Welcome to the brand new newsletter from APS, your membership organisation. We hope you enjoy reading this and find it informative. We would love to hear your feedback on this newsletter or indeed any aspect of APS at info@apsgb.co.uk

Jo Craig, APS Chair

A message from Jo Craig,
Chair of the Academy

Dear fellow Pharmaceutical Scientists! I am delighted to be writing to you today to introduce the Autumn 2021 edition of our APS Insights newsletter. Many thanks to our communications team for compiling some really interesting articles. It’s almost that time of year where we reflect on annual achievements and my mind was focussed on this as I prepared the Chair’s report for our AGM a week ago. As I mentioned then, 2020 was the year no-one expected due to Covid-19, but 2021 was the year that many people, including the Academy, further embraced the opportunities to build on our ability to work differently.

I hope therefore that you will have taken the opportunity to join us in our many and varied webinar series during 2021, organised by our Focus Groups. There are still some sessions to run on nano-medicines and emerging technologies so please sign up via our website! If you are an APS member please remember that you also have free access to a wealth of recorded webinars via our Members Hub on the website.

Perhaps you were also able to join us at our virtual PharmSci 2021 conference in September where we had some excellent Covid-19 themed sessions, award lectures, and a wealth of scientific content. Particular congratulations to our ‘virtual’ poster award winners who we have introduced further in this newsletter. We even welcomed our new Fellows via a virtual ceremony and my congratulations go out to them.

As always, we are passionate about supporting our student members and providing support for pharmaceutical science education and careers. To this effect I welcome London Metropolitan University as the latest institution to be awarded APS accredited status for their pharmaceutical science programmes. It was also fantastic to see the New Scientists focus group organising not one but two of our popular ‘Industrial Insights’ programmes this year, virtually, with participation from nearly 100 students.

As always, our sincere thanks to our corporate sponsors for their continued support. And thank you to you as members and non-members for your support and encouragement for APS and each other in these interesting times.

Very warm wishes to you all,
Jo Craig
Chair APS

Thank you for making vPharmSci 2021 an amazing success!

The APS hosted their first virtual conference on the 7-9th September 2021. There were more than 300 attendees at the event with good representation from both academia and industry.

There were 34 unique companies represented from the pharmaceutical industry and 32 unique universities (where 12 were outside of the UK), showing the diverse nature of the attendees. There were 10 exhibition booths at the virtual event

Figure 1. Summary of attendees at vPharmSci 2021

There were 34 unique companies represented from the pharmaceutical industry and 32 unique universities (where 12 were outside of the UK), showing the diverse nature of the attendees. There were 10 exhibition booths at the virtual event

The programme included daily sessions on pharmaceutical sciences and the Global COVID-19 pandemic with talks discussing the logistics of setting up a lighthouse laboratory as well as the pathways for development in large Pharma companies. The conference included an award lecture on each day; these awards recognise pharmaceutical scientists at all stages in their career – we are currently seeking nominees for these awards for 2022 so I encourage you to consider who you would like to see at the conference in 2022. This years’ winners were:

The details on how to apply or nominate someone else for the award can be found on our website (https://www.apsgb.co.uk/).

More than 80 posters were presented at the conference showcasing the very latest research from academia and industry. There were prizes for posters; one was voted by the audience and the other two were identified by a panel of judges where the scientific quality and relevance to the audience were the key criteria. The poster winners are featured in the “Get to know the APS Members” section of this newsletter.

There were parallel sessions held each afternoon to cover the diversity of topics in pharmaceutical science. A benefit of the virtual platform is that the talks were all recorded and available to watch for those times where you wanted to be in two places at once! The entire conference is still available on the platform for those who registered if there is still something that you want to catch up on – we have 6 months to access all content. The scientific programme is put together from the APS focus groups and invited partners.

A summary of the vPharmSci 2021 programme scientific sessions:

  • The Biopharmaceutics focus group showcased the outputs from the PEARRL Marie-Curie ITN
  • The Process Engineering and Formulation Design focus group hosted a session on Continuous processing for oral solid dosage forms
  • The Skin focus group presented on Transdermal, intradermal and topical drug delivery
  • The UKICRS, a long-term partner of the APS presented on Advances in cancer therapeutics
  • The new APS Emerging technologies Focus group hosted a session that included talks on microfluidics; electrophoretic delivery and 3D printing
  • A session on Digital Pharmaceutics was held to highlight this emerging field

The APS would like to thank all those involved in the organisation of these sessions for selecting such engaging speakers that provided excellent talks for the conference. We also thank the speakers for their time in the preparation and delivery of the talks.

We are already planning for 2022 so please get in touch (info@apsgb.co.uk) if you have ideas for the scientific programme for next year. You may wish to join a focus group to share your idea or come direct to us – for more information on focus groups please visit https://www.apsgb.co.uk/focus-groups/.

Save the date! The conference in 2022 will be held on the 7-9th September in Belfast – watch the welcome video here!

A personal insight into vPharmSci by Hannah Batchelor

I firstly have to declare that I am a member of the APS board and was involved in the organisation of vPharmSci 2021 so this review is not entirely unbiased! However, for those of you who have organised a big event will know that sometimes the stresses of the planning phase can diminish the enjoyment of the actual event! In this instance, at the start of the conference,  I was nervous to see whether the platform worked and how many of the registered delegates would attend. I was so delighted with the welcome address and then the first presentation by Professor Peter Simpson on, “ A lockdown, Lighthouse, Laboratory, Journey” was brilliant. It was a fascinating insight and really put into perspective the “stresses” involved in organising a virtual conference compared to the work undertaken to deliver a functioning laboratory from scratch in a matter of days/weeks.

The posters were great and the presenting authors had not only generated visually appealing posters to showcase their work but they had also recorded short narratives to accompany the poster to explain in more detail. Many of the posters were presented by student members of the APS and the talent on display reassured me that the future of pharmaceutical sciences is in safe hands.

The award lecture by Hans Lennernas was a great mix of personal and professional achievements, I particularly enjoyed his integration of family into his presentation and my admiration for him has grown since this great presentation.

As a member of the biopharmaceutics focus group I selected to attend the Biopharmaceutics session in the parallel stream which highlighted the outputs from the PEARRL network. Again, this was a great session with a mix of speakers from industry and academia that also reflected diversity in their career stage.

At the end of day one I attended the presentation of the fellowships and poster awards – there is more detail in this newsletter on both aspects so I urge you to read those parts.

The next day I tuned into the COVID-19 talk given by Brian Henry on Pfizer’s response to the pandemic from a small molecule perspective, this was again a real insight into ways of working and how different issues call for different solutions. This was followed by Professor Ryan Donnelly’s award lecture. I have known Ryan for many years and it was great to see how his research has grown; Ryan has previously won the APS emerging scientist award so perhaps he can aim for all three APS awards in his career!

I attended the UKICRS parallel session which provided an overview of cancer therapeutics this session included three speakers that stretched from the lab to the clinic describing some exciting nanomedicines.

The final day saw the last of the three COVID 19 talks by Cristiana Campa who has experience in biologics and explained how this knowledge was put to use in the development of GSK’s response to the COVID 19 pandemic. Dr Luis Bimbo was the recipient of the Emerging Scientist award and he spoke about inorganic carriers for drug delivery applications he included some great images in his presentation and highlighted that the use of nanoparticles can minimise the use of organic solvents.

I attended the parallel session on emerging technologies which provided an insight into how microfluidics can be used as a manufacturing process for nanoparticles and how the device geometry can affect the properties of the particles formed. The second talk was about electrophoretic delivery to the brain for the treatment of brain injury (epilepsy and brain tumours) and the final talk was on 3D printing looking at the applicability for polypharmacy.

The conference was closed by Professor Martin Snowden. He shared some of his highlights but more importantly introduced the theme and venue for the conference in 2022 where he will be the Science Chair overseeing the meeting. I enjoyed vPharmSci and the sessions that I attended ran smoothly with engaging speakers presenting interesting work. I missed the opportunity to network face to face and think that despite the advances made in technology to support online conferences the networking aspects still need work. I really hope that the calibre of presentations is as high in Belfast in 2022.

Get to know our members:

The presenters of the winning posters were asked a series of questions so that we can get to know them better as members of the APS!

Introducing Bin Zhang
from The University of East Anglia.

Bin Zhang presented work on ‘New insights into the effect of microstructure of 3D printed pharmaceuticals on drug release kinetics’

Tell us about yourself and your career journey to date?
I’m currently a researcher in Professor Sheng Qi’s group at the School of Pharmacy at the University of East Anglia. The project I am working on is related to the 3D printing of polypills for pharmaceutical applications.

What is a typical day like for you?
On a typical day early morning, I usually begin by going over the list from the previous day. This can help me set up my priorities. I review the status of the projects that I’m currently working on, and I try to finish any pending work if present. I try to make sure that all the job assigned to me is moving forward.

What advice would you give to your 18 year-old self?
If I have the opportunity to tell an 18-year-old myself, I’d like to say, “Never stop growing your base of skills and always learn to do things. Focus on doing things you love”.

What would you like our members to know about you?
The more insight I commit to the application of 3D printing, the more I think it is worth researching, especially its application in the drug-loaded medical device. I hope to use my computational and experimental skills to further explore 3D printed personalised medicine development to satisfy individual patient needs in the future.

Introducing Yara Naser
from Queen’s University Belfast

Yara presented a poster titled, ‘Hydrogel-forming Microarray Patches for the Non-invasive Intradermal Deposition of a Model Hydrophobic Drug”

Tell us about yourself and your career journey to date?
I am originally from Jordan and I am a registered pharmacist there. My research focuses on drug delivery, mainly on overcoming tissue barriers using microarray patches.

What is a typical day like for you?
A typical day would start by planning my work in advance (normally at least a week earlier). I would then start doing my experiments and analysing my results. I really enjoy working in the lab and I am always curious to know what will the results look like if I try something different.

What advice would you give to your 18 year-old self?
I would definitely tell my 18 years old self to believe and trust in myself, dreams and aim high. Be more confident and trust your instinct. Don’t hesitate and of course, try to be always happy.

What would you like our members to know about you?
I am always curious to try new things and would always like to meet new people from all around the world.

Introducing Benedict Brown
from the University of Huddersfield

Benedict won the audience poster vote for his poster, ‘Flow rate effects on IDR determinations and compact surfaces investigated using imaging’

Tell us about yourself and your career journey to date?
I studied pharmacy at the University of Huddersfield, I then conducted my pharmacist training at the Royal Derby Hospital, following this I went back to the University of Huddersfield to undertake a PhD in pharmaceuticals.

What is a typical day like for you?
Well at the moment I am writing up my PhD thesis, so much of the day is spent in front of a screen! But I do get out once in a while to work as a pharmacist.

What advice would you give to your 18 year-old self?
Focus on enjoying the studying process makes it so much easier!

What would you like our members to know about you?
An interesting fact, I have an identical twin who works for Reckitt Benckiser.

The posters were a great addition to the conference and as a reminder these are all still available to view on the platform for those registered and I urge you to go and take a look as there are some fascinating presentations on the full spectrum of pharmaceutical science.

Welcome to our new fellows 

Individuals who contribute to the Pharmaceutical Sciences and the APS are recognised as Fellows or Eminent Fellows of the APS. These awards have been made since 2012 and details of past recipients can be found here

The most recent people to be awarded the accolade of Fellow of the APS were Fran Greco, Rachel Knott and Philipp Seib. Their awards were made within the vPharmSci meeting and following the public announcement I asked them to answer some short questions to provide some information about themselves and their interaction with the APS.

Fran Greco, Associate Professor in Drug Delivery at the University of Reading

What is your personal career highlight?
My personal career highlight is whenever I see one of my PhD students achieving their PhDs. For me, being able to be part of their journey as they transition to independent researchers is extremely satisfying.

Who are your pharmaceutical science heroes (and why)?
My Pharmaceutical hero is Professor Helmut Ringsdorf. He is one of the (if not the!) founders of the field of polymer-drug conjugates, so a bit of an obvious choice, but this is not why he is my hero…He is so enthusiastic about science and life, and I will always treasure the conversations I have had with him about science (and life!).

What piece of advice would you give to someone about to start a career in pharmaceutical science?
I would say exactly what my PhD supervisor told me at the end of my PhD: “Always prepare yourself well”.

Rachel Knott, Reader (Honorary), School of Pharmacy & Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen

What piece of advice would you give to someone about to start a career in pharmaceutical science?
I am thankful that throughout my career I have always managed to maintain a passionate interest in the area of research I am engaged with and I think this has sustained me when times have been more difficult. I think this is an essential element to any career in science and the Pharmaceutical Science arena currently offers many challenges and exciting avenues of research that have the potential to impact significantly on more effective targeted therapies.

What do you think the APS should be seeking to achieve in the future?
APS has a rich resource of current and future APS members in the Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science students in the UK. Encouragement and facilitation of the engagement of these future scientists will be invaluable in seeking to consolidate the reach and reputation of the APS.

Philipp Seib, Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Materials at the University of Strathclyde

Who are your pharmaceutical science heroes (and why)?
There are many, but one stands out for me personally: Prof Ruth Duncan. I had the pleasure of doing my PhD with Ruth. Those were fun times. I learned a lot about pharmaceutical sciences, polymer therapeutics—and myself. These experiences not only enabled me to evolve as a scientist but also to understand the wider challenges we need to overcome, both within science and in society. For me, and I am sure for many others, Ruth is a true trailblazer!

What piece of advice would you give to someone about to start a career in pharmaceutical science?
Think outside the box and find mentors to support you in your journey. You should build a support network for the science, but your network associates should also inspire you and guide you. Learning by osmosis is the way to go!

Welcome to our Eminent Fellow

The award of Eminent Fellow is an award that recognises science and experience at an international level with emphasis on advocacy and leadership. The most recent recipient was Alastair Coupe, as with the others I asked a couple of questions so that our members can get to know him a little better.

Alastair Coupe, Senior Director with responsibility for Formulation and Process Development at Pfizer UK.

As well as his day job Alastair is currently a visiting assistant Professor at Nottingham University, School of Pharmacy, management board member of the Doctoral Training Centre (CDT) in Advanced Therapeutics and Nanomedicines – UCL and University of Nottingham Schools of Pharmacy, a member of the UCL Stakeholder Advisory Group, a member of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences Regulatory Focus Group Steering Committee and was recently a member of the RPS Pharmaceutical Sciences Expert Advisory Panel.

Tell me about your favourite APS moment?
My favourite APS moment is simply receiving out of the blue the award of APS Eminent Fellow – I was both honoured and flattered to receive this prestigious award as it is recognition from peers who I hold in high esteem and whom I have looked up to scientifically and professionally for many, many, years: to be acknowledged by these esteemed colleagues is very rewarding.

What is your personal career highlight?
If I had to pick one highlight it was being able to work with fantastically talented academic colleagues at UCL, University of Nottingham and Trinity College Dublin to bid for and successfully be granted funding for the EPSRC & SFI Centre for Doctoral Training in Transformative Pharmaceutical Technologies – it was an honour to be asked to be the industrial member of the team and then to deliver something of real value to the pharmaceutical sciences community (showing great collaboration and partnership between industry and academia) that will transform medicines design and also importantly develop future scientific leaders of medicines R&D.
Additionally, I continue to get great pleasure every time new Pfizer medicines are approved and I know patients will soon be benefitting from. I feel very lucky (privileged) to have worked in R&D for Pfizer for 25 + years and been able to contribute scientifically to the development and delivery of many new and valuable medicines including oncology, HIV and paediatric medicines.

I also asked Alastair for a pharmaceutical science joke – I know this was a big ask but he responded with a great COVID cartoon:

London Met accreditation:

APS is pleased to announce that in September the pharmaceutical sciences courses (BSc, BSc with foundation year, MSc and MSci) at London Metropolitan University achieved APS accreditation. Dr. Don Green from the University describes their motivation for seeking the accreditation and the impact it has had on the students:

In June 2018 at the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences subject group’s employability day at London Met, the current Chair of APS, Jo Craig who was the keynote speaker at this event, gave a powerful and inspirational presentation on the role and function of the Academy and how her career to that point was focussed on the very highest standards in pharmaceutical development. My colleagues were greatly encouraged by what Jo shared.

In the validation and periodic reviews of our Pharmaceutical Science provision, the course team took the strategic decision to align the degrees to the key tenets of the APS and highlighted the fact that the Academy not only represented Pharmaceutical Scientists who work in research, development, regulation and manufacturing, but also was committed to ensuring the highest standards in education and training and the continued elevation of the recognition of the subject area by accrediting good university pharmaceutical science degree programmes. Dr Bhaven Patel worked tirelessly to achieve this and as course leader for the undergraduate programmes, stewarded the BSc to 100% student satisfaction in the 2019-2020 NSS, demonstrating that there was a clear correlation between us forging links with the APS and the impact this was having on those students who had recognised that their degree, if formally accredited by the Academy, would do even more to secure a solid platform should they take the decision to seek further professional development and specialisation.

Our school’s (Human Sciences) strategic plan presented by our Head of School – Dr Elizabeth Opara exemplifies what we are committed to in our pharmaceutical science provision ‘to be the embodiment of the University’s vision “to make an even more significant contribution to its city, socially, culturally, environmentally and economically, and to be recognised locally and internationally for its commitment to lasting social change” using education, our expertise and life experiences to empower and transform the lives of both our students and staff’. The course team could also see that the APS was leading the way in encouraging participation from marginalised and under-represented groups and that its assent to equality, diversity and inclusion was clearly aligned with the course team’s vision of education being totally transformative. The accreditation team commended the course team’s efforts to diversify the curriculum, and the success of the foundation year programme in supporting students from varied backgrounds to access and study science. We are very pleased that these students will now be able to take advantage of the stakeholder engagement from the pharmaceutical industry (with the Academy’s assistance) to ensure that our provision is highly relevant and will prepare students well for careers in UK and indeed international Pharma.

The effect of this accreditation is summed up by the following quote from one of our students who has just graduated from our MSc in Pharmaceutical Science and Drug Delivery Systems:

Dear Dr Patel,

Congratulations on the accreditation of the degree, BSc Pharmaceutical Science. I would like to take this opportunity to say how good this accreditation is not just for the university but mostly for the students, as it provides them with the assurance that they are getting a high-quality education as the degree has met a gold standard.

This going forward will have a huge impact on the recognition of the degree on a global academic standard as well as on an employability level. I am very pleased to have done this degree at London met. Thank you for all your support and hard work.

Kind regards

Looking forwards: call for new board members

Applications deadline 26th November 2021.

Following the retirement of two APS Board members which will be formally announced at our AGM on 22nd October 2021, the APS is now seeking applications from individuals interested in becoming Board members.

The APS Board consists of 9 members who are registered as Directors of APS at Companies House. This means that becoming a member of the Board brings legal obligations related to the management of APS. Board members are expected to attend at least 4 APS full Board meetings per year (currently approximately every 2 months by Zoom, for 2-3 hours), and regular Board meetings every other week for an hour. Board members are expected to contribute to the delivery of APS goals and provide their time and expertise to advance APS initiatives. Each Board member can usually stand for a maximum of two 3-year terms.

Board members must be APS members and should have a broad perspective across the pharmaceutical sciences and should have some experience of managing timelines and budgets and of working in a team environment. Board members act as a team to manage the business of APS and are not representatives of their employer. Within their capacity as an APS Board member they are expected to always act in the best interests of APS.

Enthusiasm, commitment and a demonstrable passion for pharmaceutical sciences are the main skills needed but experience in events management and marketing would be particularly useful to expand the range of expertise on the Board.

APS welcomes nominations from members from diverse backgrounds and cultures to represent our broad membership.

Individuals wishing to be considered for a role should send a 1-page CV and a short statement describing the skills they would bring to the Board and their goals and objectives if appointed. Applicants will be reviewed by an Appointments Panel consisting of Board and Advisory Board members. The Panel will make a recommendation to the Board which will make the final appointment. The successful applicants will be appointed as Director of the Company at the next available APS Board meeting.

Applicants should ensure that they understand the duties and responsibilities of being a Company Director and at a minimum be familiar with the information at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/being-a-company-director

Please send applications to the APS Administrator, Trish Sharptrish@apsgb.co.uk 
by no later than Friday 26th November 2021.

Announcing the APS Pharmaceutical Sciences Awards 2022

Your invitation to submit an application for the The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences Awards
Closing Date for Entries 20th December 2021

The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences – Emerging Scientist Award Lecture 2022

The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences is pleased to announce our Call for Nominations for the 2022 Emerging Scientist Award Lecture, to be delivered at APS PharmSci 2022 (7th-9th September 2022) in Belfast.

Entrants are welcome from researchers from across the globe in academia, industry, public service or other scientific establishments. Applicants should be no more than 10 years since award of their degeree or PhD, and have an outstanding track record (for this stage of their career) indicative of excellent potential.

Submission Criteria
Both nominations and self-nominations are welcome. Submission should include:
• A one-page cover letter, highlighting key achievements of the candidate in the field of pharmaceutical science and suitability for the award
• A detailed CV
• Proposed title of your talk

Entries should be submitted via email to info@apsgb.co.uk including ‘Emerging Scientist Award 2022’ in the subject field. Your email application must include your full name and postal address, a contact telephone number, your email, and your institution or organisation’s name.

Closing Date for Entries 20th December 2021
Entries will be judged by an APS panel.

Prize
The winner will receive an invitation to present the Emerging Scientist Award Lecture on their work at PharmSci 2022, Belfast.

Previous Winners:

APS Emerging Scientist Award 2020
Dr Luis Bimbo – ‘Inorganic carriers for drug delivery applications’

APS Emerging Scientist Award 2019
Dr Clare Hoskins – ‘Nano-assassins for pancreatic cancer therapy’

The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences – Innovative Science Award Lecture 2022

sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline

The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences is pleased to announce our Call for Nominations for the Innovative Science Award Lecture 2022 sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, to be delivered at APS PharmSci 2022 (7th-9th September 2022) in Belfast.

Entrants are welcome from researchers in pharmaceutical science from across the globe in academia, industry, public service or other scientific establishments. The individual applicant should have demonstrated, through published work, a significant innovation which has the potential for application within the pharmaceutical industry.

Submission Criteria

Applicants are requested to submit their CV and a synopsis of their research of not more than 500 words, focussing on its importance to the pharmaceutical industry and proposed title of your lecture.

Entries should be submitted via email to info@apsgb.org including ‘Innovative Science Award 2022’ in the subject field. Your email application must include your full name and postal address, a contact telephone number, your email, and your institution or organisation’s name.

Entries will be judged by an APS panel.

Prize

The winner will receive a Commemorative Award, £1,000 in prize money and an invitation to present the Innovative Science Award Lecture on their work at APS PharmSci 2022.

Closing Date for Entries 20th December 2021

Previous winners

APS Innovative Science Award Lecture 2020
Professor Ryan Donnelly, Queen’s University – ‘Poking holes in transdermal delivery limits to provide solutions to global healthcare challenges’

APS Innovative Science Award Lecture 2019
Prof Abdul Basit – ‘Lost in translation’

APS Innovative Science Award Lecture 2017
Prof David Jones – ‘Don’t play what’s there; play what’s not there: Innovating within the Pharmaceutical Sciences’

APS Innovative Science Award Lecture 2016
Prof Ijeoma F. Uchegbu – ‘Differentiated Medicines-Delivery More Than Bioavailability’

The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences – PharmSci 2022 Award Lecture

sponsored by The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences is pleased to announce our Call for Nominations for the 2022 APS Award Lecture, to be delivered at APS PharmSci 2022 (7th-9th September 2022) in Belfast.

The award will entail the following for the recipient:

• To be presented at APS PharmSci 2022 with complimentary registration for the event on the day

• To deliver a 45 minute lecture within a conference plenary session

• To be recognized as an award recipient on the APS website

Nominations

Nomination should consist of a brief CV and a one page summary of contribution in the following fields:

• Scientific contribution: Work should be outstanding and ambassadorial in their area with an international reputation

• Broad scientific awareness and proposed title of your lecture

Nominations must be made by a member of the Academy.

Selection Process

The recipient of the award will be appointed by a Selection Committee comprising of:

• Representatives of the Academy Board

• Representatives of the APS PharmSci 2022 Organising Committee

Entries should be submitted via email to info@apsgb.org including ‘PharmSci 2022 Award Leture’ in the subject field. Your email application must include your full name and postal address, a contact telephone number, your email, and your institution or organisation’s name. 

Entries will be judged by an APS panel.

Closing Date for Entries 20th December 2021

Previous winners

PharmSci 2020 Award Lecture
Dr Hans Lennernäs, Uppsala University – ‘Seven successful projects in my research – so far……’

PharmSci 2019 Award Lecture
Prof Clive Roberts, University of Nottingham – ‘The potential of 3D printing in the development and manufacture of medicines and its impact upon Pharmacy’

PharmSci 2017 Award Lecture
Prof Dennis Douroumis University of Greenwich – ‘Some like it hot – an extrusion olution to advance drug deliveries’

PharmSci 2016 Award Lecture
Prof Kay Marshal University of Manchester – ‘Improving World health – What can the Community of Pharmaceutical Scientists Contribute’

Looking ahead to PharmSci 2022 in Belfast

PharmSci 2022 will be a showcase event for the Pharmaceutical Sciences pulling together academics, manufacturers and industrialists.  We have a tremendous conference venue in Belfast.

Do please come along and join us to get a glimpse of world leading Pharmaceutical Science.

Thanks to those who completed our Members survey

APS members and non-members survey. The APS is really keen to hear feedback from both members and non-members. We have created surveys for both groups and want to encourage you to provide information so that we can best serve our community of pharmaceutical scientists. We are interested in hearing from those who have never been part of the APS as well as those who are past members but not current members.

It is only by hearing feedback that we can respond to deliver a membership organisation that is valued. Please spare us some time (less than 5 minutes!) to complete the survey here

Summary of the AGM

The APS AGM was held on the 22nd October 2021. The AGM is an opportunity for the APS membership to hear reports from the chair on the achievements of the APS over the past year.

It is also the meeting where changes to the board are officially communicated and where financial reports are shared.

Major achievements  

The current APS membership is over 500 with over 40% of members being student members.

2021 has seen a wide range of virtual events which have been popular, including virtual PharmSci and Industrial Insights:

Board changes:
Jo Craig will complete her term of office as chairperson at the end of 2021 with Hannah Batchelor taking on the role as chair from January 2022, this is a 2-year term of office.
Two board members, Geoff Davison and Mark McAllister, are retiring after completing 2x 3year terms as board members. The call for nominations for new board members has been issued and all APS members are encouraged to consider whether they would like to join the board.

Finances:
The APS made a -£15,538 loss in 2020/21. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on APS events income was the primary driver of the change in the APS finances.
The Board of APS is confident that they have put in place measures so the constraints of COVID-19 will have less impact in 2021/22 and future financial years.

Why not join one of our Focus Groups?

The APS has 12 Focus Groups that cover a range of topics. These include:

  • Age-Related Medicines
  • Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs)
  • Biopharmaceutics
  • Drugs From Natural Sources
  • Skin Forum
  • Emerging Technologies
  • New Scientists And Students
  • Nanomedicines
  • Material Science
  • Parenterals
  • Process Engineering And Formulation
  • Regulatory

As an APS member you can join any of these focus groups and I urge you to look at the website here where you will find details of the remit of each group as well as who the leadership team are for each group. There is an option within the website to join the group.

If you are interested in getting involved in a focus group there are plenty of opportunities to organise workshops, webinars or to write position papers.

Typically focus groups meet (via teleconference) on a monthly basis to plan events or to discuss hot topics. Each year there is an opportunity for the focus groups to suggest speakers for the APS PharmSci annual conference. This year we have seen an increase in the number of webinars offered by the Focus Groups, particularly from Age-Related Medicines; Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products; Biopharmaceutics and Nanomedicines. The New Scientists and Students FG also ran their Industrial Insights meeting as a virtual event for the first time.
If you want to suggest any webinar topics or events please join the focus group and share your ideas with the membership.

APS Membership

MEMBERS: Don’t forget to visit the Members Hub on a regular basis for up to the minute news and event information and webinar
presentations/recordings.

To ensure we meet your expectations, please let us know what you would like to see in the Members Hub by emailing your suggestions
to us at info@apsgb.co.uk

NON-MEMBERS: Take a look at the many benefits to being an APS member, including FREE attendance to all webinars.

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP: If you would like to become a Corporate Sponsor and extend the benefits of APS Membership to your staff
please contact us at info@apsgb.co.uk

Click here to find out more.