INMA seminar: Eric A. Appel, from Stanford University (USA)
Seminar: Biomimetic polymer technologies for improving biologic formulation and delivery
Speaker: Prof. Eric A. Appel (Stanford University)
Date: 29 May 2026
Time: 12:00
Venue: Sala de Grados, Faculty of Sciences
Event Description
Protein aggregation is a critical challenge affecting the manufacture and stability of biologic drugs. In this seminar, Prof. Eric A. Appel will present the development of innovative polyacrylamide-based copolymer excipients, designed via high-throughput combinatorial synthesis.
The primary focus will be the lead candidate named MoNi, a simple “drop-in” excipient that has demonstrated:
- Exceptional stability: It maintains the integrity of insulin formulations for 6 months under severe stress conditions, significantly outperforming the 2 weeks achieved by current commercial formulations.
- Versatility: It is effective across various therapeutic modalities, including vaccines, antibodies, and hormones.
- New frontiers in medicine: It has enabled the creation of ultra-fast-acting insulins and ultra-high concentration formulations (>500 mg/mL), facilitating administration via standard autoinjectors.
About the Speaker
Eric A. Appel is an Associate Professor of Materials Science & Engineering at Stanford University and a leading figure in materials science applied to advanced healthcare solutions. His career highlights include:
- More than 150 publications and over 40 patents.
- Prestigious recognitions such as the IUPAC Young Polymer Scientist Award and the ACS Kathryn C. Hach Award for Entrepreneurial Success in 2026.
- Fellow of the American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineers and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
This event is organised in collaboration with the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragon (INMA), the CSIC, and the University of Zaragoza.
