Spent Media Analysis

Optimising a biopharmaceutical production process demands both time and resources. However, without precise insight into the composition of cell culture media, productivity declines, timelines extend, costs rise, and achieving regulatory compliance becomes more challenging. What is needed is clarity, speed, and scientific accuracy, delivered by a partner proficient in the complexity of upstream processes. 

The Eurofins BioPharma Product Testing (BPT) network provides advanced spent media and complex raw material analysis to support upstream process development, minimise bioprocess variability, and accelerate time-to-market. Using our proprietary SPEDIA™ platform, comprehensive and quantitative spent media analysis can be delivered efficiently. 

What is cell culture media analysis and why does it matter? 

Cell culture media analysis involves characterising the chemical composition of media used to sustain cell cultures in biopharmaceutical production. Variations in media composition can directly influence cell growth, product yield, and product quality. By quantifying critical components and metabolites, manufacturers can troubleshoot variability, standardise upstream processes, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Our analytical capabilities with SPEDIA™ 

SPEDIA™ enables simultaneous quantification of diverse analytes relevant to cell culture media. We can measure:

• Amino acids (10 μM–100 mM) 
• Monosaccharides and organic acids (50 μM–100 mM) 
• Polyamines (10 μM–100 mM) 
• Water-soluble B vitamins (0.1 μM–100 μM) 
• Surfactants, buffers, methanol 
• Inorganic salts and trace metals (ppm level) 

This analytical platform is validated for multiple systems, including: 

• Mammalian cells, stem cells 
• Microbial systems (e.g., E. coli, Pichia) 
• Yeast and insect cell cultures 

It accommodates both chemically defined and non-chemically defined cell culture media formulations, such as hydrolysates and yeastolates, while mitigating matrix effects that often complicate conventional testing. 

Process benefits for biopharma manufacturers 

When using SPEDIA™, clients typically benefit from: 

• Comprehensive coverage: All core compositional parameters tested in one lab 
• Efficiency: Absolute quantitation from ~1 ml of sample with 2–3 week turnaround 
• Flexibility: Pay-per-sample service model 
• Comparability: High consistency across raw material suppliers 
• Applicability: Supports BSL-1 platforms 

These capabilities deliver: 

• Rapid troubleshooting of nutrient and metabolite variation 
• Prevention of performance decline linked to media inconsistency 
• Confident raw material qualification across vendors 
• Acceleration of development timelines and reduced reliance on cell-based assays 
• Strong datasets to underpin regulatory submissions 

Driving clarity and stability in bioprocess development 

Biopharmaceutical manufacturers face increasing pressure to enhance upstream performance while reducing variability and meeting regulatory expectations. Through advanced spent media analysis and an efficient analytical workflow, the Eurofins BPT network enables data-driven decisions, improved process reliability, and accelerated time-to-market, all grounded in accurate, reproducible science. 

Why choose Eurofins BioPharma Product Testing Netherlands for Spent Media Analysis?

• GMP‑compliant cell culture medium analysis 
• Contract testing for both standard and customised analytical requirements 
• Integrated support from upstream process development through commercial manufacturing 
• Harmonised workflows and structured data outputs to support informed decision‑making 

Read our flyer Spent Media and Complex Raw Material Analysis to learn more about our services. Contact us to discuss your spent media analysis needs.