206: Process Economics Decoded: How to Model Biomanufacturing Costs From Clinical to Commercial Scale with Niklas Jungnelius - Part 2

Carbon neutrality goals are everywhere in biopharma. But how do you actually measure and reduce your true environmental impact when data gaps and baseline differences make comparisons so tough?

In this episode, David Brühlmann talks with Niklas Jungnelius, Cytiva’s expert in process modeling and sustainability, who’s spent years uncovering what really drives emissions and how small process tweaks can deliver big results.

Niklas goes beyond the numbers, challenging assumptions and showing how sustainability becomes a strategic, data-driven advantage. From real-world cases at Cytiva, he explains why recycling plastics may not move the needle and why the real gains often lie in hotspots like cleanroom energy use and raw material choices.

Here’s why this episode will make you rethink your next facility upgrade:

• Understanding life cycle assessment and the key damage categories in environmental sustainability, including carbon emissions, water usage, and resource depletion. (00:00)
• The challenge of defining carbon emissions baselines and why it’s harder, and often more expensive, to achieve deep reductions if your operations already use clean energy sources. (03:06)
• Why the focus on recycling single-use plastics may not be the most effective route for lowering emissions, and what truly drives carbon footprint in bioprocessing. (05:54)
• The impact of production scale, consumables, and obscure chemicals on the overall environmental impact and how these surprises can shift sustainability strategies. (06:20)
• Practical advice for scientists and engineers: How to start monitoring and modeling environmental impact in process development and manufacturing. (08:00)
• The importance of involving manufacturing perspectives early in process development, and choosing the right level of detail and ambition for process modeling. (08:18)
• There’s no one-size-fits-all in manufacturing technology—whether fed-batch, continuous, or hybrid and decisions must fit each organization’s needs, resources, and ambitions. (10:13)
• Industry trends that could transform the field, from intensified fed-batch production to future technologies like cell-free expression systems. (11:22)
• Where to connect with Niklas for further questions or collaboration. (14:03]

Whether you’re an early-stage startup, a strategic advisor, or on the front lines of bioprocess development, this episode invites you to rethink your sustainability strategy and modeling approach. Check out the below links to connect with Niklas Jungnelius and additional resources.

Connect with Niklas Jungnelius:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/niklas-jungnelius

Cytiva website: www.cytivalifesciences.com/en/us

Next step:

Need fast CMC guidance? New on-demand CMC advisory: Get 20 expert answers/month in 1 day + monthly strategy call. → Learn more: https://stan.store/SmartBiotech/p/ondemand-cmc-expertise-for-biotech-founders

Book a 20-minute call to help you get started on any questions you may have about bioprocessing analytics: https://bruehlmann-consulting.com/call

One bad CDMO decision can cost you two years and your Series A. If you're navigating tech transfer, CDMO selection, or IND prep, let's talk before it gets expensive. Two slots open this month.

Support the show