AAPS | American Association of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2026
Event Date
October 25–28, 2026
Location
New Orleans, LA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryAAPS PharmSci 360 is the annual meeting of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS), one of the largest scientific gatherings in the pharmaceutical and life sciences field. It serves as a comprehensive platform for the global pharmaceutical community, integrating drug discovery, development, manufacturing, and regulatory science, and is known for a '360-degree' approach that breaks down traditional silos to foster collaboration across the entire product lifecycle.
The meeting draws pharmaceutical scientists from around the world. Participants can access the latest trends and science across discovery and basic research, preclinical and translational sciences, bioanalytics, manufacturing and analytical characterization, and formulation and delivery. Typical attendees include formulation and analytical scientists, bioanalytical and translational researchers, manufacturing and regulatory professionals, students and post-docs, and industry leaders.
AAPS brings together pharmaceutical scientists from around the world to share research and exchange ideas in order to improve global health, drawing thousands of scientists to what it describes as the largest, richest scientific conversation of the year. The 2026 edition is held in New Orleans and combines scientific sessions, poster presentations, a large exhibit hall (the Solution Center), career development programming, and networking receptions.
Show Highlights
The 2026 scientific program is organized around several major tracks, each with focused themes:
- Preclinical, Clinical and Translational Sciences — in vitro/in silico modeling, PBPK, QSP, AI/ML, New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), and model-informed drug development.
- Bioanalytics — assay development and validation, emerging modalities (cell and gene therapies, RNA medicines), immunogenicity, automation, and patient-centric/decentralized sampling.
- Manufacturing and Analytical Characterization — advanced manufacturing for pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceuticals, next-generation characterization tools, continuous manufacturing, PAT, and digital twins.
- Formulation and Delivery — AI/ML-guided formulation design, novel and sustainable excipients, drug-device combinations, and patient-centric product design.
- Career Development — the Professional Advancement Track offers roughly a dozen sessions for scientists at all career stages, covering skills building, the business of science, and career strategy.
Signature features include the Solution Center (exhibit hall), poster sessions, rapid-fire presentations, and Welcome and Closing Receptions. Attendees engage with cutting-edge research, emerging technologies, and critical industry trends, gaining actionable insights into the latest scientific breakthroughs and regulatory shifts.
Attendance
AAPS does not publish an official attendee count on its meeting pages, describing the event only as drawing "thousands of scientists." Third-party estimates put attendance higher: one conference directory lists 7,000+ expected attendees, describing it as one of the significant gatherings in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry. For context on the host organization, AAPS is a professional scientific organization of approximately 7,000 individual members and more than 10,000 actively participating stakeholders employed in academia, industry, government, and other pharmaceutical science-related research institutes worldwide.
Registration
Registration is completed online through the AAPS PharmSci 360 registration portal. Full Conference Registration includes access to the scientific sessions, access to the Solution Center (exhibit hall), and entry to the Welcome and Closing Receptions.
Pricing tiers for 2026 (per the official site):
- Early Registration — received on/before Aug. 25, 2026
- Advance Registration — Aug. 25 – Sept. 25, 2026
- On-Site Registration — on/after Sept. 26, 2026
Selected Early rates: Member Full Conference $1,265; Non-Member Full Conference $1,705; Student/Post-Doc member $303 (AAPS student or post-doc membership required); 1-Day Pass from $605 (member). An Exhibits & Networking Pass (exhibit hall, receptions, posters and career development) starts at $385 for all three days or $204 for a single day.
Additional options:
- Group discount — bring four or more paid full conference attendees from the same company and receive a discount of $100 per full conference registration; the deadline to redeem is September 25, 2026.
- Guest Registration — costs $150 and includes the Welcome Reception, Closing Reception, and access to the Solution Center floor for a spouse, family member, or friend whose occupation is unrelated to the pharmaceutical profession.
- Press passes are available to media with valid credentials.
Cancellations on or before September 25, 2026 are refunded minus an administrative fee of $100 for members/non-members or $50 for students/post-docs, and no refunds are given for no-shows or cancellations on or after September 26, 2026.
History
The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) was founded in 1986 to advance the capacity of pharmaceutical scientists to develop products and therapies. PharmSci 360 was launched as a reimagined annual meeting format to better integrate the diverse disciplines within the pharmaceutical sciences. AAPS member leaders redesigned the annual meeting to address user needs after members reported being responsible for understanding more about the cross-pollination of biomolecular and chemical entities, creating a more impactful format built to increase collaboration between small molecule and biologics-focused scientists. The meeting rotates among major U.S. convention cities; recent editions have been held in San Antonio, Orlando, and other locations, with the 2026 edition taking place in New Orleans.
Venue & Travel
Venue
New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
900 Convention Center Blvd.
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center sits on the banks of the Mississippi River near the French Quarter and Arts District. In addition to the 1.1 million sq. ft. of exhibition space and 140 meeting rooms, The Great Hall offers a 60,300 sq. ft. divisible, column-free ballroom. Its 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space can be divided into 12 halls.
It is one of the nation's largest and busiest facilities — with its 1.1 million square feet of space in one hall, it has the largest single exhibit space in the U.S., and has become one of the Top 10 hosts for conventions and trade shows in the country since it opened in 1985. Additional spaces include the 4,032-seat New Orleans Theater, the 36,000-sq-ft La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom, and the Great Hall's rooftop terrace. High-density Wi-Fi is capable of serving 20,000 users simultaneously. The center is currently undergoing a multi-year, roughly $557 million modernization of roofing, technology, lobbies and a new linear park.
Parking
The Convention Center owns and operates multiple parking lots on the south end of the building, across from Halls H, I, and J. The daily rate is approximately $23.00 per vehicle and $42.00 per oversized vehicle, with no in-and-out privileges. The venue is cashless, and parking fees are paid through the ParkMobile app. Ample ADA parking is available; overnight parking is prohibited. Several privately operated lots and garages are also located within a short walk along Convention Center Boulevard and nearby streets.
Getting There
The nearest airport is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). The Louis Armstrong International Airport is 13 miles from the MCC. Taxis, rideshare and airport shuttle service connect the airport to downtown hotels.
Public transit stops directly at the venue: the W-2, W-3, and W-8 buses stop directly in front of the convention center, as does the Riverfront Streetcar Line (Route 2). The center's walkable riverfront location also makes it easy to reach the French Quarter and Warehouse District on foot.
Nearby Hotels
The convention center is within walking distance of thousands of hotel rooms in the Warehouse/Arts District and toward the French Quarter. The MCC is within walking distance of thousands of hotel rooms in and around the French Quarter and Arts District. Options steps from the venue include:
- Hyatt Place New Orleans Convention Center — across the street from the venue, offering business-class amenities.
- Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Convention Center — directly across the street from the convention center on Convention Center Boulevard.
ASSP also arranges a discounted hotel block for attendees, bookable through the official conference housing portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is AAPS PharmSci 360 2026?
AAPS PharmSci 360 2026 takes place October 25-28, 2026, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Who should attend PharmSci 360?
The meeting is designed for pharmaceutical scientists and professionals across drug discovery, preclinical and translational sciences, bioanalytics, manufacturing and analytical characterization, and formulation and delivery. Students, post-docs, regulatory and industry leaders also attend.
How much does registration cost and how do I register?
Registration is completed online through the AAPS portal. Early-bird member Full Conference registration is $1,265 and non-member Full Conference is $1,705, with discounted student/post-doc, one-day, and exhibits-only passes available; prices rise for advance and on-site registration.
What is included in a Full Conference registration?
Full Conference Registration includes access to the scientific sessions, entry to the Solution Center (exhibit hall), and admission to the Welcome and Closing Receptions.
Where should I stay and how do I get to the venue?
AAPS offers official hotels within walking distance of the convention center, including the headquarters Hilton New Orleans Riverside, with a reservation cut-off of October 1, 2026. The nearest airport is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), served by airport shuttles, buses, the Riverfront Streetcar, taxis, and rideshare.
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