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 .