On June 9, 2025, we had the privilege of attending the Topical Products Conference in Atlanta, where Dr. Lakshmi Raghavan delivered a standout session titled “As Pharma Moves to Biologics, Will the Skin Remain a Viable Drug Delivery Route?” His presentation offered a compelling exploration of how the skin, long viewed primarily as a barrier, is emerging as a versatile and strategic route for both local and systemic drug delivery—particularly in the context of complex biologics.

Dr. Raghavan guided the audience through recent advances in topical and transdermal delivery systems, including semi-solid and vesicular formulations, microneedle patches, nanoemulsions, and bioenhancers. He addressed key formulation challenges associated with delivering large-molecule therapeutics such as peptides, cytokines, and monoclonal antibody fragments through the skin. His talk also examined critical regulatory and clinical considerations for next-generation skin-targeted therapies.

A central theme of the session was the dual role of the skin: while transdermal approaches aim for systemic delivery, topical products remain essential for localized treatment, especially in dermatology, pain management, and inflammation. Dr. Raghavan emphasized the importance of integrated design thinking, advances in permeation science, and the emerging potential of transcutaneous immunotherapy. He also highlighted the growing relevance of the skin microbiome in influencing therapeutic outcomes and formulation strategies.

Overall, Dr. Raghavan’s session captured the spirit of the conference—encouraging innovation, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a redefinition of the skin as an active therapeutic interface. We are grateful to him and the conference organizers for facilitating such a forward-looking discussion, and we look forward to continuing the conversation at next year’s event.