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Pharmaceutics
Special Issues
Advanced Pharmaceutical Science and Technology in Switzerland
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Advanced Pharmaceutical Science and Technology in Switzerland

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology, Manufacturing and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 15590

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Yogeshvar N. Kalia

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva & University of Lausanne, CMU-1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
Interests: targeted drug delivery; minimally invasive drug delivery; fractional laser ablation; iontophoresis; development of innovative formulations; nanoformulations; design of novel biological barrier models
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maria Lapteva

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Geneva & University of Lausanne, CMU-1 rue Michel Servet, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland
Interests: development of novel strategies to optimize the topical skin bioavailability of already marketed and new low- and high-molecular-weight drugs in order to offer better therapeutic solutions to patients with dermatological conditions; expression, purification, formulation, and delivery of proteins using iontophoresis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

For the 10th year in a row, Switzerland has been ranked at the top of the global innovation index, and in 2019 it was the top holder of pharmaceutical and biotechnology patents [1]. Thanks to the strength of Swiss schools and universities, as well as private and public investment, innovation in the field of pharmaceutical sciences and pharmaceutical technology is flourishing in Switzerland. Genetic and stem cell research, cell therapies, new molecular target elucidation, drug discovery and design, drug formulation, delivery and analysis, the development and manufacturing of complex biopharmaceuticals and biosimilars, the development of novel imaging techniques, and artificial-intelligence-based tools are but a few promising fields in medical innovation, called upon to further increase the health, well-being, and quality of life of the population.

The current Special Issue aims to reflect the most recent advancements in the fields of pharmaceutical sciences and pharmaceutical technology in Switzerland—not only in academic institutions, but also in pharma and biotech companies. We invite articles on all aspects of pharmaceutical and medical innovation fostered in Switzerland.

Prof. Dr. Yogeshvar N. Kalia
Dr. Maria Lapteva
Guest Editors

[1] Cornell University, INSEAD, and WIPO (2020). The Global Innovation Index 2020: Who Will Finance Innovation? Ithaca, Fontainebleau, and Geneva.

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Switzerland
  • pharmaceutical innovation
  • medical innovation
  • genetic and stem-cell research
  • cell therapies
  • new molecular targets
  • drug discovery and design
  • drug formulation, delivery, and analysis
  • biopharmaceuticals and biosimilars
  • novel imaging techniques
  • artificial-intelligence-based tools

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 3218 KiB  
Article
Nanoforming Hyaluronan-Based Thermoresponsive Hydrogels: Optimized and Tunable Functionality in Osteoarthritis Management
by Alexandre Porcello, Paula Gonzalez-Fernandez, Olivier Jordan and Eric Allémann
Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(3), 659; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14030659 - 17 Mar 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2466
Abstract
Hyaluronic acid (HA) constitutes a versatile chemical framework for the development of osteoarthritis pain treatment by means of injection in the joints, so-called viscosupplementation. Without appropriate physico-chemical tuning, such preparations are inherently hindered by prompt in vivo degradation, mediated by hyaluronidases and oxidative [...] Read more.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) constitutes a versatile chemical framework for the development of osteoarthritis pain treatment by means of injection in the joints, so-called viscosupplementation. Without appropriate physico-chemical tuning, such preparations are inherently hindered by prompt in vivo degradation, mediated by hyaluronidases and oxidative stress. To prolong hydrogel residence time and confer optimized product functionality, novel thermoresponsive nanoforming HA derivatives were proposed and characterized. Combined use of sulfo-dibenzocyclooctyne-PEG4-amine linkers and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) in green chemistry process enabled the synthesis of HA-based polymers, with in situ obtention of appropriate viscoelastic properties. Spontaneous and reversible thermoformation of nanoparticles above 30 °C was experimentally confirmed. Lead formulations were compared to a commercially available HA-based product and shown significantly better in vitro resistance to enzymatic and oxidative degradation, required half the injection force with optimal viscoelastic hydrogel properties in equine synovial fluids. Results highlighted the vast potential of appropriately engineered HA-based systems as next-generation long-acting viscosupplementation products for osteoarthritic patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Pharmaceutical Science and Technology in Switzerland)
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16 pages, 2745 KiB  
Article
Simultaneous Delivery of Econazole, Terbinafine and Amorolfine with Improved Cutaneous Bioavailability: A Novel Micelle-Based Antifungal “Tri-Therapy”
by Si Gou, Michel Monod, Denis Salomon and Yogeshvar N. Kalia
Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(2), 271; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14020271 - 24 Jan 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2443
Abstract
Lack of accurate diagnosis and the use of formulations designed to address the poor aqueous solubility of antifungal agents, but not optimized for delivery, contribute to unsatisfactory outcomes for topical treatment of cutaneous mycoses. The objective of this study was to develop a [...] Read more.
Lack of accurate diagnosis and the use of formulations designed to address the poor aqueous solubility of antifungal agents, but not optimized for delivery, contribute to unsatisfactory outcomes for topical treatment of cutaneous mycoses. The objective of this study was to develop a micelle-based antifungal formulation containing econazole (ECZ), terbinafine (TBF) and amorolfine (AMF) using D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) for simultaneous cutaneous delivery of three agents with complementary mechanisms of action. The antifungal “tri-therapy” micelle-based formulation containing 0.1% ECZ, 0.1% TBF and 0.025% AMF had a drug loading 10-fold lower than the “reference” marketed formulations (Pevaryl®, 1% ECZ; Lamisil®, 1% TBF; Loceryl®, 0.25% AMF). Finite dose application of the micelle-based formulation for 6 h resulted in a statistically equivalent deposition of ECZ (p > 0.05) and TBF (p > 0.05) from the 2 systems, and a 2-fold higher accumulation of AMF (p = 0.017). Antifungal concentrations above MIC80 against Trichophyton rubrum were achieved in each skin layer with the “tri-therapy”, which also exhibited a preferential deposition of each antifungal agent in pilosebaceous unit (PSU)-containing biopsies as compared with PSU-free biopsies (p < 0.05). A planned clinical study will test whether these promising results translate to improved therapeutic outcomes in vivo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Pharmaceutical Science and Technology in Switzerland)
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22 pages, 23042 KiB  
Article
Effect of mRNA Delivery Modality and Formulation on Cutaneous mRNA Distribution and Downstream eGFP Expression
by Aditya R. Darade, Maria Lapteva, Thomas Hoffmann, Markus Mandler, Achim Schneeberger and Yogeshvar N. Kalia
Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(1), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14010151 - 08 Jan 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2980
Abstract
In vitro transcribed messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) constitutes an emerging therapeutic class with several clinical applications. This study presents a systematic comparison of different technologies—intradermal injection, microneedle injection, jet injection, and fractional laser ablation—for the topical cutaneous delivery of mRNA. Delivery of Cy5 [...] Read more.
In vitro transcribed messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) constitutes an emerging therapeutic class with several clinical applications. This study presents a systematic comparison of different technologies—intradermal injection, microneedle injection, jet injection, and fractional laser ablation—for the topical cutaneous delivery of mRNA. Delivery of Cy5 labeled mRNA and non-labeled enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) expressing mRNA was investigated in a viable ex vivo porcine skin model and monitored for 48 h. Forty 10 µm-thick horizontal sections were prepared from each skin sample and Cy5 labeled mRNA or eGFP expression visualized as a function of depth by confocal laser scanning microscopy and immunohistochemistry. A pixel-based method was used to create a semi-quantitative biodistribution profile. Different spatial distributions of Cy5 labeled mRNA and eGFP expression were observed, depending on the delivery modality; localization of eGFP expression pointed to the cells responsible. Delivery efficiencies and knowledge of delivery sites can facilitate development of efficient, targeted mRNA-based therapeutics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Pharmaceutical Science and Technology in Switzerland)
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13 pages, 2568 KiB  
Article
Quantitative N-Glycan Profiling of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies Performed by Middle-Up Level HILIC-HRMS Analysis
by Bastiaan L. Duivelshof, Steffy Denorme, Koen Sandra, Xiaoxiao Liu, Alain Beck, Matthew A. Lauber, Davy Guillarme and Valentina D’Atri
Pharmaceutics 2021, 13(11), 1744; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13111744 - 20 Oct 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3937
Abstract
The identification and accurate quantitation of the various glycoforms contained in therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is one of the main analytical needs in the biopharmaceutical industry, and glycosylation represents a crucial critical quality attribute (CQA) that needs to be addressed. Currently, the reference [...] Read more.
The identification and accurate quantitation of the various glycoforms contained in therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is one of the main analytical needs in the biopharmaceutical industry, and glycosylation represents a crucial critical quality attribute (CQA) that needs to be addressed. Currently, the reference method for performing such identification/quantitation consists of the release of the N-glycan moieties from the mAb, their labelling with a specific dye (e.g., 2-AB or RFMS) and their analysis by HILIC-FLD or HILIC-MS. In this contribution, the potential of a new cost- and time-effective analytical approach performed at the protein subunit level (middle-up) was investigated for quantitative purposes and compared with the reference methods. The robustness of the approach was first demonstrated by performing the relative quantification of the glycoforms related to a well characterized mAb, namely adalimumab. Then, the workflow was applied to various glyco-engineered mAb products (i.e., obinutuzumab, benralizumab and atezolizumab). Finally, the glycosylation pattern of infliximab (Remicade®) was assessed and compared to two of its commercially available biosimilars (Remsima® and Inflectra®). The middle-up analysis proved to provide accurate quantitation results and has the added potential to be used as multi-attribute monitoring method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Pharmaceutical Science and Technology in Switzerland)
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24 pages, 5835 KiB  
Review
Swiss Medical Devices for Autologous Regenerative Medicine: From Innovation to Clinical Validation
by Farid Gomri, Solange Vischer, Antoine Turzi and Sarah Berndt
Pharmaceutics 2022, 14(8), 1617; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14081617 - 02 Aug 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2806
Abstract
Regenerative medicine, based on the use of autologous tissues and embryonic, stem or differentiated cells, is gaining growing interest. However, their preparation, in a manner compliant with good practices and health regulations, is a technical challenge. The aim of this manuscript is to [...] Read more.
Regenerative medicine, based on the use of autologous tissues and embryonic, stem or differentiated cells, is gaining growing interest. However, their preparation, in a manner compliant with good practices and health regulations, is a technical challenge. The aim of this manuscript is to present the design of reliable CE marked medical devices for the preparation of standardized platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and other autologous biologics intended for therapeutic uses. There are numerous PRP isolation processes. Depending on the methodology used, PRP composition varies greatly in terms of platelet concentration, platelet quality, and level of contamination with red and white blood cells. This variability in PRP composition might affect the clinical outcomes. The devices presented here are based on a specific technology, patented all over the world, that allows the precise separation of blood components as a function of their density using thixotropic separator gels in closed systems. This allows the preparation, in an automated manner, of leukocyte poor PRP with a standardized composition. Production of different forms of PRP is a clinical asset to suit various therapeutic needs. Therefore, we are offering solutions to prepare PRP either in liquid or gel form, and PRP combined with hyaluronic acid. These biologics have been successfully used in many different therapeutic domains, resulting in more than 150 published clinical studies. We also developed the CuteCell technology platform for cell culture expansion for further autologous cell therapies. This technology enables the safe and rapid in vitro expansion of cells intended for therapeutic use in good manufacturing practices (GMP) and autologous conditions, using blood-derived products as culture media supplementation. We summarize in this article our 20 years’ experience of research and development for the design of PRP devices and, more recently, for PRP combined with hyaluronic acid. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Pharmaceutical Science and Technology in Switzerland)
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