Leveraging High-Pressure Sterile Filtration To Accommodate Highly Viscous Solutions

By Mohannad J. Kadhum, Jack E. Kochevar, Ben Koch, Ryan K. Swanson, and Steve W. Laninga, Lifecore Biomedical

Sterile filtration, a cornerstone of pharmaceutical manufacturing, faces challenges when processing highly viscous solutions. Traditional methods often compromise yield and product quality due to low throughput, concentration changes, and limited operating pressures.

High-pressure sterile filtration (HPSF) is emerging as an alternative capable of safely achieving increased yield. HPSF allows for the efficient filtration of highly viscous formulations, such as sodium hyaluronate and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, without compromising product integrity. By significantly increasing filtration throughput and maintaining solution concentration and viscosity, HPSF offers a valuable tool for improving the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. This research demonstrates the potential of HPSF to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and accelerate the development of innovative therapies.