Ateneo - UPO

It is an advanced teaching of pharmaceutical technology, aimed to describe the concepts, the strategies and the technologies employed in the production of therapeutic systems, pharmaceutical forms that are able to control the release of a drug, to modify its absorption and to target it to the site of action.

Caliceti P., Tecnologia Farmaceutica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana, 2025. Colombo P et al. Principi di tecnologie farmaceutiche. 2° Ed, 2015, Ed. Ambrosiana. Aulton ME, Taylor K.M.G. Tecnologie farmaceutiche, 2015 EDRA LSWR. R. Notari - Biofarmaceutica e Farmacocinetica - Piccin Ed. L. Shargel and A.B.C. Yu - Biofarmaceutica e Farmacocinetica - Masson A.T. Florence, D.T. Attwood - Physicochemical Principles of Pharmacy - MacMillan Press, Hong Kong L. Lachman, H.A. Liebermann, J.L. Kanig - The Theory and Practice of Industrial Pharmacy - Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia M. Chasin and R. Langer - Biodegradable Polymers as Drug Delivery Systems - Marcel Dekker Inc. S. Vomero - Chimica Farmaceutica Applicata - La Gogliardica, Eur Roma Alexander Steinbüchel and Robert H. Marchessault - Biopolymers for medical and pharmaceutical applications - Wiley-VCH, vol. 1 e 2.

The course objective is to provide students with knowledge about the characteristics and functions of therapeutic systems and the ability to understand which tools and methodologies to use for design, develop and manufacture the modified-release drug forms.

There are no prerequisites, but it is strongly recommended the basic knowledge of the courses of the previous years and in particular those of Pharmaceutical Technology.

The course will be provided in form of lectures.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti, consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The examination will be carried out in oral form. To achieve the final vote, the student must demonstrate that he has understood, and he is able to use the fundamental concepts of each topic. The evaluation will be based on the following criteria:
1. knowledge and theoretical understanding and application of the studied subjects;
2. independence of judgment and ability to link the studied arguments;
3. communication skills and appropriateness in the use of technical language;
4. learning ability.

Definitions of modified-release dosage forms and their related bioavailability profiles. Polymers in pharmaceutical formulations: general aspects, classification, and characteristics. Polymers of pharmaceutical interest of synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural origin. Biomaterials. Modified-release formulations: release mechanisms and kinetics. Modified-release systems for oral administration: matrix and reservoir systems, osmotic systems, gastroretentive systems, mucoadhesive preparations, fast-release systems, chronotherapy, and colon-targeted delivery systems. Modified-release systems for parenteral administration: injectable formulations and subcutaneous implants. Transdermal systems. Modified-release intravaginal systems. Modified-release ophthalmic systems. Modified-release systems for veterinary applications.

The student should be able to apply their knowledge for the identification and description of the technological and biopharmaceutical properties of advanced pharmaceutical forms, to use the specific language of this very specialized discipline and to evaluate the impact of the properties of the pharmaceutical vehicle on the drug activity.