Protein–excipient interactions: Mechanisms and biophysical characterization applied to protein formulation development

The purpose of this review is to demonstrate the critical importance of understanding protein–excipient interactions as a key step in the rational design of formulations to stabilize and deliver protein-based therapeutic drugs and vaccines. Biophysical methods used to examine various molecular interactions between solutes and protein molecules are discussed with an emphasis on applications to pharmaceutical excipients in terms of their effects on protein stability. Key mechanisms of protein–excipient interactions such as electrostatic and cation–pi interactions, preferential hydration, dispersive forces, and hydrogen bonding are presented in the context of different physical states of the formulation such as frozen liquids, solutions, gels, freeze-dried solids and interfacial phenomenon. An overview of the different classes of pharmaceutical excipients used to formulate and stabilize protein therapeutic drugs is also presented along with the rationale for use in different dosage forms including practical pharmaceutical considerations. The utility of high throughput analytical methodologies to examine protein–excipient interactions is presented in terms of expanding formulation design space and accelerating experimental timelines.

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