CHI to Host Roundtable Discussions at its Formulation Strategies for Improved Delivery of Biologics

NEEDHAM, Mass. - March 18, 2014 - PRLog -- Formulation and drug delivery thought-leaders will gather in Boston at the Seaport World Trade Center on May 5-6, 2014, for the following breakout roundtable discussions at Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s (CHI)  inaugural Formulation Strategies for Improved Delivery of Biologics conference – part of the Biologics Formulation & Delivery Summit:

Topic 1: Screening and Optimization of Biological Formulations
Moderator: Russell Burge, Ph.D., Application Scientist, Freeslate, Inc.

• What are the most effective and efficient studies and methods for formulation screening?
• How representative are screening results from 96-well formats of those in the final container-closure, such as PFS or vials?
• How and when should a container closure be selected for formulation studies of a drug product?

Topic 2: Challenges in Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery
Moderator: Ajay K. Banga, Ph.D., Professor and Department Chair, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Endowed Chair in Transdermal Delivery Systems, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University

• Human skin as an in vitro surrogate model for bioequivalence comparison of topicals
• Challenges in passive patch development: Residual drug, crystallization, and cold flow
• Challenges in getting proteins and vaccines across the skin – limitations of iontophoresis and microneedles

Topic 3: Commercial Biological Products without Cold Chain Management?
Moderator: Weiguo Dai, Ph.D., Scientific Director, Fellow, Drug Product Development, Johnson & Johnson

• What is the biggest benefit for “room temperature controlled” biologics? Saving money in cold chain management vs. patient convenience?
• Challenges and current approaches in developing “room temperature controlled” biologics

Topic 4: Understanding Toxicity of Polymer-Based Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery
Moderator: Pirouz Daftarian, Ph.D., Assistant Research Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

• What are the proper pre-clinical toxicity tests / biomarkers / analytes that ensure a proactive approach for dissecting the toxicity of polymer-based nanocarriers?
• What is the acute and chronic spectrum that guaranties undesired reactions?

Roundtable breakout discussions provides conference delegates and speakers an opportunity to choose a specific roundtable discussion group to join. Each group has a moderator to ensure focused discussions around key issues within the topic. This format allows participants to network, meet potential collaborators share examples from their work, vet ideas with peers, and be part of a group problem-solving endeavor.

Writers and editors are invited to attend. To request a press pass, contact Lisa Scimemi, lscimemi@healthtech.com

For more information and to register, visit www.healthtech.com/formulation-improved-biologics.

About Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI)
Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI), founded in 1992, is the industry leader in providing superior-quality scientific information to eminent researchers and business experts from top pharmaceutical, biotech, and academic organizations. Delivering an assortment of resources such as events, reports, publications and eNewsletters, CHI's portfolio of products include Cambridge Healthtech Institute Conferences, Barnett Educational Services, Insight Pharma Reports, Cambridge Marketing Consultants, Cambridge Meeting Planners, Cambridge Healthtech Media Group, and The Knowledge Foundation. www.chicorporate.com