AAPS Press Unveils Lyophilization of Biopharmaceuticals Title - Press Releases

AAPS Press Unveils Lyophilization of Biopharmaceuticals Title
February 1, 2005
AAPS Pharmaceutica
Arlington, Virginia (February 1, 2005) - The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) is proud to announce the publication of Lyophilization of Biopharmaceuticals, the second volume of the AAPS Press series Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Aspects. The book is co-edited by Henry R. Costantino, Ph.D., Director of Formulations, Nastech Pharmaceutical Company, Inc. and Michael J. Pikal, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmaceutics, University of Connecticut.
"The introduction of this text is very timely with the growth of the biopharmaceutical industry paired with the latest technologies to reduce the cost of drug development," said Dr. Pikal.
Biopharmaceuticals, or drugs made from living organisms, have shelf life constraints that require reliable preservation techniques. Lyophilization is a method of freeze-drying to sustain material without destroying its physical or chemical structure. The advent of freeze-drying in biological products can be linked to the need for the large-scale production of valuable materials such as blood plasma, vaccines, and some of the most significant medical commodities we have today.
Lyophilization of Biopharmaceuticals outlines and analyzes lyophilization equipment, validation, stresses, products and techniques. A comprehensive presentation of FDA-approved biopharmaceutical products and their excipients is also included. The result is a broad volume for scientists and managers interested in the formulation of peptides, proteins, and other biopharmaceuticals in the freeze-dried state.
"Dr. Pikal and I are pleased to complete this project, the culmination of years of work among scientific world leaders from academia and industry," added Dr. Costantino.
The origins of freeze-drying can be traced back more than a thousand years with both Vikings and ancient South Americans using variations of the method to extend the shelf life of food. Over the years the process has evolved into a highly refined tool for the complex task of preserving important drugs such as biopharmaceuticals.
A limited number of complimentary copies of Lyophilization of Biopharmaceuticals are available for media to review. To request a copy of the book, contact James Greif at 703-248-4744 or GreifJ@aaps.org.
About AAPS
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) is a professional, scientific society of more than 12,000 members employed in academia, industry, government and other research institutes worldwide. Founded in 1986, AAPS provides a dynamic international forum for the exchange of knowledge among scientists to enhance their contributions to public health. AAPS offers timely scientific programs, on-going education, information resources, opportunities for networking, and professional development. For more information about AAPS, visit AAPS Pharmaceutica at www.aapspharmaceutica.com.