Lyophilization Process Development and Cycle Design - Webinar By ComplianceOnline

April 13, 2011 - PRLog -- Optimized lyophilization cycle design can be an extremely difficult and daunting task for the scientist that is unskilled or under skilled in the process. This is becoming even more prevalent as many of the molecules coming out of discovery are more complex, unstable, and require a very specific, multi component formulation to impart not only good chemical stability and physical stability to the active ingredient, but also good physical stability to the dried solids themselves. Unfortunately, many of the molecules that are used to help stabilize the chemical and physical stability of the active ingredient, impart poor physical stability to the dried solids and can make lyophilization cycle design difficult.

The development scientist who understands and can apply these principles, will be much better equipped to develop robust cycles that can be used to produce quality products consistently, in the shortest amount of time possible, saving time and money.

This seminar will start out with an introduction to thermal characterization including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and freeze-dry microscopy (FDM) and how the information gained from these techniques can be used as the foundation for optimized cycle design. Next, we will discuss, in detail, the process of designing the freezing, primary, annealing (if used), and secondary drying protocols for the cycle. In each case, the process will be broken down to understand the correct choice of the different controllable lyopohilizer parameters including shelf temperature, chamber pressure, and hold times.

We will also discuss some of the specialized tools that can be used to aid the development scientist in cycle development including, the sample thief, the Pirani gauge, and thermocouples.

Areas Covered in the Seminar:

- Thermal characterization including DSC and FDM.
- Understanding the effects of working with crystalline vs. amorphous components.
- The problem with working with a metastable glassy system and the use of annealing to correct this problem.
- Determining optimal shelf temperatures for the freezing step.
- Determining optimal shelf temperatures and chamber pressures for the primary drying step.
- Determining optimal shelf temperatures and chamber pressures for the secondary drying step.
- Characterization of the finished lyophilized product.

Learning objectives:

Attendees will learn how to

- Interpret a lyophilization cycle chart
- Develop optimal conditions for freezing, primary, and secondary drying
- Distinguish between amorphous and crystalline components and how they affect cycle design
- Understand the need and techniques of characterizing the dried solids

Who Will Benefit:

This webinar will provide valuable assistance to those companies involved in the handling of powders, lyophilized products, solid pharmaceutical dosage forms, and dried foods. Personnel who will benefit include:

- Quality Control Scientists
- Development Scientists
- Production Management
- Quality Assurance

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