Thermo Fisher Launches Next-Generation Gibco Media For Scalable E. coli Plasmid DNA Production;Enhance Yield, Consistency, And Scalability In Microbial Bioprocessing

Thermo Fisher Scientific has launched two advanced chemically defined formulations—Gibco™ Bacto™ CD Supreme FPM Plus and Gibco™ Bacto™ CD Supreme Feed (2X)—to support and streamline plasmid DNA and recombinant protein production using E. coli. These additions expand the Gibco™ Bacto™ CD portfolio and are designed to meet the growing manufacturing demands driven by gene therapy and mRNA vaccine development.

“The Gibco™ Bacto™ CD Supreme platform represents a major advancement in microbial bioprocessing technology,” said Sara Henneman, Vice President and General Manager of Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Cell Culture and Cell Therapy business. “Unlike traditional E. coli media that rely on complex components, the new CD Supreme formulations use a chemically-defined design that removes raw material variability, enabling more predictable fermentation and simpler regulatory documentation. This launch reflects our commitment to empowering innovators developing plasmid DNA and recombinant protein therapies.”

With plasmid DNA demand accelerating, biomanufacturers and CDMOs are under increasing pressure to scale microbial production while maintaining consistency and regulatory compliance. The newly introduced media and feed system address these challenges by simplifying E. coli bioprocessing workflows and enabling predictable, high-quality outputs across development and commercial manufacturing.

The Bacto™ CD Supreme FPM Plus medium features a fully chemically defined, hydrolysate-free composition that supports high-density E. coli cultures in both batch and fed-batch processes. It is compatible with a wide range of strains, including auxotrophic and Thi-1 mutant strains, helping developers reduce process complexity while maintaining reproducibility.

“Built on decades of Gibco™ media innovation and quality heritage, the Bacto™ CD Supreme platform extends our proven expertise in mammalian systems into microbial bioprocessing, giving biomanufacturers the same trusted performance they rely on from Gibco,” added Andy Campbell, Senior Director of Research and Development at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “These solutions reduce development complexity so teams can focus on delivering therapies to patients quickly.”

When combined with Bacto™ CD Supreme Feed (2X), the system enables extended culture performance and can deliver up to 120% higher plasmid DNA yields compared to traditional terrific broth supplemented with lab-prepared feeds. Together, these formulations provide scalable flexibility, reduce process variability, and support faster development timelines with lower regulatory and validation risk.