In this review, the principle of ‘cell pharmacology’, which can be divided into cell pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD), is delineated to quantitatively comprehend the biodistribution and rate-limiting constraints of administered therapeutic cells in vivo. Accordingly, we propose the concept of ‘cell formulation’ which mirrors the drug formulation in pharmaceutical industry, describing the process in which therapeutic cells and other excipients (e.g., biomaterials or bioactive factors) are combined to produce final cellular products with different forms. Conclusively, a well-characterized cell formulation in the prospect of pharmacology can facilitate the cell viability, homing/retention and cellular interactions by manipulating the cell sources, doses, administration schemes or other affiliated factors, thereby hasten the progression of their clinical translation.(https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbiosy.2021.100016)