Projects
Hot medicines: stability of protein-based medicines
Polypeptide medicines are unstable under tropical conditions and require an expensive cold chain. This project is to develop formulations that can resist tropical conditions without refrigeration. The focus of this project is on the World Health Organization priority medicines: oxytocin and insulin as well as vaccines for hepatitis B and influenza. Wouter Hinrichs, research coordinator of the project: “In 2008, the main focus was on oxytocin. Several degradation pathways were identified. A paper describing these degradation pathways has been published in ‘Pharmaceutical Research’. In addition, liquid and dry formulations with improved stability were developed. The composition of the liquid formulation has been filed for patenting.”
Partners: Abbott, MSD, Leiden University, OctoPlus NV, and University of Groningen
Full project title: Hot medicines: breaking the cold chain requirement for polypeptide-based priority medicines