D-PReD Lab Members Honored for Research at 2025 Controlled Release Society Annual Meeting & Exposition
At the 2025 Controlled Release Society (CRS) Annual Meeting & Exposition, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy research scientist Yogesh Sutar, PhD, and PhD candidate Joseph Adams were honored with awards for their outstanding research presented at the conference. Sutar’s poster presentation, “Ionic Liquid-Based Nanoemulsion to Facilitate the Repurposing of Sorafenib for Oral AML Therapy,” received the MERCK GRADS Award, placing him in the Top 10 selected from over 500 posters. Adams delivered an oral presentation titled "Sweetener-Mediated Conversion of Albendazole into Ionic Liquid for Improved Oral Bioavailability", for which he was awarded the Best Oral Presentation in the Young Scientist Category.
The theme of CRS 2025 was "Next-Generation Delivery Innovations," highlighting cutting-edge advances in controlled release science. The organization has a multi-disciplinary focus, centered on creating the future of delivery science and technology through fundamental delivery research, development, regulatory science, and clinical translation. With thousands of attendees and hundreds of presentations spanning multiple therapeutic areas, CRS plays a vital role in shaping the future of pharmaceuticals and patient-centered therapy worldwide. Each year, numerous prestigious awards are presented at the conference for innovative research and outstanding accomplishments. It is the premier global event for scientists, engineers, and innovators in the field of controlled drug release and advanced drug delivery technologies.
Yogesh Sutar receives the MERCK GRADS Award
Both Sutar and Adams are members of the Drug Pre-formulation, Repurposing and Delivery (D-PReD) research laboratory in the department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. The lab, directed by Abhijit Date, PhD, addresses the challenges of poorly bioavailable drugs through advanced platforms such as ionic liquids, nanoemulsions, and polymeric nanocarriers. By improving oral bioavailability, the lab enables more effective therapies in oncology, infectious diseases, and other areas of high unmet need. Current projects within the D-PReD research group include drug repurposing and reformulation for the treatment of multiple diseases and infections, including genital and ocular herpes simplex virus infections, cryptococcal meningitis, systemic and mucosal candidiasis, acute myeloid leukemia, and prostate cancer therapy.
Under the lab’s research focus, Sutar’s poster presentation addressed the challenges of orally delivering sorafenib (a kinase inhibitor primarily used for liver and kidney cancers) by formulating it as an API ionic liquid-based nanoemulsion. This translational approach enhances sorafenib’s solubility, permeability, and oral bioavailability, enabling its potential repurposing for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and expanding therapeutic options for AML patients. With his recognition at CRS 2025, Sutar’s work has been spotlighted for the translational value and scientific rigor of his approach to drug repurposing and formulation. Another major accomplishment of his career has been receiving a "Qais Farjo Memorial Travel Grant" to attend the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2025 annual meeting, one of the most prestigious conferences in the field of vision and ophthalmology research.
Joseph Adams receives the Best Oral Presentation in the Young Scientist Category Award
Adams’ presentation was likewise focused on drug repurposing and reformulation. His novel strategy uses Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) sweeteners to form ionic liquids of albendazole, a poorly soluble and bioavailable antiparasitic drug. The resulting formulation significantly enhances solubility and oral bioavailability and may transform the drug’s clinical utility for neglected tropical diseases and systemic infections. In addition to his award for his research, he received the Young Scientist Travel Grant. This award supported his participation at CRS 2025, highlighting his unique talents and contributions to his field.
Sutar and Adams’ award-winning projects reflect the D-PReD Lab’s translational focus on addressing the challenges of drugs with poor solubility, premeability and bioavailability through advanced platforms such as ionic liquids, nanoemulsions, and other nanotechnologies. By improving oral bioavailability and drug penetration in target tissues, the lab enables more effective therapies in oncology, infectious diseases, and other areas of high unmet need. Looking ahead, the lab is committed to advancing these technologies toward clinically relevant, patient-friendly, and cost-effective solutions. Their success at CRS 2025 underscores the Coit College of Pharmacy’s expanding influence in shaping the future of drug delivery on a global scale.