Biopharmaceutics tools for Long Acting Injectables

The University of Bath is inviting applications for the following PhD project to commence as soon as possible (date to be agreed with the lead supervisor).

Early application is encouraged, as the advert may be closed early if a suitable candidate has been found before the deadline has passed.

SUPERVISORY TEAM:

• Prof Nikoletta Fotaki (academic supervisor), Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath
• Mr David Curran (industrial co-supervisor), GlaxoSmithKline (USA)

OVERVIEW OF THE RESEARCH:

Currently the development of long acting injectables (LAIs) is of high interest for the pharmaceutical industry. An understanding of drug performance at the site of administration is central to formulation development. Accurate simulation of the conditions at the site of administration is essential in order to reveal the critical factors affecting drug solubilisation and dissolution/ release from the formulation. Biorelevant in vitro testing conditions is regularly used in formulation development for orally administered drug products to aid prediction of the in vivo performance.

The aim of the proposed study is to fill the gaps in our understanding of physiological factors affecting drug solubilisation and dissolution/ release of active ingredient from LAIs, and in particular how to replicate the critical in vivo features in in vitro testing. These gaps include effects of fluid properties and composition at the site of administration and understanding which are the dominant effects on drug solubility and dissolution/ release from LAIs. These studies will result in the development of biorelevant media in which the critical components of the in vivo fluids will be incorporated. Studies on finding appropriate surrogates for some physiological components (i.e. due to high costs, practicalities) to be used in these media will be included. This work will result in the development of biopharmaceutics tools needed to predict in vivo performance of LAIs.

Project keywords: Biopharmaceutics, Long Acting Injectables, Biorelevant media, prediction of in vivo performance.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants should hold, or expect to receive, a First Class or good Upper Second Class Honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant subject, preferably in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry or Engineering. A master’s level qualification would also be advantageous.

Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement.

ENQUIRIES AND APPLICATIONS:

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to Prof Nikoletta Fotaki on email address n.fotaki@bath.ac.uk.

NOTE: Applications may close earlier than the advertised deadline if a suitable candidate is found; therefore, we recommend that you contact Prof Nikoletta Fotaki prior to applying and submit your formal application as early as possible.

Formal applications should be made via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Pharmacy & Pharmacology.

In the ‘Funding your studies’ section of the application form, please select ‘Industry Sponsor’ from the first drop-down menu and write GSK in the free-text box.

In the ‘Your PhD project’ section, please quote the project title and lead supervisor’s name in the appropriate fields.

Failure to complete the above steps will cause a delay in processing your application and may cause you to miss the deadline.

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:

We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.