PBS-Mini
The quickest way to start developing a scalable cell therapy. PBS-Mini® delivers a gentle, low-shear Vertical-Wheel® performance in a compact format: a true scale-down model for larger volumes.

Why PBS-Mini
The PBS-Mini helps teams generate meaningful process data quickly, without over-investing in equipment or infrastructure. This system is the true introduction to scalable bioprocessing and manufacturing of therapeutic cells, giving researchers a path from first experiments to large-scale commercial operations.
A low-risk, bench top entry point to prove feasibility with a representative small-scale model of our larger systems.
Representative scale-down model of our larger models through our patented Vertical-Wheel technology.
Runs 0.1L, 0.5L, and 0.5L perfusion configurations to support a wide range of cell types, culture formats, and development workflows.
The PBS-Mini Vertical-Wheel FLUIDIX™ Vessel
The PBS-Mini runs pre-sterilized, single-use Vertical-Wheel FLUIDIX™ Vessels in 0.1 L and 0.5 L sizes, using the same wheel geometry your cells will meet at every larger scale.
Proven With the PBS-Mini
Published Vertical-Wheel data at this scale — protocols, app. notes, peer-reviewed papers, case studies, posters, webinars, etc.
This application note demonstrates the benefits of PBS Biotech’s PBS-Mini Vertical-Wheel® Bioreactor within a scalable workflow developed with Bio-Techne for hiPSC expansion and differentiation into functional pancreatic islet-like clusters. The bioreactor supported robust aggregate culture while maintaining more than 95% pluripotency during hiPSC expansion and supporting progression through key stages of pancreatic differentiation. Combined with Bio-Techne’s GMP-grade reagents and analytical solutions, the workflow generated beta cell-containing, functional islet-like clusters that…
This webinar examines scalable suspension culture of PSC-derived organoids using PBS Biotech Vertical-Wheel bioreactors. PBS Applications Engineer, Hannah Worden, explains how low-shear, homogeneous mixing and consistent geometry support organoid process development and scale-up. Case studies cover liver, pancreatic islet, and cerebellar organoids, including aggregate-size control, differentiation, functional markers, and improved organization under dynamic culture. With the audience, we address agitation, seeding density, media formulation, perfusion-based medium exchange, sampling, and…
This poster, presented at ISSCR Kyoto 2026, demonstrates a scalable strategy for iPSC manufacturing using Vertical-Wheel Bioreactors, addressing expansion, process development, cell banking, and differentiation. Linear scale-up from PBS-0.1 through PBS-80 produced 200 billion iPSCs at a 50 L working volume while maintaining pluripotency and normal karyotype. High-density work cell banks were developed through 3D adaptation and retained differentiation potential toward cardiomyocytes and pancreatic progenitors. MiniPRO further served as a controlled scale-down model, demonstrating growth…
This presentation, presented at ISSCR Kyoto 2026 explores how Vertical-Wheel Bioreactors can reduce development and manufacturing risk for PSC therapies by providing a scalable platform from process development through commercial production. It highlights global clinical trials supported by Vertical-Wheel technology, predictive scale-down with MiniPRO, controlled hydrodynamics, automation, and linear scale-up through PBS-80. Data demonstrate consistent PSC growth across scales, culminating in greater than 200 billion cells from a 50 L batch while maintaining pluripotency, illustrating a…
This guide collects and summarizes process parameters from successful experiments performed in Vertical-Wheel® bioreactors, across a variety of cell types including pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, exosomes and extracellular vesicles, organoids, and immune cells. Find the publication or resource most relevant to your own experiment to help with your process development.
This protocol provides detailed instructions for expanding mesenchymal stem cells on microcarriers using PBS-Mini bioreactors with Vertical-Wheel technology. The document covers the complete workflow from recovery of cryopreserved MSCs and expansion in adherent culture through inoculation, suspension culture, sampling, medium exchange, and harvest in three-dimensional bioreactor systems the PBS-Mini bioreactor. Recommended process parameters are based on internal optimization studies using multiple MSC lines and media formulations. Guidance is provided for microcarrier preparation, cell…
PBS-Mini Parts - (selected parts are added to cart for purchase or quote request)
Loading part numbers…
We Support You Every Step of the Way
Our application scientists help you get the most out of PBS-Mini, and help you plan the steps that comes next.
Our application scientists optimize cell yield and quality on PBS-Mini with you.
Equivalent set points from PBS-Mini to MiniPRO, CFD-validated at every step.
Guided-optimization packages that move you from R&D to clinical scale.
Go Vertical, Today
Tell us what you need and we’ll take it from there.