171: Reimagining Chromatography for Advanced Therapies: From Diffusion to Convection with Scott Wheelwright - Part 1

For decades, chromatographic purification has made use of bead-based diffusion - a reliable but limiting approach, especially as new modalities like gene therapies, mRNA, and viruses push the boundaries of what’s possible. But what if the future of downstream processing lies not in incremental improvement, but in a dramatic reimagining - from slow diffusion to rapid convection?

In this episode, David Brühlmann meets Scott Wheelwright, Chairman, CTO and Co-Founder of BioChromatographix International (BCI). Scott brings decades of expertise in biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Prior to BCI, he co-founded Biolnno Bioscience, a leading CDMO, and co-founded Innovent Biologics, one of China’s foremost biotechnology companies.

Here are three compelling reasons to tune into this episode:

• Breaking the Mold of Purification: BCI’s AXISFLOW™ Platform moves beyond bead-based processes, using advanced 3D-printed monoliths that enable convective flow, making purification of large biomolecules and viruses faster, more efficient, and better suited for next-generation therapies.
• Innovation Starts with Imagination (and Measurement): True progress in bioprocessing often hinges not on what we can make, but on what we can accurately measure and imagine. Scott reminds us that advances in analytical testing and creative thinking are the real engines of change.
• Biotech Demands More than Great Science: Success isn’t just about inventing; it’s about building with the end-user in mind. Scott’s journey highlights the critical role of customer-centric product development, cross-disciplinary teamwork, and regulatory strategy - especially in a conservative, risk-averse industry.

Curious how shifting from diffusion to convection could reshape your purification workflow? Listen to this episode and discover how to unlock efficiency, cut costs, and deliver therapies that might otherwise remain out of reach.

Connect with Scott Wheelwright:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scottmwheelwright

Website: www.biochromatographix.com

Curious about chromatography? Tune in to hear what our previous guests had to say!

• Episodes 119-120: Innovating Protein Purification Using Synthetic Organelles and AI with Haotian Guo
• Episodes 61-62: Magnetic Bead Technology: The New Era in Downstream Processing with Nils Brechmann
• Episodes 37-38: How to Master Downstream: A Deep Dive Into Bioprocessing Purification with Wei Zhang

Next step:

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

Develop bioprocessing technologies better, faster, at a fraction of the cost with our 1:1 Strategy Call: The quickest and easiest way to excel biotech technology development. Book your call at https://stan.store/SmartBiotech

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