Johanna Hjalte defended her thesis

Biological medicines are important in several treatments, for example against cancer and autoimmune diseases. In the production of biologics, the content of both surfactants and preservatives is important for a stable product, but it is also known that surfactants and preservatives can interact with each other. During her PhD, researcher Johanna Hjalte has taken a closer look at how preservatives in biopharmaceuticals interact with sugar surfactants, growth hormones and salt. 

"The study shows that the art of formulating biologics, with seemingly few components, is incredibly complex. My work shows that mechanisms in these multicomponent systems can be discerned, mapped and characterised, and also anchored in theoretical physicochemical concepts”, says Johanna. 

Faculty opponent was Marco van de Weert, Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen.

Read the publication: Protein-Surfactant Interactions in Complex Systems : Study of Physical Stability of Proteins and Peptides