Drug Delivery Systems for Poorly Soluble Drug Substances

Project to be carried out at YKI, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background
With the advancements in pharmaceuticals research has come screening techniques resulting in a huge number of new potential drug substances. Unfortunately an increasing percentage of these molecules have low solubility in aqueous systems and hence cannot be delivered by typical delivery systems. Such hydrophobic and amphiphilic substances require novel and often case-specific delivery solutions in order to produce effective approved drug products.

Project
At YKI we have experience in different aspects of surface and colloid chemistry which allow us to design case specific delivery systems and more generally, new delivery platforms. In addition, due to our strong interactions with the pharmaceutical industry, we are able to investigate relevant applications for the future of drug product development. In addition to fully scalable production facilities, YKI also has the benefit of a world-class characterization lab.
The current work centers around the challenging area of poorly soluble drug substances and in particular lipid-based delivery platforms. This can be applied to both mucosal and parenteral (injectable) applications, each with their own challenges.

Requirements
Program in chemical engineering, physical chemistry or equivalent.
Courses in biology and polymer chemistry are a merit.
Start: Spring term 2007. 20 credit points.

To apply/for further information
Contact Mark Plunkett, YKI
Tel: +46 8 5010 6075
[email protected]

YKI, Institute for Surface Chemistry, is the internationally leading industrial research institute in applied surface and colloid chemistry. YKI’s clients come from many industrial sectors e.g. materials, industrial chemicals, household and personal care products, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food, coatings, paint, engineering, paper, print and packaging. The business model of YKI is to understand the needs of our clients and use surface chemistry to solve industrial problems and provide the basis for new products and processes. YKI is part of the SP Group. YKI is located in a research-intensive area on the campus of the technical university (KTH) in Stockholm. See www.yki.se for further information.