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Controlled release technology is an interdisciplinary field that connects pharmaceutics and molecular biology, thus translating pharmaceutical products into therapies that ultimately transform patients' lives, according to experts speaking at the recently concluded 24th International e-Symposium on “Advances in Technology & Business Potential of New Drug Delivery Systems,” organised by the Controlled Release Society-Indian Chapter (CRSIC) 2026.
CRSIC- 2026 brought together globally renowned scientists, industry leaders, academicians and young researchers on a dynamic virtual platform. The two-day international scientific event showcased cutting-edge innovations and translational advances shaping the future of controlled release and novel drug delivery technologies.
Speakers at the symposium underscored that the central objective of controlled release technology is to improve patient adherence to prescribed drug regimen, which is one of the most persistent challenges in healthcare. By enabling medicines to release active ingredients in a controlled and sustained manner, these technologies help simplify dosing schedules and ensure that patients receive the appropriate therapeutic levels of medication over time.
Experts noted that controlled release formulations can significantly enhance treatment outcomes by reducing the burden of frequent dosing and minimizing the risk of missed or incorrect doses. Globally, it is estimated that nearly 15 per cent of hospital beds are occupied by patients whose conditions have worsened because medications were not taken correctly. Against this backdrop, determining the right dosage and delivery profile based on a patient’s medical condition is increasingly critical. Controlled release medicines address this challenge by ensuring that once a pill is consumed, the required dose of the drug is delivered at the right rate and at the right time, maintaining efficacy while improving convenience for patients.
Industry specialists at the symposium also highlighted the growing business potential of advanced drug delivery systems, noting that innovations in controlled release technologies are likely to shape the next generation of pharmaceutical products designed around patient comfort, compliance, and therapeutic effectiveness.
The symposium commenced with an inaugural ceremony graced by Prof. Maria J. Vicent, president of the Controlled Release Society, as chief guest and Ajit Singh, chairman of ACG Worldwide, as Guest of Honour. During the ceremony, Dr. Amarjit Singh, CEO of Neuera Pharma Sci Serv, Mumbai, was conferred the CRSIC Lifetime Achievement Award. The occasion also marked the release of the Abstract Book and the CRS Newsletter, formally inaugurating an intellectually enriching scientific programme.
The scientific sessions on Day One addressed diverse and impactful themes in advanced drug delivery. Prof. Maria J. Vicent delivered an insightful lecture on polypeptide-based therapeutics for overcoming biological barriers, followed by a compelling keynote by Prof. Dan Peer on the RNA revolution, spanning vaccines to therapeutic genome editing. Prof. David Brayden discussed translational intestinal permeation enhancers, while Purav Shah spoke on regulatory frameworks and formulation complexities specific to equine formulations. Prof. Dimitrios A. Lamprou presented advancements in 2D to 7D printing technologies in drug delivery and medical implants, highlighting emerging multidimensional innovations.
A major highlight of the day was the prestigious Prof. H.L. Bhalla Memorial Lecture delivered by Prof. Robert S. Langer of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who addressed advances in technology and the business potential of drug delivery systems. The lecture was followed by an engaging live interactive session with participants from around the world. The evening sessions featured Prof. Giovanni Traverso on engineered medicines for the gastrointestinal tract and Prof. Tejal Desai on precision biomaterials engineering. The day concluded with a thought-provoking lecture by Dr. Daniel Schuffler on age-appropriate pediatric drug delivery systems and formulations.
Day Two sustained the scientific momentum with discussions on next-generation therapeutic platforms. Prof. Paola Luciani spoke on patient-centric lipid-based therapeutic approaches, Prof. Yvonne Perrie highlighted lipid nanoparticle manufacturing processes and critical quality attributes and Prof. Moein Moghimi explored strategies to target nanomedicine–complement interactions. Prof. Helena Florindo presented innovative approaches to addressing the solid tumor microenvironment in nano-immunotherapies, while Prof. Silvia Pescina discussed advanced ex vivo ocular models. Prof. Eneko Larrañeta elaborated on implantable platforms for long-acting drug release. A particularly inspiring session featured Prof. Nicholas A. Peppas, who delivered a keynote address on modern protein delivery systems for autoimmune diseases. Beyond discussing advances in biomaterials and protein therapeutics, he delivered a powerful message encouraging researchers to pursue science not merely for citations, but to alleviate patient suffering and improve therapeutic outcomes.
The symposium concluded with an inspiring scientific session by Prof. Jindrich H. Kopecek on innovative approaches for the treatment of hematologic malignancies, followed by the Valedictory Function, where he served as Chief Guest. The ceremony included the presentation of the Professor H.L. Bhalla Young Scientist Award and Best Poster Awards, recognizing outstanding research contributions from emerging scientists.
The success of the 24th CRSIC International e-Symposium was made possible through the generous support of its sponsors, including Sun Pharma as Master Sponsor; ACG Worldwide as Prime Supporter and sponsor of the Prof. H.L. Bhalla Memorial Lecture; and Sotax, Colorcon and Indira University as valued partners. Their continued commitment to advancing scientific exchange significantly strengthened the event.
Total 112 posters were presented. The Young Scientist Award was conferred upon Purushottam Suryavanshi from NIPER-Guwahati in recognition of his outstanding research contribution. In the Ph.D. category, the First Prize was awarded to Mr. Pratik Shinde of BITS Pilani, the Second Prize to Amoolya Sree of NIPER-Guwahati and the Third Prize to Simran Somkuwar of RTM Nagpur University. In the M. Pharm. category, the First Prize was presented to Kasish Jain of ICT, Mumbai, followed by the Second Prize to Shubham Band of RTM Nagpur University and the Third Prize to Nehal Sarvaiya of SVKM’s Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy (BNCP), Mumbai, for their exemplary and innovative research contributions.
The symposium was attended by members of the CRSIC Executive Body, including president Prof. Vandana Patravale, immediate past president Dr. Parizad Elchidana, vice president Dr. John Disouza, secretary Dr. Sujata Sawarkar, treasurer Dr. Madhur Kulkarni and executive council members Dr. Anil Pethe, Dr. Nilesh Mahajan, Dr. Sajeev Chandran, Dr. Ganesh Jadhav, Dr. Vaishali Londhe and Dr. Nikhar Vishwakarma, along with distinguished academicians and industry representatives (326 delegates). Their collective leadership and active participation reflected the Society’s strong commitment to advancing controlled release science, fostering global collaboration, promoting translational research and inspiring the next generation of scientists to develop patient-centric and technologically advanced drug delivery solutions.
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