Professor Patrick Couvreur, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Pharmacy at Université Paris-Saclay and an internationally recognized pioneer in drug delivery and nanomedicine. He serves as a member of SMDG’s Science Advisory Board.

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Over a career spanning five decades, Professor Couvreur has made foundational contributions to the design of nanoscale systems capable of transporting therapeutic molecules to specific tissues, cells and intracellular targets. His early work demonstrated that polymeric nanocapsules could carry molecules into cells and led to the development of biodegradable nanoparticles for pharmaceutical use. These discoveries helped establish nanomedicine as a distinct interdisciplinary field connecting pharmaceutical science, materials chemistry, cellular biology and pharmacology.

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His research has produced innovative approaches for treating serious diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases and disorders of the central nervous system. Among his major contributions is the development of “squalenoylation,” in which therapeutic molecules are chemically linked to squalene and spontaneously assemble into nanoparticles. This work has enabled new strategies for improving drug stability, distribution and therapeutic performance, with applications extending from oncology to neurological disease, inflammation and non-addictive pain treatment.

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Professor Couvreur has also played an important role in translating scientific discoveries into therapeutic development. He founded or co-founded several biotechnology companies, including BioAlliance Pharma, Medsqual and SqualPharma. Technologies originating from his laboratory have generated an extensive international patent portfolio and advanced into clinical development, including Phase III evaluation of a nanomedicine for resistant hepatocellular carcinoma.

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His academic leadership has included directing the CNRS-associated research unit that became the Institut Galien Paris-Saclay, founding and directing the Therapeutic Innovation doctoral school and holding the Liliane Bettencourt Chair of Technological Innovation at the Collège de France. He has also served as a senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France and as an Extraordinary Professor at the Catholic University of Louvain.

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Professor Couvreur is a member of eight national academies in France, Belgium, Spain and the United States, including the Académie des Sciences and the US National Academy of Medicine and National Academy of Engineering. His scientific achievements have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Prix Galien, CNRS Innovation Medal, European Inventor Award, Host-Madsen Medal and European Pharmaceutical Scientist Award. He was also appointed Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur.

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Professor Couvreur trained in pharmaceutical sciences at the Catholic University of Louvain, where he earned his pharmacy degree and PhD, and subsequently completed postdoctoral research at ETH Zurich.