HyClone Laboratories, Inc. was founded nearly 30 years ago by a virologist, Dr. Rex Spendlove, because he was not satisfied with the quality of commercially available animal sera for his virology work. Since that time HyClone has worked to improve serum quality through collection, processing, and filtration innovation. For example, serum endotoxin and hemoglobin are indicators of the care exercised during blood collection and processing. Through the use of a patented, disposable, closed-system cardiac puncture collection system and rapid processing, HyClone reduced serum hemoglobin and endotoxin levels significantly. HyClone was the first to use serial 100nm pore-size filters and later serial 40nm pore-size filters.

HyClone believes there is virus present in all commercial-size batches of animal sera1 and that safe use is based on informed consumers managing the reduction of viral load. Therefore, this article addresses serum treatments designed to reduce adventitious agents yet preserve growth promoting characteristics, while also being commercially feasible and reliable. A method to assess risk is also discussed.