Microparticles of α -lactalbumin, in the free and methotrexate encapsulated forms were prepared by emulsifying an aqueous solution of α -lactalbumin in 1% ethylcellulose in chloroform at 4°C. The particles were further stabilized by cross linking with glutaraldehyde. The size of the particles was found to be in the range of 0.5 to 2μm, with an average size of 1 μm. Both free and methotrexate encapsulated α -lactalbumin microparticles were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies. The rate of drug release was investigated by in vitro dissolution studies using UV spectroscopy. The results indicate that these α -lactalbumin microparticles are capable of controlled and sustained release of methotrexate up to a maximum time of 36 h in PBS at pH 7.4. The study introduces α -lactalbumin as a novel drug carrier and its potential to combat the failure of free methotrexate administration.