A technique for drying and storing a protein as a soluble composite thin film on the surface of an ultrafiltration membrane

We discuss a simple technique for drying and storing biopharmaceutical proteins such as monoclonal antibodies as soluble composite thin films on the surface of ultrafiltration membranes. This technique, which could also be used for drying other biopharmaceutical products such as vaccines, is being proposed as a simpler, faster and a significantly more cost-effective alternative to lyophilization. Protein and water are separated primarily by capillary-action based water absorption into an asymmetric ultrafiltration membrane, and selective retention of protein on the membrane surface by sieving. There is no requirement for sophisticated and expensive equipment as this technique can be carried out on the laboratory bench-top at ambient conditions, i.e. without either freezing or application of vacuum. Monoclonal antibody dried using this technique remained stable for one month at room temperature.