Reproducible Magnetic Bead Separation—from R&D to GMP
Sepmag combines constant magnetic force with real-time separation monitoring options to make magnetic bead separation controlled, measurable and scalable.
What Is Magnetic Bead Separation?
Magnetic bead separation is a solid-liquid separation process in which magnetic micro- or nanoparticles are captured using a magnetic field, allowing beads and their bound cells, nucleic acids, proteins or other biomolecules to be separated from the surrounding liquid.
Sepmag magnetic bead separators control this process using constant magnetic force and, when required, real-time optical monitoring of bead movement, separation kinetics and endpoint.
Reduce variability, define the separation endpoint and transfer your process across volumes with confidence.
What Sepmag Changes in Your Workflow
More Consistent Bead Recovery
Controlled bead movement helps reduce variability, bead aggregation and sample loss.
Know When Separation Is Complete
Use objective, real-time process data instead of relying only on visual judgment or a predefined separation time.
Optimize and Troubleshoot Faster
Compare separation curves and evaluate how changes in beads, buffers, viscosity or operating conditions affect performance.
Scale with Less Rework
Sepmag provides a scalable technology path from laboratory magnetic bead separators to large-volume magnetic bead separators for manufacturing.
Document and Compare Every Run
Generate objective separation data for process characterization, batch comparison, QA/QC, process validation, technology transfer and investigation of process deviations.
How Sepmag Differs from Conventional Magnetic Racks
Conventional magnetic racks typically expose beads to magnetic conditions that vary significantly with their position relative to the magnet. This can lead to differences in bead velocity, aggregation and separation behavior across the vessel.
Sepmag’s radial geometry is designed to provide controlled magnetophoretic conditions throughout the working volume, making magnetic bead movement more predictable, measurable and scalable.
Two Technologies Make the Difference
Constant Magnetic Force
Sepmag magnetic bead separators use a cylindrical, 360° configuration around the vessel to generate controlled radial magnetic separation. This maintains constant magnetic force conditions throughout the working volume, so beads move toward the vessel walls under predictable magnetophoretic conditions regardless of their initial position.
This supports predictable bead aggregation and recovery while reducing the risk of clumping and difficult resuspension.
Real-Time Separation Monitoring
Optical monitoring tracks changes in the suspension while separation occurs. The resulting separation curve provides objective information about process kinetics and endpoint.
Use this data to optimize protocols, compare batches, identify deviations and document process performance.
For regulated manufacturing workflows, Sepmag QUALITANCE monitoring data can be managed within a 21 CFR Part 11-ready and EU GMP Annex 11-aligned software environment, supporting traceability, data integrity, QA/QC and process validation.
Designed to Scale with Your Workflow
Sepmag technology supports magnetic bead separation from milliliter-scale research workflows through process development and large-volume GMP manufacturing, with systems covering process volumes up to 25 L and beyond.
This reduces the need to redesign the magnetic separation step every time the process moves to a new volume or operating environment.
Apply the same controlled separation principle throughout:
Research
Process Development
Pilot Scale
GMP Manufacturing
Sepmag systems support magnetic bead workflows for:
Applications include nucleic acid extraction and purification, immunoassays, cell isolation and enrichment, protein and antibody purification, IVD reagent manufacturing, cell and gene therapy workflows, and magnetic bead-based bioprocessing.
Sepmag magnetic separation systems can be used with a wide range of magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic microparticles, depending on the application, bead characteristics, sample volume and required separation conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Magnetic Bead Separation Technology What is magnetic bead separation?
Magnetic bead separation is a solid-liquid separation process in which magnetic beads are collected using a magnetic field, allowing the beads and the cells, nucleic acids, proteins, antibodies or other targets bound to them to be separated from the surrounding liquid. Sepmag magnetic bead separators provide controlled magnetic conditions so the separation process is reproducible, measurable and scalable.
How is Sepmag technology different from conventional magnetic bead separators?
Conventional magnetic racks often expose beads to different magnetic conditions depending on their position within the vessel. Sepmag uses a cylindrical, 360° radial configuration designed to generate controlled magnetic conditions throughout the working volume. This makes bead movement more predictable and helps improve reproducibility when transferring magnetic bead separation processes between batches, operators, volumes and production scales.
Why are constant magnetic force and real-time monitoring important?
Constant magnetic force provides controlled magnetophoretic conditions during the separation process, reducing variability caused by differences in bead position within the vessel. Sepmag systems can also monitor the separation process in real time, generating separation curves that provide information about separation kinetics and endpoint. These data can support process development, optimization, batch comparison, quality control and process validation.
Can magnetic bead separation be scaled from R&D to GMP manufacturing?
Yes. Sepmag technology is designed to support process development from laboratory-scale experiments through scale-up and large-volume magnetic bead separation. Maintaining comparable magnetic separation conditions across different volumes helps reduce the uncertainty associated with process transfer and supports the transition from R&D to manufacturing. Sepmag systems cover applications from milliliter-scale development to production volumes of 25 L and beyond.
What types of magnetic beads and applications can Sepmag systems be used with?
Sepmag systems can be used with a wide range of magnetic nanoparticles and magnetic microparticles, depending on the bead properties, sample volume and process requirements. Applications include DNA and RNA purification, cell isolation and enrichment, protein and antibody purification, diagnostics, immunoassays, biopharmaceutical manufacturing and other magnetic bead-based processes.
Make Magnetic Bead Separation a Controlled Process
Tell us your bead type, sample volume and workflow requirements. We will help you identify the appropriate Sepmag system and scale-up path.
