The present invention discloses a drug delivery system comprising at least one hydrophobic matrix and at least one pharmaceutically active compound. The hydrophobic matrix comprises at least one hydrophobic solid component and at least one hydrophobic liquid component. The pharmaceutically active compound may comprise a biological cell or a biopolymer. The hydrophobic matrix conserves the activity of and protects the functionality of the biological cell or biopolymer in hostile environment, at elevated temperature, cold temperatures or a combination thereof. The present invention also discloses the use of the drug delivery system in a kit for diagnostic or analytical purposes. Additionally, the present invention discloses the use of the drug delivery system to deliver the pharmaceutically active compound to a subject who has or is suspected of having a pathophysiological condition.
