8th International Symposium on Phospholipids in Pharmaceutical Research
Meeting Report
by PD Dr. habil. Simon Drescher (Phospholipid Research Center Heidelberg, Germany)
The Phospholipid Research Center Heidelberg (PRC) organized its â8th International Symposium on Phospholipids in Pharmaceutical Researchâ from 09â11 September 2024 at the University of Heidelberg, Germany. After the great feedback of the symposium in 2022, we have decided to hold the symposium for an extra day this year. In addition, this symposium was also streamed in the virtual space.
About 140 researchers from all over the world attended the meeting, in person and via the virtual meeting. In the lectures, international experts from academia and industry presented innovative and new applications of phospholipids.
Participants of the 8th International Symposium on Phospholipids in Pharmaceutical Research, Heidelberg 2024 (Credit: Ina von Jeinsen).
Session 1: Gene Delivery meets Lipid Nanoparticles and Liposomes
The first day started with a session on gene delivery. The session was chaired by Simon Drescher (Managing Director PRC).
The first lecture was given by Christian Buchholz (Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany). In his talk "The gene therapy boom: from viral vectors and cell targeting to lipid nanoparticles" Christian J. Buchholz discusses the rapid progress in gene therapy, focusing on viral vectors and lipid nanoparticles. The talk highlights advances in gene delivery, with AAV vectors and RNA lipid nanoparticles, especially prominent after the Covid pandemic. A key challenge is targeting specific cells. Recent strategies, like bispecific AAVs and DARPin-engineered vectors, allow more precise targeting, offering promising applications in cancer immunotherapy and HIV treatment.
The second talk was given by Pieter Vader (University Medical Center Utrecht, CDL Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands) titled "Extracellular vesicle-inspired carriers for therapeutic RNA delivery." Vader discusses the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in RNA delivery and their potential for therapeutic applications. Using a CRISPR/Cas9-based system, his team found that EVs are significantly more efficient at RNA delivery than lipid nanoparticles. To enhance RNA loading, they developed EV-liposome hybrid nanoparticles, which combine the advantages of synthetic and biological systems and show promise for siRNA delivery. Additionally, EVs were adapted as carriers for CRISPR ribonucleoproteins.
The final presentation was given by Daryl C. Drummond (Akagera Medicines, Waltham, USA), titled "Targeting of LNPs and Liposomes to Myeloid Cells for Development of Highly Efficacious Therapeutics and Vaccines Against Difficult to Treat Infectious Diseases." Drummond explores the potential of lipidic delivery systems in targeting macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells for treating and preventing diseases. The talk highlights the success of a pegylated liposomal irinotecan (OnivydeÂź) in treating metastatic pancreatic cancer, as well as the development of AKG-100, an oxazolidinone antibiotic encapsulated in liposomes for treating tuberculosis. Additionally, ligand-directed LNPs are discussed for their enhanced targeting of dendritic cells in mRNA vaccine development, showing improved transfection and immunogenicity compared to conventional LNPs.
Session 2: Anisotropic Delivery Systems | PEGylation | Flash Talks
The second session on anisotropic delivery systems and PEGylation was chaired by Richard Wibel (PRC).
The first talk of this session was given by Vincent Faivre (Paris-Saclay University, Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, MULTIPHASE, Orsay, France ), titled "Phospholipid-based anisotropic drug delivery systems." Faivre discusses the role of anisotropy in nanometric and micrometric particles, highlighting two types of phospholipid-based particles. The first are compositionally anisotropic Janus particles, featuring both hydrophilic and hydrophobic compartments, which are useful for co-encapsulation of drugs and diagnostic agents. The second type includes elongated anisotropic particles, which offer distinct advantages in terms of movement and interaction with biological tissues compared to spherical particles.
The second invited talk was given by Janos Szebeni from Semmelweis University, Budapest. He presented research on the unintended consequences of PEGylation in nanoparticles. PEGylation, a technique used to stabilize nanoparticle suspensions and extend their plasma circulation, can trigger severe hypersensitivity reactions due to pre-existing anti-PEG antibodies. Szebeni's experiments demonstrated that a single intravenous injection of PEGylated liposomes in pigs caused a significant increase in anti-PEG IgM levels, which peaked around days 7â9 and then gradually declined over six weeks. Notably, bolus injections of PEGylated liposomes or the PEGylated lipid nanoparticle mRNA vaccine Comirnaty led to immediate anaphylactoid shock in previously sensitized animals. This shock was associated with complement activation and pulmonary hypertension. The study found that anti-PEG IgM binds rapidly to PEGylated liposomes, initiating complement activation through the classical pathway, which likely contributes to severe hypersensitivity reactions. These findings suggest that complement activation is a key factor in PEGylated nanomedicines' adverse reactions and propose using complement activation measurements as a model for assessing risks of PEGylated drugs and vaccines.
Between these two lectures, young scientists were given the opportunity to present their research in Poster Flash Talks. Each speaker was given three minutes to inspire the audience.
Presentation Vincent Faivre
Presentation Janos Szebeni
Session 3: Tetraether Lipids (TELs)
The first talk of the third session, chaired by Alfred Blume, was given by Alexander Treusch (University of Southern Denmark, Department of Biology, Odense, Denmark ), titled "Archaea: weird microorganisms with wonderful lipids." Treusch explores the unique biology of archaea, microorganisms that exhibit traits of both eukaryotes and bacteria and can survive in extreme environments. The talk focuses on the distinctive chemical structures of archaeal lipids, which feature ether bonds and include diether and tetraether lipids. These unique lipids contribute to the stability of archaea under harsh conditions and are increasingly utilized in biotechnology, such as in stabilizing nanoparticle carriers for improved oral drug delivery. The presentation provides an overview of archaeal biology, lipid structures, and their biotechnological applications.
The second presentation was given by David Wurm (NovoArc GmbH, Vienna, Austria), entitled "How to boost LNP performance with tetraether lipids." Wurm investigates the use of tetraether lipids (TELs) to enhance nucleic acid lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for mRNA delivery. His study explores both native and semisynthetic ionizable TELs, including glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether lipid (GDGT), to replace helper lipids in LNPs. In vitro tests showed improved transfection efficiency, and subsequent in vivo studies provided data on pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and storage stability. The results underscore the potential of TELs to significantly enhance the performance of mRNA delivery systems.
The next talk was presented by Dagmar Fischer (Friedrich-Alexander-UniversitĂ€t Erlangen-NĂŒrnberg, Germany), titled "Archaeal tetraether lipids as oral mRNA vaccination platform." She presents a novel carrier system designed for the oral administration of mRNA vaccines, utilizing acid-stable TELs from archaea to ensure safe, stable, and efficient mRNA delivery to the intestine. The system offers enhanced stability of mRNA and a simplified, cost-effective manufacturing process, potentially making mRNA vaccines more accessible, especially in developing countries. The talk covers the optimization of archaeon cultivation for large-scale TEL production, the development of archeosomes with TELs for efficient mRNA encapsulation, and in vitro studies on their drug delivery potential, including stability, gene transfer efficiency, and biocompatibility.
The next lecture was given by Philipp Uhl (Heidelberg University, Germany), on "Liposomes containing tetraether lipids and cell penetrating peptides for oral peptide delivery." Uhl addresses the challenge of delivering peptide therapeutics orally, which is hindered by instability in the gastrointestinal tract and poor mucosal permeation. To overcome these issues, Uhl developed a liposomal nanocarrier using TELs and cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). This nanocarrier provides stability through TELs and enhances mucosal permeation with CPPs. The approach demonstrated significantly improved oral bioavailability for vancomycin in rodents and has shown promising results in dogs, suggesting its potential for broader applications. This strategy could also be adapted for a vancomycin derivative targeting multidrug-resistant bacteria, potentially advancing oral peptide therapeutics.
The final presentation was given by Simon Drescher (PRC Heidelberg, Germany), entitled "Synthetic alternatives to natural tetraether lipids â chance or illusion?" He explores the potential of synthetic TELs compared to their natural counterparts. The talk outlines the key structural differences between natural TELs and 'classical' phospholipids, including the unique glycerol backbone configuration, ether bonds, and branched isoprenoid chains. Drescher discusses two main approaches: using natural TELs extracted from archaea or chemically synthesizing these molecules, potentially simplifying their structure to reduce synthesis complexity. The presentation evaluates whether synthetic TELs or their simplified analogs can effectively be used in pharmaceutical applications, such as stabilizing liposomes.
This was a fantastic start to our symposium. After these three sessions, the participants met in the foyer for dinner and a get-together.
Presentation Alexander Treusch
Presentation Dagmar Fischer (not available)
Session 4: Publication Ethics | Nanobubbles
The first, invited talk of the second dayâs first session, chaired by Peter van Hoogevest (PRC Heidelberg, Germany), was given by Christine Mayer (Wiley, Weinheim, Germany), titled "Publication Ethics 2.0 - GenAI in Scholarly Publishing." Mayer addresses the impact of Generative AI (GenAI) on the field of scholarly publishing, highlighting its potential to enhance efficiency and accessibility in various stages of the publishing process. The presentation explores new ethical challenges introduced by GenAI, such as copyright issues, authorship definitions, and content traceability, and provides an overview of the evolving ethical landscape in scholarly publishing.
The first selected Short Talk was given by Christos Tapeinos (University of Manchester, UK), entitled "Selective cellular uptake and drug delivery via brain cell plasma membrane-derived nanoparticles." Tapeinos explores the use of plasma membrane-derived nanoparticles (PM-NPs) for targeted drug delivery, focusing on their efficiency in crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reducing neuroinflammation. The study demonstrates that PM-NPs can selectively target various cell types, including human microglia, and successfully cross the BBB without damaging its integrity. PM-NPs loaded with the IKK-16 inhibitor effectively reduced pro-inflammatory markers in microglia, showcasing their potential for treating glioblastoma and other neuroinflammatory conditions. Future research will aim to validate these findings in vivo and optimize PM-NPs for clinical use.
The second short talk was given by Simon Matoori (Faculté de Pharmacie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada) about "Liposomal microreactor for bedside blood lactate sensing in sepsis." He presents a novel liposomal microreactor designed for rapid lactate sensing in whole blood, aiming to improve bedside testing for sepsis. The liposomal microreactor encapsulates the lactate detection reaction within a hydrophobic membrane, protecting it from interferences and utilizing a near-infrared fluorescence dye. The system demonstrated a linear response to lactate in human blood within two minutes and effectively distinguished between lactate concentrations. It also successfully detected lactate levels in LPS-induced septic rat blood. This innovative assay promises a fast, portable, and effective point-of-care solution for monitoring blood lactate levels in sepsis.
The final invited talk in this session was presented by FĂ©lix Sauvage (Ghent University, Belgium) titled "Photo-induced destruction of vitreous opacities using nanobubbles generating liposomes." The presentation introduces a novel nanotechnology-based approach for treating floaters in the vitreous of the eye, which are collagen aggregates casting shadows on the retina. The method utilizes the plasmonic properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to generate vapor nanobubbles (VNBs) upon exposure to pulsed-laser light, which fragment the floaters. Although AuNPs have shown promise in vivo, they are not biodegradable, prompting the exploration of indocyanine green (ICG) as an alternative. ICG, when encapsulated in liposomes, aims to enhance safety by increasing residence time in the vitreous and minimizing retinal penetration. Preliminary results suggest that hyaluronic acid-coated liposomes are effective in destroying vitreous opacities, with ongoing research focused on optimizing safety and efficacy in rabbit models.
Presentation Christos Tapeinos (not available)
Presentation Simon Matoori
Presentation FĂ©lix Sauvage
Session 5: Lysolipids | Tech Spotlights
The second morning session, chaired by Peter Hölig (Lipoid GmbH, Ludwigshafen, Germany), began with an invited talk by Wolfgang FrieĂ (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet Munich, Germany) on"Lyso-Phosphatidylcholine as surfactant alternative for biologics formulation." This presentation addresses the challenges associated with the stability of therapeutic proteins, which often encounter issues related to both physical and chemical instability when formulated as aqueous solutions. Traditional surfactants like polysorbates (PS) 20 and 80 are commonly used to alleviate interfacial stress but can have drawbacks such as susceptibility to hydrolysis and oxidation, potentially affecting drug quality and patient safety. FrieĂ's research explores lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) as alternative surfactants for stabilizing protein formulations. The study demonstrated that LPCs, including S LPC 80 and LMPC, do not exhibit significant hemolytic activity, and their interaction with proteins is not detrimental. LPCs work by forming elastic films at interfaces, effectively displacing protein molecules and preventing aggregation. At concentrations above 0.01 mg/ml, LPCs were found to cover the interface completely, protecting proteins from interfacial stress. The results showed that LPCs, particularly LMPC, are less prone to degradation compared to traditional surfactants and maintain their functionality even after lyophilization. Overall, LPCs exhibited similar interfacial stabilization properties to polysorbates and present a promising alternative for enhancing the stability of parenteral protein formulations.
The next selected Short Talk was by Dayana Benkova (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Department Lipid-Protein Interactions, Sofia, Bulgaria) and was titled "Interactions of chitosan-based hybrid nanomaterials with biomimetic models of cell plasma membrane". Benkova explores the interactions between chitosan-based hybrid nanomaterials (CSHMNs) and model membrane systems, specifically large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) and giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) that mimic various lipid phases: liquid-disordered (Ld), liquid-ordered (Lo), and their coexistence. The study found that CSHMNs increased membrane molecular order, altered vesicle size distribution and zeta potential. The effects were more pronounced in the Ld phase compared to the Lo phase. Additionally, CSHMNs induced morphological changes such as vesicle adhesion, fusion, and shrinkage. This research provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between chitosan nanomaterials and model membranes.
The next short talk was by Annabelle Dietrich (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany) titled "Lipid Quantification by RP-CAD for Intensified LNP Process Characterization". She introduces a novel RP-CAD method for quantifying lipids in lipid-nanoparticles (LNPs), which are used in vaccines and gene therapy. Current assessments mainly focus on particle characteristics and nucleic acid encapsulation, with lipid composition often overlooked. The new method improves lipid quantification throughout LNP processing by optimizing the charged aerosol detection power function value (PFV) and validating method accuracy. The study applied this method to evaluate how process parameters, such as total flow rate during microfluidic mixing, affect lipid content and loss. The findings revealed that lipid content deviations were linked to lipid stock preparation and that lipid loss was due to small-scale dialysis, independent of the flow rate. This method sets the stage for better LNP process characterization and could be applied to other processes like crossflow filtration.
This session closes with two Tech Spotlights. The first was given by Ulrich Massing (University of Freiburg, Germany, and Andreas Hettich GmbH, Germany) on "Dual Centrifugation for Liposome- and LNP-Preparation". Dual Centrifugation (DC) is a fast, sterile technique for preparing liposomes and LNPs in small batches. It combines impact and friction, with adjustable speed to control homogenization. DC allows precise control over liposome size, distribution, and encapsulation efficiency. It produces unilamellar vesicles at low lipid concentrations and small multilamellar vesicles (SMVs) at higher concentrations, suitable for IV use. For LNPs, DC efficiently prepares nucleic acid-loaded particles in a single step, offering high transfection efficiency and suitability for very small batch sizes (< 1 mg). The method's sterility and flexibility make it a promising alternative to traditional preparation methods.
The final tech spotlight, presented by Nicolas FĂ€rber (University of Augsburg, Germany), showcased the Lipid State Observer (LISO). This advanced tool uses temperature-controlled fluorescence spectroscopy to analyze lipid order in liposomes and LNPs. The LISO measures lipid order by using dyes such as Laurdan and calculates the generalized polarization (GP), providing insights into membrane fluidity, stability, and drug interactions. It offers precise temperature control and small sample volume analysis, even detecting structural changes in LNPs during formulation and storage.
After this session, the participants eagerly awaited the lunch break.
Presentation Dayana Benkova
Session 6: Self-dispersing Formulations | Membrane Proteins | Lipopeptides
The afternoon session, chaired by Philipp Uhl (Heidelberg University, Germany) began with a presentation by Heike Bunjes (Technische UniversitÀt Braunschweig, Germany) on phospholipid-based self-dispersing formulations. She explored how self-emulsifying lipid-based formulations can enhance the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, using phospholipids for their amphiphilic properties and excellent tolerance. The study focused on developing self-dispersing liquid capsule filling materials based on phosphatidylcholine for lipophilic drugs. Various phospholipids were tested in combinations with triglyceride oils and fats, revealing that formulations with diacylphosphatidylcholines like Phospholipon 90 G and Lipoid S 75 showed the best miscibility and dispersibility. Hard capsules, particularly those made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, were found to be more compatible with these phospholipid formulations than gelatin capsules. The formulations demonstrated good stability and acceptable loading capacities for drugs with lower melting points, although some drugs with higher melting points, like clofazimine, showed lower solubility.
In the next selected Short Talk, Cynthia Alsayyah (Saarland University, Homburg (Saar), Germany) presented a novel method for studying membrane proteins by modulating the compressibility of large unilamellar liposomes (LUVs) using cyclodextrins. By adjusting the sterol content, specifically cholesterol, with methyl-ÎČ-cyclodextrin in a dialysis setup, Alsayyah demonstrated reversible changes in membrane compressibility without losing liposome material. This method, monitored with the solvatochromic probe C-Laurdan, allows for detailed studies of how cholesterol impacts membrane protein structure and function. The approach successfully showed reversible protein oligomerization in response to cholesterol changes, offering a new tool for membrane research.
The next short talk was given by Radek Ć achl (J. HeyrovskĂœ Institute of Physical Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Prague, Czechia), who examined a model system to enhance vesicle fusion, a crucial process for drug delivery. Inspired by SNARE proteins, the system employs synthetic lipopeptides K4 and E4 to mimic their function. GUVs were functionalized with one lipopeptide, while LUVs carried the complementary one. The study, utilizing fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy, demonstrated improved fusion efficiency. It revealed that the spatial arrangement of the peptides is essential for successful membrane fusion, offering insights that could enhance intracellular drug delivery systems.
The final invited talk was presented by Jiasheng Tu (China Pharmaceutical University , Department of Pharmaceutics, Nanjing, China), who discussed advancements in multifunctional lipopeptides as excipients in lipid delivery systems. Tu highlighted the development of peptide-modified phospholipids, or lipopeptides, designed to enhance both loading capacity and barrier penetration. Notably, the DLP lipopeptides, featuring dendritic lysine or arginine and alkane chains, were shown to improve skin tissue penetration and cell uptake, significantly benefiting transdermal delivery systems for treatments like melanoma and hypertrophic scars. Additionally, mixed-charged dendritic lipopeptides (MCDLs) demonstrated effectiveness in overcoming physiological barriers in oral drug delivery, enhancing the bioavailability of macromolecular drugs such as insulin and liraglutide.
Immediately after this session, we came to the first highlight of this symposium: the presentation of the Thudichum Life Award.
Life Award Ceremony
The second day of the symposium concluded with a highlight: the presentation of this-yearâs Thudichum Life Award. Alfred Blume gave a short introductory lecture on Johann Ludwig Wilhelm Thudichum (1829-1901), the famous German/English physician and biochemist, who isolated and characterized numerous compounds of the brain for the first time, including phospholipids and related species. He was one of the very first to recognize the physiological importance of phospholipids.
Afterwards, Prof. Blume continued with a laudatory speech on this yearâs awardee: Professor Dr. Alberto Gabizon (Jerusalem, Israel). Prof. Gabizon receives the award for his lifelong and outstanding achievements in the field of phospholipid research.
Alberto Gabizon is a leading figure in cancer treatment and liposomal drug delivery systems, known for his pioneering work on PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil or Caelyx). This formulation, developed during his fellowship at UCSF Medical Center, utilizes phospholipid-based technology to enhance drug stability and selective tumor accumulation, significantly improving targeted chemotherapy and reducing side effects. His contributions have revolutionized cancer therapy, making treatments more effective and safer for patients worldwide.
Beyond Doxil, Prof. Gabizon has developed PromitilÂź, a PEGylated liposomal mitomycin-C prodrug, and is advancing research on PLAD (Pegylated Liposomal Alendronate of Doxorubicin), a hybrid therapeutic with both chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic properties. His work is supported by two start-up companies he founded, Lipomedix Pharmaceuticals and Levco Pharmaceuticals. Prof. Gabizonâs achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Kaye Innovation Award and the Bangham Lifetime Achievement Award. His ongoing research at the Nano-oncology Research Center in Jerusalem continues to impact cancer therapy, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach to enhancing human health.
The second day of the symposium closed with a Ship Tour on the river Neckar and a joint Dinner linked with a variety of discussions.
Professor Dr. Alberto Gabizon (L) honored with the 2024 Thudichum Life Award by Alfred Blume (R), President of the Phospholipid Research Center Heidelberg.
Session 7: Chronic Liver Disease | Drug Delivery
On the third day of our Symposium, the morning session, chaired by Andreas Koeberle (University Innsbruck, Austria) started with an invited talk by Paola Luciani from the University of Bern. She explored the use of phospholipids in managing chronic liver disease, particularly metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Her research revealed that soy-derived polyenylphosphatidylcholines (PPCs) can reverse liver fibrosis and protect against oxidative stress. Prof. Luciani also highlighted the development of a lipid mesophase-based ink for 3D-printed tablets, which disintegrate in intestinal fluids and show promise as an oral treatment for chronic liver disease by enhancing drug solubility and maintaining cell viability.
The second invited talk was presented by Shiqi Wang (University of Helsinki, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helsinki, Finland ). She discussed the development of cardiolipin-containing liposomes designed for intracellular drug delivery. Wangâs research focuses on overcoming the challenges of delivering large and complex protein drugs, such as Cytochrome C (Cyt C), which can be difficult to transport into cells. Her liposomes, which also include the glycolysis inhibitor lonidamine (LND), aim to enhance apoptosome formation and promote cell apoptosis. The combination of Cyt C and LND in the liposomes proved effective in inducing cancer cell apoptosis. Additionally, the incorporation of the tumor-targeting peptide LinTT1 significantly improved the targeting of tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo, showcasing the potential of these liposomes in cancer therapy.
The final invited talk was delivered by Timo Laaksonen (University of Helsinki, Finland), focusing on light-activated drug release from liposome-hydrogel systems. Laaksonen presented innovative approaches to controlled and sustained drug release using a combination of light-responsive liposomes and cellulose nanofiber hydrogels. He discovered that the release rate of nanoparticles could be controlled by adjusting the solid content of the hydrogel, with cationic nanoparticles showing extended retention and minimal passive release. He explored two light-activated release mechanisms. The first involved using Indocyanine Green (ICG) as a photosensitizer in cationic liposomes, where illumination at 808 nm generated heat, increasing liposome permeability and triggering drug release. The second approach used pyridine-substituted zinc phthalocyanine, either loaded into the liposomes or bound to the cellulose fibers, activating drug release through photothermal and photo-oxidation effects. Both methods demonstrated effective light-activated drug release, providing valuable insights for developing advanced medical devices and implants.
After a short coffee break, the event continued with the presentation of the Thudichum Young Scientist Award and the Best Short Talk, Best Flash Talk and Best Poster Presentation as chosen by the participants.
Young Session â Poster Award
The Award Ceremony was chaired by Paola Luciani (University Bern, Switzerland). Most of the projects funded by the Phospholipid Research Center were represented during this event. The Scientific Advisory Council of the Phospholipid Research Center selected six short talks and eigth flash talks from all poster abstracts. After the shart/flash talks and poster sessions, all participants were able to vote on who should win the prize for the Best Short Talk, the Best Flash Talk and the Best Poster Presentation.
These Poster Prizes, presented by Prof. Luciani, were each awarded a ⏠500 prize:
- Best Short Talk: Cynthia Alsayyah (Saarland University, Homburg (Saar)/Germany): "Modulating membrane compressibility using cyclodextrins to study membrane proteins"
- Best Flash Talk: Janina Nandy (Research Center Borstel, Germany): âLocal treatment of vaginal infections using lipid nanocarrier loaded microneedlesâÂ
- Best Poster Presentation: Paarkavi Udayakumar (Uppsala University, Sweden): âTargeted reprogramming of metastasis-associated macrophages using âtail flippingâ nanoliposomesâ
Finally, Kunal Pednekar (University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands) received with his poster âTargeted reprogramming of metastasis-associated macrophages using âtail flippingâ nanoliposomesâ the Book Prize sponsored by WILEY.
Thudichum Young Scientist Award
Our symposium concluded with the presentation of the Thudichum Young Scientist Award. The Phospholipid Research Center confers the Thudichum Award for Young Scientists for their excellent publications on phospholipid research. The winner received ⏠5,000 for the achievements, and the award was presented by Paola Luciani, member of the Scientific Advisory Council of the Phospholipid Research Center.
This year, the members of the scientific committee awarded the Thudichum Young Scientist Award to Martin Balouch (Prague, Czech Republic). Dr. Balouch was honored for his outstanding and original contributions on optimizing drug-liposome compatibility through a detailed study of drug permeability and partitioning across phospholipid bilayers. He used COSMOPerm calculations and fluorescent dye experiments to assess how different molecules interact with liposomes. His findings categorized drugs into groups based on their permeability and compatibility with liposomes: too permeable, membrane suitable, pH switchable, thermally releasable, and non-permeable. This classification helps in predicting a drugâs potential for effective liposome formulation.
Additionally, the study explored computational prodrug design to enhance drug-liposome compatibility. Notable findings included non-linear increases in permeability and partitioning with certain prodrugs, such as fructose-adducts, which showed significantly different permeability characteristics. These insights could lead to improved liposome-based delivery systems by tailoring drug formulations to better integrate with liposomal carriers.
The Winner of the Thudichum Young Scientist Award 2024: Dr. Martin Balouch.
Conclusion and Thanks
The success of the 8th International Symposium on Phospholipids in Pharmaceutical Research in 2024 was based on the many creative minds and inspiring scientists who demonstrated the numerous versatile applications of phospholipids in pharmaceutical research and development.
The author would like to acknowledge all the speakers, the poster authors, the chairs, the Scientific Advisory Council, and the Heidelberg University (students of JunProf. Philipp Uhl and Prof. Gert Fricker) for their excellent support. Special thanks go to Dr. Franziska Drescher, Dr. Richard Wibel, Ms. Britta Merz, and Ms. Ina von Jeinsen for their contributions to the outstanding organization and coordination of the symposium.
Finally, we would also thank all participants on-site and online for their enthusiastic contributions! Weâll see each other again in 2026!
Jury
The jury for the Life Award consists of members from the Scientific Advisory Council and the Board of the PRC; the jury for the Young Scientist Award consists of members from the Scientific Advisory Council.
The Board
- Prof. Dr. Alfred Blume
- Prof. Dr. Gert Storm
- Dr. Peter Hölig
- Mr. Andreas Kolodziej
Scientific Advisory Council 2024
- Prof. Dr. Alfred Blume
- Prof. Dr. Gert Fricker
- Dr. Peter Hölig
- Prof. Dr. Andreas Koeberle
- Prof. Dr. Judith Kuntsche
- Prof. Dr. Paola Luciani
- Dr. Frank Martin
- Dr. Ralf-Olaf Quinkert
- Prof. Dr. Gert Storm
- PD Dr. Peter van Hoogevest
Management PRC
- PD Dr. habil. Simon Drescher
- Dr. Richard Wibel
- Ms. Britta Merz
- Dr. Franziska Drescher