Institute for Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics
The Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics will focus on drug delivery and targeting, new carrier systems and materials, tissue engineering, as well as pharmacokinetic and predictive models.
Research areas
In the development of highly specific, individualized gene and antibody therapeutics (e.g., CRISPR/Cas, mRNA), the blood-brain barrier remains a significant challenge for the targeted treatment of central nervous system diseases using customized drug carrier formulations (e.g., nanoparticles, liposomes). While drug carrier systems have already been designed for tumor- or liver-specific targeting (Ambisome®, Onpattro®), effective navigation of the CNS requires precise tuning of formulation design in alignment with the biological parameters of the blood-brain barrier vessels (tightness, complexity of cellular architecture, receptor topographies). The Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics at the Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU) focuses on the production and scaling of non-viral, particulate drug carriers by influencing biological properties at resulting interfaces, aiming to develop a platform for clinically translational technologies to treat central nervous system and renal diseases.
The focus lies on the characterization of non-viral, nanoscale formulations (e.g., size, surface charge, loading efficiency, stability) made from natural and synthetic materials (surface-functionalized biomimetics, lipid and polymer nanoparticles), depending on the selected process parameters and manufacturing techniques.
The department offers a wide range of in vitro (e.g., primary endothelial cell culture; inducible pluripotent stem cells; Transwell® studies), ex vivo (e.g., isolated brain capillaries), and in vivo models to predict the permeation, distribution, and toxicity of new drug formulations, as well as to investigate barrier properties in various disease models (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease).
To treat congenital nephropathies (e.g., focal segmental glomerulosclerosis), quantum dots and polyplexes made from biomaterials are being tested for their functionality, specificity, and distribution in zebrafish, Fundulus, and killifish. These species serve as model systems for renal diseases and aging processes, with a focus on targeting the proximal tubule.
Ausstattung & Geräte
USP / Ph.Eur. / JP-compliant galenic testing for the mechanical disintegration of tablets (e.g., Ph.Eur. 2.9.1)
USP / Ph.Eur. / JP-compliant galenic testing for the mechanical resistance of tablets (e.g., Ph.Eur. 2.9.7)
tablet production, formulation development
quantitative determination of water content in pharmaceutical formulations
Kooperationen
Professor Dr. rer. nat. Gert Fricker, Ruprecht-Karls University of Heidelberg, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics
Professor Dr. rer. nat. Claus Pietrzik, University Medical Center Mainz, Institute of Pathobiochemistry, Department of Molecular Neurodegeneration
Professor Dr. med. Hermann Haller, Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, Maine, USA
Services
Interested in collaborating with our institute? We offer the following services:
- Formulation development for lipophilic drugs / mRNA: polymer- / lipid-based nanoparticles / liposomes (parenteral administration)
- Cell- and organ-specific targeting
- Release measurements (flow-through cell, Ph.Eur. 2.9.3)
- In vitro model systems for the blood-brain barrier, kidney, GIT, and liver (Transwell® permeation studies for predicting the distribution/accumulation of drugs/formulations)
- Ex vivo model systems for the blood-brain barrier, kidney, and GIT (transport studies/accumulation of fluorescently labeled drugs/formulations using confocal microscopy)
- Trans-epithelial/endothelial resistance measurements (evaluation of paracellular integrity)
- Transporter assays for assessing drug resistance (ABC transporters, solute carriers)
- Toxicity studies (LDH, MTT, JC-1)
- Plasma binding studies (dialysis-based)
Contact person
Head of the Department for Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics