Emerson in integration deal with US pharma company

London - Emerson Process Management is to provide integration and process automation services to customers of Finesse Solutions, under a deal announced 28 March by the companies. The deal encompasses DeltaV digital automation system and Irvine, California-based Finesse's TruBio Bioreactor Control System on projects developed by Finesse's direct sales force for bioprocess drug development and production.

Finesse develops measurement and control technologies for upstream processes in the biotech and pharma industries. Its TruBio system, which is powered by the DeltaV controller, includes embedded configurable control logic for parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and agitation for control of cell culture and fermentation. 

TruBio is designed to enable OEM's, system integrators, engineering firms and end users to customise the control system to specific application requirements, while reducing project schedules and engineering costs.  Under the deal, Emerson will integrate and scale up the embedded DeltaV controller in Finesse's products into a larger DeltaV system, or expand it to a plant-wide system.

The agreement will help expand the application of the TruBio system from R&D into manufacturing, according to Finesse CEO Barb Paldus:  "Life sciences customers will be able to achieve end-to-end process data sharing and faster scale-up through this combined solution." Meanwhile, Terry Moore, Emerson's Life Sciences VP, described the move as "a positive step forward between our two companies" to offer  integrated solutions to our mutual customers.