GEA gets FDA OK for H202 steralisation tech for freeze dryers

GEA Lyophil has won US FDA approval for a new gas-based steralistion technology for pharmaceutical freeze drying.

The technology, named Vapovac, uses hydrogen peroxide to sterilse compounds during lyophilisation in place of high pressure steam which is traditionally used.

GEA claim that its approach is safer than steam steralisation, which must be conducted at high temperature and pressure, and is cheaper and faster.

Hubert Kluetsch, Director of Sales and Marketing at GEA Lyophil said that: “Not having the FDA approval has held us back until now as so many potential customers were unable to consider technology that did not have the FDA stamp.

“Now that the FDA has given VAPOVAC its seal of approval, many new markets will be open for us.”