Agenda

  • 1100-1145 Registration

    1145-1210 Welcome: Prof Alastair Florence, University of Strathclyde

    1210-1225 Invited Speaker

    The future opportunities for medicines manufacturing in the UK.

    1225-1310 Keynote session:

    • Chair: Dr Cameron Brown, University of Strathclyde

    • Dr Sterling Baird, Acceleration Consortium, University of Toronto - So, you want to build a self-driving lab?

    1310-1410 Networking lunch, exhibition review and poster session - odd numbers

    Connect with delegates, meet with our exhibitors, and explore our largest ever poster area featuring >80 CMAC researchers.

    1410‐1530 Innovations in digital manufacturing brought to life

    The showcase demonstrates how CMAC is staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing landscape of digital manufacturing integrating technologies to enhance quality and efficiency.

    • DM2 project showcase

    • Quality by Digital Design (QbDD) & Digital Workflows, DataFactories & model-driven experiments, MicroFactories & advanced process technology, data & digital twins.

    1530‐1600 Networking break with exhibition review and poster session - even numbers

    1600-1715 Translation to industry – bridging innovation and application

    Leading pharmaceutical companies discuss leveraging pre-competitive insights to advance Spherical Agglomeration and digital innovation at the DS-DP interface. We’ll also hear from solution providers as they discuss strategic collaborations with CMAC that offer tailored capabilities to meet the industry's evolving needs.

    • Chair: Massimo Bresciani, University of Strathclyde

    • Dr Marcello Bosco, Roche, & Dr Helen Wheatcroft, AstraZeneca - Opportunities and Challenges for Spherical Agglomeration in Industry

    • Dr Staffan Schantz, AstraZeneca R&D - From CMAC to Industry: AstraZeneca’s Journey in Digital Innovation at the DS-DP Interface

    • Itay Speicher, digiM and CCDC - CMAC Integrated Service Offerings: digiM and CCDC

    1715-1720 Wrap‐up: Prof Alastair Florence, University of Strathclyde

    1720‐ 1855 Poster session with drinks reception

    Explore our largest ever poster area featuring >80 CMAC researchers.

    17:25-18:10 Odd numbers

    18:10-18:55 Even numbers

    1915 ‐ 2300 Informal dinner, Radisson Blu Hotel

  • 0815‐0900 Registration

    0900‐0910 Welcome, Prof Alastair Florence, University of Strathclyde

    0910‐1015 World-class facilities - Leading the way: How CMAC facilities support sustainable, world-class research

    The CMAC Facilities are at the heart of all our activities and underpin the sustainability of our research programmes. Hear more about our progress in lab digitalisation, automation, advanced analytical techniques and NetZero initiatives.

    • Session Chair: Prof Alison Nordon, University of Strathclyde

    • Prof Paul Chapman, Glasgow School of Art - The Lab of the Future: Rethinking Space, Tech and Collaboration

    • Dr Scott Brown, University of Strathclyde - SolvIT: Solvent and API Recovery for Sustainable Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

    Researcher flash presentations:

    • Suruthi Gnanenthiran, The University of Sheffield - Agglomeration Behaviour Across Scales – the Role of Tip Speed in Agitated Filter Dryers

    • Aaron Smith, University of Strathclyde - Using SIFT-MS to Understand the Degradation of Amorphous Solid Dispersions Produced via Hot-Melt Extrusion

    • Faisal Abbas, University of Strathclyde - Self-Driving Tableting DataFactory for Accelerated Medicines Development

    • Colette Tierney, University of Strathclyde - Multi Routes to Amorphous Solid Dispersions: Spray Drying vs Hot Melt Extrusion

    • Nicola Voiculescu, University of Strathclyde - Embedding Sustainability in Pharmaceutical Research and Development

    1015‐1045 Networking, Exhibition Review and Poster Session – odd numbers

    1045‐1200 Innovations in digital manufacturing brought to life

    The showcase demonstrates how CMAC is staying ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing landscape of digital manufacturing integrating technologies to enhance quality and efficiency.

    • DM2 project showcase

    • Quality by Digital Design (QbDD) & Digital Workflows, DataFactories & model-driven experiments, MicroFactories & advanced process technology, data & digital twins.

    1200-1300 Networking, exhibition review and poster session – even numbers

    Connect with delegates, meet with our exhibitors, and explore our largest ever poster area featuring >80 CMAC researchers.

    1300‐1415 Research Excellence - Transforming ideas into impact

    This session demonstrates our capacity to enable the digitalisation of Chemistry, Manufacturing and Control (CMC) processes and how we are establishing Cyberphysical Systems (CPS) for medicines development and production processes.

    • Session Chair: Prof Claire Adjiman, Imperial College London

    • Prof Daniel Markl, University of Strathclyde - Accelerated Drug Product Development using a Digital Formulator and a Self-Driving Tableting DataFactory

    • Dr Ashish Yewale, Loughborough University - Tracking of the Robust Design Space: From QbD to QbDD

    Researcher flash presentations:

    • Theo Tait, University of Strathclyde - Advanced Formulation Mixture Rule Optimisation for Enhancing Predictability of Tablet Compressibility and Compactability

    • Parandeep Sandhu, University of Strathclyde - Multi-Label Classification of Crystallisation Outcomes for the Crystallisation Screening DataFactory

    • Dr Humera Siddique, University of Strathclyde - Advancing Particle Engineering and Process Optimisation through Digital Workflows

    • Musab Osman, University of Strathclyde - Challenging the Concept of Strain Rate Sensitivity: Feed Frame Rotational Speed Drives Tablet Strength Variations

    • Lujain Al-obaidly, University of Strathclyde - Understanding the Long-term Physical Stability of Solid Oral Dosage Forms

    • Lewis Ross, University of Strathclyde - Automation of the Physical Stability Testing and Prediction for Amorphous Pharmaceuticals

    • Omar El-Habbak, University of Strathclyde - Machine Learning Prediction of Powder Flow Behaviour Using Experimental and Computational Particle Properties

    1415-1445 Networking, exhibition review and poster session – All

    1445‐1630 CMAC lab tours

    1630‐1715 Keynote presentation

    • Session Chair: Prof Daniel Markl, University of Strathclyde

    • Prof James Polli, University of Maryland, USA - Advancing product quality and accessibility through regulatory science research

    1715‐1720 Wrap-up - Prof Alastair Florence, University of Strathclyde

    1830‐0000 Conference dinner, Barony Hall

  • 0830‐0930 Registration

    0930‐0935 Welcome, Prof Alastair Florence, University of Strathclyde

    0935-1020 Keynote

    • Session Chair, Prof Alastair Florence, University of Strathclyde

    • Prof Richard Bourne, University of Leeds

    1020-1030 SkillsFactory: Upskilling the future workforce

    Filling a void in the digital skills gap, this new online platform is set to deliver industry-aligned courses to ensure up to date knowledge in the pharmaceutical sector.

    • Session Chair: Dr Catriona Clark, University of Strathclyde

    • Shannan Bernico, University of Strathclyde

    • Shannon Carr, University of Strathclyde

    1030-1130 Industry 5.0 panel session

    • Session Chair: Dr Catriona Clark, University of Strathclyde

    • Prof Brahim Benyahia, Loughborough University

    • Dr Jagit Singh Srai, University of Cambridge

    • Prof Nik Willoughby, Heriot-Watt University

    1130-1200 Networking and Exhibition Review

    1200-1300 Building a future-ready talent pipeline

    CMAC is cultivating a pipeline of industry-ready professionals to drive sustained growth and innovation within the pharmaceutical sector. Hear first-hand from industry experts and students as they share their placement experiences and career aspirations.

    • Session Chair: Dr Natalie Maclean, University of Strathclyde

    • Irene Moreno Flores, University of Strathclyde - Crystals al dente: My Research Journey in Parma

    • Industry Speaker TBC

    • Patrycja Bartkowiak, University of Strathclyde - Optimisation of External Lubrication System in Tablet Manufacturing

    • Industry Speaker TBC

    CMAC Alumni Presentations:

    • Dr Tomás Harrington, University of East Anglia - Interdisciplinary Research and Design Rules: Industry and CMAC Perspectives

    • Dr Anna Jawor-Baczynska, AstraZeneca - From Academia to Industry: My Professional Journey Post-CMAC

    1300-1400 Networking lunch with exhibition review

    Connect with delegates and meet with our exhibitors.

    1400-1410 Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal, University of Strathclyde

    1410-1440 Prize giving and closing remarks, Prof Alastair Florence, University of Strathclyde

    1440-1500 Networking Break

    1500-1630 CMAC lab tour

 

Speakers

  • University of Maryland, USA

    Dr. James Polli is Ralph F. Shangraw/Noxell Endowed Professor in Industrial Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics at University of Maryland. His research interest is oral drug absorption, involving laboratory and clinical research. He has served as the advisor to 25 PhD graduates. He is co-Director of the University of Maryland Center of Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation and the Center for Research on Complex Generics, each an FDAfunded collaborative agreement with the Agency. He is Director of the online M.S. in Regulatory Science program. He is a fellow of the American Association for Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and served as an editor of Pharmaceutical Research for 12 years. He is the 14th recipient of the American Pharmacists Association Takeru Higuchi Research Prize. He was the recipient of the 2024 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Volwiler Research Achievement Award, the 2024 FFQM Pearls of Bioequivalence Award, the 2022 AAPS Global Leadership Award, and the 2021 TOPRA Education Award. He is a member of the University of Maryland General Clinical Research Center Advisory Committee and the University of Maryland institutional review board (IRB).

  • University of Leeds

  • Dr Sterling G. Baird is the Director of Training and Programs at the Acceleration Consortium, where he develops Al and automation training for staff scientists and the broader community-covering everything from Bayesian optimisation and workflow orchestration to internet-of-things communication and vision-enabled robotics.

    He received his B.Sc. in Applied Physics and M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University, followed by a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Utah as a Gregory B. McKenna graduate fellow. Dr Baird has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, contributed extensively to open-source materials informatics code, and is passionate about data-driven materials discovery, self-driving laboratories, and lowering barriers to performing state-of-the-art research.