Powerful software utility for modelling freeze drying cycles

SP Scientific's LyoModelling Calculator enables those developing freeze drying cycles to calculate the time required for primary drying and the maximum product temperature.

This free software resource is available on the SP Scientific website. Users obtain a starting point for primary drying duration and the maximum product temperature at the sublimation interface using pertinent information, such as shelf temperature and chamber pressure, from which an optimized freeze-drying cycle can be developed. The LMC is based on the steady-state heat and mass transfer model of primary drying developed by Dr Michael Pikal with modifications by Dr Robin Bogner and Royce Labriola at the University of Connecticut.

The LyoModelling Calculator was developed for aqueous product in vials in direct contact with the shelves in a lyophilizer. Primary drying phase is a very important phase and typically the longest phase during the lyophilization process. Careful design of the primary drying phase is critical to ensure critical product temperature is not compromised during the sublimation process which could impact the final product quality attributes. The calculation is intended to be an estimate only, to be used to explore and compare the effects of combinations of freeze-drying parameters on primary drying time and understanding the product temperature dynamics during the primary drying process.

To encourage interested scientists and engineers to learn more about what the LyoModelling Calculator can incorporate in their development approach, SP Scientific has organized 2 free online webinars. The first webinar, ‘LyoModelling — A New Tool to Assist in Freeze-Drying Process Design’, provides an informative introduction to this exciting new software tool. The second webinar, ‘LyoModelling Calculator for Advanced Users — New Cycle Modelling Tool’, offers experienced freeze drying users an informative guide through more in-depth functions of the LyoModelling Calculator.