September 24, 2008 - Finesse Solutions, LLC, a manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for life sciences process applications, is pleased to announce improvements to their E-Commerce Store that makes shopping for sensors and transmitters even easier. The E-Store can be found at the Finesse web site (www.finesse.com/shopfinesse). Customers can now easily purchase bioprocess sensors and accessories on-line anywhere in the world anytime of the day or night.

Customers can Point. Click. And Save. 20% off their first purchase of bioprocess pH, DO and cell density sensors and transmitters when they enter the Coupon code TRUSAVINGS at www.finesse.com/shopfinesse.

About Finesse Solutions, LLC
California-based Finesse Solutions, LLC, leads the way in developing new measurement and control technologies, in order to enable the transition to single-use systems, bring new capabilities to existing bioreactor platforms, and harmonize global bio-process information transfer. Our current product family provides comprehensive measurement and control solutions for upstream processes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

September 30, 2008 – Finesse Solutions, LLC, Santa Clara, CA, a manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for life science process applications, announced the release of version 3.4 of its TruBio bioreactor control software. TruBio 3.4 software can automate bioreactors across a wide variety of bioreactors, ranging from 1L bench top R&D glass to 1000L cGMP production single-use vessels. TruBio 3.4 software is optimized for DeltaV version 9.3 from Emerson Process Management in order to bring ease of use and reliability to the user.   

TruBio 3.4 control strategies can be configured by end users with no prior DeltaV programming knowledge, using pull-down menus or graphical faceplates. In addition to improvements in existing features such as the user interface, vessel configuration management, and on-line parameter updates, TruBio 3.4 software provides new features including data management and reporting for multi-sensor calibration, conditional alarming, asymmetrical deadband limits, and full integration of the TruConnect SCADA software for seamless connection of external third party peripherals or bioreactor controllers into the DeltaV network.

According to Finesse Solutions, CTO, Dr. Mark Selker, “Our new software team almost completely re-coded the TruBio 3.4 software platform in an effort to future-proof our offering and add new capabilities for end users. Our platform is now ready for conversion to state-of-the-art programming in C#.NET for its 2009 release.” Basil Zimmo, VP of Software, added, “Finesse is committed to using the leading software platforms from Emerson Process Management and Microsoft. We look forward to continuing to bring novel, advanced features in future TruBio releases, and bringing the latest software capabilities to our end users.”

About Finesse Solutions, LLC
California-based Finesse Solutions, LLC, leads the way in developing new measurement and control technologies, in order to enable the transition to single-use systems, bring new capabilities to existing bioreactor platforms, and harmonize global bio-process information transfer. Our current product family provides comprehensive measurement and control solutions for upstream processes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. For more information, please visit us at www.finesse.com.

Media: Barbara Paldus, (408) 327-6623

December 17, 2008 - Finesse Solutions, LLC, Santa Clara, CA, a manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for life science process applications, announced the introduction of an autoclavable optical dissolved oxygen sensor that gives better performance and requires less maintenance than traditional DO sensors currently used in the industry.

 “Our new TruDO Optical sensor ushers in next-generation sensor technologies for bioprocess applications,” said Finesse CTO Dr. Mark Selker. Currently available for evaluation, TruDO sensors and accessories will be generally commercially available in January 2009.

A direct replacement for traditional polargraphic DO sensors, TruDO Optical sensors use phase fluorimetry to measure dissolved oxygen. Their optical approach provides three key benefits: faster measurement response time, minimal long-term drift and lower cost.  TruDO Optical sensors reduce operating costs because they do not require polarization or electrolyte solution. They also lower capital costs as they do not require a transmitter: they can output a 4 to 20 mA analog or ModBus digital signal directly to the bioreactor controller.  Additionally, they can be used as a drop-in replacement for an electrochemical probe, by emulating an output current in nA.to an existing transmitter.

TruDO Optical sensors have a VarioPin connection on a Pg13.5 threaded cap, a 12 mm diameter, and are available in 120 mm, 160 mm, 225 mm, 325 mm and 425 mm lengths. The TruDO Optical family of products will also include cables, housings, replacement optical caps and power converters.

"TruDO Optical enhances our reusable sensor product family and brings new capabilities along with greater ease of use,” Dr. Selker added. “With the recent introduction of TruFluor, an innovative next-generation single-use optical DO sensor, Finesse offers both single-use and reusable DO sensor solutions to the market.”

   
About Finesse Solutions, LLC
California-based Finesse Solutions, LLC, leads the way in developing new measurement and control technologies, in order to enable the transition to single-use systems, bring new capabilities to existing bioreactor platforms, and harmonize global bio-process information transfer. Our current product family provides comprehensive measurement and control solutions for upstream processes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. For more information, please visit us at www.finesse.com.

Media: Barbara Paldus, (408) 327-6623

February 27th, 2009 – Finesse Solutions, LLC, Santa Clara, CA, a manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for life sciences process applications, announced the release of TruTorr™, a single-use pressure sensor for measuring headspace pressure in single-use containers, in order to prevent overpressure damage, at Interphex in New York on March 17, 2009.

The TruTorr system consists of a disposable pressure sensor , a cable, and a transmitter that is integrated into Finesse TruViu™ hardware (RDPD, PLSSmini or PLSS). The single-use sensor automatically compensates for temperature, and is self-calibrated. Specifically, the calibration and lot data are encoded on a gamma-radiation-resistant memory chip that is integrated inside the sensor and follows it through production and sterilization. This chip is automatically read by the Finesse system once the cable is attached. The TruBio DV control system alarm levels or interlocks for bag overpressure are then set, and the sensor is ready for immediate use.

The single-use sensor can be pre-inserted in a disposable bioreactor bag port and irradiated with the bag. Since the sensor is pre-inserted the sterile barrier is never broken. All wetted materials of the sensor are USP class VI compliant; each sensor’s certificate of compliance can be downloaded from the Finesse web site.

According to Finesse Solutions CTO Dr. Mark Selker, “The TruTorr sensor’s measurement range is specifically designed to prevent overpressure damage of upstream bio-process containers. Every aspect of the product has been engineered with the thought of plug-and-play operation, sterility protection, and operational efficiency.”

About Finesse Solutions, LLC
California-based Finesse Solutions, LLC, leads the way in developing new measurement and control technologies, in order to enable the transition to single-use systems, bring new capabilities to existing bioreactor platforms, and harmonize global bio-process information transfer. Our current product family provides comprehensive measurement and control solutions for upstream processes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Media: Barbara Paldus, (408) 327-6623

March 5th, 2009 – Finesse Solutions, LLC, Santa Clara, CA, a manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for bioprocess applications, and Nova Biomedical, Waltham, MA, a world leader in biotechnology process monitoring announced the release of a TruBio™ plug-in for OPC connectivity between TruBio control software and Nova FLEX® analyzers. OPC is the de facto standard for data exchange between process control systems and different hardware platforms. 

OPC-based communication between a Nova FLEX® and TruBio™ reduces errors or time delays of manual sampling, and provides automated reporting of results. More sophisticated process control strategies can be implemented, process parameters can be adjusted without human intervention, and, when process alarm conditions occur, off-site personnel can be alerted and/or automatic corrective action be taken. Additionally, all off-line FLEX data can be directly consolidated into the TruBio/DeltaV historian, or used in automated batch report generation for electronic records. 

Basil Zimmo, Vice President of Software at Finesse, stated, “The Nova FLEX®-TruBio plug-in will reduce operating costs: printouts of standalone analyzer results will no longer have to be manually attached or tracked.   Furthermore, this product will improve bioprocess quality and yield: programming a Nova FLEX to automatically standardize an in-situ probe or using FLEX cell viability data in real-time algorithms will increase the accuracy and repeatability of control.”

“By redefining the standard associated with offline data to include complete integration and the value of those data as they are applied to the bioprocess automatically, Nova and Finesse continue to provide the cutting edge technology required to bring the biotechnology industry into a new era of effectiveness and profitability, thereby allowing our customers real-time benefits that, until now, were impossible.” said Lyle Peshek, National Sales Manager for Nova Biomedical.

About Finesse Solutions, LLC
California-based Finesse Solutions, LLC, leads the way in developing new measurement and control technologies, in order to enable the transition to single-use systems, bring new capabilities to existing bioreactor platforms, and harmonize global bio-process information transfer. Our current product family provides comprehensive measurement and control solutions for upstream processes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. For more information, please visit us at www.finesse.com.

About Nova Biomedical
Nova Biomedical is committed to continue its technology leadership with advanced products that provide better, faster diagnostic information. We continue to innovate biotechnology instruments that allow faster, more economical development of drugs and other therapeutic products.

Media: Barbara Paldus, 408-327-6623

March 6th,  2009 – Finesse Solutions, LLC, Santa Clara, CA, a manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for life sciences process applications, announced the technical demonstration of TruFluor™ pH, a single use optical pH measurement system, at Interphex in New York on March 17, 2009.

The TruFluor pH and temperature sensor is a single-use solution consisting of a disposable sheath, an optical reader, and a transmitter. The single-use sheath can be pre-inserted in a disposable bioreactor bag port, and irradiated with the bag, in order to both preserve and guarantee the sterile barrier. All wetted materials of the sheath are USP class VI compliant.

The optical reader uses advanced optical components including a large area photodiode that minimizes photo-degradation of the active sensing element. Similar to its dissolved oxygen counterpart, the TruFluor pH design has been optimized to provide accurate, in-situ measurement of pH using phase fluorometric detection in real-time. The temperature measurement leverages a 316L stainless steel thermal window embedded in the sheath, and provides a highly accurate temperature measurement that can be used as a process variable.

The TruFluor™ pH Transmitter optimizes the performance and reliability of the TruFluor pH Sensor, by enabling automatic entry of calibration and traceability data using RFID, diagnostics, and verification. The calibration and lot data are encoded on a gamma radiation resistant tagging of disposable sheath. The RFID data is automatically read by the transmitter, thereby eliminating the need to calibrate the probe and minimizing error and variability in the calibration.

“TruFluor pH completes our single-use sensor offering.  This product is optimized for accuracy, lifetime, and ease of use. We anticipate that the TruFluor sensor family will provide a unique, complete solution for single-use bio-processing applications” stated Finesse Solutions’ CTO, Dr. Mark Selker.

About Finesse Solutions, LLC
California-based Finesse Solutions, LLC, leads the way in developing new measurement and control technologies, in order to enable the transition to single-use systems, bring new capabilities to existing bioreactor platforms, and harmonize global bio-process information transfer.   Our current product family provides comprehensive measurement and control solutions for upstream processes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. For more information, please visit us at www.finesse.com.

Media: Barbara Paldus, 408-327-6623

June 15th,  2009 – Finesse Solutions, LLC, San Jose, CA, a manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for bioprocess applications, announced its move from a facility in Santa Clara, CA, to a much larger facility in San Jose, CA. Finesse’s new address is 71 Daggett Drive, San Jose, CA, 95134. This move completes the consolidation of all Finesse departments from Irvine, CA to Silicon Valley.

The new building, which exceeds 20,000 square feet, features a class 10,000 clean room for the manufacture of Finesse single-use sensors, significant floor space for concurrent development and integration of single-use bioreactor systems, and designated areas outfitted for validation activities or factory acceptance testing. Additionally, space has been allocated for a future cell culture growth facility, in order to allow Finesse to further optimize and expand its product offering.

“Over the course of the last year, Finesse has expanded its business more rapidly than expected. We are pleased to announce that our new facility provides the capacity required to meet the ever increasing customer demand for our single-use sensor and automation products.” stated Barb Paldus, CEO at Finesse.

About Finesse Solutions, LLC
California-based Finesse Solutions, LLC, leads the way in developing new measurement and control technologies, in order to enable the transition to single-use systems, bring new capabilities to existing bioreactor platforms, and harmonize global bio-process information transfer.   Our current product family provides comprehensive measurement and control solutions for upstream processes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. For more information, please visit us at www.finesse.com.

Media: Barbara Paldus, 408-570-9011

July 16th,  2009 – Finesse Solutions, LLC, San Jose, CA, a manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for biologics applications today announced a development agreement with Biogen Idec, Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB) aimed at evaluating emerging technologies for single-use bioprocessing. These technologies include novel disposable sensors, software platforms, and control algorithms.

As part of the agreement, Finesse will provide prototype sensors, software, and systems for use by Biogen Idec in its bioprocessing platforms, and refine them for single-use applications. This collaboration allows state-of-the art technologies to be honed in actual use-case scenarios, and will leverage the expertise of both companies.

Dr. Mark Selker, Chief Technology Officer and founder of Finesse, stated, “We are delighted to have the efforts of world-class scientists at Biogen Idec help refine our technologies and focus our development. This will go far in helping to optimize our products using actual cell culture platforms.”

Dr. Thomas Ryll, Director Bioprocess Development at Biogen Idec, said “We are excited about the opportunity to work with Finesse on testing and improving new sensor technology for use in our high productivity process platforms.”

About Finesse Solutions, LLC
California-based Finesse Solutions, LLC, leads the way in developing new measurement and control technologies, in order to enable the transition to single-use systems, bring new capabilities to existing bioreactor platforms, and harmonize global bio-process information transfer.   Our current product family provides comprehensive measurement and control solutions for upstream processes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. For more information, please visit us at www.finesse.com.

Media: Barbara Paldus, 408-570-9011

September 25th,  2009 – Finesse Solutions, LLC, San Jose, CA, a manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for life sciences process applications, announced the release of TruViu™ RDPDmini, a vessel utility tower system for laboratory scale bioreactors, such as glass vessels (<10L) or single-use rockers. The RDPDmini package extends the TruViu™ family into low-cost, small footprint applications. TruViu™ RDPDmini consists of a compact utility tower, and/or an optional gas manifold. TruViu™ RDPDmini brings the benefits of industrial automation reliability and scalability in a very affordable package. It is compatible with both DeltaV™ and Intel microcontroller system platforms. It interfaces easily with Finesse TruBio™ software (either DeltaV or Windows CE) to deliver optimal bioprocess control.

TruViu™ RDPDmini delivers the competitive advantages of increased performance, efficiency and reliability, reduced operating costs and improved ease of use in a future-proof package. It is designed to provide a flexible yet plug-and-play configuration, in order to maximize ease-of-use, simplify installation, and provide scheduled maintenance.

TruViu™ PLSS minimizes lab bench space while maintaining hardware capability at 3 pumps, 4 MFCs, 2 analog control loops, 2 analog inputs, and transmitters for critical process parameters as pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature. TruViu™ RDPDmini utilizes state-of-the art transmitters that enable sensor calibration algorithms, and will be upgradable to TruFluor disposable sensor technology for single-use applications.

According to Finesse Solutions VP Hardware, Dr. Alfy Riddle, "Our end users first asked for low cost and minimal footprint bioreactor controller systems, so we developed the modular TruViu™ RDPD. Then they asked us to further reduce size and cost for R&D applications. We responded by creating the TruViu™ RDPDmini."

About Finesse Solutions, LLC
California-based Finesse Solutions, LLC, leads the way in developing new measurement and control technologies, in order to enable the transition to single-use systems, bring new capabilities to existing bioreactor platforms, and harmonize global bio-process information transfer. Our current product family provides comprehensive measurement and control solutions for upstream processes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Media: Barbara Paldus, 408-570-9011

January 11th,  2010 – Finesse Solutions, LLC, a manufacturer of measurement and control solutions for life sciences process applications, announced the production release of its single-use sensor product family: TruFluor sensors for dissolved oxygen or pH and process temperature, and TruTorr headspace pressure sensors. The product family is optimized for accuracy, lifetime, and ease of use. It is available on the Thermo Scientific HyClone BioProcess Containers for the Thermo Scientific HyClone Single-Use Bioreactor. Finesse single-use sensors are seamlessly integrated into the Finesse turnkey bioreactor system, either in single or redundant process configurations, having process volumes from 25L to 2000L. The sensors have also been qualified for use in cGMP applications.

The TruFluor sensors consist of a disposable sheath, an optical reader, a cable, and a transmitter. Their patented optical design is based on real time phase fluorimetry and uses a large area detector enabled by free space optics in order to eliminate photo degradation and drift. The TruFluor products also provide a co-located temperature sensor which is accurate enough to be used as a process variable. The TruTorr system consists of a disposable pressure sensor, a cable, and a transmitter.

Finesse sensors automatically compensate for temperature, and are pre-calibrated. Specifically, the calibration and lot data are encoded on a gamma-radiation-resistant memory chip that is integrated inside the sensor and follows it through production and sterilization. This chip is automatically read by the Finesse system once the disposable element is connected. All sensor wetted materials are animal-derived component free and USP class VI compliant; each sensor’s certificate of compliance can be downloaded from the Finesse web site.

All Finesse single-use sensors are pre-inserted in a disposable bioreactor bag port and gamma sterilized with the bag. As the sensor is pre-inserted during the bag manufacturing process, the sterile barrier is never broken; since the sensor and port form a unique, high surface area seal, media backflush and leakage, that are common with reusable sensor interfaces, are completely eliminated.

According to Finesse Solutions CTO Dr. Mark Selker, “Every aspect of our single-use product family has been engineered to allow the bio-process professional to focus on their process instead of problems. The fast ramp into high volume production of our products is the result of rapid adoption of our technology by the market leaders in bio-processing, but also general market recognition that our sensors provide a unique, complete solution for single-use upstream applications.”

About Finesse Solutions, LLC
California-based Finesse Solutions, LLC, leads the way in developing new measurement and control technologies, in order to enable the transition to single-use systems, bring new capabilities to existing bioreactor platforms, and harmonize global bio-process information transfer. Our current product family provides comprehensive measurement and control solutions for upstream processes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Media: Barbara Paldus, 408-570-9011