CSEM helps bring real-time glucose monitoring to bioreactor manufacturing

CSEM, the Neuchâtel-based research and technology organization, contributed critical engineering expertise to the development of GlucoSense, a sensor by Hamilton Bonaduz AG that enables continuous, real-time glucose monitoring directly inside bioreactors. The collaboration addressed one of the longstanding technical gaps in biologics manufacturing, where glucose levels have traditionally been measured through delayed offline sampling.

Glucose is a key energy source for the living cells grown inside bioreactors to produce biologic medicines such as antibody therapies. Fluctuations or drops in glucose concentration can affect cell productivity and product consistency. GlucoSense uses infrared light to track glucose levels continuously within the culture medium, giving operators immediate visibility into process conditions.

CSEM’s role focused on the hermetic integration of the sensing element, membrane bonding and material selection, which are engineering challenges essential to ensuring the sensor’s long-term stability and reliability in demanding bioprocess environments. Performance testing showed the system delivered stable monitoring throughout cultivation runs following a single initial calibration, and a study conducted at the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) confirmed reliable operation over runs lasting several weeks.

For a broader perspective on CSEM’s role in Switzerland’s innovation ecosystem, listen to our Getting Serious podcast conversation with Dr. Alexandre Pauchard, CEO of CSEM, in which he explores what keeps Switzerland at the top of global innovation rankings.