"SweDeliver summer internship a positive experience in every aspect"
In summer 2024, SweDeliver offered five highly promising master's students the opportunity to conduct a summer internship within the center's industrial network, and it turned out a top notch experience: "This is a career start I never will forget," says Marina Peltonen, after completing six weeks of research at innovation company Iconovo.
“My summer internship at Iconovo provided invaluable experiences that I will carry with me throughout my professional life: From the warm welcome that immediately made me feel part of the team to their wholehearted commitment to stimulate my professional development. Although time flew, I learned so much about the industry's challenges and opportunities,” says Marina Peltonen, master's student in biomedicine and engineering nanoscience, after wrapping up a six-week internship at Iconovo: the company that, in the heart of the Medicon Village, develops state-of the-art inhalation devices for licensing to customers.
In summer 2024, SweDeliver – national competence center in Drug delivery – traditionally opened its doors for a number of promising Master's students to dive into a summer internship at one of the center's 18 industry partners. The opportunity to engage in innovative projects along the forefront of the industry arouses increasing interest, and during the spring the center received a number of high-quality applications from all over the world.
“As a company, we identify great value in offering a new generation of ambitious master's students early work experience, and Marina's time here was a positive experience in every aspect. In addition to her significant contributions to one of our ongoing projects, it provided a check on our internal routines to introduce new co-workers. In turn, we hope that Marina brings with her an understanding of industrial conditions, and above all how inspiring it is to work in lab environment,” states Jerker Carlsson, Manager Analytical Development at Iconovo.
A SweDeliver summer internship means that the students take active part in ongoing research projects. They are expected to be committed, up for hard work and to absorb the latest knowledge in modern drug delivery. In return, they receive a full salary, industrial experience and opportunities to make important contacts. The centre’s corporate partners have welcomed the initiative with open arms, and this year APL, AstraZeneca and Disprutive Pharma greeted master's students.
On site in Medicon Valley, Marina Peltonen participated in the manufacturing and analytical characterization of dry powder formulations for Iconovo's inhaler device ICOone. Combining experimental work and analysis of obtained data, her efforts generated valuable knowledge about several relevant product parameters, while Marina developed her understanding of the industrial process:
“The most valuable thing I bring with me is the insight into the entire development chain; from idea to finished product and how many different skills this actually requires. I am so very grateful that SweDeliver gave me this opportunity to an industry internship, not to mention all the valuable contacts I made at Iconovo, and really want to recommend everyone to apply if the chance occur. For me, this a career start I never will forget.”
At SweDeliver, that in May received confirmation of prolonged funding for another five years, the ambition is to continue develop the summer internships initiative in 2025.
“Accepting an intern naturally requires a certain investment in time, but is above all an effort that yields a great return: Both for us as a company and for the student who gets a significant boost at the beginning of a budding career. We are very grateful for the opportunity to have a summer intern via SweDeliver and I am definitely positive about welcoming interns in the years to come,” states Jerker Carlsson.
Facts
- SweDeliver is a national competence center in drug delivery.
- With Uppsala University's Faculty of Pharmacy as the academic hub and 18 industrial partners, SweDeliver conducts research on parenteral, oral and pulmonary administration.
- Iconovo is an innovative Swedish company that develops state-of the-art inhalation devices for licensing to customers.
- Every device is based on Iconovo's proprietary platform but customized and adapted to the customer’s unique needs and requirements
CONTACT
Christel Bergström, Professor
Center Director, SweDeliver
Christel.Bergstrom@farmaci.uu.se
text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Private, Iconovo, Mikael Wallerstedt