trehalose

Trehalose is a naturally occurring non-reducing disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules linked by an α,α-1,1 glycosidic bond. It is widely found in nature and is known for its ability to stabilize proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates during freeze-thaw or dehydration-rehydration cycles[1][3][5]. In the pharmaceutical industry, trehalose is primarily used as an excipient to enhance the stability of biologics such as monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, fusion proteins, peptides, stem cells, and vaccines[3][5]. Trehalose has also been investigated for its neuroprotective properties in models of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Its proposed mechanisms include modulation of autophagy (potentially promoting clearance of protein aggregates), stabilization of proteins to prevent misfolding and aggregation, reduction of oxidative stress-induced neuronal damage by stabilizing cellular membranes and modulating mitochondrial function[6][8]. Trehalose has been studied under the code name "Cabaletta" for oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy[2]. It is approved as a food ingredient in all major markets and included in several commercial therapeutic formulations as a stabilizer/excipient[4].

Brand names

Cabaletta

Other names

trehaloseCabaletta