GEA.com

LYONOVA® MICROWAVE- ASSISTED FREEZE DRYER. Fast-track your lyophilization projects with innovative lab-scale technology.

It enables you to evaluate the technology on your own formulations, compare cycles with and without microwaves, and explore significant reductions in drying time.

LYONOVA® LAB-SCALE MICROWAVE- ASSISTED FREEZE DRYER. The LYONOVA® lab-scale freeze dryer brings microwave-assisted lyophilization into a compact, fully equipped development unit.

Test before you invest today.

2 LYONOVA® Lab-Scale Microwave-Assisted Freeze Dryer.

It allows product developers to assess the impact, stability, and performance of their formulation before investing in scale-up and development.

Operator advantages include • �substantially shorter drying phase: up to 60–80% time reduction depending on the product

• �homogeneous drying without rotation: with dynamic control of the microwave field, no turntable is required

• �freeze and dry in one chamber: a temperature-controlled shelf enables in-chamber freezing

• �direct comparison in one system: run conventional and microwave- assisted cycles on the same machine

• �bridge to continuous processing: the chamber design is compatible with future tunnel-based production

• �test before you invest: dedicated lab services are available to evaluate your products with LYONOVA®.

This cutting-edge unit also serves as a development platform for future continuous production (tunnel concept).

KEY BENEFITS.

GEA now offers a lab-scale microwave-assisted freeze dryer that has been designed to let customers experience this breakthrough technology at the bench.

3 LYONOVA® Lab-Scale Microwave-Assisted Freeze Dryer.

Feeding two individually controlled antennas, they deliver energy precisely and dynamically to achieve fast and homogeneous drying while maintaining control of the product temperature.

Frequency modulation and phase control can be adjusted independently on each antenna, allowing the electromagnetic field inside the chamber to be actively shaped and varied with time.

The electromagnetic field pattern can be changed every minute or, potentially, every second. This eliminates the need for a mechanical turntable and supports highly uniform drying across the entire shelf.

Furthermore, removing the need for product movement reduces mechanical complexity, wear, and the generation of unwanted particles

The system cycles through different field patterns during the process, creating a changing electromagnetic environment that helps to avoid local overheating and/or cold spots and supports consistent product quality.

Benefits • �Dielectric heating via microwaves – Frequency = 2.4–2.5 GHz – Vacuum levels comparable with conventional lyophilization processes

• �Volumetric heating of the frozen product/cake

• �Overcomes the relatively small interface between the shelf and the vial.

WHAT MAKES LYONOVA® DIFFERENT? Conventional freeze-dryers rely on long static cycles. At the heart of the LYONOVA® lab unit are two 250 W solid-state microwave sources.

4 LYONOVA® Lab-Scale Microwave-Assisted Freeze Dryer.

Fully Functional One-Shelf Freeze Dryer LYONOVA® is not just a microwave add-on. It is a fully functional one-shelf freeze dryer with • �a temperature-controlled shelf that allows you to freeze and dry product in the same chamber

• �A 400 × 270 mm shelf area that’s compatible with standard GORE® LYOGUARD® Freeze-Drying Trays

• �the flexibility to operate as a conventional freeze dryer without microwaves and a microwave-assisted freeze dryer with additional energy input for accelerated drying

• �This dual-mode capability enables true A/B comparison under similar conditions: same product, same equipment, with and without microwave assistance.

Process Understanding and PAT Customers frequently ask how microwave energy affects product integrity and temperature.

LYONOVA® addresses these concerns with PAT and temperature monitoring solutions that provide clear visibility into what is happening during the cycle.

This supports robust process development, risk assessment, and documentation for internal and regulatory stakeholders.

Infrared Camera • �Real-Time Temperature Visualization: Infrared cameras provide real-time surface temperature visualization, enabling quick detection of heat irregularities and patterns.

• �Early Detection of Issues: The technology identifies cold spots and overheating risks early, allowing immediate corrective actions during operation.

• �Quality Assurance and Documentation: Thermal images captured support process documentation, analysis, reporting, and ensure traceability for quality control.

• �Process Optimization in R&D: Infrared cameras enhance process understanding and enable rapid optimization in research and development settings.

Fiber Optic Product Sensors • �Real-Time Product Monitoring: Data from fiber optic sensors enables dynamic adjustment of processes to improve product consistency and reduce defects.

• �Improved Precision and Reliability: This technology works without microwave- absorbing materials and is therefore suitable for our application.

• �Dynamic Process Adjustment: Data from fiber optic sensors enables dynamic adjustment of processes to improve product consistency and reduce defects.

Comparison MFD vs CFD

• �MFD drastically reduces drying time • �Product properties remain largely the same • �Macroscopic cake appearance is not impaired • �No initial influence on product stability • �Residual moisture in the same range as CFD

WHY LYONOVA® STANDS OUT.

5 LYONOVA® Lab-Scale Microwave-Assisted Freeze Dryer.

It corresponds to a single segment of a tunnel, making the unit an ideal development platform for continuous or micro- continuous lyophilization concepts.

You can establish feasibility and optimize process parameters on the lab machine, then use those learnings to support scale-up toward continuous production.

Shorter drying phases not only reduce time-to-result; they also open the door to energy savings, smaller footprints and more sustainable operations, aligning with modern manufacturing and ESG goals.

A PLATFORM FOR BATCH AND CONTINUOUS CONCEPTS. The chamber geometry of the LYONOVA® lab machine has been designed with the future in mind.

Data Sheet • �One product shelf: 400 x 270 mm, temp. range –60 to +60 °C

• �Fluid ice condenser: temp. <–75 °C, 5 kg • �2 x 250 W solid state microwave system with two antennas (controllable from 2400–2500 MHz in 1 MHz steps with a power for each antenna from 1–250 W, arc sensor, microwave room detection for safety)

• �Vacuum pump: TRIVAC D16B • �Vacuum control with N2 from 0.005–1.000 mbar

• �Vacuum pressure measurement (chamber = MKS Baratron + Pirani/condenser = MKS Baratron)

• �2 x fiber optic product sensors (optional) • �side glass on top with IR cam M30 • �stoppering (optional) under partial vacuum • �pressure rise measurement (PRM) • �linear drives for stoppering (optional) and mushroom valve.

6 LYONOVA® Lab-Scale Microwave-Assisted Freeze Dryer.

Further information Joerg Kuepper Area Sales Manager joerg.kuepper@gea.com gea.com/contact

Dynamic field modulation ensures more homogeneous drying, while a unique system design allows direct comparison of runs with and without microwaves in the same machine for clear process evaluation.

The technology delivers energy and space savings and supports sustainability goals, while its chamber concept acts as a bridge toward future (micro)continuous lyophilization through a tunnel-segment design.

Organizations can test the technology before investing with dedicated lab trials, providing a practical way to validate performance and accelerate process innovation.

High Speed Freeze Drying We’ve yet to find a product that can’t be microwave freeze-dried. If you think yours might be the exception, please let us know. We’re ready to prove you wrong.

Using a globally accepted microwave frequency, the benchtop LYONOVA® is available in our lab for feasibility studies and development work. A typical test takes approximately one week.

What’s new is that you can try before you buy. Should you decide to invest in a machine to use in your own facility, all test costs are fully credited when you purchase the equipment.

Contact us today to arrange LYONOVA® trials and discuss how microwave-assisted freeze drying could transform your lyophilization process and improve your products.

“We’ve yet to find a product that can’t be microwave freeze-dried.”

IN SUMMARY. Microwave-assisted lyophilization enables high-speed freeze-drying, reducing energy consumption by up to 60–80% depending on the product.

7 LYONOVA® Lab-Scale Microwave-Assisted Freeze Dryer.

https://www.youtube.com/GEAPharma https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/gea-pharma-&-healthcare/ https://www.facebook.com/GEAPharma

GEA.com

© GEA Lyophil GmbH 06/2026. All rights reserved. Subject to modifications. LYONOVA® & GORE® LYOGUARD® are registered as trademarks in several countries worldwide.

GEA Lyophil GmbH Siemensstrasse 9, 50189 Elsdorf, Germany

Tel +49 2274 93 80 99-0 lyophil@gea.com gea.com/contact