BITS Pilani is a Deemed to be University, offering on-campus programs to more than 17,500 students across its campuses in Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad and Dubai. It has been recognized as an Institute of Eminence by the Ministry of Education, Government of India in 2020. In the NIRF 2022 rankings, BITS Pilani has been ranked 5th in Pharmacy, 18th in the University category and 29th in Engineering. In QS Asia University Rankings 2023, BITS has been ranked 188th, the only private institute from India in Asia Top 200, and at 18 in India.
Are you ready to turn your passion for research into a thriving entrepreneurial venture? Look no further than the PhD DRIVE program at BITS Pilani! This innovative initiative not only offers a stimulating academic environment but also provides a unique opportunity to transform your groundbreaking research into real-world solutions. With a generous fellowship ranging from Rs. 55000 - Rs. 65000 per month, you'll have the financial support to focus on your studies and entrepreneurial endeavors. Imagine earning while you innovate, with the freedom to explore your entrepreneurial spirit!
Applications are invited for Ph.D. DRIVE Programme on the following projects under the supervision of Prof. Gautam Singhvi, Department of Pharmacy, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
Project 1 : Development of long-acting nintedanib formulation with enhanced oral bioavailability for effective treatment for lung cancer
Title of the Research Problem : Development of long-acting nintedanib formulation with enhanced oral bioavailability for effective treatment for lung cancer
Abstract of the Research problem : Nintedanib is an approved drug for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nintedanib commercial product showed poor bioavailability under fed conditions is about 5%. It undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism in the liver, which can lead to reduced bioavailability. Hence, high dose is required to get the required therapeutic efficacy. This high dose caused dose-related adverse effects resulting in limited efficacy and poor patient compliance. Therefore, it is required to develop a stable, long-acting, solid oral dosage form of Nintedanib with enhanced bioavailability for the effective treatment of lung cancer. The designed product should be stable, scalable, and economical.
Target TRL to be achieved : TRL-5 or above
Previous work done by the faculty : Previously we have prepared milnacipran controlled release tablet dosage form with industrial feasible process and materials. Recently, we have also designed polymer based solid dispersion pharmaceutical product for poorly bioavailable anticancer drug for improved efficacy against prostate cancer. We have also performed preliminary work on Nintedanib. Preformulation studies and preliminary trials have shown big hope for the success of this proposed work. PI has also worked in pharma industry for development of such challenges products and successfully scaled up at commercial level.
Related Research Equipment / Lab Space / Facilities : Available for solving this problem. The required equipment such as rotary evaporator, rapid mixer granulator, spray dryer, tablet compression machine, mixing equipment, cell line facility, animal study facility, and biological assay study facilities are available in pharmacy department, biological sciences department, and chemistry department. Further, the characterization of the design product can be done in a central analytical facility. We have all the required facilities to execute the proposed work.
UN SDG Impacted : UN-SDG-3 (Good Health and Well Being), UN-SDG-9 (Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure)
Ideal Applicant Background : Applicant should have knowledge of polymer chemistry and pharmaceutical formulation development. Applicants with pharmacy or biological science or chemistry backgrounds can be suitable for this proposal.
Preferred Discipline of the Applicant : M.PHARM in Pharmaceutics/ Pharmaceutical Chemistry/ Pharmacology. M. Sc. / M. Tech/ ME in biotechnology or polymer chemistry or pharmaceutical technology
Project 2 : Development of biomolecules inspired topical therapeutic delivery for regeneration of skin barriers for the management of skin disorders
Title of the Research Problem : Development of biomolecules inspired topical therapeutic delivery for regeneration of skin barriers for the management of skin disorders
Abstract of the Research problem : Skin is the outermost defense system of our body. Regeneration of skin health is one of the major challenges along with therapeutic delivery for skin disorders such as skin cancer, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, eczema, fungal infection, bacterial infection, skin wounds. Therefore there is a need of screening and combination of biomolecules that can act as skin barrier-repairing agents to restore the cutaneous properties such as viscoelastic, mechanoelastic, water content, lipophilic balance, etc. Design of topical delivery with selected biological molecules, their effective retention in the skin layer and investigating their role in skin regeneration are required in skin disease conditions.
Target TRL to be achieved : TRL-5 or above
Previous work done by the faculty : Previously we have designed nanocarriers for effective delivery for the treatment of psoriasis and fungal infection. We have also filed patents for novel nanocarriers for therapeutic delivery in psoriasis. Our team has been granted 3 Indian patents on our innovative nanomedicine. Recently, we are exploring nanomedicine for targeted delivery in skin cancer. PI has also worked in the pharma industry for the development of industrial feasible products and successfully scaled up at the commercial level.
Related Research Equipment / Lab Space / Facilities : Available for solving this problem The required equipment such as rotary evaporator, homogenizer, probe sonicator, cell line facility, animal study facility, and biological assay study facilities are available in pharmacy department, mechanical engineering department, and chemistry department. We have all the required facilities to execute the proposed work.
UN SDG Impacted : UN-SDG-3 (Good Health and Well Being), UN-SDG-9 (Industry, Innovation, Infrastructure)
Ideal Applicant Background : Applicant should know biological macromolecules, biopolymers, polymer chemistry and pharmaceutical formulation development. Applicant with pharmacy or biological science or chemistry background can be suitable for this proposal.
Preferred Discipline of the Applicant : M.PHARM in Pharmaceutics/ Pharmaceutical Chemistry/ Pharmacology. M. Sc. / M. Tech/ ME in biotechnology or polymer chemistry or pharmaceutical technology
Project 3 : Microneedles-assisted site-specific therapeutic delivery for skin cancer treatment
Title of the Research Problem : Microneedles-assisted site-specific therapeutic delivery for skin cancer treatment
Abstract of the Research problem : Conventional oral and topical therapeutic delivery for skin cancer is facing challenges including non-selectivity, poor absorption, systemic adverse effects, poor skin permeability and instability in enzymatic conditions. Therefore, we propose therapeutic delivery alone and in combination with other molecules using microneedles (MNs) with appropriate size ranges, which will enable site-specific and localized delivery, directly into the cancerous tissue, thus improving treatment specificity and preventing adverse effects in the surrounding healthy cells.
Target TRL to be achieved : TRL-4
Previous work done by the faculty : Our team is working on nanomedicine-based therapy for skin cancer. Chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy combination have been explored by our team using Curcumin and Chlorine e6. Our results reflected that designed nanomedicine had the potential to treat skin cancer compared to conventional delivery systems [https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00280; DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.12.005; DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200826140448]. However, proposed work can make therapeutic delivery more specific and targeted oriented.
Related Research Equipment / Lab Space / Facilities : Available for solving this problem The required equipment such as rotary evaporator, vacuum oven, cooling centrifuge, homogenizer, cell line facility, animal study facility, and biological assay study facilities are available in pharmacy department, biological sciences department. We have all the required facilities to execute the proposed work.
UN SDG Impacted : UN-SDG-3 (Good Health and Well Being)
Ideal Applicant Background : Applicant should have knowledge of pharmaceutical drug delivery, molecular pharmacology, molecular biology and immunology.
Preferred Discipline of the Applicant : M.PHARM in Pharmaceutics/ Pharmacology. M. Tech/ ME in biotechnology or biomedical engineering
For details about the above projects, feel free to contact me if you need any information.
Dr. Gautam Singhvi
Department of Pharmacy, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, Rajasthan
Email: gautam.singhvi@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in
Last date to apply: 29 Feb 2024
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