Drug Formulation & Drug Delivery

Welcome Message

Dear Esteemed Colleagues, Researchers, and Innovators,

It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to the 20th World Congress on Drug Formulation & Drug Delivery, taking place on August 27–28, 2025, in the vibrant city of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

This prestigious global forum brings together leading scientists, researchers, industry professionals, regulatory experts, and academicians to share the latest advancements, innovative strategies, and cutting-edge technologies in drug formulation and delivery systems. With a focus on translating research into real-world applications, this congress provides a unique platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and fostering international collaborations.

Under the theme “Advancing Precision, Safety, and Innovation in Drug Delivery”, we aim to explore the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical science, highlight emerging trends, and discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of drug development.

We look forward to your valuable contributions and active participation in discussions that will shape tomorrow’s therapeutic solutions.

Join us in Amsterdam for two days of scientific excellence, engaging dialogue, and collaborative spirit.

Warm regards,
Organizing Committee

Sessions & Tracks

Innovations in Drug Formulation

Cutting-edge advances in drug formulation are transforming the pharmaceutical landscape. From novel excipients and enhanced solubility techniques to bioavailability optimization and multifunctional dosage forms, innovation is driving therapeutic effectiveness. Researchers are developing solid dispersions, co-crystals, and lipid-based systems that enhance drug stability and patient compliance. Reformulating existing drugs is also opening new opportunities for lifecycle management and improving cost-efficiency. By addressing critical challenges in drug delivery and patient-centric care, these advancements are accelerating product development and enabling more effective treatment options across therapeutic areas.

Advanced Drug Delivery Systems

Modern drug delivery systems are engineered to improve precision, efficiency, and therapeutic outcomes. Innovations such as polymeric carriers, microencapsulation, and hybrid delivery platforms offer site-specific targeting and controlled release profiles. Technologies like intranasal sprays, microneedles, and pulmonary devices are expanding possibilities beyond traditional oral and injectable routes. These systems not only increase patient adherence but also reduce systemic side effects and enhance drug performance. Advances are also being made in scalability and regulatory integration, ensuring smooth transition from lab to market in both small molecule and biologic therapies.

Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery

Nanotechnology is revolutionizing how medications are delivered and absorbed by the body. Nanoscale carriers such as liposomes, dendrimers, nanoemulsions, and solid lipid nanoparticles provide greater control over drug release, solubility, and bioavailability. These systems enable precise targeting of diseased tissues, reducing off-target effects and enhancing efficacy, especially in oncology and neurology. Nanoparticles can bypass biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier, opening avenues for treatment of complex conditions. While promising, challenges remain in large-scale manufacturing and long-term safety, making ongoing research and regulatory adaptation crucial for clinical success.

Pharmaceutical Preformulation Studies

Preformulation is a fundamental step in drug development that involves studying the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of a drug substance. These studies guide the selection of excipients, dosage forms, and manufacturing methods. Key assessments include solubility, polymorphism, pKa, stability, and compatibility with other ingredients. This early-phase research ensures that the drug can be formulated efficiently, remain stable, and deliver the desired therapeutic effect. Preformulation also helps identify potential challenges such as degradation or poor absorption, enabling developers to design robust, scalable, and regulatory-compliant formulations from the outset.

Controlled and Targeted Drug Delivery

Controlled and targeted drug delivery systems are designed to optimize therapeutic action while minimizing side effects. These technologies release drugs at a predetermined rate or respond to specific stimuli such as pH, temperature, or enzymes. Targeted carriers direct the drug precisely to the site of action, such as a tumor or inflamed tissue, ensuring maximum efficacy with minimal systemic exposure. Innovations include biodegradable implants, smart nanocarriers, and antibody-drug conjugates. By refining how and where drugs act within the body, these systems enhance patient outcomes, reduce dosing frequency, and offer new solutions for chronic and hard-to-treat conditions.

Biopharmaceutics & Biotherapeutics

Biopharmaceutics explores how the physical and chemical properties of drugs, dosage forms, and routes of administration affect bioavailability and therapeutic response. Biotherapeutics, including monoclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, and gene therapies, are reshaping treatment approaches for chronic and genetic diseases. The focus is on optimizing absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) to improve drug performance. Regulatory strategies, modeling tools, and bioequivalence studies are integral to development. Harmonizing biopharmaceutical properties with therapeutic targets ensures better clinical outcomes and efficient regulatory approval, particularly in personalized and precision medicine.

Liposomes, Microspheres & Hydrogels

Liposomes, microspheres, and hydrogels offer versatile platforms for drug encapsulation, protection, and controlled release. Liposomes enhance solubility and bioavailability while microspheres enable sustained delivery of small molecules and biologics. Hydrogels, with their high water content and tunable properties, are especially useful in wound healing, ophthalmology, and localized therapy. These carriers are biocompatible, customizable, and capable of incorporating multiple agents for synergistic effects. Their adaptability makes them essential in delivering proteins, vaccines, and genetic material safely and effectively.

Transdermal and Intradermal Delivery Systems

Transdermal and intradermal systems offer non-invasive alternatives for drug administration through the skin, improving patient compliance and avoiding first-pass metabolism. Transdermal patches, microneedles, and nano-formulated gels provide steady drug release over time, while intradermal injections enable localized treatment and efficient vaccine delivery. Advances in skin permeation enhancers and polymeric carriers have expanded the range of drugs deliverable via this route. These systems are particularly beneficial for hormonal therapies, pain management, and immunizations, offering a convenient and effective approach to systemic and localized treatments.

Oral Drug Delivery & Solid Dosage Forms

Oral drug delivery remains the most preferred and convenient route, with solid dosage forms like tablets and capsules dominating the market. Enhancing bioavailability, especially for poorly water-soluble drugs, is a key area of innovation. Formulation strategies include solid dispersions, enteric coatings, and controlled-release matrices. Advances in taste masking, pediatric formulations, and fixed-dose combinations are improving patient adherence. Research also focuses on gastro-retentive systems and intelligent tablets with sensors. Oral delivery innovations are central to improving outcomes, particularly in chronic disease management.

Injectable & Implantable Drug Delivery

Injectable and implantable systems offer precise, rapid, or long-acting delivery of drugs for acute and chronic conditions. Innovations include depot injections, biodegradable implants, and sustained-release microspheres that maintain therapeutic levels for weeks or months. These systems are especially valuable in oncology, contraception, psychiatry, and endocrinology. Advances in formulation and device design ensure ease of administration, reduced dosing frequency, and improved compliance. Safety, sterility, and compatibility with biological tissues are critical in designing effective and patient-friendly injectables and implants.

Inhalation and Nasal Drug Delivery

Inhalation and nasal routes provide rapid systemic absorption and targeted delivery to the respiratory tract and central nervous system. Dry powder inhalers, metered-dose inhalers, and nebulizers are widely used for treating asthma, COPD, and pulmonary infections. Nasal sprays are gaining attention for vaccine delivery and brain-targeted therapy due to their ability to bypass the blood-brain barrier. Advances in particle engineering, device technology, and mucoadhesive formulations are enhancing drug deposition, stability, and bioavailability. These non-invasive systems offer fast onset and patient convenience.

Ocular Drug Delivery

Delivering drugs to the eye is challenging due to protective barriers and drainage mechanisms. Modern ocular delivery systems aim to increase drug residence time, penetration, and therapeutic effect while minimizing discomfort. Approaches include in-situ gels, ocular inserts, nanoparticles, and iontophoresis. These innovations improve treatments for glaucoma, infections, macular degeneration, and post-surgical inflammation. Localized delivery minimizes systemic exposure and side effects. Ensuring sterility, biocompatibility, and sustained release are key goals in advancing ophthalmic therapies.

Drug Delivery in Oncology and Immunotherapy

Oncology and immunotherapy demand precision-targeted drug delivery systems to maximize therapeutic index and minimize toxicity. Nanocarriers, antibody-drug conjugates, and polymer-drug conjugates are at the forefront of innovation. These platforms enable site-specific delivery, controlled release, and reduced off-target effects. Immunotherapeutic delivery methods are being refined for vaccines, cytokines, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Personalized formulations and tumor microenvironment-targeted systems are reshaping cancer treatment by enhancing efficacy and patient survival while reducing adverse effects.

Vaccine Delivery Technologies

The evolution of vaccine delivery technologies has accelerated with the need for rapid, global immunization. Novel delivery routes such as intradermal, intranasal, and oral vaccines are being developed to improve accessibility and immune response. Technologies include lipid nanoparticles, viral vectors, and microneedles. Stability, cold chain independence, and needle-free administration are critical for global health strategies. Innovations aim to enhance antigen presentation, prolong immune response, and simplify large-scale distribution, making vaccination more effective and accessible across diverse populations.

3D Printing in Drug Formulation

3D printing is revolutionizing pharmaceutical manufacturing by enabling the creation of personalized, complex, and multi-layered dosage forms. This technology allows precise control over drug dose, release profile, and geometry. Applications range from pediatric and geriatric formulations to polypills containing multiple active ingredients. It facilitates rapid prototyping, on-demand production, and decentralized manufacturing. Regulatory pathways and standardization are evolving to accommodate this innovation, which holds promise for customized therapy and improving medication adherence.

Peptide and Protein Drug Delivery

Delivering peptides and proteins is challenging due to their instability, large molecular size, and sensitivity to enzymatic degradation. Novel delivery systems such as nanoparticles, hydrogels, and PEGylation improve their pharmacokinetics and enable targeted action. Non-invasive delivery methods, including transdermal, oral, and nasal routes, are under investigation. Advances focus on maintaining biological activity while enhancing absorption and bioavailability. Peptide and protein therapeutics are gaining ground in areas like endocrinology, oncology, and rare diseases, requiring tailored delivery approaches.

Smart Polymers and Biomaterials

Smart polymers and biomaterials respond to stimuli such as pH, temperature, light, or enzymes to modulate drug release. These intelligent systems are revolutionizing controlled delivery, especially in targeted therapy and regenerative medicine. Biomaterials offer biocompatibility and structural support for tissue engineering and implantable devices. Developments focus on biodegradable, responsive, and self-healing materials that improve therapeutic precision and minimize side effects. Applications span drug delivery, diagnostics, and biosensors, contributing to the next generation of healthcare technologies.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Understanding pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) is essential for designing safe and effective drug therapies. PK describes how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes a drug, while PD focuses on the drug’s biological effects. Modeling and simulation tools help predict human response, optimize dosing, and support regulatory submissions. Integrating PK/PD data with formulation and delivery system design ensures improved efficacy, reduced toxicity, and successful translation from bench to bedside. Personalized medicine increasingly relies on PK/PD insights for tailored therapies.

Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance

Regulatory compliance and quality assurance are crucial for the successful development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. Topics include Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), stability testing, bioequivalence, and documentation for global regulatory agencies like FDA, EMA, and ICH. Strategies for navigating complex regulatory pathways, including those for advanced therapies and combination products, are emphasized. Ensuring product safety, consistency, and efficacy through robust QA systems protects public health and enhances market readiness. Effective regulatory planning accelerates approvals and minimizes development risks.

Drug Delivery Across the Blood-Brain Barrier

Crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remains one of the most difficult challenges in neuropharmaceuticals. New delivery strategies—such as receptor-mediated transport, liposomes, exosomes, and focused ultrasound—are being developed to improve central nervous system drug access. These approaches aim to treat neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and brain tumors more effectively. Safety, targeting accuracy, and minimizing systemic exposure are key goals. Advancements in BBB modeling and imaging are supporting research into non-invasive and precision-guided delivery techniques.

Personalized & Precision Medicine

Personalized and precision medicine tailor drug therapy based on individual genetics, biomarkers, environment, and lifestyle. Drug formulation and delivery must adapt to unique patient profiles to improve treatment outcomes. Technologies include companion diagnostics, pharmacogenomics, and individualized drug dosing platforms. Customized formulations, particularly in oncology and rare diseases, are enhancing therapeutic efficacy and minimizing adverse effects. Digital health tools and AI are also supporting personalization. Precision medicine represents a paradigm shift toward data-driven, patient-specific care models.

Drug Formulation for Rare & Orphan Diseases

Formulating drugs for rare and orphan diseases involves unique challenges such as small patient populations, limited data, and high development costs. Innovations include repurposing existing drugs, using adaptive clinical trial designs, and employing targeted delivery systems to improve efficacy. Formulators must address stability, dosing flexibility, and patient-specific needs. Regulatory incentives and expedited pathways are encouraging investment and research in this critical area. The goal is to deliver safe, effective therapies to underserved populations with unmet medical needs.

Clinical Trials & Case Studies in Drug Delivery

Clinical trials validate the safety and efficacy of drug delivery systems in real-world settings. Emphasis is placed on trial design, endpoints, patient recruitment, and compliance monitoring. Case studies highlight successes, failures, and learnings from novel delivery technologies across different therapeutic areas. Data from these trials inform regulatory strategies, market adoption, and post-marketing surveillance. Real-world evidence supports claims of therapeutic advantage, guiding innovation and clinical practice. Sharing practical insights accelerates the development of more effective delivery systems.

AI & Digital Tools in Formulation and Delivery Design

Artificial intelligence and digital tools are revolutionizing formulation and drug delivery development. Machine learning models predict solubility, stability, and drug-excipient interactions, reducing trial-and-error in formulation design. AI supports pharmacokinetics modeling, dose optimization, and clinical decision-making. Digital twins, wearable sensors, and real-time monitoring enhance drug delivery precision and adherence. Automation and robotics streamline manufacturing and quality control. These technologies accelerate development timelines, reduce costs, and enable more responsive, adaptive pharmaceutical solutions.

Green & Sustainable Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Sustainable manufacturing practices aim to reduce environmental impact while maintaining product quality. Green chemistry principles, solvent recovery, energy-efficient processes, and biodegradable excipients are being adopted across the pharmaceutical industry. Lifecycle analysis and carbon footprint assessment guide process optimization. Regulatory bodies are also encouraging sustainability through updated guidelines. Emphasis is placed on reducing waste, minimizing hazardous materials, and promoting circular economy principles. Sustainable innovation ensures long-term viability, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility in pharmaceutical development.