At the end of November, Empa researcher Peter Wick and Beat Flühmann from CSL Vifor AG invited complementary research groups from Switzerland and abroad to a two-day workshop at Empa in St. Gallen. At the workshop, various working groups addressed different issues, from the characterization of nanomedicines to the biomedical mechanisms, by which the human body interacts with these materials. The gained knowledge will serve as a basis to better understand the critical quality attributes as well as for the development of new nanomedicines. "The symposium character covers all central aspects and focuses on current scientific challenges," says Empa researcher Wick. For the researchers, this is a unique opportunity to discuss scientific findings with industry representatives on a broad and interdisciplinary basis and to develop new working hypotheses on mechanisms of action and interactions.

The workshop series goes back to the long-standing collaboration between Empa and CSL Vifor. This began a few years ago with the first joint research project on nanomedicines for intravenous iron treatment and has since encompassed countless projects with various research partners. "Bringing together different complementary research groups in a stimulating, open atmosphere has proven to be a successful model for everyone involved and has allowed us to clarify open questions in the area of the interaction of nanomedicines with the human body," says Beat Flühmann from CSL Vifor. "An institution like Empa, with its broad interdisciplinary expertise, is an extremely valuable partner for us in this endeavor."