We are delighted to be joined by Professor Samir Mitragotri, Hiller Professor of Bioengineering at Harvard University and a globally recognised leader in drug delivery innovation. With pioneering work spanning transdermal delivery, biomimetic systems, and next-generation therapeutics, Professor Mitragotri has consistently been at the forefront of redefining how medicines are designed, formulated, and delivered to patients. It’s a pleasure to have him with us.
In this conversation, Professor Mitragotri explores one of the most pressing challenges in modern drug development: drug delivery. While advances in AI-driven drug discovery and high-throughput screening have dramatically accelerated the identification of promising drug candidates, translating these molecules into effective, patient-ready therapies remains a major hurdle. As he notes, a drug is only truly valuable once it can be successfully delivered to the right place, at the right time, in a way that patients can realistically use. In this sense, drug delivery is increasingly becoming the central bottleneck in the development pipeline.
A key focus of Professor Mitragotri’s research is the delivery of biologics—particularly antibodies—which represent one of the fastest-growing and most complex classes of therapeutics. His work aims to shift these treatments away from costly and infrastructure-heavy intravenous administration towards more accessible, patient-friendly approaches such as subcutaneous delivery. By leveraging innovative formulation strategies, including the use of ionic liquids, his team is improving the bioavailability, stability, and concentration of biologics, enabling more practical at-home administration.
The discussion also highlights the importance of integrating drug delivery considerations much earlier in the discovery process. Too often, delivery is treated as an afterthought, leading to inefficiencies, increased costs, and failed candidates. Emerging tools—such as ex vivo, non-animal models and AI-enabled predictive systems—are beginning to change this paradigm, allowing researchers to assess delivery challenges alongside traditional parameters like efficacy and safety from the outset.
Professor Mitragotri also reflects on common industry missteps, particularly the reliance on “off-the-shelf” delivery solutions for increasingly complex molecules. Instead, he emphasises the need for parallel innovation in both drug discovery and delivery technologies. Looking ahead, he outlines what will differentiate successful platforms over the next five years: the ability to accommodate growing molecular complexity while dramatically improving patient usability and experience.
Ultimately, his vision is clear: a future where drug delivery technologies are as intuitive and unobtrusive as everyday consumer technologies. Whether through oral formulations, transdermal patches, or wearable delivery systems, the goal is to reduce treatment burden, enhance patient compliance, and seamlessly integrate therapies into daily life—transforming not just how drugs are delivered, but how they are experienced by patients.
