The path to formulation of pharmaceuticals is not always straightforward, especially as products are becoming increasingly complex. Recognising strategies with the greatest advantages and considering all the options available to get the best drugs to market can greatly facilitate drug development and formulation. This article will demonstrate how recombinant albumin provides a cost effective, single solution to several stability issues, and is particularly effective when used in very early development, allowing products to be stabilised quickly in a common formulation and speeding up the lengthy route to market.