b'Air-Dryable is theDURING THE COVIDpandemic, a continual challenge has been supply chain logistics and the rising cost and complexity Way of the Futureof cold chain distribution. While there are several ways to tackle this problem, Meridians focus has been on finding customer solutions that are driven by innovation. Assays that are ambient-for Molecular Testtemperature stable are ideal as they remove some of the cost and difficulty of maintaining refrigeration and offer benefits such as an extended shelf-life.However, traditional drying methods such as lyophilization can be expensive and require Development significant expertise.Lyophilization, also known as freeze-drying, was first invented in 1906 and since then has become one of the most important processes for the preservation of heat-sensitive biological mate-rials. The method relies on removing frozen water from a product under a vacuum, allowing the ice to change directly from solid to vapor without passing through a liquid phase. The process is very technical and requires specialized, costly equipmentcon-sequently, companies generally out-source this service.At Meridian, we saw a need to develop a new drying technol-ogy that was simpler and more accessible.Imagine the benefits for small and large companies alike, being able to reduce the FLORENT CHANG-PI-HIN headaches and costs of outsourcing? VICE PRESIDENT OF R&D,Meridians Air-Dryable technology was launched in 2019 as MERIDIAN BIOSCIENCE the first novel solution for creating ambient-temperature stable florent.chang-pi-hin@ assays using only a precision oven.Instead of freeze-drying, meridianlifescience.com the process relies on evaporation. For the seed sector, Meridian meridianbioscience.com/lifescience created a specialized mix, called Air-Dryable Direct DNA qPCR Plant. It has been optimized for use specifically on plant material and it simplifies the development of ambient-temperature stable assays which are field-friendly.As inflation continues to rise and shipping logistics remain a challenge, companies need a way to contain their costs and improve their supply chain. Customers prefer products that offer a long shelf-life and that are easy to handle. They are also attracted to environmentally sustainable features that reduce their carbon footprint and improve their shipping costs.Lyophilization wont go away. But the Air-Dryable technol-ogy enables more cost-effective and sustainable products for the future. In the end, the future of ambient-temperature assays is going to rely on air-drying. LATAMSEEDWORLD.COM /21'