"Nothing new under the sun"? – applying soft matter physics to pharmaceutical science

Soft matter physics is an integral component in pharmaceutical products and processes: most pharmaceutical systems may be considered as powder systems or complex fluids (and the powder system processes often incorporate the use of complex fluids). In this presentation, we highlight various pharmaceutical formulations and processes through the lens of soft matter physics, with a focus on small molecule oral formulations, where polymer physics has grown in importance. In this talk, we highlight the monitoring and investigative tools used in physical characterization labs and the presence of compendial methods in this justifiably regulated industry. Finally, we provide examples, focusing on the powder world, of observed phenomena which may appear novel to the physics community, but have, perhaps in different form, been known in the engineering community (pharmaceutical, soil, and other disciplines) for over half a century. While there may be “nothing new under the sun”, the point of view of a physicist may add a refreshing new perspective to interpret familiar physical phenomena. We conclude by highlighting emerging pharmaceutical products/processes and research tools for the 21^st century.