The sixth annual meeting of JGL’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) was held at the Pharma Valley complex in Rijeka. Bringing together independent Croatian and international experts, the SAB plays an important role in shaping JGL’s scientific identity and providing strategic guidance for the company’s development projects.
This year’s meeting, held on 16 October 2026, brought together renowned experts including Professor Stipan Jonjić, Professor Vladimir Trkulja, Assistant Professor Sonja Jandroković, Andreas Bilstein, PhD, Professor Jasmina Lovrić, Ralf Sibbing, MPharm, Professor Sandra Peternel, Dr Frederic Lallemand and Dr Jag Ahluwalia.
The programme featured updates on current development projects, expert presentations and constructive discussions on new opportunities for innovation and JGL’s future direction.
The event was opened by Alenka Jajac-Knez, Chief Executive Officer of JGL, followed by Maša Safundžić Kučuk, Director of Scientific Operations, who presented the function’s current activities and future priorities.
“In development, we never have all the answers – that is why research matters. I believe the best solutions emerge when we dare to question what we already know, listen to different perspectives and explore new possibilities. That, to me, is what the SAB represents: a place where science, experience and open dialogue come together to create new opportunities and, ultimately, greater value for patients,” said Safundžić Kučuk.
Leo Štefan, Head of Analytical Development and SAB Coordinator, presented the SAB 2.0 concept and outlined plans for the Board’s future development.
“The SAB allows us to look at our development projects from different expert perspectives and identify new avenues for innovation through open discussion. With SAB 2.0, we want to strengthen our collaboration with external experts further and bring their knowledge and expertise even more closely into our development processes,” said Štefan.
The programme continued with presentations by Željko Agić, Formulation Scientist; Ivana Poropat, Pharmaceutical Development Expert; Ivan Sušanj, Analytical Development Manager; and Vedrana Ninčević, Packaging Development Specialist, who presented current projects in the nasal, dermatological and ophthalmic fields. The presentations were followed by discussions on key challenges, lessons learned and the next steps for each project.
The scientific programme also included presentations by Dr Frederic Lallemand on complex formulations and drug–device combinations, Professor Sandra Peternel on unmet therapeutic needs in psoriasis treatment, and Assistant Professor Sonja Jandroković on new approaches to the treatment of dry eye and glaucoma.
Two round-table discussions focused on the future of intranasal drug delivery and the balance between innovation and risk in new product development. The discussions explored emerging opportunities, the challenges involved in decision-making and the importance of connecting scientific insights with patients’ needs.
Events such as this demonstrate the value of bringing science and industry together and of continuously exchanging knowledge to support the development of innovative therapeutic solutions and further strengthen JGL’s development capabilities.