DESCRIPTION

Biopharmaceuticals are pharmaceuticals inherently biological in nature, extracted or manufactured by biotechnological methods, generally containing live entities or their active components. In the last two decades, the field of new drug development has moved its focus from small-molecule compounds to large-molecule proteins and other biopharmaceuticals. These biopharmaceuticals have caused an archetype shift in disease cure and has led to an enhancement in the quality of life of patients with various diseases such as autoimmune diseases, refractory cancers.

OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will:

• Have a broad, integrated knowledge of drug discovery and biopharmaceuticals and respective industries.
• Critically assess the use of novel drug design techniques and their risk to the pharmaceutical industry
• Demonstrate knowledge of drug and biopharmaceutical development for the treatment of common and rare diseases
• Critically assess the commercial advantages and disadvantages when selecting a new drug target

CONTENTS

 1. Introduction and drug development process.

2. Drug manufacturing process.

3. Peptide based pharmaceutical.

4. Cytokines, Interferons and interleukins.

READINGS

1. Martin, A. N., Banker, G. S., & Chun, A. H. C. Advances in pharmaceutical sciences. vol 1,

Acadamic Press, London, 1985.

1. Regine Eibl and Dieter Eibl, 2011, Single-Use Technology in Biopharmaceutical Manufacture, Wiley-Blackwell [ISBN: 978-0470433515]
2. Walsh, G., 2013. Biopharmaceuticals: biochemistry and biotechnology. John Wiley & Sons.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Midterm exam: 30

Final exam: 50

Sessional: 20

1. Assignment: 10
2. Presentation:  10