SHUA13057U Translational Pharmacology - From Concept to Medical Drug and from Concept to Biotech Company

Volume 2023/2024
Education

MSc in Human Biology - elective course
MSc in Public Health Science - elective course
MSc in Health Informatics - elective course
MSc in Health Science - elective course

Content

The course describes the process from basic pharmacological research to an approved medical drug, i.e. from the original idea to a pharmaceutical that can be used in therapy. Further, the course has an emphasis on the proces of setting up, funding and developing a biotech company based on drug discovery and development.

The course is largely based on presentations by scientists who are actively and succesfully engaged in drug development. The program includes inspiring presentations from pharmaceutical companies such as Novo Nordisk, Lundbeck, Leo Pharma as well as from several biotech companies, including the founders of some of these companies.

A half-/full day excursion to Novo Nordisk research laboratories and e.g. Forskerparken has traditionally also been integrated as part of the course.

 

Learning Outcome

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

Discuss, analyze and evaluate:

  • Drug targets – concept, discovery and validation
  • The identification of hits and leads: structure-based drug discovery
  • The properties of target molecules and of ADME properties in vitro and in vivo
  • Animal models for testing the effectiveness of medical drugs, PK, and the like
  • The development and clinical trials of pharmaceuticals
  • Setting up and funding biotech companies – phases in the biotech company lifecycle
  • Analysis and comparisons of domestic and international biotech companies based on drug discovery and development
A completed Bachelor degree within the Biomedical and Natural Sciences (e.g. biology, biochemistry, molecular biomedicine, medicine, or similar).
Lectures, assignments and case presentations by internal and external speakers
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 40
  • Preparation
  • 30
  • Excursions
  • 12
  • Project work
  • 35
  • Exam
  • 8
  • Total
  • 125
Written
Oral
Credit
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Course participation
Type of assessment details
Oral presentation and discussion in course plenum of a case-story in drug-discovery or biotech company establisment and management. Typically in the form of a Group (2-4 students) presentation.
Exam registration requirements

Participation in all aspects of the course

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
More than one internal examiner
Exam period

Week 44 - end of course

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the grade Passed, the student must adequately be able to:

Discuss, analyze and evaluate:

  • Drug targets – concept, discovery and validation
  • The identification of hits and leads: structure-based drug discovery
  • The properties of target molecules and of ADME properties in vitro and in vivo
  • Animal models for testing the effectiveness of medical drugs, PK, and the like
  • The development and clinical trials of pharmaceuticals
  • Setting up and funding biotech companies – phases in the biotech company lifecycle
  • Analysis and comparisons of domestic and international biotech companies based on drug discovery and development