Many pharmaceutical preparations, in particular ophthalmic and topical products, contain low levels of preservatives to increase shelf life. Binding of these preservatives to filtration membranes during processing can present real challenges to manufacturers, all too often leading to valuable product being discarded because it does not meet specifications. With the release of the new Tetpor HP for sterilizing grade filtration, Parker domnick hunter brings to the market a new solution to the problem of preservative binding.

The key to the binding characteristics seen in the Tetpor HP is the use of a hydrophilic PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane. Binding studies conducted by Parker domnick hunter using two common preservatives, BAK (benzalkonium chloride) and PHMB (polyhexamethylene biguanide), show this hydrophilic PTFE membrane significantly outperforms other membrane types, even when compared to PES (polyethersulphone) and PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride), which are well known for their low binding properties.

Furthermore, trials of the Tetpor HP with a global leader in the ophthalmics industry have resulted in preservative binding being completely eliminated in their process saving thousands of dollars a year in lost product compared to their original system.

Parker domnick hunter's focus on the ophthalmics sector has been the driving force hind the development of the Tetpor HP and has resulted in a number of close collaborations with some of the world's largest producers of ophthalmic pharmaceuticals and lens care solutions. This has lead to the identification of the problem of preservative binding as well as the costs involved for manufacturers, and the design of a specific new solution.