Crystal Engineering for Drug Development

About the Project

We are happy to support projects aligned to our overarching research programme. Projects could take the following forms:

• Employing crystal engineering to design new formulations of new and existing drugs to overcome key pharmaceutical problems (e.g., stability, solubility and prolonged release). This could be for blockbuster medicines or for drugs used in Neglected Tropical or Rare Diseases.
• Combining crystal engineering strategies with other emerging formulation approaches like nano crystallization or lipid-based formulations (e.g., self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, SEDDS) to maximise their pharmacokinetic performance.
• Designing new an anti-crystal engineering strategies to prevent toxic crystallopathies (e.g., gout and cystinosis). We are particularly interested in questions around the selection of crystallisation inhibitors by design and the function at supersaturations that we expect to encounter clinically.

This is an exciting time to join the Kavanagh lab as we have grown exponentially over the last number of years. Our team exemplifies excellence in pioneering impactful advancements in pharmaceutical sciences, with a proven track record of leading EPSRC and charity-funded projects (Action Medical Research/LifeArc). We combine complementary expertise in modelling supersaturating drug delivery systems with extensive experience in pharmacokinetic analysis, contributing to a nuanced understanding of this phenomenon. Ultimately, we aim to equip clinicians with new tools, which can be validated through subsequent Phase I/II trials.

You will be situated within The School of Pharmacy at Newcastle where we have almost 800 undergraduate Master of Pharmacy students and > 40 PhD students supervised within the school. We have regular research seminars and events which share and promote the research of the researchers and staff of the department and wider faculty. The school is home to the NIHR Patient Safety Research Collaboration, which is focused on improving patient safety, especially where there are inequalities for those from disadvantaged communities. Additionally, Newcastle University is a member of Newcastle Health Innovation Partners which has a focus on driving inclusive career development of the most promising leaders, across disciplines and backgrounds. NHIP supports health and care researchers on the career development pathway to develop health and care researchers from many backgrounds, including pharmacy.

Funding Notes

This project is suitable for self-funded students or students with third-party sponsorship. There is no dedicated funding from the university for this project. The student will be expected to provide funding for tuition fees and living expenses. UK students may be able to apply for a Doctoral Loan from Student Finance for financial support. Some students may be eligible to apply for supplemental funding.

Details about the tuition fees and a supplemental funding search tool are available on our website: View Website