The National Institute of Standards and Technology researchers said their technology can efficiently evaluate the sugars pharmaceutical companies use to stabilize protein-drugs such as insulin and vaccines that must be stabilized after manufacturing in order to be used safely.

For the past 30 years, that stabilization has been achieved by freeze-drying the therapeutic proteins and coating them with a thin layer of various formulations of glass-like sugars to stabilize their molecular structures. That allows them to be safely stored for extended periods of time.

The researchers said their new methods will help pharmaceutical companies make the best choice about which formulations to test and make it easier to stabilize drugs at room temperature. Room temperature storage is vital, they said, when the pharmaceuticals are to be used in areas of the world where refrigeration is scarce or unavailable.

The research led by Marc Cicerone and J.M. Johnson was presented this week in Philadelphia during the national meeting of the American Chemical Society.