The final panel discussion on Day 2 of the FDD Conclave 2025 focused on how formulation science can evolve to better serve special populations, including paediatric, geriatric, and immunocompromised patients. The conversation explored the intersection of technology, patient-centricity, and regulatory innovation in developing future-ready drug delivery systems.
The discussion titled, ‘Future-Ready Formulations: Addressing the Challenges of Special Populations’ was moderated by Dr Pirthipal Singh, Head of R&D at Tirupati Group. Joining him on the panel were Dr Ravindra Agarwal, Sr VP at Mankind Pharma; Elayaraja Natarajan, VP – R&D at Lyrus Life Sciences; Dr Sachin Mundade, VP – R&D at Micro Labs; Vinod Arora, Principal Advisor at IGMPI; Dr Balasubramaniam Jagdish, VP – Formulation Development (PDU) at Recipharm Pharmaservices; Srinivasan Rajaman, GM at Medreich; and Dr Vaibhav Sihorkar, VP & BU Head – Formulation Solutions at Aragen.
The panel opened with an emphasis on the importance of patient-centric design as the foundation of future formulation strategies. For drug products intended for paediatric and geriatric populations in particular, factors such as palatability, swallowability, and ease of administration emerged as non-negotiable attributes that directly influence patient adherence and outcomes. While patient needs form the heart of development efforts, the panel also highlighted that innovation must be balanced with regulatory compliance and technological scalability.
Future-ready formulation strategies, they noted, rely on the convergence of three essential pillars: understanding patient-specific needs, meeting evolving regulatory expectations, and leveraging technology in ways that can be implemented at scale. Within this framework, excipients were identified as both enablers and potential roadblocks. Their selection, compatibility, and impact on the stability and effectiveness of drug products must be managed with precision to avoid downstream formulation challenges.
The conversation then turned to the role of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and 3D printing. These tools offer exciting possibilities for customising dosage forms for niche patient groups and improving formulation efficiency. However, the panel also acknowledged that there are foundational gaps that must be addressed before these technologies can be fully embedded into routine R&D processes.
As the discussion evolved, the focus briefly expanded to include novel therapeutic frontiers such as cell and gene therapies. These approaches hold transformative potential for the treatment of complex diseases, including cancer, HIV, and genetic disorders, underscoring the need for formulation science to keep pace with advancements in biotechnology.
The session concluded on a note of cautious optimism, with consensus that a future-ready approach to formulation development must blend scientific rigour, emerging technologies, and a deep sensitivity to the needs of vulnerable patient groups.