ID:
510602
Duration (hours):
88
CFU:
9
SSD:
FARMACEUTICO TECNOLOGICO APPLICATIVO
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 23/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
To provide an in-depth knowledge of the technological approaches for drug loading into modified drug delivery systems and targeted drug delivery systems; to develop problem solving skills in the pharmaceutical technology field.
At the end of the course, the student should be able not only to know the various modified and targeted drug delivery systems but also to identify the optimal formulation strategies based on drug physico-chemical properties and stability, administration route and release type.
At the end of the course, the student should be able not only to know the various modified and targeted drug delivery systems but also to identify the optimal formulation strategies based on drug physico-chemical properties and stability, administration route and release type.
Course Prerequisites
The following are preparatory courses: General and Inorganic Chemistry, Mathematics with Elements of Statistics, Physics, Organic Chemistry 2.
To successfully follow the course, it is helpful for the student to have knowledge related to the formulation of traditional dosage forms.
To successfully follow the course, it is helpful for the student to have knowledge related to the formulation of traditional dosage forms.
Teaching Methods
Frontal lessons (7 CFU= 56h). A practical course (1,5 CFU= 24 h), classroom exercises and seminars on industrial aspects (0,5 CFU= 8 h) integrate theoretical lessons.
For students with specific needs, who cannot attend in person the teaching activities and who have applied for Inclusive Teaching Methods, adequate teaching material will be available for a profitable independent study. If requested, self-learning can be supported by tutoring or supplementary teaching activities, or by dedicated meetings, also online, with flexible timing depending on the needs.
For students with specific needs, who cannot attend in person the teaching activities and who have applied for Inclusive Teaching Methods, adequate teaching material will be available for a profitable independent study. If requested, self-learning can be supported by tutoring or supplementary teaching activities, or by dedicated meetings, also online, with flexible timing depending on the needs.
Assessment Methods
Learning check
Examination on the whole course contents in written form (open-ended questions), including queries related to theoretical aspects of the topics covered during the course, as well as identifying the best formulation approaches to adopt based on the route of administration and the chemical-physical characteristics of the drug. It also includes an exercise related to one of the activities covered in the practical sessions.
It’s given to students the chance to improve their written exam grade by taking an oral exam.
Appropriate examination methods are provided for students who fall within the categories identified for Specific Learning Disorders and Special Educational Needs.
Examination on the whole course contents in written form (open-ended questions), including queries related to theoretical aspects of the topics covered during the course, as well as identifying the best formulation approaches to adopt based on the route of administration and the chemical-physical characteristics of the drug. It also includes an exercise related to one of the activities covered in the practical sessions.
It’s given to students the chance to improve their written exam grade by taking an oral exam.
Appropriate examination methods are provided for students who fall within the categories identified for Specific Learning Disorders and Special Educational Needs.
Texts
"Aulton's Pharmaceutics", 3rd Ed, Churchill Livingstone, 2013 A. Martin "Physical Pharmacy" 4th Ed, Lea & Febiger, 2004
Contents
Drug diffusion and dissolution. Dissolution: theoretical aspects and factors affecting dissolution rate; methods for
dissolution rate measurements: apparatus, experimental conditions, fitting of dissolution curves. Classification of drugs
according to the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS).
Pharmaceutical polymers. Use of polymers in the pharmaceutical field (modified release systems, packaging materials). Physical-chemical
properties of pharmaceutical polymers: molecular weight, structure (amorphous or crystal forms), thermal (melting point,
glass transition temperature) and mechanical properties, solubility, viscosity.
Modified and targeted drug delivery systems. Modified release drug delivery systems (prolonged release): design and development of reservoir devices, osmotic pumps, matrices (inert, swellable, biodegradable), transdermal drug delivery systems.
Modified release drug delivery systems (delayed release): design and development of systems intended for site- specific
drug delivery to the stomach, the small intestine and the colon.
The technological e biopharmaceutical properties of several commercial systems belonging to the different types of modified release devices will be illustrated and discussed; particular attention will be focused on the study of the release kinetics.
Bioadhesion and mucoadhesion. Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems.
Polymeric microsphere and microcapsules.
Nanosystems: polymeric nanoparticles, Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN), Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC), liposomes.
Formulation of biotechnological drugs.
dissolution rate measurements: apparatus, experimental conditions, fitting of dissolution curves. Classification of drugs
according to the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS).
Pharmaceutical polymers. Use of polymers in the pharmaceutical field (modified release systems, packaging materials). Physical-chemical
properties of pharmaceutical polymers: molecular weight, structure (amorphous or crystal forms), thermal (melting point,
glass transition temperature) and mechanical properties, solubility, viscosity.
Modified and targeted drug delivery systems. Modified release drug delivery systems (prolonged release): design and development of reservoir devices, osmotic pumps, matrices (inert, swellable, biodegradable), transdermal drug delivery systems.
Modified release drug delivery systems (delayed release): design and development of systems intended for site- specific
drug delivery to the stomach, the small intestine and the colon.
The technological e biopharmaceutical properties of several commercial systems belonging to the different types of modified release devices will be illustrated and discussed; particular attention will be focused on the study of the release kinetics.
Bioadhesion and mucoadhesion. Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems.
Polymeric microsphere and microcapsules.
Nanosystems: polymeric nanoparticles, Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN), Nanostructured Lipid Carriers (NLC), liposomes.
Formulation of biotechnological drugs.
Course Language
Italian
More information
The teacher is available in her office for explanations and revisions of
assignments by appointment by e-mail.
assignments by appointment by e-mail.
Degrees
Degrees
MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY AND PHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY
Single-cycle Master’s Degree
5 years
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People
People
Professore Ordinario
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