Updated: Sep 29
PHSS News | Open Access | Published 29 September 2026
PHSS News – Autumn update September 2026
Dear Members,
As we head into autumn, we were pleased to hold our Annual Conference on 16th September.
This event was made possible and held at the fantastic Moderna Facility, Harwell, UK.
In addition, Moderna kindly hosted a facility tour on the afternoon of the 15th, and we welcomed over 60 people to the conference the following day.
As we do every year, we recognise students who have gone above and beyond, and this year was no different. The 2026 PHSS Student Award went to Aaron Salinger, who not only achieved the highest marks on the UCL Q3P course but also organised facility tours and site visits for himself and his entire cohort to ensure everyone could gain valuable insights. Each year, PHSS offers student nominations from UCL Q3P as part of our partnership with UCL.
From there, we were delighted to welcome not one but two speakers from MHRA (Ian Jackson and Stephen Thomson), who spoke about the importance of industry collaboration in enabling innovation, development, and research. Ian and Stephen also shared important insights into what it means to be inspection-ready, what success criteria look like, and how to manage inspection expectations.
Next we heard from Bob McDowall on AI Governance and appropriate use. The key takeaway is ensuring organisations' Senior Management input/awareness of how AI is utilised within and by their company. Critical to understand the implications and be accountable.
We then heard from our hosts, the Moderna team, who shared very open and honest insights into their journey, success and how they overcame challenges together, including the importance of collaboration with regulators.
After lunch, we heard from Alf Penfold on challenges facing ATMPs and what is coming in the future. Providing a brief background for the audience, then moving into critical elements for consideration: risk factors, differences of opinion, funding of revolutionary treatments, changing regulatory landscape and access to treatment due to high prices.
Next, we had an interactive session led by Kate Marshall on Enzyme Indicators: the myths and facts. Explaining the background and current industry position. Focusing on driving strategy through data.
Finally, Benjamin Daniel presented on real-time monitoring, sharing improvements in safety and process. Discussed compliance aspects together with technical integration. Highlighting the importance of key considerations for Data communication, Validation, trusted suppliers, and manufacturers.
The entire conference was an engaging and thoroughly thought-provoking day, well received, with all speakers receiving many questions from the audience.
Thank you again to all our speakers, exhibitors, supporting partners and sponsors, for enabling the PHSS to deliver a hugely successful industry event.
In September, James Drinkwater led 2-day Virtual training on Protective Airflow, First Air Visualisation & Characterisation – Practical Training for GMP Manufacturing
A big thank you to Microrite Cleanroom Solutions, our event sponsor, for supporting this specialist PHSS training.
We recently delivered our online Protective Airflow, First Air Visualisation and Characterisation training, bringing together practical knowledge and experience relevant to stakeholders across the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.
The course is designed for Regulators, Inspectors, Auditors, Pharma Industry professionals, and technologists involved in processing technologies operating within UDAF GMP manufacturing environments.
Across two half-day sessions, the course explored how research and practical experience can be translated into effective airflow visualisation and smoke study practices. The content builds on CFD airflow visualisation research studies presented to the FDA, extending this into practical best practices and key learnings from real-world smoke study airflow visualisation.
Particular attention was also given to the differing risk profiles of Isolators and RABS, including feedback and discussion around how these differences influence protective airflow strategies and the developing “Rules of Compliance”.
The highly interactive sessions provided an opportunity to explore practical challenges, share experience and consider how airflow visualisation can support effective contamination control and regulatory compliance.
Our next and final course of 2026 takes place on 6 & 7 October.
If you work with UDAF, Isolators, RABS, airflow visualisation or contamination control, this is an opportunity to strengthen your practical understanding and learn from experienced industry specialists.
Places are still available – book now for the final PHSS Protective Airflow training course of the year.
Thank you again to Microrite Cleanroom Solutions for their valued support as event sponsor.
Please stay connected to hear more about opportunities to connect and engage with SME’s, through PHSS events.
2026
2027
Radio Pharmaceuticals (virtual)
Contamination Control Strategy (CCS) Training (virtual)
Surface Contamination Control (virtual)
Aseptic workshops 2 half-day (virtual) - April
CMC/GMP
Sterile Product Manufacturing Conference – June
Annual Conference – September
QP Forum – November
REMINDER: ARE YOU MISSING IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND ACCESS TO GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS
PHSS-exclusive monthly regulatory update synopsis, providing a one-stop shop
30-day free digital access to the latest Technical Monographs and guidance documents
Quarterly online peer-reviewed copy of the EJPPS Journal
Member-Exclusive Access at a Significantly Reduced Rate at the influential Annual Members’ Conference
Opportunities to connect and engage with SME’s
Thank you, as always, to our membership and supporting partners for your ongoing engagement.
Best wishes to you all
Jenni Tranter,
PHSS Chair, September 2026
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