* * * INSIGHT * * *

The Future of Lyophilization

By

Thomas A. Jennings, Ph.D.

ABSTRACT: I felt it appropriate that for this last issue of the 20th Century, not to look back but to look forward and assess the future of lyophilization. Because lyophilization is treated by so many as an art form, I see little progress at present in it becoming widely treated as a science. Glass was treated as an art form for thousands of years after its discovery and only in the latter part of this century did the transition to a science occur. On the other hand,  microelectronics began from a scientific base and has rapidly grown into a major industry. Because of science, mainly quantum mechanics, computers produced 20 years from now will make our present computer systems appear as if they were created during the stone age. But for lyophilization to make such a quantum jump in technology,  it will depend on  three major factors, the development of the formulation, thermal analytical methods and advances in freeze-drying equipment.

Volume 2 Number 12                                                                                 December 1999

4 Pages          No  References          No Figures

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