Insights from the 2025 Applied Biophysics Forum in Drug Delivery
More than 90 lipid nanoparticle experts gathered in Mainz, Germany, from 11 to 12 March, for The Applied Biophysics Forum in Drug Delivery. Attendees met to tackle the challenges related to the biophysical characterization and development of lipid nanoparticles as drug delivery vectors.
At this year’s Forum, organizers repeated the successful format of the 2024 edition: the agenda was set collaboratively by a Scientific Committee made up of leading figures from academia and industry and advisory regulatory bodies. There were 25 talks from invited speakers and multiple panel discussions. What’s more, every attendee was encouraged to bring a poster detailing their current research. From these, the Forum’s Scientific Committee selected the 10 abstracts to deliver flash presentations—giving the assembled LNP enthusiasts a chance to dive deeper into important areas of LNP innovation.
With such a broad mix of perspectives, everyone had something to gain from the event:
- Learning from accumulated knowledge in applied biophysics of lipid-based vectors and nucleic acids. Veteran researchers shared insights with peers and met up-and-coming talent.
- Increasing translation potential of research. Academics learned more about how drug developers apply primary research, and industry researchers shared their experiences on orthogonal and complementary use of biophysical technologies.
- Active engagement and path to new collaborations. PhD students and early-career scientists got to network with and receive feedback on their projects from with leading experts in pharmaceutical research and manufacturing.
A packed agenda
Over two dozen talks, panel discussions, and multiple poster sessions were spread across two days. The opening session, chaired by co-organizer Dr. Heinrich Haas—Chief Technology Officer at NeoVac and a pioneer in RNA formulation and delivery—set the tone. Highlights included:
Opening session – Chaired by Henrich Haas
With over two decades of experience in both academic research and pharmaceutical development, Dr. Haas has significantly advanced the field of RNA formulation and drug delivery. His recent research includes, for example, an investigation into the use of LNPs as vectors for genetic medicines to leukocytes.
Additional sessions showcased specialized insights:
The role of the European Pharmacopoeia – Gerrit Borchard
In his roles as chair of the non-biological complexes working party and chair of the mRNA for human use working party at the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Health Care (EDQM), Gerrit Borchard has unique insights to share into the role and process of the EU pharmacopoeia, of which he is an active contributor. He shared these insights in his talk, “Safety and quality of mRNA vaccines: the role of the European Pharmacopoeia”.
LNP Phase Separation and functional impacts in gene delivery – Miffy Cheng
Miffy Hok Yan Cheng leads the Lipid Nanoparticle-Enabled Gene Delivery (LEGenD) lab at the University of British Columbia, where she is assistant professor in nanomedicine and chemical biology. Dr. Cheng and her team recently demonstrated that the transfection efficiency of LNP-mRNA systems is critically influenced by the ionizable cationic lipid component. By formulating LNPs in the presence of high concentrations of pH 4 buffers, their genetic instructions are more stable, improving their ability to enter cells.
What’s next for the Applied Biophysics Forum?
The next edition of the AB Forum is already in the works, planned in Strasbourg for 10th and 11th June 2026. Book the dates and join the waitlist here.
