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Nanoscience in Pharmaceuticals: Translating Fundamental Understanding to Practical Application in Drug and Device Development     

Background

The unique physicochemical properties of materials on the nanoscale introduce certain challenges into most aspects of pharmaceutical R&D. For example, the ADMET properties of compounds administered as nanoparticles are very different from the same molecules dosed using macro- and microparticulate systems for reasons directly attributable to their size and surface chemistry. Fundamental understanding of the chemistry and engineering of nanomaterials and nanoparticles and relation to their in vitro/in vivo performance along with manufacturing and toxicity considerations is critical to their wider acceptance and applications in drug and device development. Promising scientific strategies and approaches such as those that combine disease diagnosis with therapy (Nanotheragnostics) and delivery systems for small molecules and macromolecules are progressing from bench to clinic to commercialization with the potential to profoundly affect human health.

Particular emphasis will be placed on establishing and distinguishing among what is being accomplished now based on marketed products and what is feasible based on drugs and devices and combinations thereof in clinical and preclinical development. Emerging nanotherapeutics and nanodevices based on early preclinical data will be included in the discussion.

There are safety concerns on the interaction of nanomaterials and nanoparticles with the human body. Other areas of concern and future development are nanoparticle pharmacokinetics, formulation and process development, and manufacturing. Quality control and regulatory aspects of nanopharmaceuticals will be highlighted throughout the conference and specifically discussed towards the end in a regulatory roundtable.

Goals and Objectives

The aforementioned areas will be addressed in this conference and the primary objectives are:

  • to link our fundamental understanding of the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of nanomaterials and nanoparticles to their in vitro/in vivo performance,
  • to discuss advances with emerging nanotherapeutics and nanodevices,
  • to present case studies with marketed nanoparticulate products and in clinical development emphasizing what is applicable to the 1-100 nm particles and what is new science/knowledge, and
  • to highlight and discuss quality control and regulatory aspects of nanopharmaceuticals as applied to drug and/or device development.
Benefits to attendees include: 
  • Learning the state-of-art in pharmaceutical nanotechnology from leading academic, government, and industrial scientists.
  • Understanding product development challenges and opportunities and paths to commercialization.
  • Applying rational, timely, and target-driven designs of enhanced therapeutic delivery systems and/or diagnostic/imaging devices. 

To attend the 2012 Arden Conference, see how to register today!