Method for stabilization of biological molecules

1. A stabilized vaccine composition, consisting essentially of: i) at least one polysaccharide-protein conjugate; ii) sucrose at a concentration of approximately 3% w/v; and iii) sodium citrate at a concentration of approximately 0.5% w/v, wherein the composition contains less than 11% free polysaccharide by weight over a six month period when stored at 40° C.

2. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the said conjugate comprises a capsular polysaccharide of Neisseria meningitides ( N. meningitidis ) selected from a serogroup A, B, C, D, X, Y, Z, 29E and W-135.

3. A composition according to claim 2 , wherein the said N. meningitidis capsular polysaccharide is selected from a serogroup A, C, X, Y, and W-135.

4. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein the polysaccharide-protein conjugate comprises CRM197 or tetanus toxoid.

5. A method for lyophilization of a mixture containing at least one polysaccharide protein conjugate, sucrose at a concentration of approximately 3% w/v and sodium citrate at a concentration of approximately 0.5% w/v, the method comprising i) Freezing up to −45° C. with freezing rate of 5 to 10° C./minute; ii) Final freezing temperature between −40 to 50° C.; iii) Frozen mass held between −40 to −50° C. for up to 6 hrs; iv) Primary drying achieved by increasing the temperature from −45 to −30° C. in 30 min to 2 hr., holding for 8 to 12 hrs, at pressure 75 to 125 μbar; primary drying further achieved by increasing the temperature from −27 to −23° C. in 15 min to 1 hr., holding for 4 to 8 hrs, at pressure 50 to 100 μbar; primary drying further achieved by increasing the temperature from −5 to 5° C. in 50 min to 1.5 hr., holding for 3 to 4 hrs, at pressure 50 to 100 μbar; v) Heating ramp for secondary drying involving change in temperature from −5 to 35° C., achieved in 1 to 2 hrs, at pressure 30 to 70 μbar; vi) Secondary drying achieved at a temperature above 25° C., for 5 to 7 hrs, at pressure 30 to 70 μbar; vii)) Secondary drying further achieved at a temperature above 40° C., for 1 to 2 hrs, at pressure 30 to 70 μbar; and viii) Backfilling of vials with inert gases at pressure 500 to 100 μbar, wherein said mixture contains less than 11% free polysaccharide by weight over a six month period when stored at 40° C.

6. A method for lyophilization of a mixture containing at least one polysaccharide protein conjugate, sucrose at a concentration of approximately 3% w/v and sodium citrate at a concentration of approximately 0.5% w/v, the method comprising: i) Freezing up to −45° C. with freezing rate of 5 to 10° C./minute; ii) Final freezing temperature of −45° C.; iii) Frozen mass held between −40 to −50° C. for 5 hrs; iv) Primary drying achieved by increasing the temperature from −45 to −30° C. in 1 hr., holding for 10 hrs, at pressure of 100 μbar; primary drying further achieved by increasing the temperature from −27 to −23° C. in 30 min, holding for 6 hrs, at pressure of 70 μbar; primary drying further achieved by increasing the temperature from −5 to 5° C. in 100 min, holding for 3.5 hrs, at pressure of 70 μbar; v) Heating ramp for secondary drying involving change in temperature from −5 to 35° C., achieved in 1.5 hrs, at pressure of 50 μbar; vi) Secondary drying achieved at a temperature between 20 to 30° C., for 5 to 7 hrs, at pressure of 50 μbar; vii) Secondary drying further achieved at a temperature between 40 to 50° C., for 1 to 2 hrs, at pressure 30 to 70 μbar, preferably a 50 μbar; and viii) Backfilling of vials with nitrogen at pressure of 700 μbar, wherein said mixture contains less than 11% free polysaccharide by weight over a six month period when stored at 40° C.