Biostat STR® Single-Use Bioreactor
Powered by the Biobrain® automation platform
Biostat STR® single-use stirred-tank bioreactors combine a conventional stirred-tank design with conserved geometry to simplify scaling from process development to commercial manufacturing. Biostat STR® systems are available in five sizes from 50 to 2,000 L and use Flexsafe STR® bags, with working volumes spanning 12.5 to 2,000 L.
The Biostat STR® Generation 3 system expands flexibility through advanced automation, process analytical technology, and new capabilities for intensified processing.
Move from benchtop to production with a natively scalable bioreactor portfolio, and intensify your process to boost productivity without increasing vessel volume.
Join more than 1,500 active Biostat STR® bioreactor users and benefit from over 60 years of experience, backed by local technical expertise in more than 100 countries.
Support emerging modalities and intensified processes with a connected bioreactor platform that brings together flexible automation, integrated technologies, and continuous innovation.
Accelerating process intensification through partnership
Biostat STR® Generation 3 with integrated Repligen XCell® ATF Technology
The Biostat STR® Generation 3 single-use bioreactors are engineered for ultimate upstream performance. Available with integrated Repligen XCell® ATF Technology for intensified processes, the system simplifies process set-up and operation while eliminating the need for separate control hardware.
Explore Biostat STR® bioreactor solutions by application
Process intensification-ready seed trains
Modular seed trains, powered by Biobrain® automation
Biostat STR® Generation 3 systems support a full range of process strategies, from conventional batch to intensified processing, across all stages of the seed train through to the final production bioreactor.
- Build flexibility into your facility with a modular design and interchangeable bag holder
- Support process intensification with integrated Repligen XCell ATF® technology in the Biostat STR® bioreactor
- Build scalable, closed seed train workflows using the Mycap® CCX shake flask system alongside Biostat® RM and Biostat STR® systems to support efficient seed expansion and production readiness
Seed train intensification with a reduced equipment footprint
The Biostat® RM bioreactor achieved viable cell densities exceeding 200 × 10⁶ cells/mL with greater than 97% viability, enabling as little as 1 L of culture to seed a 500 L production bioreactor.
Similarly, in development studies conducted in partnership with a customer, cell densities exceeded 220 × 10⁶ cells/mL in N-1 perfusion applications using the Biostat STR® bioreactor with an intensified sparger.
Streamline scale-up and tech transfer
Sartorius offers the only natively scalable bioreactor portfolio, from cell line screening through blockbuster production.
The Biostat STR® Generation 3 platform is part of the industry's only natively scalable stirred-tank bioreactor portfolio, enabling confident process transfer from process development through commercial manufacturing.
- Leverage a conserved stirred-tank geometry across the Sartorius bioreactor portfolio, enabling predictable scale-up from Ambr® bioreactors to the Biostat STR® system.
- Reduce scale-up risk with comprehensive process characterization, application expertise, and demonstrated performance across development, pilot, and manufacturing scales.
- Accelerate technology transfer with the Biobrain® automation system to support GMP-ready operation.
Learn more about Biostat STR® Gen 3 bioreactors
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Frequently asked questions about Biostat STR® Generation 3
The Biostat STR® Generation 3 bioreactor is available in 50, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 L sizes, covering a working volume range of 12.5 to 2,000 L.
The Biostat STR® bioreactor supports traditional batch, fed-batch, intensified fed-batch, and perfusion processes within a single platform. This allows manufacturers to adopt process intensification strategies without changing bioreactor technologies as their process evolves.
The Biostat STR® Generation 3 bioreactor combines multiple process intensification technologies, including optional fully integrated Repligen XCell ATF® technology, advanced BioPAT® analytics, and the next-generation intensified sparger. Together, these capabilities support high-cell-density cultivation and advanced manufacturing strategies.
Process intensification strategies supported by the Sartorius upstream platform have been shown to deliver significant operational benefits. Published analyses demonstrate the potential for:
- Up to 3-fold productivity increases
- More than 30% reduction in cost of goods
- Up to 70% reduction in manufacturing footprint
- Faster facility deployment and increased manufacturing flexibility
Related resources
Partopour, B., & Pollard, D. (2025). Advancing biopharmaceutical manufacturing: Economic and sustainability assessment of end-to-end continuous production of monoclonal antibodies. Trends in Biotechnology, 43(2), 462–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.10.007
The intensified sparger delivers average volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficients exceeding 40 h⁻¹. Development studies conducted in partnership with a customer have demonstrated cell densities exceeding 220 × 10⁶ cells/mL in N-1 perfusion applications.
Sartorius is the only supplier that offers an end-to-end single-use portfolio in a classical bioreactor design. Native scalability across single-use Ambr®, Univessel®, and Biostat STR® bioreactors, as well as stainless-steel bioreactors, is enabled by consistent geometry and supported by advanced bioreactor characterization methods and global technical expertise. Together, these capabilities simplify the transition from development to production. The GMP-ready Biobrain® automation system carries the process into manufacturing.
The Biostat STR® bioreactor is part of our natively scalable upstream platform, spanning Ambr® systems, process development bioreactors, and manufacturing-scale Biostat STR® systems. Sartorius is the only supplier to offer a conventional stirred-tank architecture with a center shaft, sparger positioned beneath the impeller system, and a dual-impeller design across its single-use bioreactor portfolio. This conserved geometry supports predictable scale-up from process development to commercial manufacturing, while also facilitating process transfer from traditional glass and stainless-steel stirred-tank bioreactors. By combining a familiar reactor design with extensive process characterization and application expertise, the Biostat STR® bioreactor helps reduce scale-up risk, accelerate implementation, and increase confidence in technology transfer.
The Biostat STR® bioreactor offers flexible automation options, including standalone operation with the Biobrain® platform, OPC UA connectivity to compatible plant automation systems, and a native DeltaV™ automation configuration of the Biostat STR® bioreactor. This flexible approach enables straightforward deployment in both new and existing manufacturing environments, allowing users to leverage their preferred automation strategy while supporting future digitalization and process automation initiatives.
The Biostat STR® bioreactor integrates with the BioPAT® portfolio, including tools for continuous, at-line viable cell density measurement, metabolite analysis, Raman spectroscopy, gas analysis, and advanced process control. These technologies generate real-time process information and support data-driven manufacturing decisions.
A single Biostat STR® bioreactor supports a wide range of mammalian cell modalities, including monoclonal antibodies, biosimilars, mRNA, vaccines, and cell and gene therapy applications. Visit the Biostat STR® Microbial bioreactor page to learn more about microbial applications.
The Biostat STR® bioreactor uses single-use Flexsafe STR® bags, built from the proprietary Flexsafe® film. Sartorius controls film production from resin formulation through bag assembly, which supports consistent quality and full extractables and leachables data.
The Biostat STR® bioreactor uses Flexsafe STR® bags, which deliver exceptional film strength and are supported by the industry's only validated point-of-use leak testing solution. Together, these technologies help verify bag integrity immediately before use, supporting reliable operation and reducing manufacturing risk.