Quotient Sciences drug development experts are contributing co-authors in new biopharmaceutics textbook.
Quotient Sciences experts Dr. Vanessa Zann and Chris Roe co-authored a chapter on permeability in the new textbook "Biopharmaceutics - From Fundamentals to Industrial Practice," published by Wiley. This work, edited by Professor Hannah Batchelor, showcases contributions from the UK's Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences Biopharmaceutical Focus Group and examines tools and applications in drug development.
Biopharmaceutics - From Fundamentals to Industrial Practice" was written as a comprehensive examination of the tools used within the field of biopharmaceutics and their applications to drug development. The permeability chapter discusses the importance of permeability and the tools that can be used to predict, assess, or observe oral absorption.
The permeability chapter highlights the transporters and enzymes that are present within the gastrointestinal tract, both to aid digestive processes and to protect the body against the potential ingestion of harmful toxins. Membrane transporters can influence drug absorption by either increasing transport into the intestinal enterocyte via influx transporters or limiting transport into the cell via efflux back into the intestinal lumen.
The impact of potential transporter-based drug-drug interactions on that drug's overall exposure and safety should be assessed during development. The provision of electrodes and functionality of the tissue membrane used within Ussing chambers additionally allows measurement of changes in ion transport across the membrane in the presence of drug compounds. Drug permeability is estimated from the rate of disappearance of drugs from the perfused intestinal segment.
Dr. Vanessa Zann has over 17 years industry experience providing biopharmaceutics support to discovery, development and clinical programs. Vanessa has previous experience at AstraZeneca as a permeability expert working in the Pharmaceutical Development dept. where she lead the global Caco-2 facility for development, liaising with discovery scientists to ensure selection of NCE with appropriate biopharmaceutical properties, introduced the IV microtracer technique and also provided biopharmaceutical support to both Discovery and Development programs. Vanessa joined Quotient Sciences in 2012 and has lead the implementation of Modelling and Simulation and been heavily involved in the Pharmaceutical Sciences in vitro characterisation strategy, as well as designing clinical studies and providing scientific support through clinical study delivery.
Chris Roe, Senior Research Fellow, joined Quotient Sciences in 2015, bringing over 20 years of experience across pharmaceutical sciences and biopharmaceutics through a series of previous technical and leadership roles at Sanofi, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Walgreens Boots Alliance. His expertise ranges from early pre‑formulation and biopharmaceutical assessments ensuring appropriate new chemical entity selection, through development of a wide range of dosage forms including preclinical and early clinical inhalation, topical, oral immediate release and modified release formulations, to maintenance and life-cycle management of existing marketed products. Chris’ role at Quotient Sciences involves designing science-led, robust, clinical study programs which maximize output for clients, in addition to providing scientific support throughout study delivery. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Medicinal Chemistry from Newcastle University and Postgraduate Certificate in Education from Nottingham Trent University.