuous glucose and lactate monitoring with up to 720 data points per analyte per day.
- Sample-free measurement — no volume loss, no port access, no contamination risk through the entire run.
- Closed-loop control built in — integrated PID drives the feeding pump directly; OPC UA, Analog and Serial expose live data to SCADA, LIMS and DCS.
- PD-lab through GMP — reusable autoclavable and gamma-irradiated single-use probes on the same platform, PAT-ready and GMP-suitable.
Spec your MAVEN with Resea Biotec.
The Repligen MAVEN is an on-line bioprocess analyser for continuous, sample-free glucose and lactate measurement — 0.01 – 40 g/L glucose, 0.05 – 10 g/L lactate, every 2 minutes, throughout the run. Enzyme-based electrochemical biosensor, selective-flow diffusion probe, integrated PID controller for direct feeding-pump control, and OPC UA / analog / serial connectivity into existing SCADA, LIMS or DCS landscapes. Reusable autoclavable probes and gamma-irradiated single-use probes carry the same MAVEN unit cleanly between PD-lab characterisation and GMP-bridging manufacturing.
On-line measurement data is only as useful as the integration around it — and getting MAVEN wired correctly into your existing bioreactor, controller and SCADA stack is what turns continuous data into closed-loop control. Resea Biotec is the Swiss distribution and service partner for the Repligen MAVEN platform — based in Recherswil, supporting customers across Switzerland local technical support and on-site service.
Talk to our team and we’ll spec the right MAVEN configuration — reusable or single-use probes, in-vessel or external flow-cell integration, PID-to-pump closed-loop or SCADA-feed-only operation — coordinate installation and commissioning on your existing bioreactor platform, and stay on hand for application, biosensor cartridge supply and maintenance support throughout the system’s life. Whether you’re characterising a CHO line, running a CAR-T expansion campaign, optimising a microbial fermentation, or scaling a perfusion process into pilot — we’ll help you get there.
MAVEN datasheets & technical resources
Product specifications, application data and integration guidance for the Repligen MAVEN on-line glucose and lactate analyser.
Repligen MAVEN — Product brochure.
Product overview covering the MAVEN’s selective-flow diffusion measurement principle, enzymatic biosensor technology, glucose and lactate ranges (0.01 – 40 g/L and 0.05 – 10 g/L), reusable and single-use probe options, integration architecture and PAT applications.
Repligen MAVEN — Applications and technical overview.
Customer-facing technical presentation covering MAVEN applications across mammalian cell culture, cell and gene therapy, microbial fermentation and industrial bioproducts — including performance data, integration architecture for closed-loop feedback control, and probe configuration options for PD-lab through GMP-bridging environments.
