NRF Science for Society Lecture Spotlights Nanotechnology in Medicine

On 09 April 2025, the National Research Foundation (NRF) hosted another impactful edition of its Science for Society Lecture Series at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), this time spotlighting the future of nanotechnology in medicine, or nanomedicine.

Prof Lynn Morris, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Wits, formally opened the event and welcomed attendees, who were mainly staff and students from the University’s Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. In her brief welcoming address, Prof Morris set the tone for an afternoon of knowledge-sharing about nanomedicine and its potential to revolutionise healthcare in South Africa and beyond.

The lecture itself was presented by Prof Yahya Choonara, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chair in Pharmaceutical Biomaterials, Drug Delivery, and Nanomedicine. With an illustrious career in pharmaceutical science and a deep commitment to advancing medical innovation, Prof Choonara brought both expertise and passion to the podium. His presentation highlighted some of the groundbreaking advancements in sophisticated drug delivery technologies and explored the significant role that nanotechnology is playing in pharmaceutical development.

The lecture illustrated how this innovative approach holds the promise of enhancing treatment outcomes, minimising side effects, and improving the quality of life for patients—particularly those battling complex conditions such as cancer, infectious diseases, neurotrauma, and disorders affecting special needs populations.

Prof Choonara is based at Wits where he serves as Professor of Pharmaceutical Science in the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. He also leads the Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP) Research Unit, which he co-founded in 2007. WADDP is Africa’s leading centre for pharmaceutical research, innovation, and training in product design and development. It is also recognised as an African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDI) Centre of Excellence in Nanomedicine and Advanced Drug Delivery.

Among his many achievements, Prof Choonara holds an impressive portfolio of 49 pharmaceutical patents, each contributing to patient-centred solutions in areas of critical healthcare need. One of his most notable inventions is WaferMat, the world’s fastest dissolving drug matrix, designed to provide rapid drug release for patients requiring immediate relief or who face challenges with traditional dosage forms.

His contributions to pharmaceutical science have also earned him global recognition. In 2022, he was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Pharmaceutical Science Award by the Bureau of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)—a body that represents more than four million pharmaceutical professionals worldwide. This esteemed accolade celebrates individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to the advancement of pharmaceutical sciences on a global scale.

Through the Science for Society Lecture Series, the NRF seeks to demonstrate to society how science, research, and technology positively impact our everyday lives. It also serves to create a platform to highlight the important work of NRF-funded researchers and other beneficiaries tackling some of South Africa’s most pressing challenges.

The latest lecture proved a resounding success and reinforces the NRF’s ongoing commitment to supporting research excellence that directly benefits South African society and beyond.