ANN ARBOR—The search for new drugs, once a tedious, random process, has been speeded up substantially in recent years, thanks to new genomic information and advances in computing and screening technology. Researchers are discovering new compounds much faster than they can be characterized and developed into promising pharmaceuticals. New scientific and engineering approaches, requiring a new breed of professionals, are needed to streamline and optimize these drug development and manufacturing processes.

These and other challenges to pharmaceutical industries in the 21st Century will be addressed Sept. 17-18 at a symposium and retreat on Science and Technology Needs in Pharmaceutical and Life Science-Related Industries, sponsored by the U-M College of Engineering and College of Pharmacy. The program will be held at the Michigan League, 911 N. University, on the U-M Central Campus.

Keynote lecturers will include Peter Corr, vice president of Warner-Lambert and president of Parke-Davis Research and Development; Larry Augsburger, president of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists and professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Maryland-Baltimore; and Ronald Borchardt, the Solon E. Summerfield Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Kansas. Break-out sessions will address such subjects as pharmaceutical discovery, characterization and development; product and process development; and manufacturing.

A highlight of the symposium will be the official announcement of a new master of engineering (MEng) program in Pharmaceutical Engineering at Michigan, a collaboration between the engineering and pharmacy colleges. Students in the program will choose from an assortment of courses in biology, chemistry, engineering and pharmacy and will receive practical training during summer internships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

There is no fee for the Symposium, but registration is limited. A registration form and program may be accessed at http://www.engin.umich.edu/dept/che/pharmeng.

For more information, contact Prof. Henry Wang of the Department of Chemical Engineering at (734) 763-5659 or Prof. Nar Rodr?guez-Hornedo of the College of Pharmacy at (734) 763-0101.

Pharmaceutical Engineeringhttp://www.engin.umich.edu/dept/che/pharmengHenry Wang