The festive season is upon us, and while many industries are winding down for the holidays, the pharma sector steadfastly marches towards the new year with no sign of slowing. When illness doesn’t rest, neither can the companies racing for a cure.

The use of cell therapies is growing, meaning systems must improve at the same pace. Cytek Biosciences discusses how advancements in imaging flow cytometry are improving this critical cell research tool (page 8). Similarly small, nanotechnology is changing how therapeutics can be delivered to patients. Allegro explains what hydrogels are and how their use is developing from passive wound dressings to minimally invasive joint restoration (page 11). Returning to the cell discussion, Meteor Biotech offers the benefits of using spatial cell sorting to enable comprehensive multi-omics profiling (page 14).

Starting our Digital section, Apheris introduces co-folding models and their use in the drug development industry (page 18). Graphite Digital then lays out some ways companies can maintain regulatory compliance while updating existing digital systems; a crucial need in the heavily regulated pharma industry (page 21). Closing the topic, Likarda explains retrieval-augmented generation systems and the ways in which they can be used by smaller biotechs to even the playing field when collating disparate data systems (page 24).

As always, Natoli offers an interesting discussion, this time focusing on X-ray CT for non-destructive analysis of tablets (page 28). Neuland Labs discusses the importance of improving pharma manufacturing systems for sustainability in the industry (page 32), and Plvs Ultra explains the use of sematic layering technology to fill the gaps in current pharma manufacturing operations (page 35).

This issue’s Lab Design section is bursting at the seams, with Iktos kicking off with artificial intelligence’s ever-building use in lab design synthesis (page 38). Unispace explains how modern labs are being created with operational insight, molecular infrastructure and human-centred design in mind (page 42), followed by Single Use Support focusing on automation in fluid management systems (page 45). To close IPT Winter 2025, Area Labs ends with a thoughtful discussion on practicality and connectivity in pharma lab design (page 48).

Wrap up warm and dive into the final issue of IPT for 2025!

We look forward to welcoming you back in 2026.