Many injectable drug products, such as monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins, are susceptible to degradation over time when stored at ambient temperature.&nbsp;As such, they are stored, and subsequently delivered, in a lyophilized state - which enables a much longer shelf life. Lyophilization (also known as <em>freeze-drying</em>) is a process by which all water is removed from a drug product. Absent water, all metabolic processes stop, and drug products thus stored in a lyophilized condition are far more stable. At the time of use, the lyophilized drug product is reconstituted with water (or other appropriate solution) and delivered to the patient.