Freeze Drying From Small Container Systems

By Margit Gieseler, GILYOS GMBH and Henning Gieseler, University Of Erlangen

This technical note provides an overview of freeze drying from small container systems, with a focus on the Virtis Freeze Drying System (FDS). Lyophilization from small container systems, e.g. 96 well PCR plates, is particularly attractive for highly potent API’s such as peptides or cytostatic agents. Other interesting applications include high throughput screening and long time storage of minimal amounts of samples sensitive to heat and moisture. This procedure eliminates the need for deep-frozen storage in liquid state which is expensive and space-intensive. Protection from moisture requires rapid adequate sealing of the sample after completion of the freeze drying process, e.g. sealing in aluminum bags or stoppering of the container.

The FDS is a novel system for lyophilization of sample volumes between 100 and 500 μL in an array of 96 small glass vials that are enclosed in a custom-made aluminum block designed for optimal heat transfer. Each glass vial in the array can be stoppered at the end of the freeze drying process using the LyoCap™ 96 Well Capmat Lyophilization Stopper, either under vacuum or after backfilling with nitrogen or air. The FDS including the stoppers is shown in Figure.