Embodiments of the invention provide shaped masses (SM) comprising one or more drugs such as proteins or polypeptides and methods for forming and delivering such SM's. One embodiment provides a SM comprising a drug e.g., a protein or polypeptide having a biological activity in the body of a mammal. The SM is formed by compression of a precursor material (PM) comprising the drug wherein an amount of biologically active drug in the SM is a minimum level to that in the PM. Drugs which may be incorporated into the SM include insulin, incretins and immunoglobulins e.g., interleukin neutralizing antibodies or TNF-α-inhibiting antibodies. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the oral delivery of drugs which would be degraded within the GI tract, wherein the SM containing the drug is formed as or incorporated into a tissue penetrating member which is inserted into the intestinal wall after oral ingestion.