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The pharmaceutical industry has undergone significant changes in recent years. While blockbuster drugs used to dominate, the focus is now on patient-specific solutions, requiring smaller batches and shorter time-to-market.
The robocell was specifically designed to meet these new challenges. Developed in collaboration with groninger, this gloveless filling line automates all processes within the aseptic core, delivering maximum safety, flexibility, and efficiency while adhering to the strictest regulations, such as Annex 1.

Why choose robocell?

  • Maximum sterility assurance by eliminating human intervention
  • High automation level for reproducible and robust processes
  • Full compliance with Annex 1
  • Flexibility in product and container selection
  • Minimization of product loss
  • Maximum efficiency through rapid format changes
  • Applications for robocell

    The robocell is ideal for pharmaceutical small-batch production, research and development, as well as CDMOs. Its modular design, available in three standard configurations, allows for flexible adaptation to your specific needs (optional crimping module and lyo loading unit).

    Use cases:

    • Filling small to medium batch sizes
    • Individual batches and campaigns
  • Which products can robocell process?

    The robocell is optimized for filling:

    • Synthetic drugs (small molecules)
    • Biological drugs (large molecules)
    • Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
    • Orphan drugs
    • Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), including cell and gene therapies.

    With the highest level of operator and product protection, the robocell meets all regulatory requirements for containment and aseptic processing, including various OEB and BSL levels.

  • Which containers can robocell handle?

    The robocell offers maximum flexibility in container selection:

    • Pre-sterilized syringes
    • Cartridges
    • Vials

    Closing options include aluminum crimp caps or modern snap-on caps, ensuring you’re prepared for future demands.

  • Designed in accordance with Annex 1

    The robocell was developed in parallel with the introduction of Annex 1, ensuring that all requirements are fully integrated into its design. Key features include:

    • Integrated concept of filling line and isolator
    • Continuous first air principle with laminar airflow
    • Elimination of human intervention within the aseptic core
    • Use of intelligent robotic solutions
    • Safe aseptic transfer of indirect product-contact parts
    • Support for a holistic Contamination Control Strategy (CSS)
  • Advanced aseptic design

    The robocell combines proven technologies with future-oriented developments:

    • Fast and reliable decontamination through optimized hygienic design and patented skanfog technology
    • Optimized airflow circulation following the first air principle
    • Evidence-based design through CFD analysis and validation with smoke studies
    • Room-to-room ventilation system with integrated filtration stages and configurable pressure zones
  • Safety through automation

    In aseptic environments, humans are the greatest source of contamination and errors. The robocell was reimagined from the ground up to completely eliminate human intervention in core aseptic processes, maximizing sterility and process safety.

    Automation design innovations include:

    • Automated transfer of indirect product-contact parts after the decontamination cycle
    • Automated installation of single-use filling paths and sterile filtration (including PUPSIT)
    • Automated transfer and distribution of sedimentation plates
    • Automated handling of active and passive viable air monitoring
  • Maximum Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE) with rapid format changes

    Fast format changes reduce setup times and boost overall efficiency. Specially developed robots with a minimal number of format parts enable software-driven format changes in just a few minutes – perfect for small batches and frequently changing products.

    Minimizing product loss
    All process steps are safeguarded by 100% in-process controls, virtually eliminating product loss. Additionally, freeze dryer loading without glass-to-glass contact prevents damage.

Get in touch with our sales team!


robocell partner

groninger designs and manufactures machines for the processing of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. The core competency of groninger, founded by Horst Groninger in 1980, are technological solutions for filling and closing pharmaceutical containers such as syringes, vials or cartridges. Above that, groninger builds machines for the the consumer healthcare and cosmetics industry. groninger currently employs over 1500 people at the two German locations Crailsheim and Schnelldorf and in Charlotte (North Carolina, USA).


Further development project between SKAN + groninger:


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