Device for processing biological liquids

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for treating biological liquids by virus inactivation, which comprises a main supply valve (4) for supplying the biological liquid to be treated; a first line (2) located downstream of said valve and equipped with a first main tank (7); a second line (3) located downstream of said valve and equipped with a second main tank (14), said second line being parallel to said first line; and a third main tank (11) provided at the outlets of both said first line and said second line and configured to be successively supplied by said first main tank and said second main tank; the device being configured such that in each of said first main treatment tank, second main treatment tank and third main treatment tank, at least a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base are introduced to adjust the pH of said biological liquid and to adjust the rate of the effluent flow from said third main treatment tank to provide a continuous flow rate of the treated biological liquid at the outlet of the device.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This invention claims the benefit of priority of European Patent Application No. 18306016.9, filed on July 27, 2018, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background art

[0004] Biopharmaceutical liquids are usually obtained by culturing in a bioreactor, and then they must be purified to achieve the desired purity, concentration, virus-free and other characteristics.

[0005] Purification can be carried out through a series of processes, such as clarification to remove residues from the bioreactor culture, elution by chromatography to separate proteins, virus inactivation and then adjustment (polish) and / or purification by tangential filtration or chromatography.

[0006] It is desirable to perform the above steps one after another continuously or semi-continuously. However, these processing steps do not all take the same amount of time, and sometimes it is necessary to stop certain processes while one or more other processes are being completed. In particular, it is known that the processing time for virus inactivation usually requires the incubation time when the product liquid flow stops.

[0007] Patent application EP 2682168 relates to virus inactivation treatment and describes a method of fractionating a liquid flow into small volume products (also called fractions). For each small portion (or volume) of the product, the method can inactivate the virus particularly quickly one after another.

[0008] There is also known a virus inactivation device that includes a central distributor that is supplied with the product to be treated, acid, and base, and is configured to direct different liquid flows of the product, acid, and base, including two liquid flows called treatment liquid flows flowing to two corresponding tanks and a liquid flow called an outlet liquid flow flowing to a drain or to an outlet pipe for the treated product. The device is also provided with two recirculation loops for the two treatment liquid flows, each provided between the corresponding tank and the central distributor.

[0009] Subject matter of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a device capable of simply, conveniently and economically implementing virus inactivation treatment of biological liquids.

[0011] To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a device for treating biological liquids by virus inactivation, characterized in that the device comprises:

[0012] A main supply valve for supplying the biological liquid to be treated, configured to be connected to at least one biological liquid supply source;

[0013] A first treatment line, located downstream of the supply valve and equipped with a first main treatment tank, the first main treatment tank being configured to be supplied with a biological liquid to be treated by the supply valve;

[0014] A second treatment line, located downstream of the supply valve and equipped with a second main treatment tank, the second main treatment tank being configured to be supplied with a biological liquid to be treated by the supply valve;

[0015] The second treatment line is in parallel with the first treatment line; and

[0016] A third main treatment tank, provided at the outlets of both the first treatment line and the second treatment line and configured to be successively supplied by the first main treatment tank and the second main treatment tank;

[0017] The device is configured such that in each of the first main treatment tank, the second main treatment tank and the third main treatment tank, at least a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base are introduced to adjust the pH of the biological liquid; the device is also configured to adjust the rate of the drainage flow of the third main treatment tank to provide, at the outlet of the device, a rate of a continuous liquid flow of the treated biological liquid.

[0018] In other words, in the biological liquid treatment device according to the present invention, the third main treatment tank is common to the first treatment line and the second treatment line.

[0019] Thus, the first treatment line and the second treatment line extend in parallel from the main supply valve to the third main treatment tank.

[0020] Furthermore, in the biological liquid treatment device according to the present invention, the third main treatment tank enables the treatment of the biological liquid that has been treated in the first main treatment tank or the second main treatment tank to be completed. In particular, the third main treatment tank can be provided to pre-polish the biological liquid, that is to say, so as to bring the latter closer to the target pH. Once the third main treatment tank has been filled with the treated biological liquid and once the pre-polishing has been carried out, the third main treatment tank is emptied at a controlled and continuous liquid flow rate.

[0021] It should be noted that such pre-polishing enables the biological liquid to be prepared for subsequent adjustment steps of the liquid, such as using chromatographic treatment.

[0022] Other preferred simple, convenient and economical features of the device according to the present invention:

[0023] The first treatment line is equipped with a first intermediate treatment tank, the first intermediate treatment tank being provided between the first main treatment tank and the third main treatment tank;

[0024] The device is configured to introduce a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the first intermediate treatment tank;

[0025] The device is configured to transfer the treated biological liquid in the first main treatment tank to the first intermediate treatment tank before transferring it to the third main treatment tank and cultivate it in the first intermediate treatment tank for a predetermined time;

[0026] The second treatment line is equipped with a second intermediate treatment tank, which is arranged between the second main treatment tank and the third main treatment tank.

[0027] The device is configured to introduce a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the second intermediate treatment tank;

[0028] The device is configured to transfer the treated biological liquid in the second main treatment tank to the second intermediate treatment tank before transferring it to the third main treatment tank and cultivate it in the second intermediate treatment tank for a predetermined time;

[0029] The device includes a plurality of supply pumps, which are arranged on the first treatment line and the second treatment line, at least between the first main treatment tank and the third main treatment tank, and possibly between the first main treatment tank and the first intermediate treatment tank and / or between the first intermediate treatment tank and the third main treatment tank; and at least between the second main treatment tank and the third main treatment tank, and possibly between the second main treatment tank and the second intermediate treatment tank and / or between the second intermediate treatment tank and the third main treatment tank;

[0030] The determined volume of acid and correspondingly the determined volume of base introduced at least into the first main treatment tank, the second main treatment tank and the third main treatment tank and possibly introduced into the first intermediate treatment tank and the second intermediate treatment tank depend on the physicochemical properties of the biological liquid to be treated and may be equal or unequal;

[0031] At least the first main treatment tank, the second main treatment tank and the third main treatment tank, and possibly the first intermediate treatment tank and the second intermediate treatment tank, are provided with stirrers for the biological liquid and / or one or more instrument components.

[0032] The device includes one or more control and command units, which are configured to control and command the supply valves and / or at least one of the first main treatment tank, the second main treatment tank and the third main treatment tank, and possibly control and command the first intermediate treatment tank and the second intermediate treatment tank;

[0033] The device comprises a single cart on which are provided at least the supply valve, the first main treatment tank, the second main treatment tank, and the third main treatment tank, and possibly the first intermediate treatment tank and the second intermediate treatment tank; and / or

[0034] The device is equipped with disposable pipes connecting different parts of the device, including at least the supply valve, the first main treatment tank, the second main treatment tank, the third main treatment tank, and possibly the first intermediate treatment tank and the second intermediate treatment tank, which are referred to as single-use pipes.

[0035] According to a second aspect, the present invention also relates to a method for treating a biological liquid by virus inactivation using the treatment device as described above, the method comprising:

[0036] The step of at least partially filling the first main treatment tank of the first treatment line of the device with the biological liquid to be treated via the main supply valve of the device;

[0037] The step of adjusting the pH of the biological liquid by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the first main treatment tank;

[0038] The step of culturing the biological liquid in the first treatment line for a predetermined time and the step of adjusting the pH of the biological liquid to approach the target pH by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the first treatment line;

[0039] The step of transferring the treated biological liquid to the third main treatment tank provided at the outlet of the first treatment line of the device, and the step of pre-adjusting to obtain the treated biological liquid at the target pH by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the third main treatment tank;

[0040] Simultaneously with the steps of pre-adjustment and / or transfer and / or culturing and / or pH adjustment implemented in the first treatment line, the step of at least partially filling the second main treatment tank of the second treatment line of the device with the biological liquid to be treated via the main supply valve, the second treatment line being parallel to the first treatment line;

[0041] The step of adjusting the pH of the biological liquid by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the second main treatment tank;

[0042] The step of culturing the biological liquid in the second treatment line for a predetermined time, and the step of adjusting the pH of the biological liquid to approach the target pH by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the second treatment line;

[0043] The step of transferring the processed biological liquid to the third main treatment tank which is also provided at the outlet of the second treatment line, and the step of pre-adjusting to obtain a processed biological liquid at a target pH by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the third main treatment tank;

[0044] The step of discharging the third main treatment tank by adjusting the discharge rate of the liquid flow so as to provide a continuous liquid flow rate of the processed biological liquid at the outlet of the device while performing the steps of pre-adjusting and / or transferring and / or culturing and / or adjusting the pH implemented in the second treatment line.

[0045] According to other preferred, simple, convenient and economical features of the treatment method according to the invention, the step that the first treatment line is equipped with a first intermediate treatment tank provided between the first main treatment tank and the third main treatment tank, and the second treatment line is equipped with a second intermediate treatment tank provided between the second main treatment tank and the third main treatment tank; and the method includes the step of transferring the biological liquid from the first main treatment tank to the first intermediate treatment tank and the step of culturing and adjusting the pH in the first intermediate treatment tank to approach the target pH in the first treatment line; and the step of transferring the biological liquid from the second main treatment tank to the second intermediate treatment tank and the step of culturing and adjusting the pH in the second intermediate treatment tank to approach the target pH in the second treatment line.

[0046] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0047] The disclosure of the present invention is now continued with the description of the embodiments given below by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0048] Figure 1 Schematically shows a treatment device according to the present invention;

[0049] Figure 2 Shows the use of Figure 1 The device's treatment method of different steps of the time chart; and

[0050] Figures 3 to 5 Is Figure 1 The perspective view and top view of the treatment device. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0051] Figure 1 Schematically illustrates a device for treating a biological liquid 1 by virus inactivation.

[0052] The device includes a first treatment line 2 and a second treatment line 3 extending in parallel with the first treatment line 2.

[0053] The apparatus 1 may further include a biological liquid supply source 5 upstream of the first processing line 2 and the second processing line 3, and a main supply valve 4 for the biological liquid to be processed, which is connected to the biological liquid supply source 5 via a first pipe 6.

[0054] It should be noted that the supply source may be directly connected to the outlet pipe of the processing line of the apparatus upstream of the apparatus 1; or, it may be connected to a single container with or without connection to such upstream apparatus.

[0055] The first processing line 2 may be equipped with a first main processing tank 7, which is configured to supply the biological liquid to be processed from the supply valve 4 via a second pipe 8; and is equipped with a first intermediate processing tank 9, which is arranged downstream of the first main processing tank 7 and is connected to the latter via a third pipe 10.

[0056] The second processing line 3 may be equipped with a second main processing tank 14, which is configured to supply the biological liquid to be processed from the supply valve 4 via a fourth pipe 15; and is equipped with a second intermediate processing tank 16, which is arranged downstream of the second main processing tank 14 and is connected to the latter via a fifth pipe 17.

[0057] The apparatus 1 may further include an outlet pipe located downstream of the first processing line 2 and the second processing line 3, which is mainly formed by a third main processing tank 11 here. The third main processing tank 11 is connected to the first intermediate processing tank 9 via a sixth pipe 12 and is also connected to the second intermediate processing tank 16 via a seventh pipe 18.

[0058] Therefore, the first intermediate processing tank 9 is between the first main processing tank 7 and the third main processing tank 11; while the second intermediate processing tank 16 is between the second main processing tank 14 and the third main processing tank 11.

[0059] The third main processing tank 11 is arranged at the outlet of both the first processing line 2 and the second processing line 3, and is configured to be successively supplied by the first main processing tank 7 and the second intermediate processing tank 16.

[0060] In other words, the third main processing tank 11 is shared by the first processing line 2 and the second processing line 3.

[0061] The first processing line 2 and the second processing line 3 extend in parallel from the main supply valve 4 to the third main processing tank 11.

[0062] The apparatus 1 may be configured to transfer the biological liquid to be processed in the first main processing tank 7 and the second main processing tank 14 to the first intermediate processing tank 9 and the second intermediate processing tank 16 respectively before transferring them to the third main processing tank 11, and culture them for a predetermined time in the latter.

[0063] To this end, the device 1 may include a first main supply pump 26, which is installed on the third pipeline 10 and configured to discharge the first main treatment tank 7 and transfer the biological liquid treated in the first main treatment tank 7 to the first intermediate treatment tank 9; and a first intermediate supply pump 31, which is installed on the sixth pipeline 12 and configured to discharge the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and transfer the biological liquid treated therein to the third main treatment tank 11.

[0064] The device 1 may further include a second main supply pump 38, which is installed on the fifth pipeline 17 and configured to discharge the second main treatment tank 14 and transfer the biological liquid treated therein to the second intermediate treatment tank 16; and a second intermediate supply pump 43, which is installed on the seventh pipeline 18 and configured to discharge the second intermediate treatment tank 16 and transfer the biological liquid treated therein to the third main treatment tank 11.

[0065] The device 1 may also be configured such that a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base are introduced into each of the first main treatment tank 7, the second main treatment tank 14, and the third main treatment tank 11, as well as into each of the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16, to adjust the pH of the biological liquid.

[0066] To this end, the device 1 may include a first tank 20 for acid, which is connected to the first main treatment tank 7 via an eighth pipeline 22, on which a first acid pump 24 is installed, and the first tank 20 is also connected to the first intermediate treatment tank 9 via a ninth pipeline 27, on which a second acid pump 28 is installed.

[0067] The device 1 may further include a first tank 21 for base, which is connected to the first main treatment tank 7 via a tenth pipeline 23, on which a first base pump 25 is installed, and the first tank 21 is also connected to the first intermediate treatment tank 9 via an eleventh pipeline 29, on which a second base pump 30 is installed.

[0068] The device 1 may further include a second tank 32 for acid, which is connected to the second main treatment tank 14 via a twelfth pipeline 34, on which a third acid pump 35 is installed, and the second tank 32 is also connected to the second intermediate treatment tank 16 via a thirteenth pipeline 40, on which a fourth acid pump 39 is installed.

[0069] The device 1 may further include a second tank 32 for base, which is connected to the second main treatment tank 14 via a fifteenth pipeline 36, on which a third base pump 37 is installed, and the second tank 32 is also connected to the second intermediate treatment tank 16 via a sixteenth pipeline 41, on which a fourth base pump 42 is installed.

[0070] The apparatus 1 may also include a third storage tank 44 for acid and a third tank 45 for base. The third storage tank 44 is connected to the third main treatment tank 11 via a seventeenth pipe 46, and a fifth acid pump 47 is installed on the seventeenth pipe. Moreover, the third tank 45 is connected to the third main treatment tank 11 via an eighteenth pipe 48, and a fifth base pump 49 is installed on the eighteenth pipe.

[0071] It should be noted that the third main treatment tank 11 can be discharged through an outlet pipe 13, which is connected to a circuit 90 (very schematically shown) in an apparatus downstream of the apparatus 1. The circuit 90 can be configured to perform steps such as adjusting a biological liquid by chromatography.

[0072] All pipes 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 22, 23, 27, 29, 34, 36, 40, 41, 46, and 48 can be, for example, flexible disposable pipes, referred to as single-use pipes.

[0073] It should also be noted that the apparatus 1 is configured herein to regulate the rate of at least one liquid flow discharged from the third main treatment tank 11 so as to provide a continuous liquid flow rate of the treated biological liquid at the outlet of the apparatus 1 (see below). The rate value of the liquid flow depends on the circuit 90 upstream of the apparatus 1 and the treatment implemented, which is the adjustment of the biological liquid here.

[0074] Now reference will be made to Figure 2 A description will be given of a method for treating a biological liquid by virus inactivation using the above-described treatment apparatus 1.

[0075] In particular, in a time graph manner, Figure 2 it shows, on its first line, the different steps implemented on the first treatment circuit 2, on its second line, the different steps implemented on the second treatment line 3, and on its third line, the volume of the biological liquid in the third main treatment tank 11.

[0076] The method for treating a biological liquid by virus inactivation using the treatment apparatus 1 includes the following steps.

[0077] The method may include step A: filling the first main treatment tank 7 at least partially with the biological liquid to be treated via the main supply valve 4 and the second pipe 8.

[0078] The filling time depends on the volume of the first main treatment tank 7.

[0079] The method may include step B: adjusting the pH of the biological liquid present in the first main treatment tank 7 by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the first main treatment tank 7 via the eighth pipe 22 and the first acid pump 24 and via the tenth pipe 23 and the first base pump 25.

[0080] The volumes of the acid and the base depend on the pH value of the biological liquid entering the first main treatment tank 7.

[0081] The method may include: a step of culturing the biological liquid in the first treatment line 2 for a predetermined time; and a step of adjusting the pH of the biological liquid to be close to the target pH by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the first treatment line 2.

[0082] It should be noted that the target pH may correspond to a neutral pH or be different from the neutral pH. The target pH depends on the type of treatment implemented in the circuit 90 in the device following the device 1.

[0083] In particular, the method may include: step C of transferring the biological liquid from the first main treatment tank 7 to the first intermediate treatment tank 9 via the first main supply pump 26 and the third pipe 10; step D of culturing the biological liquid in the first intermediate treatment tank 9; and step E of adjusting the pH to be close to the target pH by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the first intermediate treatment tank 9 via the ninth pipe 27 and the second acid pump 28 and via the eleventh pipe 29 and the second base pump 30.

[0084] The method may include step F of transferring the treated biological liquid from the first intermediate treatment tank 9 to the third main treatment tank 11 via the first intermediate supply pump 31 and the sixth pipe 12.

[0085] Simultaneously with transfer step F and when a sufficient determined volume is transferred, the method may include a step of pre-adjusting the biological liquid in the third main treatment tank 11 to obtain a treated biological liquid at the target pH by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the third main treatment tank 11 via the seventeenth pipe 46 and the fifth acid pump 47 and via the eighteenth pipe 48 and the fifth base pump 49.

[0086] The above steps A to F relate to the first treatment line 2. In parallel with steps B to F, that is, after filling the first main treatment tank 7, the method may simultaneously include the following steps.

[0087] The method may include step A' of at least partially filling the second main treatment tank 14 with the biological liquid to be treated via the main supply valve 4 and the fourth pipe 15.

[0088] The filling time depends on the volume of the second main treatment tank 14. Here, the volumes of the first main treatment tank 7 and the second main treatment tank 14 are equal.

[0089] The method may include step B' of adjusting the pH of the biological liquid present in the second main treatment tank 14 by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the second main treatment tank 14 via the twelfth pipe 34 and the third acid pump 35 and via the fifteenth pipe 36 and the third base pump 37.

[0090] The volumes of the acid and the base depend on the pH value of the biological liquid entering the second main treatment tank 14.

[0091] The method may include the step of culturing the biological liquid in the second treatment line 3 for a predetermined time, and the step of adjusting the pH of the biological liquid to approach the target pH by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the second treatment line 3.

[0092] In particular, the method may include step C' of transferring the biological liquid from the second main treatment tank 14 to the second intermediate treatment tank 16 via the second main supply pump 38 and the fifth pipe 17; step D' of culturing the biological liquid in the second intermediate treatment tank 16; and step E' of adjusting the pH to approach the target pH by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the second intermediate treatment tank 16 via the thirteenth pipe 40 and the fourth acid pump 39 and via the sixteenth pipe 41 and the fourth base pump 42.

[0093] The method may include step F' of transferring the treated biological liquid from the second intermediate treatment tank 16 to the third main treatment tank 11 via the second intermediate supply pump 43 and the seventh pipe 18.

[0094] Simultaneously with transfer step F' and in the case of transferring a sufficient determined volume, the method may include the step of pre-adjusting the biological liquid by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the third main treatment tank 11 via the seventeenth pipe 46 and the fifth acid pump 47 and via the eighteenth pipe 48 and the fifth base pump 49 to obtain the treated biological liquid at the target pH.

[0095] The above steps A' to F' relate to the second treatment line 3. In parallel with steps B' to F', i.e., after filling the second main treatment tank 14, the method may again implement step A' of filling the first main treatment tank 7, and then implement steps B to F, etc., as Figure 2 can be seen.

[0096] Figure 2 It is also shown that the method may include the step of discharging the third main treatment tank 11 when the third main treatment tank 11 has been filled by the first treatment line 2 and the biological liquid has been pre-adjusted therein.

[0097] The discharge of the third main treatment tank 11 takes place at a regulated liquid flow rate and can last for approximately the duration of steps B' to E' implemented in the second treatment line 3. Thereafter, the third main treatment tank 11 can be refilled by the second treatment line 3 again, etc. It should be noted that once the third main treatment tank 11 is filled, it may never be completely emptied.

[0098] Regulating the rate of the outlet liquid flow from the third main treatment tank 11 enables a continuous liquid flow rate of the treated biological liquid to be provided at the outlet of the device 1.

[0099] Reference will now be made Figures 3 to 5 to the arrangement of the device 1 itself and its components in more detail, which in the embodiment shown here is carried by a single trolley 69.

[0100] The trolley 69 can be formed by a frame, the bottom frame 50 of which is mounted on castors 67, the upper frame 51 is at a distance from the bottom frame 50, and the vertical upright members 52 extend between the bottom frame 50 and the upper frame 51 and are connected to the upper frame 51 by plates 54.

[0101] The device 1 can comprise a general pneumatic and electrical supply unit 53 placed on the bottom frame 50.

[0102] The trolley 69 can have an overall parallelepiped shape.

[0103] The first tanks 20 and 21 of acid can be suspended at the position of the upper frame 51 on the first side of the trolley 69.

[0104] The second tanks 32 and 33 of acid can be suspended at the position of the upper frame 51 on the second side of the trolley 69 opposite the first side.

[0105] The third tanks 44 of acid and the third tanks 45 of alkali can be suspended at the position of the upper frame 51 on the third side of the trolley 69 connecting its first side and second side, at the outlet of the device 1.

[0106] All these tanks can be formed by flexible bags. It should be noted that the supply sources are not visible in Figures 3 to 5 the figure.

[0107] The supply valve 4 can be placed on the plate 54 at the position of the fourth side of the trolley 69 (which also connects the first side and the second side and is the opposite side of the third side).

[0108] The supply valve 4 can be a three-way valve, comprising two inlets and one outlet or one inlet and two outlets.

[0109] The valve 4 can have, for example, a head 56 and a body 55, the head 56 being equipped, for example, with two recesses for receiving parts of a pipe and a pinch mechanism configured to allow or prevent the passage of biological liquid in the parts of the pipe received in the two recesses; the body 55 being equipped with a pneumatic actuator configured to actuate the pinch mechanism.

[0110] The first main treatment tank 7 and the second main treatment tank 14 can be arranged on a plate 54 at a position on the fourth side of the trolley 69 and on respective opposite sides of the supply valve 4.

[0111] Thus, the first main treatment tank 7 can be located on the first side of the trolley 69, while the second main treatment tank 14 can be located on the second side of the trolley 69.

[0112] Both the first main treatment tank 7 and the second main treatment tank 14 can be mounted on respective weighing scales 57, each equipped with feet 60, a weighing scale plate 58, and a device 59 for controlling and commanding the weighing scales 57 is mounted on the feet 60.

[0113] The first main treatment tank 7 and the second main treatment tank 14 can be directly mounted on the weighing scale plate 58.

[0114] The device 1 can comprise a first control and command unit 61 and a second control and command unit 62, which can be respectively arranged at positions on the plate 54 close to the first main treatment tank 7 and the second main treatment tank 14.

[0115] The first control and command unit 61 can be equipped with a body from which a first acid pump 24, a first alkali pump 25, a first main supply pump 26, a second acid pump 28, and a second alkali pump 30 project partially from the first side of the trolley 69.

[0116] The second control and command unit 62 can be equipped with a body from which a third acid pump 35, a third alkali pump 37, a second main supply pump 38, a fourth acid pump 39, and a fourth alkali pump 42 project partially from the second side of the trolley 69.

[0117] Thus, the first control and command unit 61 and the second control and command unit 62 can be configured to control and actuate the above-mentioned pumps to implement at least step B and B' of adjusting the pH in the first main treatment tank 7 and the second main treatment tank 14; step C and C' of transferring in the first treatment line 2 and the second treatment line 3; step D and D' of culturing in the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16, and step E and E' of adjusting the pH.

[0118] The first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16 can be arranged on the plate 54, and there are a first control and actuation unit 61 and a second control and actuation unit 62 located between the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16 and between the first main treatment tank 7 and the second main treatment tank 14.

[0119] The first intermediate treatment tank 9 can be located on the first side of the trolley 69, while the second intermediate treatment tank 16 can be located on the second side of the trolley 69.

[0120] Both the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16 can be mounted on respective weighing scales 57, like the first main treatment tank 7 and the second main treatment tank 14. The weighing scales are equipped with feet, a weighing scale plate 58, and a device 59 for controlling and commanding the weighing scales. The first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16 can be directly mounted on the weighing scale plate 58.

[0121] The device 1 can include transfer devices 64 and 65 arranged on the plate 54 close to the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16 respectively. The transfer devices 64 and 65 project respectively from a first intermediate supply pump 31 on the first side of the trolley 69 and a second intermediate supply pump 43 on the second side of the trolley 69.

[0122] Therefore, these transfer devices 64 and 65 can be configured to control and actuate the above-mentioned pumps to implement steps F and F' of transferring the treated biological liquid from the first treatment line 2 and the second treatment line 3 to the third main treatment tank 11 in the outlet line.

[0123] The third main treatment tank 11 can be between the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16.

[0124] The third main treatment tank 11 can be mounted on the weighing scale 57, like the first main treatment tank 7 and the second main treatment tank 14 and like the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16. The weighing scale 57 is equipped with feet, a weighing scale plate 58, and a device 59 for controlling and commanding the weighing scales. The third main treatment tank 11 is directly mounted on the weighing scale plate 58.

[0125] The device 1 can include a third control and command unit 63, which is arranged on the plate 54 close to the third main treatment tank 11 and is located at a position on the third side of the trolley 69.

[0126] The third control and command unit 63 can be equipped with a main body, and a fifth acid pump 47 and a fifth alkali pump 49 that partially project from the main body starting from the third side of the trolley 69.

[0127] Therefore, the third control and actuation unit 63 can be configured to control and actuate the above-mentioned pumps to implement at least the pre-adjustment step in the third main treatment tank 11.

[0128] The device 1 may include a control screen 66, which is mounted on a fixed mounting protruding from the board 54 of the trolley 69. These control screens 66 may enable the progress of the above-mentioned treatment process to be observed and the parameters related to each step of the process to be managed.

[0129] In the embodiment described with reference to Figures 3 to 5 the first main treatment tank 7, the second main treatment tank 14, the third main treatment tank 11, the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16 may be formed according to the same structure.

[0130] In particular, these tanks may include a closed chamber 70 and a stirring mechanism 71. The closed chamber 70 is cylindrical here and extends between a lower base 72 and an upper platform 73. The stirring mechanism 71 is equipped with a motor protruding from the upper platform 73 and a stirrer (not visible) driven by the motor and extending within the chamber 70.

[0131] These tanks may also be equipped with a filtration device and / or a vent 78 protruding from the upper platform 73 and instrument components (not shown) also protruding from the upper platform 73 and formed, for example, by a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor.

[0132] These tanks may also be equipped with a plurality of inlet holes and / or outlet holes located at the position of the lower base 72 and / or the position of the upper platform 73 and / or along the chamber 70. The different uses of these inlet holes and / or outlet holes depend on the function of the tank.

[0133] In particular, the first main treatment tank 7 and the second main treatment tank 14 may be the same, and each includes a first inlet hole 77 configured to supply a biological liquid and located, for example, at the bottom of the chamber 70 close to the lower base 72, a second inlet hole 74 configured to supply an acid and located, for example, at the bottom of the chamber 70 close to the lower base 72, a third inlet hole 75 configured to supply an alkali and also located, for example, at the bottom of the chamber 70 close to the lower base 72, and an outlet hole 76 configured to transfer the biological liquid to the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate tank 16 respectively and located, for example, in the lower base 72.

[0134] The first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16 may be the same as and similar to the first main treatment tank 7 and the second main treatment tank 14, except for a first inlet hole 80 configured to supply the biological liquid from the corresponding main tank and protruding from the upper platform 73 and an outlet hole 79 configured to transfer the biological liquid to the third main treatment tank 11 and located, for example, in the lower base 72.

[0135] The third main treatment tank 11 may be very similar to the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16, except that its first inlet hole 80 may be configured to supply the treated biological liquid from one of the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16, except that it may include a fourth inlet hole 81, which is configured to supply the additional treated biological liquid from the first intermediate treatment tank 9 and the second intermediate treatment tank 16 and which projects from the upper platform 73; and except that its outlet hole 79 may be configured to transfer the biological liquid at the outlet of the device.

[0136] In unstated variants:

[0137] - The device may not have intermediate treatment tanks and then cultivation is carried out in the first main tank and the second main tank;

[0138] - The steps involving the second treatment line may be initiated before the filling of the first main treatment tank in the first treatment line is completed;

[0139] - The rate of the discharge liquid flow from the third main treatment tank may be variable or fixed, provided that a continuous stream of treated biological outlet is supplied from the device.

[0140] - The device may include more than two, for example three, four or more parallel circuits;

[0141] - The device may include a plurality of outlet tanks shared by at least two treatment lines;

[0142] - The device may be arranged on a plurality of trolleys preferably juxtaposed to each other;

[0143] - The main tanks and the intermediate tanks may be arranged differently from each other and are equipped with, for example, more or fewer instrument components;

[0144] - The main tanks and the intermediate tanks may be directly placed on the boards of the trolleys;

[0145] - The device may include a single control-command unit or two or three or more control and actuation units; and / or

[0146] - The device may include a single control screen or more than two control screens.

[0147] It should be noted more generally that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and represented.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating biological liquids by virus inactivation, characterized in that, the apparatus comprises: a main supply valve (4) for supplying the biological liquid to be treated, which is configured to be connected to at least one biological liquid supply source (5); a first treatment line (2), the first treatment line being located downstream of the main supply valve, the first treatment line including a first end connected to the main supply valve, an opposite second end, and a first main treatment tank (7) provided between the first end and the second end of the first treatment line, the first main treatment tank being configured to be supplied with the biological liquid to be treated by the main supply valve; a second treatment line (3), the second treatment line being located downstream of the main supply valve, the second treatment line including a third end connected to the main supply valve, an opposite fourth end, and a second main treatment tank (14) provided between the third end and the fourth end of the second treatment line, the second main treatment tank being configured to be supplied with the biological liquid to be treated by the main supply valve, wherein the second treatment line is parallel to the first treatment line; and a third main treatment tank (11), the third main treatment tank being provided at the second end of the first treatment line and the fourth end of the second treatment line and being further configured to be successively supplied by the first main treatment tank and the second main treatment tank; wherein the apparatus is configured such that in each of the first main treatment tank, the second main treatment tank, and the third main treatment tank, at least a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base are introduced to adjust the pH of the biological liquid; and wherein the apparatus is further configured to adjust the rate of the effluent flow from the third main treatment tank to provide a continuous rate of the flow of the treated biological liquid at the outlet of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first treatment line (2) is equipped with a first intermediate treatment tank (9) provided between the first main treatment tank (7) and the third main treatment tank (11).

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, the apparatus is configured to introduce a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the first intermediate treatment tank (9).

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, the apparatus is configured to transfer the biological liquid treated in the first main treatment tank (7) to the first intermediate treatment tank (9) and culture it for a predetermined time before transferring it to the third main treatment tank (11).

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, the second treatment line (3) is equipped with a second intermediate treatment tank (16) provided between the second main treatment tank (14) and the third main treatment tank (11).

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, the apparatus is configured to introduce a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the second intermediate treatment tank (16).

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that, The device is configured to transfer the biological liquid processed in the second main treatment tank (14) to the second intermediate treatment tank (16) and cultivate it for a predetermined time in the second intermediate treatment tank (16) before transferring it to the third main treatment tank (11).

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein, the device includes a plurality of supply pumps (26, 31, 38, 43), the plurality of supply pumps are arranged on the first treatment line (2) and the second treatment line (3), at least between the first main treatment tank (7) and the third main treatment tank (11), and / or between the first main treatment tank (7) and the first intermediate treatment tank (9) and / or between the first intermediate treatment tank (9) and the third main treatment tank (11); and at least between the second main treatment tank (14) and the third main treatment tank (11), and / or between the second main treatment tank (14) and the second intermediate treatment tank (16) and / or between the second intermediate treatment tank (16) and the third main treatment tank (11).

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein, the determined volume of acid and the determined volume of base respectively introduced into at least the first main treatment tank (7), the second main treatment tank (14) and the third main treatment tank (11) and / or introduced into the first intermediate treatment tank (9) and the second intermediate treatment tank (16) depend on the physicochemical properties of the biological liquid to be treated, and can be equal or unequal.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein, at least the first main treatment tank (7), the second main treatment tank (14) and the third main treatment tank (11) and / or the first intermediate treatment tank (9) and the second intermediate treatment tank (16) are equipped with stirrers (71) for the biological liquid and / or one or more instrument units.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein, the device includes one or more control and command units (61, 62, 63), the one or more control and command units are configured to control and command the main supply valve (4) and / or at least one of the first main treatment tank (7), the second main treatment tank (14) and the third main treatment tank (11), and / or control and command the first intermediate treatment tank (9) and the second intermediate treatment tank (16).

12. The device according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein, the device includes a single trolley (69), on which at least the main supply valve (4), the first main treatment tank (7), the second main treatment tank (14) and the third main treatment tank (11) are arranged, and / or the first intermediate treatment tank (9) and the second intermediate treatment tank (16) are arranged.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein, The device is equipped with disposable pipes connecting different components forming the device, said different components including at least the main supply valve (4), the first main treatment tank (7), the second main treatment tank (14) and the third main treatment tank (11), and / or the device is equipped with the first intermediate treatment tank (9) and the second intermediate treatment tank (16).

14. A method for treating a biological liquid by virus inactivation using a treatment device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, said method comprising the following steps: At least partially filling the first main treatment tank (7) of the first treatment line (2) of the device with the biological liquid to be treated via the main supply valve (4) of the device; Adjusting the pH of the biological liquid by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the first main treatment tank (7); Culturing the biological liquid in the first treatment line (2) for a predetermined time; Adjusting the pH of the biological liquid to approach the target pH by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the first treatment line (2); Transferring the treated biological liquid to the third main treatment tank (11) of the device which is provided at the second end of the first treatment line (2); Pre-adjusting the biological liquid in the third main treatment tank by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the third main treatment tank (11) to obtain the treated biological liquid at the target pH; While performing pre-adjustment and / or transfer and / or culturing and / or pH adjustment in the first treatment line (2), at least partially filling the second main treatment tank (14) of the second treatment line (3) of the device with the biological liquid to be treated via the main supply valve (4), the second treatment line (3) being parallel to the first treatment line (2); Adjusting the pH of the biological liquid in the second main treatment tank by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the second main treatment tank (14); Culturing the biological liquid in the second treatment line (3) for a predetermined time; Adjusting the pH of the biological liquid to approach the target pH by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the second treatment line (3); Transferring the treated biological liquid to the third main treatment tank (11) which is also provided at the fourth end of the second treatment line (3); Pre-adjusting the treated biological liquid by introducing a determined volume of acid and a determined volume of base into the third main treatment tank (11) to obtain the treated biological liquid at the target pH; While performing pre-adjustment and / or transfer and / or culturing and / or pH adjustment in the second treatment line (3), discharging the third main treatment tank (11) by adjusting the discharge rate of the liquid flow so as to provide a continuous rate of the liquid flow of the treated biological liquid at the outlet of the device (1).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first processing line (2) is equipped with a first intermediate processing tank (9), which is arranged between the first main processing tank (7) and the third main processing tank (11), and the second processing line (3) is equipped with a second intermediate processing tank (16), which is arranged between the second main processing tank (14) and the third main processing tank (11); and the method comprises the following steps: Transfer the biological liquid from the first main processing tank (7) to the first intermediate processing tank (9); In the first intermediate processing tank (9), cultivate and adjust the pH to approach the target pH in the first processing line (2); Transfer the biological liquid from the second main processing tank (14) to the second intermediate processing tank (16); and In the second intermediate processing tank (16), cultivate and adjust the pH to approach the target pH in the second processing line (3).

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