Biological formulation development

Biophysical characterization for the stable formulation of biological molecules

As a protein-based drug transitions through the pipeline from discovery to development, it is important to achieve an optimal, robust formulation. This must be appropriate and effective for the molecule’s intended therapeutic use, and maintain its stability, conformation and efficacy during production, shipping and storage, for the whole of the desired shelf life.  

The nature of biological materials means that their formulation as biopharmaceuticals presents specific challenges. Malvern Panalytical’s biophysical characterization tools are used to monitor protein conformation, predict thermal stability, and measure aggregate formation in response to formulation and storage conditions. They provide information that is critical to understanding the stability of biological molecules and accelerating biopharmaceutical formulation development.

Formulation stability

In biological formulation development, the main objective is to find the solution conditions that offer the greatest level of stabilization to support a molecule’s higher-order structure and which will therefore enable the highest proportion of bioactive, native protein to be delivered. Denatured proteins tend to be more susceptible to irreversible chemical processes such as proteolysis, oxidation, and deamidation, which in turn can lead to inactivation and the risk of aggregation, which may result in undesired immunogenic effects.

During formulation development, the biomolecule is exposed to a range of conditions, including:

  • Different buffers, temperatures, shears, pH levels, and salt concentrations
  • Various excipients that are used to help stabilize the protein, or aid in manufacturing or drug delivery
  • High concentrations, to determine how far a drug candidate may be concentrated, in a range of buffers and additives, before protein aggregation occurs


Biophysical characterization techniques are used to determine the optimal formulation conditions and to select the best formulations for further development. 

Biophysical characterization systems for formulation development

MicroCal PEAQ-DSC

Investigate the stability of proteins in solution
MicroCal PEAQ-DSC

Zetasizer range

Examine stability interaction parameters and potential viscosity issues
Zetasizer range

OMNISEC

Understand and quantify aggregate formation
OMNISEC

Long-term stability studies

Once a drug formulation enters clinical trials, it is subjected to long-term stability testing, including accelerated (forced) degradation studies. Extended submicron and subvisible particle characterization have important roles here in monitoring the constituents of the formulation over time. It is important to understand the origin and nature of particles and to determine whether they are inherent, intrinsic or extrinsic.

Biophysical characterization tools are used to monitor protein conformation, predict thermal stability, and measure aggregate formation in response to formulation and storage conditions. These tools include Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC), and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA).

Analytical solutions to support long-term stability studies

MicroCal PEAQ-DSC

Confirm the long-term stability of proteins in solution
MicroCal PEAQ-DSC

Zetasizer Ultra

Quantify submicron particle populations for a more complete aggregation profile
Zetasizer Ultra

OMNISEC

Study proteins and protein aggregates
OMNISEC

NanoSight range

Measure size distributions of subvisible aggregates in a formulation at high resolution
NanoSight range