Best choice for cold storage of Biopharmaceuticals - A Comparison

Alexander Fuchs
Alexander Fuchs

The number of cold storage freezers for the biopharmaceutical market is countless. 
Some neither fulfill requirements of Big Pharma nor preferences for small biotechs. If you seek for a comparison in the myriad of options and promises with regards to ultra-low temperature cold storage freezers, the following will be interesting for you.

What are the biggest constraints with conventional cold storage technologies?
Conventional technologies in Biopharma for cold storage of any drug substance are either cold storage rooms and upright or chest freezers. The latter have more similarities with common refrigerators holding sub-zero temperatures with optional setpoint temperatures. Both technologies are well-established for a reason as they offer options to store biopharmaceuticals either in a very inexpensive way or they have simple and hands-on solutions for quick installation and fixes.

However, there are some constraints at manufacturing sites, such as:

  • Inefficient storage of drug substance whilst having limited storage capacities
  • Incompatibilites of primary packagings
  • Being dependent on manual loading due to inflexibility of systems
  • Lack of holding ultra-low temperatures down to -80°C
  • Long lead times

long term storage viral vectors single use support

RoSS.ULTF: Merging the best of ultra-low temperature storage technologies

Single Use Support’s innovation RoSS.ULTF offers superior attributes for long-term cold storage of biopharmaceuticals. It is embedded into an end-to-end process solution for bulk drug substance. Yet it can be applied universally to increase efficiency for storing all primary packagings.

  • Highest storage density: In case of limited storage room on-site the most convenient way out of scarcity of storage room is to increase storage density. With RoSS.ULTF, multiple single use bags protected in RoSS can be stacked or inserted into different shelving system. Also, one pallet can be placed inside RoSS.ULTF. Upon request, RoSS.ULTF could be stacked itself one over another giving the option to double storage density.
  • Modular shelving system: Single-use bags and rigid bottle container or carboys can be loaded into RoSS.ULTF either in adjustable shelves. Alternatively, fully loaded Trolleys or Racks may be loaded into the cold storage device in order to avoid manual loading which in turn decreases staff work force, risk of breakages and relieving health of staff.

Read the article Primary and Secondary Packaging of drug substances to learn more about safe packaging solutions.

ross ultf storage freezer modularity single use support

  • Controlled Temperature: Long-term freezers for cold storage are not constructed to freeze drug substance from ambient temperature to ultra cold temperatures at approx. -80°C. Fast freezing, such as with RoSS.pFTU is proven to be best to grant product stability of drug substances. Long-term freezers are built to hold the cold temperature. With smallest air temperature uniformity, smart insulation technology and a wide range of setpoint temperature RoSS.ULTF convinces with its performance - ultra cold storage is the solution. Qualification and validation of freezing units grant for reproducibility and fostered reliability.
  • Lower TOC: The price tag itself does not reveal the total cost of ownership. Especially when it comes to long-term cold storage, the operational expenses, process efficiency and required infrastructures outweigh the initial costs. When looking at a time of usage over few years, the costs are comparable among all technologies.
  • Compatibility: Especially when using multiple primary packagings it is difficult to find one solution that fits to them all. High storage density paired with a modular shelving system gives room for all primary packagings, such as single use bags, carboys or cryovault.
  • Part of end-to-end solution: RoSS.ULTF is one part of end-to-end process solutions from Single Use Support. It therefore grants seamless transitions among technologies for freezing, thawing and shipping. However, it is a platform completely independent on vendors and sizes of single use bags and bottles.
  • Favorable features: RoSS.ULTF can be installed nearly everywhere - provided that there a network connection for power supply. With its safety features as door ajar alarm, lockable front cover and optional temperatur mapping it supports both staff and the frozen products.

Superior attributes for long-term cold storage with RoSS.ULTF

Merging the best of cold storage technologies, RoSS.ULTF outperforms - as illustrated in the comparison table below.

graphic missing link ultra low temperature freezer single use support

long term ultra cold storage comparison single use support

Preview of a whitepaper about ultra-cold storage of drug substances with RoSS.ULTF

Download whitepaper

Whitepaper: RoSS.ULTF - Maintaining cold chain at ultra-low temperatures

This whitepaper explores how RoSS.ULTF bridges the gap between conventional lab freezers and walk-in cold rooms. Designed for -80°C storage, RoSS.ULTF ensures reliable temperature uniformity, modular scalability, and high storage density for single-use bags and bottles. Learn how this ultra-low temperature solution supports biopharma manufacturers in preserving product integrity across the cold chain.

Alexander Fuchs
Alexander Fuchs Head of Product Innovation

Alexander is Head of Product Line Management & Product Innovation. He owns a wide range of experience and knowledge in various and different industries such as jewellery, manufacturing industry and biopharma, and multiple areas of activities due to his highly technical education and intensive insights. 

Passionate for Automation, Engineering and Process Management Alexander contributes to the innovative focus of advancing cold chain management within the biopharmaceutical industry.