Pharma Industry & pharmaceuticals

Volkmar Weissig, Sc.D., Ph.D. is a Tenured Full Professor of Pharmacology and Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Dr. Weissig received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry and his postdoctoral Sc.D. degree in Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from the Martin-Luther University in Halle (Germany). Combined he completed several years of postdoctoral fellowships at the Cardiology Research Center in Moscow (Russia), at the Academic Department of Medicine at the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine in London (UK), at the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the Czechoslovakian Academy of Science in Prague (CSFR), at the College of Pharmacy and the College of Medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL and at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. Before joining the faculty at Midwestern University, Dr. Weissig was an Assistant Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Dr. Weissig holds 16 patents and he has published 98 research papers, review articles and book chapters, mostly in the area of nano drug delivery systems. He also edited and published 8 books. He serves as the Associate Editor of the Journal of Liposome Research and he is member of several other Editorial Boards. In July 2009 Dr. Weissig was inducted into the World Technology Network as a Fellow. In October 2014 Dr. Weissig was elected President of the World Mitochondria Society.

Dr. Weissig’s major research interests lie in the areas of Mitochondrial Medicine and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology. In particular, his laboratory has pioneered the design and development of mitochondria-targeted nano drug delivery systems, which have opened new strategies for mitochondrial gene therapy, for apoptosis-based anticancer chemotherapies and for controlling and manipulating the redox status of mammalian mitochondria.

Dr Joël Richard is currently Senior Vice President, Peptides in IPSEN (France). He is globally leading all the pharmaceutical development activities of both injectable and oral peptide-based products, including APIs and drug products, with major franchises in Oncology, Endocrinology and Neurology. Dr Richard has more than 25 years of experience in chemistry and biopharmaceutical R&D, including several previous global senior positions in various Biotech and Pharma companies, such as: - Vice President, Drug Product Development in Ipsen (France) (2008-2011), - Director, Pharmaceutical Development in Serono and Merck Serono (Italy, Germany) (2005-2008), - Vice President Research, and Europe R&D Director at Ethypharm (France) (2001-2004), - COO at Mainelab (France), a drug delivery company he co-founded, which was specialized in developing solvent-free processes for protein delivery systems (1999-2001). Dr Richard graduated from Ecole Normale Supérieure (Cachan, 1985). He has got a PhD in Materials & Colloidal Science (University of Paris VI, 1987) and “Habilitation à Diriger les Recherches” in Chemistry (University of Bordeaux I, 1994).

In the last 20 years, Dr Richard has focused his research activity on new formulation technologies and drug delivery systems (such as microspheres, nanoparticles, nanocapsules, chemically-modified proteins, supercritical fluid technology . . .), especially for injectable peptide and protein formulations. He has published 67 peer-reviewed scientific papers, 8 book chapters and 2 review editorials in various fields: polymers, colloids and interfaces, drug delivery, biodegradable microspheres, microencapsulation, supercritical fluids, protein formulations and post-translational modifications, nanoparticles, sustained-release formulations . . . He is the author of more than 120 international communications and 53 patent families.

MD and PhD from University of Zaragoza (Spain), Full Professor for Human Anatomy and Embryology at the Department of Neuroscience (UPV-EHU). He has supervised 20 Ph.D. works. He has been Invited Professor and Visiting Researcher at several European (Free University of Berlin, MCNN Birmingham) and Latinamerican universities (Chile, Valparaiso, Mendoza…). His main Research interests are in neuropathology and neurobiology of adaptive postnatal changes in the microvasculature of CNS in health and disease. He has been autor of 120 original papers and 33 reviewed book chapters. He is actively involved in cooperative networking in neuroscience research.

Neuropathology and Neurobiology of adaptive postnatal changes in the microvasculature of CNS in health and disease.

Rick Panicucci joined WuXi AppTec in February 2015 as the Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development Services. In this capacity, Rick provides scientific leadership for 160 scientists in Developability, Formulation Development, and GMP Manufacturing and is responsible for the execution of all Parenteral and Oral dosage form programs. He also maintains key client relationships and assesses new technologies through partnering or internal M&A capacity building. In addition to his position at WuXi, Rick currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. Prior to WuXi, Rick was the Global Head of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Profiling (CPP) at Novartis from 2004 to 2015. His responsibilities included analytics, solid state chemistry and formulation development of all small molecule therapeutics in early development. He also helped develop novel drug delivery technologies for small molecules and large molecules including siRNA. Rick has also led groups in Formulation and Research and Development at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Symbollon Pharmaceuticals, Biogen, and Bausch & Lomb.

Rick received his Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from the University of Toronto and had two post-doctoral fellowships at University of California at Santa Barbara and the Ontario Cancer Institute. Rick has written 33 publications on Formulations, Drug Delivery, and Drug Discovery.

R N Saha is Shri B K Birla & Shrimati Sarala Birla, Chair Professor (Senior Professor of Pharmacy) and Director of BITS Pilani Dubai Campus. In 2011 he has been awarded Shri B K Birla and Shrimati Sarala Birla Chair Professorship at BITS Pilani for contributions in teaching and research. He has vast experience in the field of Pharmacy especially in Pharmaceutics, novel drug delivery systems and Pharmacokinetics. He received “Pharmacy Professional of the Year 2013” Award given by Indian Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and Technologists. He is also recipient of “The Best Pharmacy Teacher Award” for the year 2005, awarded by Association of Pharmaceuticals Teachers if India (APTI), in recognition of his contribution in teaching and research in the field of Pharmacy. He is also member of many scientific associations and societies like Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI); Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA); Indian Society of Technical Education (ISTE); Controlled Release Society Inc., USA; American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), USA; American Chemical Society, USA; Controlled Release Society, Indian Chapter.

Pharmaceutics and Novel Drug Delivery Systems

Dr. Ruben Abagyan is a Professor in the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of California, San Diego, which he joined in 2009. He received his Master’s degree in molecular physics from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and his Ph.D. in molecular modeling and biophysics from the Moscow State University. At the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg he developed internal coordinate mechanics and docking approach (ICM). He built computational biology and chemistry facilities at the Skirball Institute in New York, Novartis Institute in La Jolla, Scripps Research Institute and San Diego Supercomputer Center, founded Molsoft Company, and served on boards of several companies. Currently Dr. Abagyan serves on international review panels for Institutes in Switzerland, UK and Hong Kong. He received two CapCure awards, and Princess Diana Award and medal in Sydney, Australia. R.A. authored and co-authored over 250 research papers and book chapters.

Ruben Abagyan studied physical chemistry and has completed his PhD in biophysics from the Moscow State University. He worked as a researcher, lab head or director of computational departments in a number of research organizations. His research interests include computational structural biology and cheminformatics, with a particular focus on modeling and docking screening, including target identification, polypharmacology and adverse effect prediction, and molecular modeling for G-protein coupled receptors, kinases and nuclear receptors. He has published more than 250 papers and book chapters in research journals and is serving as a number of international review panels and editorial boards.

Sung Wan Kim is currently a Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and a Distinguished Professor of Bioengineering. He was Director of the Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery at the University of Utah from 1985-2006. He received his B.S. and M.S. at Seoul National University, and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Utah (under Professor Henry Eyring). Dr. Kim is a pioneer in drug delivery research and has engaged in his research since 1974 in the areas of hydrogels, biodegradable drug conjugates, self-regulating drug delivery and stimuli sensitive polymers. He also worked extensively in medical polymers, especially blood compatible polymers. Dr. Kim’s present research includes design of novel polymers for the delivery of protein drugs, cells and genes. Dr. Kim has received numerous awards; among them are the Terumo Award – Japan (2014), AAAS Fellow (2014), Research Achievement Award-Pharmaceutical Sciences World Congress (2004), Rosenblatt Prize (2003), Ho-Am Prize (2003), AACP Volwiler Award (2002), American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Dale Wurster Award (1998), the Controlled Release Society (CRS) Founders Award (1995), and the Clemson Basic Biomaterials Award (1987). These awards are the highest scientific awards from their respective societies. He is the Founder and served as Co-Chairman of the International Symposium on Recent Advances in Drug Delivery, Salt Lake City, UT, 1983-2005. In 2006, Dr. Kim received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Twente. From 2004 to present, Dr. Kim is a Hanyang Distinguished Professor at Hanyang University. Dr. Kim has published over 650 papers and owns 35 U.S. Patents. He has trained over 130 scientists from 10 countries.Dr. Kim Has Been Elected To Two U.S. National Academies: The Institute Of Medicine in 1999 (As Of 2015 Changed To The National Academy Of Medicine) And The National Academy Of Engineering In 2003.

Sung Wan Kim research interest is biomaterials, drug and gene delivery

Gabriele Sadowski is full Professor for Thermodynamics. Her main fields of research are thermodynamics of biological and pharmaceutical systems. She has published about 150 papers, is Chair of the German Working Party of Thermodynamics and member of the German Academy of Technical Sciences. 2011, she received the prestigious Leibniz award.

Thermodynamics of Biological and Pharmaceutical systems.

Head of Biomaterials Dept. - INNOVENT e. V., Jena

Research and development on biodegradable polymers and composite materials (synthesis of resorbable polylactones and their copolymers, degradable polyurethanes, glycosaminoglycan chemistry, resorbable bioactive and drug-containing implant coatings, surgical adhesives and other in situ curable materials, degradable materials for rapid manufacturing)

Dr. Afouna received his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics & Pharma. Tech., University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA & Al-Azhar University, Egypt. He spent up to 3-years as a post-doctoral & research scientist at Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas of Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock, AR, USA. He is a highly motivated scientist (teacher, researcher) with extensive expertise in development and optimization of nanoemulsion, nanosuspension, gel/hydrogel & self-nanoemulsifying transdermal, topical, ocular & oral drug delivery systems. Focusing upon development of effective, safe and stable anti-glaucoma, anti-diabetic, hypolipidimic, and antihypertension drugs with great emphasize upon the effects of absorption promoters and other formulation-related factors, the physicochemical properties and chirality, upon the pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics of the drug. Moreover, he has focused upon development of non-clinical methodologies to assessing the topical bio-efficacy of various antiviral agents. Dr. Afouna has outstanding teaching capabilities & research experiences in pharmaceutical sciences, development and management of several valuable scientific research projects. He has orally presented many of his work in various inter/national meetings. Furthermore, he has authored & coauthored numerous recent research articles, review articles and chapters of books and textbooks. He is a co-founder College of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where he worked as Professor for more than 6-years. Currently, Dr. Afouna is the professor & chairman of department of pharmaceutics & pharmaceutical technology, college of pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, 2012 – Present.

Development and optimization of nanoemulsion, nanosuspension, gel/hydrogel & self-nanoemulsifying transdermal, topical, ocular & oral drug delivery systems. Focusing upon development of effective, safe and stable anti-glaucoma, anti-diabetic, hypolipidimic, and antihypertension drugs with great emphasize upon the effects of absorption promoters and other formulation-related factors, the physicochemical properties and chirality, upon the pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics of the drug.

Prof Billa obtained his BPharm degree in 1993 from the University of Punjab, Pakistan and PhD in 2000 at the University of Science, Malaysia. He was appointed as Lecturer at the International Medical University in 2001 and also the Chief Scientists of a Bioequivalence Laboratory. In 2005, he joined the School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham. In 2006 he was appointed as Associate Dean for research of the Faculty of Science and Professor in 2015. Prof Billa has supervised several PhD students and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. He also serves as Editorial board member in a number of European and American Journals.

His research interest is in formulation of nanoparticulate drug delivery and gastrointestinal transit monitoring.

Maha Aboul Ela, graduate of Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alexandria, Egypt. Ph D in Pharmaceutical Sciences (Pharmacognosy) 1991, University of Alexandria-Egypt and Technical University of Berlin-Germany. She had done her Postdoctoral fellowship, from School of Pharmacy, University of London, UK. She is Member of the American Society of Pharmacognosy. She is also Member of the editorial board of many international scientifi c journals. Currently, she is head of department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Beirut Arab University, Lebanon.She is Expert in QA in Higher Education. Research interest: Phytochemistry, Phytotherapy, discovering new drugs from natural sources and participation in drug development through applying different pharmaceutical approaches, more than 55 publications in the fi eld of phytochemistry, medicinal plants and phytotherapy.

Research interest: Phytochemistry, Phytotherapy, discovering new drugs from natural sources and participation in drug development through applying different pharmaceutical approaches, more than 55 publications in the fi eld of phytochemistry, medicinal plants and phytotherapy.

Dr. Yousef Alomi, Head of General Administration of Pharmaceutical Care Administration, and Head of National Drug Information Center, MOH Saudi Arabia Dr. Alomi is a product of King Saud University confirmed with the degree of Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the year 1992. After six-years of higher study, he earned his Master of Clinical Pharmacy from the same university in the 1998. He is an affiliated clinical instructor of Purdue University in the USA. He is adjunct assistant professor of King Saud University college of Pharmacy. Dr. Alomi was a member of Pharmacy Board at Saudi commission for health Specialties for 1998-2002 and 2008-2012 and Head of Pharmacy Accreditation committee in 2010-2012. He was team member of establishing 1st Pharmacy Residency Program in Saudi Arabia . In the year 2005 he obtained Board Certification of Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS). In the year 2008, he obtained his diploma in business administration from American University in Egypt in 2007, and he obtained a Board Certification of Nutrition Support Pharmacy (BCNSP) in 2009. Dr. Alomi worked as clinical pharmacist in critical care area and nutrition support. He is He is establish and implement several programs at MOH Hospitals at first time; Clinical Pharmacy Program, Medication Safety Program, Pain Management Program, Anticoagulation Program and Pharmacy Infection Control, including 30 Adult and 20 Pediatrics Clinical Pharmacy Program; he is the founder of Mass Gathering Pharmaceutical Care in Saudi Arabia He became a member of advisory board of the Arab Pharmaceutical Journal in 2010. He became as Pharmacy Board Member of Saudi Commission of Health Care Specialities 2010-2013. He had several research in clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy practice published in ACCP and ISPOR conferences, He had several presentations in the clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice at several conference in and outside Saudi Arabia.

Pharmaceutics and Novel Drug Delivery, Clinical Pharmacy, Practice Pharmacy

B. B. Barik has completed his Ph.D. in 1993 from Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India. He is the Professor in the department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, KSA. Earlier he worked as professor and head in the Univ Dept of Pharm Sci, Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, India and College of Pharmaceutical Sci, Berhampur, Odisha. He has published more than 50 papers in reputed journals and presented more than 100 papers in national and international conferences. He is serving as reviewer and editorial board member of reputed journals.

Novel Drug Delivery and Pharmaceutics

Luisa Fiandra has completed her PhD and postdoctoral studies from the Department of Biology of the University of Milan (Unimi), working in the field of transport physiology with a specific interest in permeability processes through intact epithelia and cell membranes. From 2010 to 2015 Luisa Fiandra has been a senior researcher at L. Sacco Hospital (Milan), where she contributed establish the Nanomedicine Unit, and scientific coordinator of the NanoMeDia Project, funded by Regione Lombardia (Italy). Today, LF is carrying out her research activity, mainly focused on the delivery of nanoformulated drugs across biological barriers, for the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco” of Unimi.

Nanomedicine, nanoformulation of drugs for breast cancer diagnosis and therapy and delivery of nanoformulated drugs across biological barriers.

Serena Mazzucchelli, PhD, research associate at the University of Milan. She received her bachelor degree in Biological Sciences in 2004, degree in Biology in 2006 and PhD in Biological Sciences in 2009 at the Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences (University of Milan-Bicocca-Italy). From 2009 to 2012 she has a post-doc fellowship at the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco” (University of Milan-Italy). From 2012 to 2015 she is researcher at the “L. Sacco” University Hospital. Today, SM is carrying out her research activity focused on the development of nanodevices for diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer at the Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences “L. Sacco” (University of Milan).

Biochemistry, nanobiotechnology and nanomedicine. SM research activity is focused on the study of nanoparticle interaction with tumor cells aimed at the development of nanodevices for diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer.