Background of Cryovessels in Biopharma
Cryovessels are durable, multi-use containers, usually made of aluminum or stainless steel, that are meticulously designed to handle and store biopharmaceutical products during essential freezing, thawing, and cryoconcentration processes. Cryovessels comprise an inner, storage vessel and an outer, protective vessel; the two are separated by a tiny gap that has been evacuated to create an insulating vacuum between the two vessels. Engineered to withstand extremely low temperatures, cryovessels are crafted from high-quality materials that guarantee the utmost integrity and purity of the stored substances. Widely embraced as an established bioprocess solution, cryovessels serve as a reliable platform for preserving bulk drug substances, trusted by numerous biomanufacturers. Cryovessels are also used for storing and transporting many of the raw materials needed in the biopharmaceutical industry, such as cells and tissue samples, while also retaining the biological activity of these materials.
Despite the key goal of minimizing contamination risks during the use of cryovessels, the possibility remains of compromising product quality during the freezing process. The open handling of cryovessels exposes the contents to contaminants, potentially impacting the purity of the stored biopharmaceuticals. Additionally, as they are intended to be used multiple times, these vessels require intensive cleaning and sterilization procedures to ensure safe reuse and avoid contamination, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Importantly, when comparing reusable cryovessel technologies with newer, single-use technologies, the former is found to be less sustainable. Substantial quantities of water, chemicals, and energy are required for the production and maintenance of aluminum or stainless-steel equipment, contributing to a larger environmental footprint than the manufacture and use of single-use technologies.