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In its 95+ year history, West has developed and marketed a very large number of elastomeric formulations, each designed to address particular market demands. Over this time, various aspects of drug product quality have gained attention – a fact reflected in the numerous regulatory guidances that have been issued. An early focus of these guidances was extractables and leachables, followed closely by particulate matter and container closure integrity. Beyond these regulatory requirements, the market demands product portfolios that enable platforming and predictable, consistent product quality and performance.

Lyophilization (freeze drying) is the process of dehydrating a material at low temperature and reduced pressure. It is used to extend the shelf life of many biologic drug products (> 400 FDA-approved); because absent water, the rates of degradative processes are reduced substantially. Essential to successful lyophilization, and subsequent rehydration, are use of proper containment and reconstitution systems.

Many injectable drug products, such as monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins, are susceptible to degradation over time when stored at ambient temperature. As such, they are stored, and subsequently delivered, in a lyophilized state - which enables a much longer shelf life. Lyophilization (also known as freeze-drying) is a process by which all water is removed from a drug product. Absent water, all metabolic processes stop, and drug products thus stored in a lyophilized condition are far more stable. At the time of use, the lyophilized drug product is reconstituted with water (or other appropriate solution) and delivered to the patient.