Image
ABSTRACT
This presentation will address specific challenges in the bottom-up assembling of complex composite formulations. Special attention will be given to the integration of supercritical fluid assisted spray drying with other technologies for the generation of precision formulations, for the delivery of small molecule therapeutics to biologic drugs and nucleic acids, namely: i) Nano-in-microparticles solid dosage forms for pulmonary delivery; ii) Micronized layer-by-layer siRNA powders; iii) Nano-in-micro POxylated polyurea dendrimer solid dosage forms; iv) Liposomal dry powder formulations with hydrophobic and hydrophilic compounds. Results from Ana’s research group demonstrate the potential of scCO2-assisted technologies for particle engineering of pharmaceutical materials, especially in the manufacture of pulmonary drug delivery systems, considering the tight requirements necessary for the final aerosol properties.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Ana Aguiar-Ricardo graduated in Chemical Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) and obtained a PhD from NOVA School of Science and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa (NOVA FCT, 1994). She did post-doctoral work at the University of Nottingham, UK (1995), in the laboratory of Professor M. Poliakoff. She held a visiting position at Hammond’s Lab (MIT, USA, July-December 2007). In 2011, she was appointed with the Habilitation in Sustainable Chemistry.
Her primary research focus is the development of greener chemical processing platforms for non-invasive drug delivery via dermal and pulmonary routes, and (bio)separation processes. The interest in pharmaceutical technology directed her research to further develop advanced composite and hybrid dry powder formulations (nano-in-micro particles) for inhalation fostering collaborations with industry. Her scientific work was awarded twice with Hovione Prize – Solvay & Hovione Innovation Challenge (SHIC) 2008 and 2011, and in 2019 was distinguished as one of 100 Women of Science by Ciência Viva (MCTES), Portugal. She has published 109 peer-reviewed research papers and has an h-index of 30.
In parallel with her scientific activity, she develops an intensive teaching activity in Physical Chemistry, Alternative solvents and Clean Technologies and Green Chemistry courses. With colleagues from the Department of Physics and Department of Life Sciences, she pioneered the creation of an interdepartmental Masters in Biomaterials and Nanomedicine where she is teaching the course on Drug Delivery Systems.
She has been involved in different tasks at NOVA FCT, including serving as the Director of the Department of Chemistry at FCT-NOVA (2017-2019), member of the Supervisory Board of FCT-NOVA (2013-2017 and 2019-2023), a NOVA Faculty member of Bio-Engineering Systems in the MIT-Portugal Program (2007-2016), member of the scientific board of LAQV-REQUIMTE since 2015. In 2019, she became President of the EuChemS Division of Green and Sustainable Chemistry (2019-2023), member of IUPAC Polymers Division and of Interdivisional Committee on Green Chemistry for Sustainable Development (ICGCSD).
She is currently a Full Professor and heads the Department of Chemistry, coordinates the Doctoral Program in Sustainable Chemistry, and leads the Materials for Sustainability and Wellbeing Group (MatSusWell) at LAQV REQUIMTE.
For further information, please contact: luis.padrela@ul.ie