ABSTRACT
The biological function of peptides and proteins is highly dependent on their threedimensional structure. Changes in that structure, which may arise due to chemical or physical processes, may alter or abolish that function, or even result in toxicity. Thus, it is of importance that a pharmaceutical formulation of therapeutic peptides and proteins retains the normal (native) structure of those peptides or proteins, or that any changes are fully reversible upon administration to the patient.
