Particular challenges also exist around in vivo drug delivery, including stability and bioavailability, tolerability, effective absorption into the target tissue; and the avoidance of undesirable drug-drug interactions. Accurate dosing and monitoring of therapeutic effects during and after administration are vital. Pharma is interested in novel drug delivery platforms and mechanisms of administration for small molecules and biologics, as well as advanced therapies such as gene and cell therapies.

Adherence to therapeutic regimens is also crucial to the patient drug experience, yet inadequate patient education and variable health literacy can negatively impact a patient’s ability to successfully follow a medication regimen. Poor medication compliance and persistence result in inferior health outcomes for patients and lost revenue for pharma.

The theme of the Fall 2023 PharmStars’ cohort, “Digital Innovations in Therapeutic Delivery: Supply Chain to the Patient Interface,” encompasses digital health solutions that improve the therapeutic supply chain, delivery, or the patient-drug experience for small molecules, biologics, and advanced therapies. Areas of interest include but are not limited to:

Novel drug delivery and administration platforms

• Companion devices
• Dynamic dosing

Supply chain management or efficiency

• Sourcing, logistics, tracking, product integrity, and compliance
• Sustainability and recycling

Treatment management

• Patient education, health literacy
• Medication adherence and persistence
• Remote patient monitoring