Continuous Wet Granulation Process for Cocrystal Drug Product Manufacturing

About the Project

The main research activities of my research group is to design, develop, novel formulation strategies and next-generation drug delivery technologies to enhance therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance.

Despite extensive research in the field of cocrystals, there is still a large knowledge gap on development of cocrystal end-product formulations especially considering continuous wet granulation process. In order to design robust formulation process for cocrystals dosage forms, it is essential to have thorough mechanistic understanding and engineering of paradigm process. The primary objective of the current project is to gain a mechanistic understanding of the selection of additives and their effect on hydrate formation and cocrystallization. In this study, a Quality-by-Design (QbD) approach incorporated with process analytical technology (PAT) monitoring will be used to gain an understanding of the cocrystal twin screw wet granulation (TSWG) process and optimize granule and tablet formation.

The students will be working with a highly dynamic research team led by Dr Rahamatullah Shaikh, Professor Adrian Kelly and Prof Anant Paradkar. There will also be an opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals and prominent academic leaders in shaping this significant PhD project. During the PhD programme student will be offered training in different disciplines chemistry, drug formulation, chemical engineering (Centre for Pharmaceutical Engineering Sciences and Polymer Interdisciplinary Research Centre) , and such as cocrystallization, wet granulation, continuous pharmaceutical processing, process analytical technologies, chemometrics, materials characterisation, as well as other project specific training. The skills that the student will acquire during this PhD program are highly transferable and suitable for a potential career in academia, R&D or industry in the UK or internationally.

Eligibility

The successful candidate will have a background in Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and/or related disciplines.

How to apply

Formal applications can be submitted via the University of Bradford web site; applicants will need to register an account, select 'Postgraduate Research' as the course and then use the keyword 'pharmacy'. Applicants should then specify the project title in the 'Research Proposal' section.