The 42nd SCI Process Development Symposium on 15-17 April 2026 brings together speakers from the Pharmaceutical, Agrochemical and Fine Chemical industries, as well as academics in these areas, to present innovations in the scale up of new synthetic processes.
Ahead of the event we asked speakers Dr Michael Luescher, Process R&D Chemist at Novartis and Dr David Thaisrivongs, Director of Process Research and Development at MSD a couple of questions on the state of process development and chemistry in general.
MC: Where do you think the biggest challenges are in your field in the next 20 years?
DT: ‘The complexity and diversity of molecules being discovered and commercialized in the biopharmaceutical industry continues to increase, and each one brings new and complex process development problems to solve. What was once a field largely comprised of small organic molecules, antibodies, and vaccines is now one filled with new modalities, including synthetic peptides, antibody-drug conjugates, protein degraders, nucleic acids, and cell and gene therapies. These new frontiers present novel challenges to inspire process development scientists to invent and develop new methods for their production to enable broad access to these molecules to improve and extend the lives of patients worldwide.’
MC: Where do you see the most exciting advances being made in the next 20 years in your field?
DT: ‘Developments in biocatalysis over the last 20 years are now leading a revolution in chemistry. What was once an experimental idea has become an essential synthetic technology to enable manufacturing processes that significantly improve the efficiency and sustainability of more traditional chemical methods. Yet despite extraordinary advances in the application of enzymatic catalysis to solve problems in chemistry, especially the simultaneous use of multiple biocatalysts to perform different synthetic functions as Nature does, we as a field have only scratched the surface of the kinds of molecules whose manufacture will be enabled by biocatalysis.’
MC: What one piece of advice would you have for a new PhD/postdoc/PI starting today?
ML: ‘Stay curious, keep an open mind, and don’t limit your focus to your own specialty. Science doesn’t live in a single discipline—it's woven into society and the broader world around us. Meaningful breakthroughs often emerge when diverse ideas and perspectives come together. Collaboration and inclusion aren’t just ideals; they’re powerful drivers of innovation, something I had the privilege to experience firsthand at Novartis.’
How we can face these challenges, embrace the opportunities, and work across disciplines to drive innovation in process development will be discussed in much more detail at the symposium.
