Nanoscale Delivery and Genetic Therapeutics | Controlled Release Society (CRS)

Nanoscale systems have opened multiple new doors in the field of drug delivery, and they have become the route through which a growing number of genetic medicines reach their target. Liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, polymeric and inorganic nanocarriers, protein-based systems and extracellular vesicles are used to protect fragile payloads, control where and when they are released, and reach tissues and cells that would otherwise remain inaccessible. In parallel, nucleic acid therapeutics have matured: plasmid DNA and mRNA to produce therapeutic proteins, siRNA, microRNA and antisense oligonucleotides to silence disease-causing ones, and editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas, TALENs and zinc finger nucleases that can correct the genome itself. In both cases, progress depends on the design of viral and non-viral carriers able to overcome the biological barriers to deliver the active compound to target cells. The Nanoscale Delivery and Genetic

Therapeutics (NDGT) Focus Group was formed in 2026 by the union of the Nanomedicine and Nanoscale Delivery (NND) and the Gene Delivery and Gene Editing (GDGE) Focus Groups, bringing together members interested in either or both areas. Its vision is to foster an inclusive and progressive discussion forum that covers the design of nanoscale delivery systems in different research areas and their full range of payloads, from small molecules, biologics, and vaccines to imaging and diagnostic agents, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture, together with the delivery of genetic therapeutics. Particular attention is given to the ground both fields share, which is where most of the remaining obstacles lie: stable formulations, enhanced cellular uptake, endosomal escape, targeting and biodistribution, molecular pathways, reproducible characterization and standardization, manufacturing and scale up, safety and immunogenicity, regulatory science, and equitable access to the resulting medicines.

The Focus Group is intended for investigators from universities and research institutes, scientists working in industry on nanoscale delivery, and gene therapies, and experts in regulatory affairs and translational development, as well as for the students and early career researchers entering these fields.

The members of the Focus Group are expected to be paid members of the Controlled Release Society, independent of their membership category.

Members of the Focus Group can access and participate in:

Webinars and panel discussions built around a problem, with a nanoscale delivery and a genetic therapeutics perspective on the same question
An annual panel on the gaps that hold back translation, with academic, industrial and regulatory participants
Quarterly newsletters and quarterly interviews with academic, industry and regulatory scientists
Perspective papers led by members, starting with characterization, development, clinical translation, and regulatory considerations for nanoscale delivery systems
A mentorship and early career development program
An annual virtual meeting of the Focus Group, open to all members
The Focus Group Award, for members who have taken part in at least two Focus Group activities
Activities and networking at the CRS Annual Meeting
White and expert papers describing relevant updates and novelty in the field of nanoscale delivery and genetic therapeutics.