Welcome to the 41st Annual Japan Drug Delivery System (DDS) Society Meeting. As the president of this prestigious gathering, it is my honor to greet you all. This year's theme, "Attack via DDS: Open up New Frontiers," invites us to explore groundbreaking challenges and innovations within the DDS field.

Our society, which brings together researchers from medicine, engineering, and pharmaceuticals, is unique in its interdisciplinary approach. This approach lets us focus on materials, targeting, transdermal/pulmonary/mucosal absorption, and controlled release. By embracing this diversity, we aim to generate new insights and technologies that will pave the way for the future of DDS.

In recent years, next-generation antibody drugs such as Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADC), Bispecific Antibodies, Radioimmunotherapy, and Photoimmunotherapy have made significant strides in clinical practice. These therapies are expected to further develop as "magic bullets" capable of delivering drugs or attracting immune cells to the disease site. Furthermore, the integration of DDS technologies into regenerative and cellular medicine, nucleic acid and gene therapy, innovations like Alpha-Particle Theranostics, Photochemical Biology, AI, PROTAC-Antibody Conjugates, and the exploration of shark immune systems represent exciting new frontiers. In evaluation systems, in addition to molecular imaging and advanced mass spectrometry, cutting-edge technologies such as humanized mice and alternative methods to animal testing have also become available. These advancements are set to revolutionize treatment methods, providing safer and more effective patient therapies.

This conference serves as a vital platform for exchanging ideas and fostering new collaborations among researchers with diverse perspectives. These collaborative relationships, particularly those between academia and industry, have led to active translational research, bringing new treatments and technologies closer to practical application. We anticipate that these interactions will accelerate cutting-edge research and the development of new therapies that will inspire hope for the future of DDS.

Our program includes symposia, workshops, oral and poster presentations, showcasing the latest research and offering meaningful discussions and knowledge-sharing opportunities. We are privileged to have special lectures from Shinichi Nishikawa, Emeritus Professor of Kyoto University, and Yasuhiro Matsumura, Advisor to the DDS Society. Their insights will undoubtedly shape future research directions.

Your participation and enthusiasm are not just welcomed, but essential to the success of this event. I am confident that the experiences and knowledge gained here, under the theme 'Attack via DDS: Open up New Frontiers,' will be invaluable to your future research and clinical applications. I eagerly look forward to seeing you at the 41st Annual Meeting of the Japan DDS Society.