Programme

Pharmacy / Centre For Drug Discovery, Development and Production

Overview

Our postgraduate degree program in Drug Discovery, Development, and Production focuses on the scientific, technological, and regulatory aspects of the pharmaceutical industry. It provides our students with a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in the discovery, development, and production of drugs. The program combines theoretical knowledge with practical training to equip professionals with the skills needed to contribute to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors. Here is an overview of the key components typically covered in a postgraduate degree program in Drug Discovery, Development, and Production:

Drug Discovery:

• Introduction to the principles and strategies involved in the discovery of new drugs.
• Study of target identification, screening methods, and hit-to-lead optimization.
• Exploration of drug design techniques, including structure-based and ligand-based drug design.

Medicinal Chemistry:

• Understanding the chemical properties of drugs and their interactions with biological targets.
• Study of organic synthesis, drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics, and structure-activity relationships.
• Exploration of medicinal chemistry approaches to optimize drug efficacy, selectivity, and safety.

Pharmaceutical Analysis and Quality Control:

• Examination of analytical techniques used in drug development and production.
• Study of methods for drug characterization, purity assessment, and stability testing.
• Understanding quality control and assurance in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics:

1. Investigation of drug action and their effects on the body.
2. Study of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug-receptor interactions.
3. Exploration of preclinical and clinical pharmacology studies to assess drug safety and efficacy.

Drug Formulation and Delivery Systems:

• Understanding the principles of drug formulation and dosage form development.
• Study of various drug delivery systems, such as tablets, capsules, injectables, and transdermal patches.
• Exploration of controlled release systems, nanotechnology-based delivery systems, and biopharmaceutical considerations.

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology:

• Examination of biotechnological approaches in drug discovery and development.
• Study of recombinant DNA technology, protein expression, and production of therapeutic biomolecules.
• Understanding biopharmaceutical formulation, characterization, and regulatory considerations.

Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs:

• Overview of regulatory requirements and processes involved in drug development and approval.
• Study of regulatory guidelines, documentation, and submissions for clinical trials and marketing authorization.
• Exploration of post-marketing surveillance, pharmacovigilance, and compliance with regulatory standards.

Drug Safety and Pharmacovigilance:

• Understanding the principles and practices of drug safety assessment and monitoring.
• Study of adverse drug reactions, risk management plans, and post-marketing safety surveillance.
• Exploration of pharmacovigilance systems, signal detection, and safety reporting.

Clinical Trials and Research Ethics:

• Introduction to clinical trial design, conduct, and data analysis.
• Study of ethical considerations, patient recruitment, informed consent, and trial management.
• Exploration of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and regulatory requirements for clinical research.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Quality Assurance:

• Overview of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and good manufacturing practices (GMP).
• Study of formulation development, process optimization, scale-up, and validation.
• Understanding quality assurance, process control, and regulatory compliance in manufacturing facilities.

Project Management in Drug Development:

• Introduction to project management principles and practices in the drug development process.
•  Study of project planning, resource allocation, risk management, and timeline management.
•  Exploration of cross-functional collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and decision-making in drug development projects.

Industry Trends and Commercialization:

• Analysis of current trends, challenges

Few/Some of the Course Content

DDD 709	Project
DDD 707	Basics of Clinical trials and bioethics in drug development
DDD 706	Seminar and Directed Reading
DDD 705	Regulatory Documents and Generic Drug Approval Submissions
DDD 704	Drug Manufacturing Processes II
DDD 703	Drug Manufacturing Processes I
DDD 702	Drug Development, Regulatory and Quality Compliance
DDD 701	Fundamentals of Drug Discovery
DRP 701	Quality Management, Audits and Inspections in the Pharmaceutical Industry
DDR 702	Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Pharmaceutical Solids
DRP 703	Development and Registration of Medical Devices and Diagnostic Tests
DRP 704	Food and Drug Laws
DRP 706	Good Regulatory Practices in Drug Development
DRP 707	Molecular Basis of Drug Manufacturing
DRP 708	Documentation in Drug Development
DRP 709	Post-marketing Development of     Medicines
DRP 712	Biopharmaceutical and Bioequivalence Methods for Abbreviated New Drug Application
DRP 713	Advanced Clinical Trials & Bioethics in Drug Development
DRP 714	Seminar and Directed Reading

Entry Requirement

Facilities

Career Path

Our postgraduate degree in Drug Discovery, Development, and Production opens up a wide range of career opportunities in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Our Graduates with expertise in this field can pursue various roles in drug discovery, preclinical and clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, quality control, and more. Here are some common career paths for individuals with a postgraduate degree in Drug Discovery, Development, and Production:

Drug Discovery Scientist:

• Conduct research and develop new drugs by identifying potential drug targets, designing and synthesizing molecules, and evaluating their efficacy.
• Work in pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, or academic research institutions.

Medicinal Chemist:

• Design and synthesize novel compounds with therapeutic potential.
• Optimize lead compounds for increased potency, selectivity, and safety.
• Work in drug discovery and development teams in pharmaceutical companies or research organizations.

Pharmaceutical Analyst:

•  Perform analytical testing and quality control of pharmaceutical products.
•  Use various analytical techniques to ensure product quality, purity, and stability.
•  Work in pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, quality control laboratories, or regulatory agencies.

Formulation Scientist:

• Develop and optimize drug formulations and dosage forms.
• Design drug delivery systems for optimal drug release and bioavailability.
• Work in pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, or contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs).

Regulatory Affairs Specialist:

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and guidelines for drug development and approval.
• Prepare and submit regulatory documentation for clinical trials and marketing authorization.
• Work in pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), or regulatory agencies.

Clinical Research Associate:

• Coordinate and monitor clinical trials to ensure compliance with protocols, regulatory requirements, and ethical standards.
• Collect and analyze clinical trial data and ensure patient safety.
• Work in pharmaceutical companies, CROs, or academic research centers.

Pharmacovigilance Specialist:

• Monitor and evaluate the safety profile of drugs during their post-marketing phase.
• Collect and analyze adverse event data, conduct risk assessments, and implement risk management strategies.
• Work in pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies, or pharmacovigilance service providers.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Specialist:

• Oversee the manufacturing processes and ensure compliance with GMP regulations.
• Optimize production efficiency and quality control.
• Work in pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities or contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs).

Quality Assurance Manager:

• Develop and implement quality assurance systems and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
• Conduct internal audits, oversee quality control processes, and manage regulatory inspections.
• Work in pharmaceutical companies, CROs, or regulatory agencies.

Project Manager:

• Manage drug development projects from discovery through clinical trials and commercialization.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, monitor project timelines and budgets, and ensure successful project execution.
• Work in pharmaceutical companies, CROs, or project management consulting firms.

Business Development Manager:

• Identify and evaluate partnership and collaboration opportunities for drug discovery, development, and commercialization.
• Negotiate licensing agreements, collaborations, and strategic alliances.
• Work in pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, or venture capital firms.

Academic or Industry Researcher:

• Conduct research in academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, or research organizations.
• Contribute to scientific advancements, publish research findings, and collaborate with other scientists.

The pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries offer diverse opportunities, and professionals can specialize further within specific areas based on their interests and expertise. Continuous learning, staying updated with industry advancements, and certification may be required to pursue some career paths in this field...

Supervisor(s)

Fees

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