We are happy to congratulate Niklas Köhl (ESR1) on successfully defending his PhD. We have also interviewed Niklas about his research project, his time within PEARRL and plans for the future.
1. What has your research project focused on and what are your key results and innovations coming from your research project?
My research focused on the development of lipid-based formulations for new emerging drug types to improve oral bioavailability. We focused on poorly lipid and aqueous soluble drugs and the development of different lipid based formulation types for these compounds. Such an approach allows to explore the benefits and risks associated with the different lipid-based formulations in order to guide the formulation development of low lipid soluble compounds within the field of lipid-based formulations.
As a result of this project, we developed various lipid-based formulations, which are applicable from very early phases of the drug product development process to formulations that can be marketed. Furthermore, we demonstrated that lipid-based formulations have the ability to improve oral bioavailability for low lipid soluble drugs.
2. What impact does your research project and your outcomes have?
Lipid-based formulations is a rarely used formulation approach due to a low solubility in lipid excipients of many new drugs. Our research informed the scientific community that lipid-based formulations are a viable approach for drugs that show a limited lipid solubility. Therefore, potentially more drugs can be formulated as a lipid-based formulation to improve oral bioavailability from very early phases to late phases as well as the commercial stage of drug product development. The wider application of lipid-based formulations potentially increases patient compliance and results in improved drug products on the market.
3. What were your personal highlights over the course of your research project?
A key highlight was being part of such a European wide network that combines academia, industry and regulatory authorities. Throughout my research project, it was great to get insights into all three areas in the context of pharmaceutical development. Moreover, I enjoyed collaborating with fellow scientists and project partners, which fostered great science and allowed me to acquire a unique set of skills and encouraged my personal development. Especially, events such as the PEARRL weeks of wisdom stimulated such collaborations within, but also with scientists outside of PEARRL.
4. Are there any elements of the training you received that you find should be integrated in local doctoral programmes?
Besides transferable skills training such as scientific writing and presentation training, I think within the pharmaceutical doctoral programmes training on regulatory topics/requirements are beneficial.
5. How did the PEARRL network impact your doctoral experience?
The training within PEARRL gave me the opportunity to look beyond my own research topic and allowed me to broaden my knowledge in different research areas and acquire an unique set of skills. In addition, I had great support, resources and manifold possibilities to collaborate which lead to great scientific results. Also, the relocation to Ireland was great to learn about a different culture and meet new people.
6. What are your plans for the future?
After PEARRL, I am going to start at Janssen Pharmaceutica in the area of formulation development, which matches the work I have been doing during my PhD.
My research focused on the development of lipid-based formulations for new emerging drug types to improve oral bioavailability. We focused on poorly lipid and aqueous soluble drugs and the development of different lipid based formulation types for these compounds. Such an approach allows to explore the benefits and risks associated with the different lipid-based formulations in order to guide the formulation development of low lipid soluble compounds within the field of lipid-based formulations.
As a result of this project, we developed various lipid-based formulations, which are applicable from very early phases of the drug product development process to formulations that can be marketed. Furthermore, we demonstrated that lipid-based formulations have the ability to improve oral bioavailability for low lipid soluble drugs.
2. What impact does your research project and your outcomes have?
Lipid-based formulations is a rarely used formulation approach due to a low solubility in lipid excipients of many new drugs. Our research informed the scientific community that lipid-based formulations are a viable approach for drugs that show a limited lipid solubility. Therefore, potentially more drugs can be formulated as a lipid-based formulation to improve oral bioavailability from very early phases to late phases as well as the commercial stage of drug product development. The wider application of lipid-based formulations potentially increases patient compliance and results in improved drug products on the market.
3. What were your personal highlights over the course of your research project?
A key highlight was being part of such a European wide network that combines academia, industry and regulatory authorities. Throughout my research project, it was great to get insights into all three areas in the context of pharmaceutical development. Moreover, I enjoyed collaborating with fellow scientists and project partners, which fostered great science and allowed me to acquire a unique set of skills and encouraged my personal development. Especially, events such as the PEARRL weeks of wisdom stimulated such collaborations within, but also with scientists outside of PEARRL.
4. Are there any elements of the training you received that you find should be integrated in local doctoral programmes?
Besides transferable skills training such as scientific writing and presentation training, I think within the pharmaceutical doctoral programmes training on regulatory topics/requirements are beneficial.
5. How did the PEARRL network impact your doctoral experience?
The training within PEARRL gave me the opportunity to look beyond my own research topic and allowed me to broaden my knowledge in different research areas and acquire an unique set of skills. In addition, I had great support, resources and manifold possibilities to collaborate which lead to great scientific results. Also, the relocation to Ireland was great to learn about a different culture and meet new people.
6. What are your plans for the future?
After PEARRL, I am going to start at Janssen Pharmaceutica in the area of formulation development, which matches the work I have been doing during my PhD.
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