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Formulation and Drug Delivery Research Theme
School of Pharmacy - The University of Auckland
School of Pharmacy, the University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
The Drug Delivery Systems Research theme focuses on turning bioactive molecules
into medicines ready for patient administration. A vast range of medicines are available;
however, treatment success in patients hinges on appropriate control over the timing,
extent and location of dosing. Innovative delivery strategies for existing drugs are
desperately needed; despite the promise of new bioactive molecules the majority cannot
be directly given to patients as either they cannot be absorbed into the body, or they
cause significant side effects.
This research theme aims to improve the therapeutic effectiveness of both existing and
new medicines through the development and evaluation of various medicine formulations
to deliver bioactive molecules, at a specific time, duration and location in the body. The
School of Pharmacy has particular expertise in nanotechnology, protein and peptide
delivery, gene therapy, targeted delivery, and stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems.
These platforms are used to deliver new and existing drugs, in a sustained, targeted or
tunable release fashion. As well as working with traditional drug molecules, we also work
with protein and peptides in partnership with key research centers, hospitals and industry.
This research theme lends itself to investigations and problem solving in a wide range of
areas, five representative areas are now described:
-The majority of anti-cancer drugs are harmful not only to cancerous cells but also to
healthy cells. Anti-cancer drug delivery involves packaging an anti-cancer molecule inside
nano-sized carriers which targets the treatment directly to the cancer cells. Through
targeted accumulation in tumours and reducing exposure of healthy cells, side effects are
minimised while anticancer activity is enhanced. These approaches are applied to
improve currently marketed medicines as well as exciting new anti-cancer molecules,
including those developed by the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre.
-Many medicines need to be taken once or multiple times every day and are then
transported from the site of administration to the site of action. Implantable systems have
been formulated, loaded with multiple doses of medicine and have the capacity to release
drug over weeks to months to localized sites in the body. These technologies are being
further extended by investigating stimuli-responsive delivery systems where release rates
of doses can be adjusted on demand. Such delivery systems aim to increase treatment
efficiency and safety by delivering medicines to where it is needed, at the correct dose
and over a period of time hence removing the need for repeated dosing.
-Neuropeptide delivery for the treatment of neurological conditions. Targeting the
delivery of therapeutic compounds across the blood brain barrier (BBB) presents great
challenges for the global scientific community. Our experts have patented advanced
technologies enabling the delivery of the neuropeptides across the BBB.
The current economic cost of visual impairment in New Zealand is estimated to be
around NZ$3 billion. Many causes of visual impairment are treatable with bioactives,
although there are difficulties getting these molecules into the eye. Formulations are
being developed to carry effective bioactives into the eye to treat disease.
-Cosmetic and nutraceutical science. Working with local and international healthcare and
cosmetic companies, our expertise is applied to develop both novel carrier systems for
skin care science, as well as function foods for the nutraceutical industry
Dr Jingyuan Wen is the theme leader and a senior lecturer in pharmaceutics. Her
research interests are in formulation and delivery for human and veterinary products. Dr
Wen’s special research focuses using advanced delivery systems to enhance oral
bioavailability for protein and peptide drugs and also enhance the skin penetration for
cosmetical products. She has published 170 peer reviewed articles and conference
abstracts, 5 international patents and 7 book chapters. She is a reviewer of the
Controlled Release Society (CRS) and a committee member of the New Zealand
Chapter of CRS. She also services as a consultant for international and national
pharmaceutical and cosmetical companies.
Contact detail: [email protected] and phone 0064 9 923276
Dr Zimei Wu is a Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutics. Her expertise includes preformulation, cell culture and pharmacokinetics which underpins her major research
activities in the design of drug delivery systems for improving “biocompatibility”,
“prevention of post-injection drug precipitation” and particularly ‘tumour-targeted
delivery’. She also researches dermal/transdermal delivery in collaboration with local
pharmaceutical companies. Dr Wu is an author of 50 peer-reviewed papers and inventor
for 11 patents. She is a regular reviewer for 10 pharmaceutical journals and the
President of NZ Chapter of Controlled Release Society.
Contact detail: [email protected] and phone 0064 9 923709
Dr Raida Al-Kassas is the Head of Pharmaceutics and a Senior Lecturer in
Pharmaceutics. She obtained her PhD from the Queen’s university of Belfast, UK on the
design of multiparticulate delivery systems. Raida has extensive research experience
focused on the use of multiparticulate systems including microspheres and nanoparticles
for administration of drug substances and anti-bacterial agents. She has successfully
used nanoparticles for incorporation of bioactive molecules such as DNA, siRNA,
antigens and proteins to be used for immunization and for the treatment of cancer. She is
a reviewer and an editorial board for a number of international pharmaceutics journals
and serves as a consultant for pharmaceutical companies.
Contact detail: [email protected] and phone 0064 9 92383710.
Dr Darren Svirskis is a Pharmacist and Lecturer in Pharmaceutics. His research
interests are in implantable biomaterials, with both biodegradable and non-biodegradable
drug delivery systems formulated with release profiles designed to match clinical
requirements. Darren has a special research focus using Conducting Polymer platforms
to achieve on-demand, electrically triggered drug release. He currently serves as
treasure of the New Zealand
Chapter of the Controlled Release Society.
.
Contact detail: [email protected] and phone 0064 9 92381158
Dr Manisha Sharma is a research fellow and professional teaching fellow. She obtained
her PhD degree in “Biomedical Engineering” in 2010 from Indian Institute of Technology
Delhi, India. Her current research interests are in the development and evaluation of
polymeric implantable drug delivery systems including both biodegradable and nonbiodegradable systems to address the current clinical conditions. She is also interested
in stimuli responsive delivery systems based on intrinsically conducting polymers.
Contact detail: [email protected] and phone 0064 9 92381158