Pharmaceutical research
-
Pharmaceutical research · Oct 2020
A Systems Biology Workflow for Drug and Vaccine Repurposing: Identifying Small-Molecule BCG Mimics to Reduce or Prevent COVID-19 Mortality.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is expected to continue to cause worldwide fatalities until the World population develops 'herd immunity', or until a vaccine is developed and used as a prevention. Meanwhile, there is an urgent need to identify alternative means of antiviral defense. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine that has been recognized for its off-target beneficial effects on the immune system can be exploited to boast immunity and protect from emerging novel viruses. ⋯ Our results provide systems biology support for using BCG and small-molecule BCG mimics as putative vaccine and drug candidates against emergent viruses including SARS-CoV-2.
-
Pharmaceutical research · May 2020
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulations of Spray Drying: Linking Drying Parameters with Experimental Aerosolization Performance.
The purpose of this study was to develop a new computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based model of the complex transport and droplet drying kinetics within a laboratory-scale spray dryer, and relate CFD-predicted drying parameters to powder aerosolization metrics from a reference dry powder inhaler (DPI). ⋯ For the spray dryer system and conditions considered, reducing the CFD-predicted maximum drying rate experienced by droplets improved the aerosolization performance (both MMAD and ED) when the powders were aerosolized with a reference DPI.
-
Pharmaceutical research · Oct 2019
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Oxycodone in Children to Support Pediatric Dosing Optimization.
Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling offers a unique modality to predict age-specific pharmacokinetics. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of PBPK model to predict plasma exposure of oxycodone, a widely used opioid for pain management, in adults and children. ⋯ The current example provides the opportunity for using the PBPK model to guide dose adjustment of oxycodone in the design of future pediatric clinical studies.
-
Pharmaceutical research · Jul 2019
Challenging the CNS Targeting Potential of Systemically Administered Nanoemulsion Delivery Systems: a Case Study with Rapamycin-Containing Fish Oil Nanoemulsions in Mice.
Despite extensive preclinical investigations, in-vivo properties and formulation characteristics that improve CNS drug delivery following systemic dosing of nanoemulsions remain incompletely understood. ⋯ Our findings confirm that BBB penetration, which primarily depends on intrinsic drug-related properties, may not be significantly improved following encapsulation of drugs in nanoemulsions. Graphical Abstract The CNS targeting potential of systemically administered nanoemulsions was investigated by formulating various rapamycin containing fish oil nanoemulsions associated with different formulation characteristics such as the circulation half-life and particle size distribution. The targeting efficiency (TE) defined as the ratio of the brain exposures to the accompanying systemic exposures of rapamycin was estimated for each formulation following IV dosing in mice.
-
Pharmaceutical research · May 2019
Use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Dispersion Parameters in the Development of a New DPI Actuated with Low Air Volumes.
To determine the predictive power of computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based dispersion parameters in the development of a new inline DPI that is actuated with low volumes of air. ⋯ A unique relationship was identified in the DAC-unit DPI in which reducing turbulence also reduced the MMAD.