Spring is in the air, and it’s time for a trip to the Javits Center for the annual INTERPHEX conference and exhibition. The editors of Pharmaceutical Technology and BioPharm International have arranged a series of interviews during the conference. We’ll be talking to pharmaceutical professionals, information-technology experts, and regulators about current challenges in manufacturing and about what the future might bring.

Befitting the theme of INTERPHEX, many of the discussions will focus on manufacturing processes. For example, PharmTech Editor-in-Chief Michelle Hoffman will be talking to Tim Freeman, Freeman Technology’s (Malvern, UK) director of operations, about the complexities of powder dynamics. I’ll be discussing spray drying and lyophilization with Jim Searles, director of process and product development at Aktiv-Dry (Boulder, CO), and Steve Nail, senior research scientist at Baxter Pharmaceutical Solutions (Deerfield, IL).

Reflecting our magazine’s broad scope, we’ll also be talking to attendees about issues that arise beyond the plant floor. Patricia Van Arnum, PharmTech’s senior editor, will discuss the future of process automation and control with Siemens (Berlin). And PharmTech Managing Editor Angie Drakulich will moderate a panel regarding the best ways to use radio-frequency identification to bolster supply-chain security.

Perhaps one of the most interesting features will be a question-and-answer session held on Wednesday, April 21 at 10:30, when officials of the US Food and Drug Administration will respond to audience queries about the deficiencies the agency frequently encounters in abbreviated and new drug applications. The Q&A will follow their presentation as part of the Signature Series of lectures hosted by Pharm Tech. Neither the Signature Series nor the FDA Q&A will be videotaped. If you’d like to participate in this unprecedented opportunity, please come to the exhibit floor’s main stage (which is near the registration desk).

Taped interviews will all be available on our website after the show! Check out the full preliminary program.