Epistra Launches 'AI Custom Media Development Service' in Collaboration with Shimadzu Corporation and Shimadzu Diagnostics

Background and Challenges

Cell culture technology is essential for manufacturing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) such as antibody drugs and gene therapies. However, the culture process is time-consuming, and culture media are expensive. Optimizing and preparing medium compositions remains a complex process.

Efficient culture production parameters span multiple factors including amino acids, vitamins, temperature, and pH values. Achieving optimal parameters for a medium containing approximately 100 components requires testing an enormous number of combinations. In actual medium preparation, close attention to formulation ratios, concentrations, and temperature/pH adjustments is required, increasing the risk of failure.

Service Overview

The “AI Custom Media Development Service” addresses the challenges of medium development through two stages. In the first stage, “AI Medium Composition Optimization,” users can choose between “Rapid Optimization” and “Precise Optimization.”

Rapid Optimization uses a “Medium Blend Kit” consisting of multiple types of media designed by Shimadzu Corporation. By blending the included media, medium design is completed quickly, supporting improvements in production efficiency. Epistra’s optimization AI “Epistra Accelerate” proposes the blending ratios, eliminating the need for manual composition analysis.

Precise Optimization involves Epistra’s expert team conducting detailed hearings of customer challenges before applying Epistra Accelerate to optimize detailed composition and culture conditions. “Epistra Accelerate achieves equivalent results with 50% fewer trials compared to open-source optimization methods.” In addition to improving medium performance, it supports cost reduction, shortened development timelines (50% on average), multi-objective optimization, and constrained optimization.

In the second stage, “Custom Medium Manufacturing,” Shimadzu Diagnostics manufactures the medium based on the finalized recipe. This frees operators from complex preparation work and eliminates the need for inventory management through rapid delivery.

Epistra’s Track Record in Medium Improvement

Epistra has achieved 41 improvements in medium optimization and cost reduction: 10 in CGT (cell and gene therapy), 7 in biopharmaceuticals, and 24 in other areas. Specific results include “50-100x improvement in NK cell yield through culture optimization,” “70% reduction in medium raw material costs (estimated annual savings of approximately 400 million yen),” and achievement of animal-origin-free (AOF) production.

Details: https://epistra.jp/use-case

Key Features of the New Service

1. High-Performance AI Medium Composition Optimization

Epistra provides the Bayesian optimization-based AI “Epistra Accelerate.” Compared to standard Bayesian optimization methods, it “achieves equivalent results with 50% fewer trials.”

2. Two Optimization Services to Support Development

Users can choose between the Rapid Plan and Precise Plan based on budget and schedule. The former enables fast semi-custom medium composition, while the latter supports bespoke development through Epistra’s consulting services.

3. High-Quality Custom Media by Shimadzu Diagnostics

Leveraging years of manufacturing experience, Shimadzu Diagnostics rapidly delivers powder and liquid custom media optimized for specific applications. The media comply with GMP standards, ensuring safety, quality, and consistency in regenerative medicine and biopharmaceutical manufacturing.

Service Information

• Service Name: AI Custom Media Development Service
• Reference Price (tax included): From 1 million yen (Precise Optimization)
• Service Page: https://www.an.shimadzu.co.jp/products/life-science-lab-instruments/cell-research/ai-custom-media-development-service/index.html