Pharmaceutical companies often use freeze-drying to increase the shelf life of products, such as vaccines and other injectables. By removing the water from the material and sealing the material in a vial, the material can be easily stored, shipped, and later reconstituted to its original form for injection.
The advantages of lyophilization include:
Ease of processing a liquid, which simplifies aseptic handling
Enhanced stability of a dry powder
Removal of water without excessive heating of the product
Enhanced product stability in a dry state
Rapid and easy dissolution of reconstituted product