Liposomal pharmaceutical formulations incorporating porphyrin photosensitizers
useful for photodynamic therapy or diagnosis of malignant cells. The liposomal
formulations comprise a porphyrin photosensitizer, particularly the hydro-mono
benzoporphyrine (BPD) having light absorption maxima in the range of 670-780 nanometers,
a disaccharide or polysaccharide and one or more phospholipids.