Building on existing content from LyoHUB’s “Lyo101” in-person course, this project created eight online learning modules, together with assessment tools and instructions for a virtual laboratory exercise, to meet the existing industry need.
The new online course blends voice-over PowerPoint presentations, video recordings of lecturers and of lyophilization equipment, and machine graded assessments. The course was beta-tested by LyoHUB members to finalize and improve the course before its release. Module topics include:
The program is intended for operators, scientists, and engineers with limited lyophilization experience. In addition, some components of the program will be accessible to non-technical personnel.
Course will feature video recordings by leading experts in lyophilization and be posted in open-access form on the pharmaHUB website.
The goal is to address an unmet need in online educational programs for workforce training in lyophilization.
Online course in pharmaceutical lyophilization including eight online learning modules, virtual laboratory exercise and assessment.
Final 8-module course, featuring video recordings by leading experts in lyophilization, a virtual laboratory exercise and an assessment, fulfills an unmet need in online educational programs for workforce training in pharmaceutical lyophilization.
The online modules have been posted in open-access form on the pharmaHUB website.
Contributes to NIIMBL’s goal of educating and training a world-leading workforce in biopharmaceutical manufacturing
Financial benefit to the industry is anticipated in the form of shorter times to implement new lyophilization processes and reduced lyophilizer downtime. The typical cost of production lyophilizer usage is $300,000 per week. The estimated time to impact the industry is 6-9 months, the duration of this project and the time needed to test and deploy the modules.
Eight video modules covering key lyophilization topics (e.g., process overview, freezing, drying, quality attributes, glass transition temperature).
Virtual laboratory exercise recorded at Purdue’s LyoHUB Demonstration Facility, enabling hands-on learning in a digital format.
Integrated assessment tools for each module to evaluate learner performance and ensure content quality.
Course hosted on PharmaHUB as open-access, ensuring broad reach and long-term value for NIIMBL members and the biopharma industry.
Online Lyophilization Short Course (PC2.1-002), NIIMBL Member Forum, Virtual, January 23, 2020.
Topp, E. M. & Gray, J., Lyophilization Online Course, LyoHUB Annual Meeting, Rosemont, IL, April 10, 2019.
Topp, E. M., & Gray, J., Lyophilization Online Course, NIIMBL National Meeting, Washington, DC, June 28, 2019.
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Purdue University
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC
North Carolina State University
