Compositions and methods for vaginal, buccal or nasal transmucosal delivery of drugs and for cryoprotecting of cells and embryos. For cryoprotection, the composition consisting essentially consist of a non-ionizable glycol derivative. For transmucosal delivery, the compositions essentially consist of a non-ionizable glycol derivative in a combination with a pharmaceutically active agent. For transmucosal delivery, the non-ionizable glycol derivative may be further combined with a mucoadhesive agent and/or a penetration enhancer and/or lipophilic or hydrophilic carrier for adhesion to and transport through a mucosa. The compositions are particularly suitable for administration of drugs through a nasal, buccal and vaginal mucosa or for long-term preservation of cell or embryos.