Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Drug Delivery & Discovery
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Please send an email to set up a meeting
Alba Herrero: aherrerog@uic.es
Samantha Morón: smoron@uic.es
José Muñoz: jmunozl@uic.es
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
- CN01 - Describe aspects related to bioengineering based on subject-specific books together with scientific publications at the forefront of knowledge.
- CN06 - Define the fundamental principles of the technologies used in the design and manufacture of micro- and nanosensors in biotechnology areas.
- CP01 - Interpret relevant data (normally within their area of study) and issue judgements that include a reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
- CP04 - Produce fixed and removable structures in medical device applications.
- CP08 - Apply biotechnological methodologies and tools for research, development and production of products and services.
- HB01 - Convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- HB04 - Assess the social and environmental impact of technical solutions through the analysis and application of quality principles and methods.
- HB05 - Integrate a third language, usually English, in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment, with an adequate oral and written level and applying the terminology of bioengineering
- HB07 - Relate well-being with globalisation and sustainability, achieving skills for the use of technique, technology, economy and sustainability in a balanced and compatible way.
- HB12 - Evaluate manufacturing systems and processes, metrology and quality control.
- HB14 - Identify engineering concepts that can be applied in the field of biology and health.
Learning outcomes of the subject
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Distinguish the conceptual and methodological foundations of the various platforms that make up bioengineering: biotechnology, nanotechnology, pharmacology, immunology, microbiology, modeling, proteomics and genomics, drug delivery, project management...
• Apply the fundamentals of bioengineering in fields such as tissue engineering, orthotics, dental prosthetics, start-up creation, sustainability, and the design, manufacturing, and characterization of new medical devices.
• Define the characteristics of implants, dental prosthetics, radiological and surgical splints, relating them to osseointegration, prosthetic rehabilitation, and medical prescription.
• Define the materials and processes used in the manufacturing of implants, dental prosthetics, radiological and surgical splints.
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:
1. Assignments and projects (25%)
2. Poster project (25%)
3. Final exam (50%)
Mandatory conditions:
1. It is essential to obtain a minimum grade of 5.0 in the final exam to calculate
the average with the rest of the assessment components. If this minimum
grade is not achieved, the course will be considered failed, regardless of the
other grades obtained.
2. Failure to complete any of the assessment activities will automatically result in
failing the course in the first examination period.
3. Assessment activities submitted after the deadline will receive a 30% penalty
on the grade obtained for that activity.
4. The minimum final grade required to pass the course is 5.0 out of 10.
Attendance is mandatory for all group projects as well as for the poster presentation,
and it must be above 90% to pass the course.
* The assessment criteria are provisional and may be subject to slight changes, which
will be duly communicated.
* The evaluation criteria are provisional and could undergo a slight variation that
would be duly informed.
In the second examination period, grades previously obtained in assessment activities
will not be considered.
Assessment will consist of a single final exam, which will include both the content of
the regular final exam and the material covered in the course assessment activities.
Important considerations
1. 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.
2. In the second-sitting exams, the maximum grade students will be able to obtain is
"Excellent" (grade with honors distinction will not be possible).
3. Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted.
4. 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 29/05/2026 A10 14:00h