Events

On June 22, 2023, in Liverpool, the METRINO project, in collaboration with the ETPN association, successfully hosted its first workshop during the NME2023 event, main conference fully dedicated to Nanomedicine in Europe that year. This gathering of 30 diverse participants, including academia, SMEs, industry professionals, metrology experts, and former regulators, marked a significant step in community engagement and project awareness.

Key Workshop Insights

1) Prioritization of Reference Materials (RM)

• Purpose of RM: The workshop underscored the multifaceted roles of RMs, from instrument calibration to aiding method validation.
• Who Should Use RM: It was agreed that the focus should extend beyond academia, targeting industry professionals who require certified methods.
• Scope: METRINO is tasked with identifying specific materials and properties to prioritize, ensuring relevance and utility.

2) Method Validation

• Types of Methods: There was a discussion on whether existing methods suffice or if new methods are required, especially considering real-world lab conditions.
• ICH QTR2 Guidance: The current broad guidelines necessitate more detailed advice for different nanoparticle types.
• In-line Manufacturing: With the growth in microfluidics, the need for compatible in-line methods was acknowledged.

3) Training and Educational Actions

• Target Audience: A consensus on the need for practical training for both novices and seasoned professionals.
• Content: The demand for clear, practical guidelines on sample preparation, instrument handling, and what not to do was highlighted.
• Bottom-up Approach: The effectiveness of general webinars and information sharing is recognized, but there’s a push for “lessons learned from real lab conditions” and case studies to enhance impact.

4) Community Engagement

• Pharma’s Perspective: A standardized framework for the Materials & Methods sections in research papers is deemed beneficial for the industry.
• Open Access: Emphasis on the accessibility of documents and standards to ensure METRINO’s outputs are practical and usable.
• Inclusiveness: Encouraging a culture where everyone, especially non-experts, are empowered to participate and learn.

METRINO’s Action Plan Post-Workshop

1. Enhanced In-Person Interactions and Community Engagement: Prioritizing direct, in-person interactions, METRINO will organize collaborative workshops, seminars, and conferences. These events will create a dynamic networking environment and foster deeper engagement within the nanomedicine community. The aim is to exchange cutting-edge knowledge and ideas in nanomedicine metrology, facilitating collaborative discussions and innovation sharing.
2. Tailored and Focused Surveys for Community Insight: METRINO will conduct detailed surveys targeting researchers, industry professionals, clinicians, and regulators. The goal is to gather insights to understand common challenges in nanomedicine metrology. This approach will guide our R&D efforts, ensuring they are effectively aligned with the community’s specific needs.
3. Regulator Engagement and Advisory Board Collaboration: Acknowledging the pivotal role of regulatory bodies, METRINO will intensify its engagement with regulatory members on our advisory board. This interaction will ensure that METRINO’s initiatives are in line with regulatory expectations, refining our project priorities and impacting the standardization landscape significantly.
4. Focused Industry Outreach to CDMOs and Manufacturers: METRINO will extend its outreach specifically to Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and manufacturers. The outreach program will include collaborative projects, consultations, and targeted communications, forming a feedback loop to develop practical metrology solutions. This approach aims to address the specific needs of these primary users of reference materials.
5. Expanding Education and Training Initiatives: In collaboration with the ETPN WG Education & Training, METRINO will expand its educational efforts. This includes webinars, online training sessions, and short courses, targeting not only seasoned professionals but also young students and lab technicians. The focus will be on disseminating knowledge about advanced metrology techniques, standardization processes, best practices, and equally important, what practices to avoid in nanomedicine.
6. Commitment to Open Science and Community Collaboration: Upholding the principles of open science, METRINO will make all developed standards, methodologies, and research outputs freely available. This commitment encourages broader scientific community participation, feedback, collaboration, and continuous improvement of nanomedicine metrology standards. By promoting an open and collaborative environment, METRINO aims to accelerate innovation and progress in the field.

Get involved!

Dive deeper into the world of nanomedicine metrology right here on our website. Explore our dedicated sections on education, training programs, and upcoming events to see how you can get involved. Our resources are designed to empower both experts and newcomers in the field, fostering a knowledgeable and skilled community in nanomedicine metrology.

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