Global Botanicals Conference Adds Cancer Focus
NCNPR will welcome more than 300 scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and regulatory experts to Oxford
OXFORD, Miss. - The University of Mississippi’s National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) will welcome more than 300 scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and regulatory experts to Oxford for the 24th International Conference on the Science of Botanicals (ICSB), set for April 20-23, 2026, at the Oxford Conference Center. This conference is supported by a cooperative agreement between the NCNPR and the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and co-sponsored by several international research organizations. This year, it is an honor to host the Secretary of AYUSH, Ministry of Health, India, to present the Indian System of Medicine globalization effort as a guest speaker.
“Each year, ICSB brings together a truly global community committed to advancing the science of botanicals. What began decades ago as a small workshop has grown into one of the most respected international meetings in our field,” said Ikhlas Khan, PhD, NCNPR director and research professor of biomolecular sciences. “This conference elevates Oxford into a worldwide hub for innovation and collaboration in natural products research. We are especially excited this year to expand our focus to cancer-related applications of natural products—an area where rigorous science can make a profound impact.”
New for 2026, ICSB introduces a dedicated program track on natural products in cancer therapeutics, prevention, and supportive care, developed in collaboration with the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s (UMMC) Cancer Institute and Research Center. Sessions will be held on Monday, April 2026, in the afternoon. This partnership highlights the growing potential of natural products in oncology research and strengthens connections between foundational discovery, clinical insights, and patient-centered outcomes.
Building on its longstanding emphasis on policy and regulatory science, ICSB 2026 will also feature sessions on current regulations regarding fragrances and cosmetics, toxicological methods for quality and safety assessment of botanicals, and in silico approaches for botanical ingredient discovery and their relevance for therapeutic applications.
“We are honored to host this world-class gathering of scientists, clinicians, and policymakers,” said Donna West Strum, PhD, dean of the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy. “ICSB embodies the values of our school—scientific excellence, collaboration, and a commitment to improving public health. This year’s expanded focus on cancer therapeutics underscores the importance of natural products research in addressing complex health challenges. We are proud to support NCNPR’s leadership and welcome colleagues from around the world to Oxford.”
Participants are expected from the World Health Organization, National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, United States Pharmacopeia, the United Natural Products Alliance, industry partners, and research universities worldwide—underscoring ICSB’s role as a premier forum for scientific exchange and collaboration.
Founded in 1995 and housed within the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, NCNPR partners with the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to develop methods and standards for botanicals used in dietary supplements—supporting the quality and safety of products relied upon by patients, clinicians, and consumers.
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March 31, 2026