Pilot freeze dryer

Pilot freeze dryer advance your lyophilization processes with a robust system that bridges the gap between laboratory research and full-scale production. Designed for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and industrial applications, it ensures reliable, high-efficiency drying for heat-sensitive materials such as biologics, vaccines, and APIs, providing seamless scale-up from lab to manufacturing.

Key Features

Optimized Scalability: Proven design for transferring processes from lab to pilot and production scales without revalidation.
High Throughput: Efficient for medium-batch processing, supporting accelerated R&D timelines.
Advanced Process Control: Real-time monitoring and automation for precise temperature, pressure, and vacuum management.
GMP-Ready: Compliant with pharmaceutical standards, including cleanroom integration and validation protocols.
Energy-Efficient Operation: Intelligent controls minimize cycle times and energy use while maximizing product yield.
Flexible Configuration: Modular shelving and manifold options for diverse vial sizes and product formats.
Expert Support: Full lifecycle services, including installation, IQ/OQ/PQ validation, and maintenance.

General Specifications

Shelf Area: 1–5 m² (scalable for pilot batches up to 50–200 L)
Condenser Capacity: 20–100 kg of ice per batch
Temperature Range: Shelf: -55°C to +80°C; Condenser: -85°C to -50°C
Vacuum Level: Down to 1 Pa for superior sublimation efficiency
Shelves: 6–12 heated/cooled shelves with isolation valves for multi-product runs
Material Construction: Pharmaceutical-grade 316L stainless steel with electropolished surfaces
Power Supply: 380–480 V, 50/60 Hz, three-phase
Dimensions: Approx. 200 cm W x 150 cm D x 200 cm H (varies by configuration)
Control System: HMI/PLC interface with SCADA integration, recipe management, and data export
Safety Features: Interlocks, leak detection, automatic venting, and seismic anchoring
Optional Accessories: Loading/unloading systems, CIP/SIP modules, and LyoCam for in-process visualization

Applications of pilot freeze dryer

Pilot-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing for API and formulation optimization
Biotechnology scale-up for monoclonal antibodies, probiotics, and gene therapies
Vaccine production and stability studies
Food and nutraceutical development for shelf-stable powders
Research in materials science and cosmetics for innovative drying solutions

pilot freeze dryer price

Price Range of Pilot Freeze Dryers Based on Capacity and Features

The cost of a pilot freeze dryer varies significantly depending on its shelf area, condenser capacity, automation level, refrigeration system, and GMP requirements. At BiolabMarket, pilot-scale lyophilizers generally start around 15,000 USD for entry-level systems and can exceed 150,000 USD for advanced pharmaceutical-grade models with full automation and CIP/SIP capabilities.

Below is a detailed price breakdown to help R&D centers, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers choose the best configuration for their needs.

Entry-level pilot freeze dryers: Price range 15,000 to 28,000 USD. Suitable for small laboratories, universities, and R&D teams that need a mid-size unit without GMP certification.

Typical specifications include shelf areas of 0.8 to 1.2 square meters, condenser capacities of 10 to 25 kilograms, semi-automatic controls, and condenser temperatures around minus 50 degrees Celsius. These models are ideal for food R&D, herbal extracts, research samples, and low-volume pharmaceutical testing.
Mid-range pilot freeze dryers: Price range 28,000 to 65,000 USD. Built for more advanced research and small-batch production.

Typical specifications include 1.5 to 3 square meters of shelf area, condenser capacities of 25 to 50 kilograms, fully automatic PLC control with recipe management, condenser temperatures from minus 60 to minus 80 degrees Celsius, and better vacuum performance. These systems are widely used in biotechnology, probiotics, vaccine development, and nutraceutical pilot production.
High-end pilot freeze dryers: Price range 65,000 to 120,000 USD. Designed for regulated industries requiring validated processes. Specifications include 3 to 5 square meters of shelf area, 50 to 100 kilograms of condenser capacity, 316L stainless steel construction, SCADA integration, complete data logging, and shelf isolation valves.

These models are commonly used for biologics, monoclonal antibodies, APIs, and sterile formulations.
Pharmaceutical-grade GMP pilot freeze dryers: Price range 120,000 to 200,000 USD and above. These models are used for clinical trial production and pre-commercial manufacturing.

Features include 3 to 6 square meters of shelf area, condenser capacities of 75 to 120 kilograms, CIP and SIP modules, condenser temperatures down to minus 85 degrees Celsius, vacuum levels down to 1 Pascal, automatic loading and unloading systems, and full IQ, OQ, and PQ validation packages. These systems are essential for large-scale biotech, vaccine production, and regulated pharmaceutical environments.
Small-capacity pilot freeze dryer: Price range 15,000 to 22,000 USD. Suitable for early-stage R&D, enzyme testing, and process development. Shelf area ranges from 0.5 to 1 square meters with condensers from 0 to 25 kilograms.
Standard pilot freeze dryer: Price range 22,000 to 35,000 USD. Designed for universities, biotech labs, and formulation studies. Shelf areas around 1 to 2 square meters with condenser capacities of 20 to 40 kilograms.
Advanced pilot freeze dryer with automation: Price range 35,000 to 50,000 USD. Used for GMP-oriented research environments with SCADA control, full data logging, and high stability.
Large-scale pilot freeze dryer: Price range 50,000 to 75,000 USD. Ideal for tech-transfer and nutraceutical R&D. Shelf areas of 3 to 4 square meters with condensers from 60 to 100 kilograms.
GMP-ready high-capacity pilot freeze dryer: Price range 75,000 to 120,000 USD. Used in validated facilities with large shelf areas and high-capacity condensers.
Pharmaceutical high-vacuum pilot freeze dryer: Price range 90,000 to 150,000 USD. Used for monoclonal antibodies, peptides, injectables, and biologics requiring extremely stable vacuum and temperature control.

What products can be dried with a Pilot Freeze Dryer?

A Pilot Freeze Dryer is designed for drying materials that are highly sensitive to heat and moisture and may lose their quality when processed with conventional drying methods. This system is widely used for freeze-drying pharmaceutical products, vaccines, sera, proteins, enzymes, and microorganisms, as it removes moisture through sublimation while preserving the original structure, stability, and biological activity of the product.

In addition to pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications, a Pilot Freeze Dryer is also suitable for drying laboratory samples, herbal extracts, sensitive food ingredients, dietary supplements, cosmetic materials, and specialized chemical compounds. It is commonly used in research and development (R&D) environments and pilot-scale production, where precise control, consistent results, and high product quality are essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

+ What is the typical price range for a pilot freeze dryer?

The price of a pilot freeze dryer can vary widely depending on factors such as capacity, brand, features, and automation level. Typically, small to medium-scale pilot freeze dryers range from $20,000 to $100,000 USD. Larger or highly specialized models with advanced controls and higher throughput can exceed $150,000 USD. It’s important to consider not only the initial purchase price but also maintenance, consumables, and operational costs when budgeting for a pilot freeze dryer.