Planova cellulose hollow-fiber membrane filters, developed specifically for removing viruses from biotherapeutic products, were launched in 1989, followed by Planova BioEX hydrophilic PVDF hollow-fiber membrane filters in 2009. A next-generation line of cellulose hollow-fiber membrane filters, Planova S20N, was launched in 2022.
With heightened standards throughout the world for the viral safety of biotherapeutics and advances in the development of monoclonal antibodies and other biopharmaceuticals, global demand for virus removal filters is expected to continue growing. To further ensure stable supply, Asahi Kasei Medical has been proactively expanding production capacity for Planova including the 2019 completion of a new spinning plant for Planova in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan, and the 2021 decision to expand its spinning plant for Planova BioEX filters in Oita, Japan.
