Biotechnology
Medicinal Chemistry
Natural Products
Pharmaceutical Analysis
Pharmaceutical Management
Pharmaceutical Technology
         A. Bulk Drug
         B. Formulations
         C. Biotechnology
Pharmaceutics
Pharmacology and Toxicology
Pharmacy Practice
Pharmacoinformatics
 

Biotechnology
bt@niper.ac.in

The laboratories in the department are working in the areas of cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, microbiology, parasitology, cell culture, and membrane drug interaction. The department is actively pursuing research in the following areas.

• Targeting signal transduction involved in microbial drug resistance
• Identification of new target protein(s) in insulin mediated signal transduction and in insulin resistance
• Enzyme drug interaction of medically important enzymes (Xanthine oxidase, HMG-CoA reductase etc.)
• Membrane drug interaction for better understanding of tissue specific drug targeting
• Proteomic analysis of yeast and mammalian cell to identify genes that regulate aging and knowledge based pathway building using informatics to understand set of circuits involved human longevity
• Applied recombinant DNA technology for production of commercially important biochemicals

Projects (Completed and Ongoing)

• Regulation of multiple drug resistance by protein phosphorylation in Leishmani donovani
• Regulation of skeletal muscle thick filament assembly by protein phosphorylation and insulin signaling
• Identification of phosphorylation regulated insulin-signaling protein in differentiated skeletal muscle cells in culture
• Analyses of DNA complexes and their interaction with drugs in wild type and arsenite resistant Leishmania donovani
• Studies on the multi-substrate interaction kinetics with natural & anti cancer drug substrates on xanthine oxidase

Medicinal Chemistry
mc@niper.ac.in

The department is engaged in the following areas of research

Identification and validation of novel target sites for various therapeutic areas: Design and synthesis of new chemical entities as anticancer, antileishmanial, broad-spectrum antimalarial, antituberculosis, antihypertensive, antiinflammatory, antidiabatic, anti-viral compounds and multi-drug resistance reversal agents.

Asymmetric Synthesis: Development of methodologies for catalytic asymmetric synthesis-dynamic kinetic resolution, asymmetric protonation/ deprotonation, asymmetric epoxidation, asymmetric aziridation and asymmetric alkylation. Synthesis of chiral drugs .

Combinatorial Chemistry: Development of novel linkers and analytical protocols; generation of molecular libraries.

Peptide Synthesis: Synthesis of unnatural amino acids and their incorporation in the peptides of biological importance by using solution- and solid- phase synthesis protocols. Receptor binding studies on the TRH peptides.

Eco-friendly Processes: Development of new methodologies under solvent free condition, surface mediated reactions, microwave/ ultrasound assisted enhancement of reaction rates. Development of heterogeniuos catalysts. Use of ionic liquids as organo-catalysts- mechanistic investigation for rational design. Use of non-conventional reaction media- reaction in eater with or without any catalytic aid, mechanistic investigation of water catalysis for rational selection of newer reaction in water. Applications of the novel methods for synthesis of drugs, drug intermediates and new chemical entities for various therapeutic areas.

Computer Aided Drug Design: Molecular modeling methods based on molecular mechanics, Quantum mechanics. Analog based design of - Kinase, Phosphatase, Protease, HMG-CoA reductase, selective COX-2, selective PDE4 inhibitors and hemaglutinin of H1N1 virus. PPAR- g and Angiotensin receptor antagonist, Alzeimer dementia by 3D-QSAR, CoMFA, and docking methods.

Design and synthesis of PPARg agents.  3D QSAR, pharmacophore  mapping, virtual screening, molecular docking, de novo design of novel agents for PPARg activity.  Computer aided design of GSK3 inhibitors. Quantum chemical studies on the anti-diabetic drugs and leads -- sulfonylurea derivatives, DPPIV inhibitors, metformin analogs.

Design and synthesis of anti-malarial agents:  Quantum chemical methods in analyzing the reaction mechanism of synthesis of GTU (Guanylthiourea) derivatives as anti-malarial agents.  Synthesis of GTU derivatives for PfDHFR inhibition. Quantum chemical analysis of proguanil to cycloguanil conversion. Ab initio studies on the biurets, thiobiurets, etc. analogs of pyrimethamine.

Computational design of novel dedrimers units for anti-diabetic agent.

Computational prediction of SOM of substrates by Cytochromes.

Molecular Dynamic simulations (quantum as well as force field) to understand basics of drug action.

Projects Completed and Ongoing

• Synthesis of Specific Cystein Proteinase and Tubulin inhibitors as potential Anti-parasitic agents.

• Synthesis of 8-aminoquinolines for broad-spectrum anti-malarial activity.

• Novel aza-aromatics for tuberculosis activity against M. tuberculosis.

• Alkaline-earth, lanthanide and transition metal based catalysts for acylation and nitration reactions under solvent free conditions.

• Chemoselective protection of phenols as alkyl ethers and acyl/aroyl esters; oximes as O-alkyl ethers and carboxylic acids as methyl esters exploiting the "Specific Solvation" and "Li+-Coordination" effects.

• Chemoselective deprotection of aryl-alkyl ethers and aryl/alkyl esters via in situ "Demand Based" generation of thiolate anions adopting the "Counter-attacking Agent" strategy.

• One-pot conversion of aldehydes to nitriles and benzothiazolines under conventional heating and microwave irradiation.

• One-pot conversion of carboxylic acids to benzothiazolines, benzoxazolines and benzimidazoles by microwave irradiation under solvent free conditions.

• 1,5-Diarylpyrazoles and 3,4-diaryloxazolones designed as potential COX-2 inhibitors.

• Tetrazole, pyrazole and biphenylic ethers designed as potential HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.

• Azolidindiones, benzofurans and benzothiophenes have been designed as potential protein tyrosin phosphatase 1b inhibitors.

• Transition Metal Promoted Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation via Radical Intermediates: Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds.

• Synthesis of Ischemic Reperfusion Antagonist.

• Synthesis of New Chemical Entities as Anti-Leishmanials.

• Design and Synthesis of Potential Anti-Malarial Agents Having Blood- and Tissue-Schizontocidal Activity.

• Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of PDE4 Inhibitors as Potential Anti-asthma Agents.

• Design and synthesis of HDAC Inhibitors as Potential Anti-cancer Agents.

• Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of COX/LOX Dual Inhibitors as Potential Anti-inflammatory Agents.

• Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of XO Inhibitors as Potential Therapeutic Agents for Gout.

• Synthesis of diaryl ethers and diaryl sulfides as novel anti parasitic agents.

• Synthesis of small chalcone and stilbene libraries.

• Novel catalyst derived from transition, alkali and rare earth metals for electrophilic activation of epoxide for nucliophilic ring opening in stereoselective fashion.

• Synthesis of benzopyran, benzothiopyran and naphthopyran derivatives.

• Development of new multicomponent reactions for the preparation of imidazoles and their use in synthesis of purines.

• The synthesis of tetracyclic indenoindoles and their structural analogs as DNA intercalator and topoisomerase II inhibitor: Organoboron compounds as requisite radical precursors in intramolecular cyclization.

Natural Products
np@niper.ac.in

The departmental research activities are concentrated in the following areas:

1. Discovery of new chemical entities (NCEs) from natural products of terrestrial, microbial and marine origin in the following therapeutic areas:

1. Discovery of anti-HIV, antimycobacterial and antiprotozoal mainly anti-leishmanial agents. Discovery and development of anti-diabetics, antioxidants and immunomodulating agents, adaptogens, anti-inflammatory agents, gynaecology and endocrine dysfunction studies and anticancer agents with apoptotic molecular basis.

2. Development of in vitro testing models for screening of natural products, in the above mentioned therapeutic areas.

3. Semisynthesis and synthesis of biologically active compounds alongwith generation of pseudonatural products.

2. Traditional Medicine development programmes: Standardization and quality control of herbal drugs and products.

1. The overall objective and aim of this traditional medicine programme shall be to meet the demand of cost effective medications and biological agents from sustainable medicinal plant resources with the following steps:-
    

   • To lay down standards and effective quality controls on the Herbal Medicinal Products

   • To create databases for identification and authentication of materials with well defined botanical and phytochemical characteristics

   • To create libraries of marker/characterizing constituents for positive chemical identification of materials through chemoprofiling

   • To create quantitative standards for extracts and their formulations through chemo- and bio-profilings

   • To create standard protocols for establishing purity of materials, identification of adulterants, substitutes, pathogenic bacteria & fungi, heavy metals and pesticide residues

   • To develop dosage forms of the herbal products and their stability studies

   • To develop bioavailability protocols for herbal medicinal products with the help of biomarkers

   • Finally, to conduct clinical trials of the scientifically developed formulation and validate the traditional claims
      

2. Understanding synergy between components of a medicinal plant, that have been described at a molecular level giving credence to the biomarker concepts apart from well understood chemical marker concepts

3. Process technology programmes: Development of chemical process technologies for important natural products involving isolation, semisynthesis or synthesis.

4. Other areas of interest:

1. Agrotechniques for the development of commercially important medicinal plants with high active component

2. Development of tissue/cell suspension cultures for production of secondary metabolites

3. Development of analytical methods for phytochemicals

4. Development of nutraceuticals with the clear cut structure-function relationships for quality dietary supplements

Projects (Completed and Ongoing)

Major Ongoing Projects

• To ascertain the commercial potential of the method for domestic production of Shikimic acid and survey of plant resources.

• Survey of pharmaceutical potential of herbal wealth of Bihar and its traditional systems in vogue

• Evaluation of selected medicinal plants for COX-2/COX-1 activity and anti-inflammatory activity

• Antimycobacterial compounds from Indian medicinal plants

• Identification of anti-viral compounds with potential for development of microbicides to prevent HIV infection and transmission

• Discovery of potential antileishmanial chemotherapeutics and ethnotherapeutics from medicinal plants

• Isolation of anthocyanins from berries

• Anti-candida metabolites of Burkholderia gladioli OR-1

• Standardization and quality control of anti-HIV formulation

• Phytochemical and biological evaluation of selected Eucalyptus species

• Synthesis of natural piperine-amino acid derivatives as potential antileishmanial agents

Major Completed Projects

• Central Scheme to Develop Pharmacopoeial Standards for ISM Drugs. Part – II

• Central Scheme for Development of Agro- Techniques for ISM Drugs.” Part- II

• Evaluation of Potential Ayurvedic Drugs for Gynaecological Disorders

• Standardisation and Quality Control, and Formulation of Traditional Medicines

• Development of Standards of Selected Therapeutically Important Indian Medicinal Plants

• Immuno-stimulant and Adaptogens from Selected Few Indigenous Plants

• Investigations on Cox-2/Cox-1 Inhibition From Some Indian Medicinal Plants

• Ex-situ and In-situ Cultivation, Conservation of Medicinal Plants and Production of Germplasm of Quality Material in Bulk from Brahmi, Anantmool, Asparagus adsendens, etc.

• Synthesis of natural Piperine-amino acid derivatives as potential anti-leishmanial agents

• Development of a method to extract and purify Sideroxylonals from Eucalyptus loxophleba foliage

• Central Scheme for Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of Manufacturing Process of Compound of Ayurvedic-Siddha-Unani Formulations and Their Pharmacopoeial Standards under APS Scheme

• A Composite Proposal for Preparation, Standardisation and Stability Related Issues of Pippalyadi Yoga, an Ayurvedic Oral Contraceptive

• Survey and evaluation of pharmaceutical potential of North-East India

• Comprehensive Research on Asavas and Aristas by studying Markers of the plant materials used therein and stability and shelf life studies and Technology development of these formulations

• Creating databases on chemical standardization of five hundred Ayurvedic materia medica from 150 species of medicinal plants and marker libraries thereof.

Minor completed projects:

• Sample analyzed by GLC - PGI Chandigarh.

• Residue of ignition - Cepham Milk.

• Sample analyzed by HPTLC - Alpha Drug Ltd.

• Sample analyzed by GLC - Kusampal Sirohee

• Sample analyzed by HPTLC - Aman Bio-tech

• Sample analyzed by HPTLC - Panjab University, Chandigarh

• Samples analyzed by HPTLC - Jubilant Ltd., Noida

• Sample analyzed by HPTLC - TBRL, Chandigarh

• Samples analyzed by HPLC - Punjabi University, Patiala

• Sample analyzed by GLC - Star Pharma

• Sample analyzed by HPLC - Cepham, Derabassi

• Sample analyzed by HPTLC - Solan University

• Samples analyzed by HPTLC - Punjabi University, Patiala

• Sample analyzed by HPLC - Thapar University, Patiala

• Sample analysed by HPLC - Panjab University, Chandigarh

• Sample analyzed by HPTLC - GS-SC of Pharma Yamuna Nagar

• Samples analyzed by HPLC - Punjabi University, Patiala

• Validation of markers - Vedic Life Science

• Preparation of protocol  - Vedic Life Science

• Sample on HPLC (Omperasole) - Axon Labs Ltd., Punjab

• Samples analyzed on HPLC - Namiex Chemicals, Punjab

• Sample analyzed by GLC - Sunny Enterprises

• Validation of markers by HPLC - Promed Company.

For more Information....... www.naturalproducts-niper.com

Pharmaceutical Analysis
pa@niper.ac.in

The department is involved in the diversified activities, including active involvement in industrial research projects. The key areas of research are:

• Physico-chemical characterization of new chemical entities
• Forced degradation (stress testing) and stability kinetics studies
• Preformualtion studies
• Validated analytical method development including stability-indicating assays
• Accelerated stability testing
• Impurity profiling of drug substances
• Preparation of degradation product standards

Projects (Completed and Ongoing)

• Establishment of intrinsic stability and stability-indicating assays (Funded by various pharmaceutical industries)
• Preparation and identification of various degradation products (Nimesulide, Famotidine, Ranitidine, Rifampicin, Clarithromycin, Ornidazole, Nifedipine, Captopril and Clonazepam)
• Impurity profiling studies: Determination of levels of individual and total impurities (Cephradine, Cephalexin, Clarithromycin, Rifampicin, Acylovir, Fluconazole, Doxorubicin, Daunomycin and Amoxycillin Trihydrate)
• Physicochemical aspects of antitubercular FDCs
• Study of the crosslinking behavior of gelatin
• Stability studies of drugs under accelerated conditions in the presence of light as compared to dark conditions
• Preparation of impurity standards

Pharmaceutical Management
pm@niper.ac.in

A recent diversified expansion of the Institute is the Department of Pharmaceutical Management which has been created with a view to provide a specialized, high quality education as preparation for professional positions in pharmaceutical business and industry. The objectives of this course are to teach pharmaceutical management to the Pharmacy graduates to become the successful managers in pharmaceutical industry by applying the fundamentals of management. The department is actively engaged in Teaching, Research and Training and Development programmes related to the following:

• To provide a specialized, high quality education as preparation for professional positions in pharmaceutical business and industry
• To improve the quality, talent and skills of individuals to help them lead their lives as successful pharmaceutical management professionals
• To explore the frontiers of knowledge from the industry through independent research, as well as in collaboration with other entities in pharmaceutical business or education having similar goals

Distinctiveness:

• A critical and integral component of our educational strategy is to help the Pharma industry with specially trained individuals without the limitations of a conventional curriculum and with abilities, attitudes and skills of a professional manager to serve effectively and efficiently in pharmaceutical industry
• On-the job- training with the aim of helping the students to gain insights into the real, complex world of modern pharmaceutical business and observe human dynamics
• Strong interaction with business and industry, particularly in the areas of teaching, seminars, training and placement in pharmaceutical industry
• Substantial case inputs aimed at helping students to develop their decision making skills for modern Pharma business

Pharmaceutical Technology
pt@niper.ac.in

A. Bulk Drug
ptb@niper.ac.in

A special feature of the Institute is the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology which has been created with a view to directly interact with industry. The department has a pilot plant associated with it for pilot-scale processing of bulk drugs and natural products. The department has build up facilities for scale up studies during development of technologies for bulk pharmaceutical chemicals and different dosage forms. The department is actively engaged and can collaborate in projects related to the following.

• Process development for enantiomerically pure drugs
• Chemical processing technology for natural products
• Process for conducting eco-friendly reactions involving phase transfer catalysts, ionic liquids as alternate solvent media
• Process for developing anti-diabetic compounds using novel technologies

Processes for the following APIs are available for licensing and other projects that have been completed:

• Mefloquine HCl, Isosorbide-5-mononitrate, Artemether and Artesunate, S-Naproxen & S-Ibuprofen and Dicyclohexylcarbinol
• Process for recycling levo enriched clopidogrel
• Application of phase transfer methods in various production processes
• Process for making chiral unnatural amino acids
• Process for making Escitalopram from racemic citalopram
• Process for making various chiral phase-transfer catalysts
• Synthetic routes for making various tricyclic dual PPAEa/c agonists having antioxidant properties
• Process for making novel 1,4-Naphthoquinones
• Process for making levobupivacaine
• Process for making 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate in ionic liquids

B. Formulations
ptf@niper.ac.in

• Preformulation studies of new molecular entities
• Prototype formulation development and product/process challenge studies on solid and liquid dosage forms
• Solid state characterization of pharmaceuticals
• Generation of polymorphs, pseudo-polymorphs and amorphous form; Characterization using thermal, spectroscopic, crystallographic (powder and single crystal) techniques; Solubility advantage; Thermodynamic characterization - van't Hoff plots; Effect of polymorphism on product performance; solid state transformations during pharmaceutical processing; regulatory implications
• Generation of co - crystals to improve aqueous solubility of poorly water soluble drugs
• High energy amorphous form - Generation; characterization using thermal, spectroscopic, crystallographic techniques; Thermodynamic parameters like enthalpy, entropy, specific heat; Kinetic characterization of the molecular mobility of amorphous systems using enthalpy relaxation studies, cocnept of fragility and fictive temperature; Stabilization of the amorphous systems using anti - plasticizer, specific molecular interactions, crystal growth inhibitors; Solubility advantage of amorphous syetms; Molecular interactions vis a vis stable crystalline form; Devitrification during storage and dissolution stage; Ternary amorphous dispersions to improve aqueous solubility
• Improved powder properties using particle engineering and co-processing of pharmaceuticals; Study of compression behavior; Heckel's plots; Physico - technical properties
• Reverse engineering of generic formulations to - propose quantitative formula, solid state characteristics of the API in the dosage form, information on manufacturing process; Concept of 'formulation equivalence' to develop bio-equivalent generic products
• Improvements of oral bioavailability using lipidic systems
• Intestinal permeability studies and permeation enhancement of drugs using excipeints
• Stabilization of protein drugs during lyophilization

C. Biotechnology

The biotechnology unit of Pharmaceutical Technological Department has been set up with a view to create awareness in the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology. Biotechnology being an interdisciplinary subject and NIPER being an pharmaceutical institute, pharmaceutical biotechnology was thought to be an appropriate subject of teaching and research in this department. The main objective is to pertain training to the students on the different aspects of pharmaceutical biotechnology such as production of high value products though high cell density fermentation, to produce active intermediates through biocatalysis, downstream processing of biomolecules, etc. The unit has taken the initiative to start research activities in the field of biocatalysis to produce enantiomerically pure isomers intended to use as drugs and drug intermediates. The unit runs a full fledged M.Tech. programme in pharmaceutical biotechnology sponsored by the Department of Biotechnology (Govt. of India). The following projects are currently going on

• Production of chiral precursor (S)-1-(2-thienyl) ethanol or (S)-N, N-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-3-(2-thienyl)-propanamine through microbial reduction and their use in the synthesis of chiral drug S (+)-Duloxetine
• Cloning and expression of an acid phosphatase (PHYB) with high phytase activity in yeast
• Purification and characterization of lipase/s for the synthesis of biologically active and enantiomerically pure isomers obtained through enzymatic kinetic resolution of racemates
• Use of nitrilase, a biocatalyst, for the enzymatic kinetic resolution of racemic mixture of pharmaceutically active compounds to enantiomerically pure isomer

Pharmacology and Toxicology
pc@niper.ac.in

Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology has the facilities to carry out pharmacological screening of NCEs. The department can enter into project collaborations in regulatory toxicological testing, viz., acute, sub-chronic and chronic toxicity testing. The departmental research activities are concentrated in the following areas:

• Opioid tolerance, supersensitivity and dependence mechanisms
• Role of different subtypes of angiotensin receptors in hypertension and diabetic vascular complications
• Understanding the mechanisms of diabetic complication and development of NIDDM & insulin resistance models in rodents; screening of synthetic and natural products for their antidiabetic activity
• Role of alpha adrenoceptors in benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in ischaemic stroke
• Evaluation of novel neuroprotective approaches for the treatment of cerebral ischemia
• Development of animal models of cerebral ischemia
• Understanding the mechanisms of diabetic neuropathy
• Role of adenosine receptors subtypes in diabetic neuropathic pain
• Evaluation of various neuroprotective approaches in diabetic neuropathy
• Screening of NCEs for antileismanial activity.
• Development of rat model for Alzheimer's disease and screening of NCEs on learning and memory in rats
• Production of monoclonal antibodies against Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis antigens with the objective of characterization of protective antigens
• Molecular mechanisms of protection, cytoadherence, immune evasion and red cell invasion in malaria
• Biotherapeutics and chemotherapeutics evaluation of potential antimalarial, antitubercular, antileishmanial and antiamoebic agents in vitro and in vivo
• Study of the opioids-induced bidirectional molecular signaling within the neuroimmune network with a view to develop new immunomodulators.
• Histone modifications as targets for drug discovery
• Molecular mechanism involved in toxicant and oxidative stress induced process of cell death

Projects (Completed and Ongoing)

• Drug abuse: Cause and effect relationship of opioid tolerance and dependence
• Diabetes: In vitro & In vivo screening of NCEs (synthetic and natural) in IDDM, insulin resistance (HFD rats) Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus and role of purinergic modulation of neuropathic pain in SID
• Characterization of alpha - adrenoceptors in throacic aorta of Streptozotocin induced diabetes and high fat fed rats
• Hypertension: Cause and effect relationship in the renal hypertension, Characterization of Angiotensin II receptors in renal and spontaneously hypertensive rats and High fat diet insulin resistant hypertensive rats
• Studies on the Calcium Channels on angiotensin responses in diabetic rat vasculature
• Evaluation of middle cerebral artery occlusion induced focal cerebral ischemia by assessing cerebral blood flow, blood gases, cerebral infarction, edema and neurological functions
• Neuroprotective effect of poly (ADP) ribose polymerase inhibitor in focal ischemia
• Evaluation of neuroprotective potential of antioxidants and specific peroxynitrite scavenger in focal ischemia
• Neuroprotective potential of combination of poly (ADP) ribose polymerase inhibitors and antioxidants in focal ischemia
• Identification of some surrogate markers of protective immunity in malaria by using hybridoma technology
• Neuroprotective effect of MAPK inhibitors in focal ischemia
• Evaluation of neuroprotective effect of peroxynitrite scavengers in global cerebral ischemia in gerbils
• Role of poly (ADP) ribose polymerase inhibitors on H2O2 and peroxynitrite induced cell death in PC12 cell line
• Pharmacological interventions targeted at adenosine receptors in diabetic neuropathic pain
• To study the effects of adenosinergic agents on motor nerve conduction velocity and nerve blood flow in rats
• Role of MAP kinase on diabetic neuropathy
• Evaluation of free radical scavengers potential in diabetic neuropathy
• Screening of NCEs for antileishmanial activity in hamster model of visceral leishmaniasis
• Development of a new rigorous rodent malaria vaccination model for the evaluation of potential new immunoadjuvants
• Molecular studies to determine the linkage between antigenic variation and drug-resistance in Plasmodium falciparum
• Identification of some surrogate markers of protective immunity in malaria by using hybridoma technology
• Colony-stimulating factors and interleukin-12 cascade during parasitic and mycobacterial infections by using mRNA assays and immunoassays
• Study of the neuroimmunomodulatory effects of morphine and enkephalins in Leishmania donovani- and Plasmodium berghei-infected hosts, with special emphasis on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of protection
• Determination of the role of acute-phase reactants in the interaction of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with macrophages, in vitro
• Bioimmunotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic evaluation of potential new antimalarial, antitubercular, antileishmanial and antitrichomonal agents
• Role of histone deacetylase inhibitors in Streptozotocin induced diabetes
• Role of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor and poly (ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase inhibitor in diabetic nephropathy

Pharmaceutics
pe@niper.ac.in

Drug development has become increasingly complex, time consuming and expensive. As a result there is an increased focus on making clinically established drugs perform better therapeutically in terms of efficacy, safety and improved patient compliance by designing novel and patentable technologies or delivery systems. This has led to a paradigm shift in drug delivery technologies from conventional dosage forms to controlled release and sophisticated delivery systems. These systems are based on the concepts of biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetic driven by pharmacodynamic activity and therapeutic needs. The emergence of the Biopharmaceutic Classification System (BCS) based on the two tenets of absorption namely solubility and permeability has further simplified drug development program form a regulatory perspective. About 20 drugs, which are not only of clinical significance but also, model drugs representing various classes were chosen by the department to carry out research and projects in the area of conventional and novel drug delivery systems, biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetic evaluation, bioavailability and bioequivalence testing, preformulation, formulation development and stability testing.

The department of pharmaceutics is one of the key departments of the Institute. It is equipped with state of the art facilities to undertake research in drug development and delivery. More recently, the department has initiated research on Biomaterials and Nanotechnology. In the frontier area of Biomaterial research, the focus will be for synthesis and characterization of new biodegradable polymer, their formulations for various drug delivery systems, to improve surface biocompatibility of medical devices and their invitro/invivo evaluation. To strengthen our research potential, nanotechnolgy will be utilized to prepare effective carriers to deliver the drugs at diseases targets and effort will be taken to initiate gene delivery program in our department.

The department is presently engaged in research projects on:

• Development and evaluation of peroral controlled release systems
• Development and evaluation of buccal and transdermal drug delivery systems
• Biopharmaceutic and pharmacokinetic studies including bioavailability and bioequivalence studies
• In vitro and in vivo evaluation of conventional and new drug delivery systems
• Biomaterials for novel drug delivery systems
• Nano-biopharmaceutics: Focus on drug targeting and gene delivery

Projects Completed and Ongoing

• Development and evaluation of transdermal systems including Iontophoretic delivery of peptide and protein drugs
• Pharmacokinetic-based controlled release dosage forms (drugs under investigation: nifedipine, diltiazem, azithromycin isosorbide mononitrate, glipizide, ketorolac, salbutamol, cephalosporin and cyclosporin)
• Biomaterials for improving surface biocompatibility of medical devices
• Synthesis and characterization of new biodegradable polymers for delivery of anticancer drugs
• Design of biodegradable nanoparticles for pharmaceutical applications
• Development and evaluation of nanoparticles for delivery of estradiol, antioxidants and insulin

Pharmacy Practice
pp@niper.ac.in

Beginning from the academic session 2002-2003, NIPER has introduced a new course leading to the award of M. Pharm. in Pharmacy Practice. The three core areas identified for this department are Clinical, Hospital and Community Pharmacy. In a very short span of time, the department has made significant progress and has been able to evolve on the first two areas by developing a strong interface with three major hospitals in the region.

One of the missions of the department is to provide quality-teaching programs that will prepare the students for entry into all areas of professional pharmacy practice.

The department intends to promote research and service, demonstrating excellence in professional practice and outreach. Currently, the emphasis is placed on principles of pharmacotherapy and practice management for the purpose of advancing quality cost-effective pharmaceutical care. The Department of Pharmacy Practice is committed to:

• Development of long-term functional practice skills in its students, and others in the profession
• Development and practice of systematic approach to identification and finding solutions of drug-related problems
• Implementation of Good Pharmacy Practice Points for Clinical pharmacists and for clinical pharmacy educator
• Research leadership in desired areas of excellence and developing areas especially pertaining to the rural health
• Development of interdisciplinary research programs within the Institute and others schools of Pharmaceutical sciences in the country
• Leadership in national, state and local professional associations and a strong role in developing future practice standards and models
• Provision of the highest level of pharmaceutical services to the citizens of country

The department intends to grow into the following areas and looks forward to collaborate with external agencies

• Promoting rational use of drugs. The department works in close coordination with the Delhi Society for Promotion of Rational use of Drugs (DSPRUD).
• Research into the drug-related healthcare issues
• Identifying, monitoring and solving drug-related problems
• Establishment of clinical pharmacy services
• Drug utilization reviews and cost containment issues in hospital pharmacy
• Setting up of Patient counseling facilities in hospitals
• Offering Continuing Professional Education (CPE) programs for all sections of the profession

For any further queries about the program, please feel free to contact Dr. P. Tiwari, (pp@niper.ac.in) Associate Professor in the department.

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Pharmacoinformatics

Drug discovery research has become much more complex science requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Converging concepts of several disciplines such as molecular biology, chemistry, toxicology, pharmaceutical sciences and computational technology has become more than a trend in education. It has become a necessity for solving real-world problems. This course is designed to teach the new millennium drug discovery science to the pharmacy graduates to become the successful drug discovery scientist in pharmaceutical industry.

The objectives are,

• To teach the science and art of "New Millennium Drug Discovery' for faster drug development.

• To teach the information management and integration techniques in the field of Biology, Chemistry, Toxicology, Pharmaceutical sciences and Pharmacy practice.

• To integrate diverse information into discovery knowledge by exploiting the advantages of emerging fields like bio-informatics, chemo-informatics, toxico-informatics, pharmacy-informatics, etc

Distinctiveness:

1. The center is equipped to carry out research and provide training in the advanced areas of genomics, proteomics, computational drug discovery techniques including bioinformatics, QSAR, Molecular Docking, pharmacophore mapping, chemoinformatics, computational ADME / Toxicity prediction methods, pharmaceutical informatics and medical informatics.
2. The focus of this centre is on the practical applications of computer aided target identification, validation and drug-design, this centre is quite different from other academic centres where the focus is either on theoretical studies or on development of bioinformatic methods or on chemoinformatic methods.

Projects completed and on going

“Disease database for drug discovery” Funded by Brainwave Biosolutions

Training and Continuing Education Programs

In order to keep pharmacy professionals acquainted with the latest developments in the field of pharmacy, the institute conducts training programs from time to time. NIPER has been empanelled by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India to conduct training programs on regulatory aspects in pharmaceutical sciences for the international delegations and also by Ministry of Health to conduct training programs for drug regulatory staff, government analysts and technical and analytical staff from SSIs. The institute can provide specialized training in the following areas:

• cGMP/GLP, validation procedures in pharmaceutical industry
• Standardisation of herbal products
• Macro and micro-propagation of medicinal plants
• Separation techniques
• Modern analytical techniques for quality assurance
• Impurity profiles of bulk pharmaceutical chemicals and their formulations
• Degradation chemistry and stability testing of drugs and pharmaceuticals
• Bioavailability and bioequivalence of pharmaceutical dosage forms
• Documentation in pharmaceutical research, development and manufacturing
• Recombinant DNA technology for drugs
• Secretory proteins and biomass production through fermentation
• Primary drug screenings
• Regulatory toxicology
• Synthesis and technology of chiral drugs
• Scale up techniques in pharmaceutical industry
• Development of eco-friendly processes
• Generation of combinatorial libraries of small molecules
• Computer aided drug design
• Pharmaceutical project management

Page Last Updated / Reviewed on: 27-04-2011