Advancing Long-Acting Injectables and Immunotherapies through the Tunability of Lactide/Glycolide Polymers
May 5, 2026 | Cambridge, MA, USA
Overview
Long-acting injectables like microparticles and implants, are among the most complex parenteral products in the pharmaceutical industry. Long acting injectables using bioabsorbable polymers for systemic and local drug delivery have improved the lives of millions of patients globally, based on successful outcomes for the treatment of cancer, schizophrenia, diabetes, substance abuse, as well as ocular, rare and hormonal diseases. These drug products have many advantages including simplification of the drug regimen by decreasing dosing frequency, improving efficacy, treatment adherence, and achieving local drug delivery to areas such as eyes and joints.
In this workshop, Evonik’s drug delivery and polymer experts will share their experiences and insights on the development of long-acting, bioabsorbable injectables, covering the science of cornerstone lactide/glycolide polymers and their use in drug products introduced to the market over the past 40 years. Distinguished guest speakers will present on the microstructure of polymeric formulations and nanoparticles.
Key learnings for participants
- Brief history and science behind long-acting polymeric injectable drug products on the market, including microparticles and implants
- Overview of key lactide/glycolide polymer properties and highly specialized polymer grades relevant to drug delivery formulations
- Recent application trends, including immunotherapies, ocular drug delivery, and future trends
- Polymeric nanoparticles
- Custom polymer synthesis and drug development service
Agenda
08:30 am | Registration & Breakfast
09:00 am | Welcome & Introduction
Tracy Cheavious, Business Development Manager
Evonik Health Care
09:15 am | History and Science of Lactide/Glycolide Polymers
Dr. Tom Tice, Senior Director, Strategic and Technical Marketing
Evonik Health Care
10:00 am | Guest Speaker
10:30 am | Coffee Break & Networking
10:45 am | Long-Acting Formulations – Microparticles and Implants
Dr. Tom Tice, Senior Director, Strategic and Technical Marketing
Evonik Health Care
11:30 am | Choosing the Right RESOMER® & LACTEL® Polymer for Your Formulation
Dr. Manish Rane, Associate Director Technical Sales
Evonik Health Care
12:00 pm | Lunch & Networking
01:00 pm | Microstructure Intelligence to Accelerate Polymeric Product Development
Shawn Zhang, Founder and CEO
DigiM
01:45 pm | Custom Polymer Synthesis for Polymer Tunability
Jay Stone, Director, Technical Marketing
Evonik Health Care
02:30 pm | Coffee Break & Networking
02:45 pm | Small Particles, Big Impact: Polymer Nanoparticles in Engineering Immune Tolerance
Dr. Nataliya Nukolova, Director, Formulation
SOBI
03:15 pm | Medicines of the Future Using RESOMER® & LACTEL® Polymers
Dr. Tom Tice, Senior Director, Strategic and Technical Marketing
Evonik Health Care
03:45 pm | Wrap-up