This invention relates to preparations of viruses, e.g. for vaccine or other pharmaceutical or research use, to their stabilization, and to processes of producing such preparations, as well as to their use, e.g. as vaccines or as virus vectors. The formulations comprise a sugar, a preservative, a dispersing agent, a thermal stability agent, a buffer, and up to three distinct types of amino acids without impacting the structural appearance of the lyophilized product.