Research interests:

• Advanced Formulation Design and Pre-Clinical Analysis.

  Organizational and economic changes in the pharmaceutical industry have lead to a marked reduction in the supply of new chemical entities.  This combined with an increase in the expiration of patents and tighter regulatory control has lead many companies to rethink existing product design.  The growing trend to improve the efficacy of existing drug products to both extend patent life and allow competition with opportunistic generic companies has allowed for a greater understanding of formulation design.  It is likely that this trend will continue for some time as economic and political pressure increases.  There have been many improvements in understanding the theory and practical aspects of drug delivery.  Numerous therapeutic compounds are investigated to treat a variety of different illnesses.  There are many methods of drug delivery available requiring a variety of formulation options.  Advanced formulation design may be thought of as a way to optimize the mode of drug delivery to a patient that will ultimately lead to a more effective therapy and approach optimal therapeutic outcomes for active compounds.

   

• Nanotechnology:  Enhancing Dissolution Rates and Bioavailability.

  Drug nanoparticles may be prepared, and coated with stabilizing agents and/or surfactants. This can prevent particle growth, crystallization, and impart long term stability.  Rapid dissolution rates are observed for these drug nanoparticles when compared to conventional micronized preparations.  This is due to a small primary particle size, a high surface area, a hydrophillic coating on the particle surface, and a reduced crystallinity (in some cases in a stabilized amorphous state).  In addition, high drug loading may be achieved due to the relatively low amount of stabilizing excipient required.  This rapid dissolution rate can lead to improved bioavailabity for many drug candidates.

   

• In vitro and In vivo Correlations.

  With the emergence of new and advanced formulation designs it is increasingly important to devise tests that adequately examine a formulation potential.  In vitro models are used to predict the in vivo performance of drug formulations, or to better understand an observed clinical effect.  It is an ongoing research objective to design fitting in vitro tests that will eventually lead to enhanced clinical study design, by allowing for the best possible in vitro-in vivo correlations to be discerned.

   

• Pulmonary Delivery of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, for Local or Systemic Therapy.

  There are currently in use several differing formulation types for pulmonary delivery these include:  Rapid onset β2-adrenoceptor agonist therapies for asthma, treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with corticosteroids, inhaled insulin for the treatment of diabetes.  In development for the pulmonary route of administration, there exists a huge diversity of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), targeted therapies, novel excipients, and delivery devices.  In addition, there is a wide variety of patient groups that are being thought of as potential candidates to be treated via delivery to the lung .  Examples of these include patients experiencing:  Cancers, fungal infections, tissue rejection, and genetic disorders.