Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Drug Delivery and Discovery
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Introduction
The Drug Delivery & Discovery course focuses on the search for new strategies for drug administration, the validation methods, and the possible outcomes in drug development. By using vehicles designed for an easier and adequate release, their therapeutic action can be much more effective and efficient compared to other traditional drug delivery methods. Following the drug development process, we will have a first block focused on drug discovery, the understanding of the different drug administration routes and vehicles used in both clinical and preclinical stages. During the second block of this class, we will review the processes, regulations, specific studies, and validation steps needed to release a drug in the market. With a focus on the creation of preclinical and clinical trials, we will study the many steps involved in these processes and the techniques used to regulate this high-risk high-reward race to help patients worldwide.
Pre-course requirements
The student must have successfully passed the Cellular and Molecular Biology (1st semester) and Biomaterials and Biocompatibility subject (2nd semester). It is recommended to have knowledge of Pharmacology (5th semester)
Objectives
- Explain to the student the knowledge of the process of discovery of new drugs and targets.
- That the student has the basic knowledge of the different types of drug administration routes, as well as the drug properties and methods of action.
- That the student understands the different steps involved in the preclinical and clinical phases.
- That the student has a first contact with the necessary tools for the discovery of new drugs and presentation of practical cases through a poster presentation
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CB03 - Students must have the ability to bring together and interpret significant data (normally within their area of study) to issue judgements that include a reflection on significant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
- CB04 - That students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- CB05 - That students have developed the necessary learning skills to undertake subsequent studies with a high degree of autonomy.
- CB1 - Students must demonstrate that they have and understand knowledge in an area of study based on general secondary education. This knowledge should be of a level that, although based on advanced textbooks, also includes some of the cutting-edge elements from their field of study.
- CE19 - To be aware of the principles of biomedical science related to health and learn how to work in any field of Biomedical Sciences (biomedical companies, bioinformatics laboratories, research laboratories, clinical analysis companies, etc.).
- CG07 - To incorporate basic concepts related to the field of biomedicine both at a theoretical and an experimental level.
- CG10 - To design, write up and execute projects connected to the field of Biomedical Sciences.
- CG11 - To be aware of basic concepts from different fields connected to biomedical sciences.
- CT01 - To develop the organisational and planning skills that are suitable in each moment.
- CT02 - To develop the ability to resolve problems.
- CT03 - To develop analytical and summarising skills.
- CT04 - To interpret experimental results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
- CT05 - To use the internet as a means of communication and a source of information.
- CT06 - To know how to communicate, give presentations and write up scientific reports.
- CT07 - To be capable of working in a team.
- CT08 - To reason and evaluate situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CT09 - To have the ability to develop interpersonal skills.
- CT10 - To be capable of autonomous learning.
- CT11 - To apply theoretical knowledge to practice.
- CT12 - To apply scientific method.
- CT13 - To be aware of the general and specific aspects related to the field of nutrition and ageing.
- CT14 - To respect the fundamental rights of equality between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values that are specific to a culture of peace and democratic values.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- Knowledge of the drug development process.
- Knowledge of the main drugs, forms of administration and release and their action properties.
- Knowledge of the preclinical and clinical stages, their main differences and occupations within.
- Be able to understand and use the tools for drug design.
- Be able to work on a related topic, display it on a poster and know how to defend it
Syllabus
- Principles of drug discovery and drug development
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- Drug administration routes
- Drug encapsulation and release strategies
- Preclinical trials
- Clinical trials
- Medical devices
Teaching and learning activities
In person
The course will be divided into theoretical classes and practical cases for the design of drugs and the development of a poster, which students will learn how to define, design and present to defend it. In some cases, evaluable activities may be carried out during the sessions that cannot be recovered outside of that period.
Eventually, the teacher could use the Moodle platform that could include various resources, such as forms, exercises, multimedia material ... that the student must perform to complete the subject.
Els treballs lliurats fora de temps només podran obtenir una màxima qualificació de 5 punts sobre 10, excepte aquells que només podran realitzar-se durant la sessió.
Classes will be taught in English. The teaching material will be presented mainly in English, with some exceptions (graphs, tables ...)
The list of ECTS credits and the workload in learning hours depending on the different methodologies that will be used. Each ECTS theoretical credit has 10 hours in which the teacher has a presence in the classroom. The rest of the hours up to 25 correspond to the load of directed and autonomous learning of the student. This last teaching load can be done through autonomous activities, group work that will be presented and defended in class or individual study necessary to achieve the learning objectives of the different subjects.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
First call exam:
- Midterm exam (30%)
- Assignments and projects (25%)
- Poster project (15%)
- Final exam (30%)
A minimal mark of 5.0 should be obtained in the final exam and midterm in order to be taken for the calculation of the course average. The same evaluation criteria will be applied in the second sitting of the exam, without the possibility of obtaining a distinction with honors. In case of failure of the midterm exam, the student will have an extra exam the same day of the final exam.
Attendance is mandatory for all projects to pass the course.
Assignments will not be accepted after the deadline and will only be accepted by Moodle and not by email, with the exception of the in-class problems/projects that only will be allowed during the session.
Important considerations
- Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will be zero in that evaluation section. Besides, in exams it will mean the immediate failure of the whole subject.
- In the second-sitting exams, the maximum grade students will be able to obtain is "Excellent" (grade with honors distinction will not be possible).
- Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted.
- Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.
Bibliography and resources
- Hillery AM, Park K. (2016) Drug Delivery Systems. 2nd ed. CRC Press. https://www.crcpress.com/Drug-Delivery-Fundamentals-and-Applications-Second-Edition/Hillery-Park/p/book/9781482217711.
- G Hill, R., & Richards, D. (2021). Drug Discovery and Development (3rd ed.). Elsevier. https://www.mea.elsevierhealth.com/drug-discovery-and-development-9780702078040.html
Evaluation period
- E1 30/05/2024 P2A03 14:00h
- E2 27/06/2024 P2A02 10:00h