Researcher profile: Ann-Sofie Persson will explore the void between drug particles

Ann-Sofie Persson, researcher in Pharmaceutical Technology at Uppsala University

“With SweDeliver, Uppsala University has created space to broaden its pharmaceutical research, which for me has provided the opportunity to work in environments connected to both pulmonary and parenteral drug delivery. It generates a broader perspective that I hope more researchers at our competence center will have the opportunity to experience now that the pandemic restrictions are finally removed,” says Ann-Sofie Persson, researcher in Pharmaceutical Technology at SweDeliver and the Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences.

In her project, Ann-Sofie Persson will use Small Angle X-ray Scattering to study, among other things, microstructures of solid powders and the adhesive layers of drug particles in adhesive mixtures that are often used to deliver drugs to the lung. In the long term, the results will contribute to increased knowledge about how the structure in adhesive layers will affect the dispersibility of the drug particles from the carrier particle during inhalation.

“Small Angle X-ray Scattering is a technique whose capacity regarding pharmaceutical powder materials is yet to be completely identified. Within the framework of my project, we will therefore test whether it is applicable for measuring inter-particulate pores in powder beds. While waiting for the equipment to be operational for this specific study, we have focused on analysing compactibility profiles and the development of a method to predict tabletability and compactibility of powders consisting of particles ranging in size from 3.5 to 203 micrometers. In March we published our first paper and expect to submit our next script before the end of the year.”

Ann-Sofie Persson joined Göran Frenning's research environment in Pharmaceutics in 2008 as a PhD student. After her thesis defense, she was recruited as a postdoc to Göran Alderborn's research group, where Ann-Sofie eventually became part of the Swedish Drug Delivery Forum (SDDF), the predecessor to SweDeliver, which in 2017 provided academia and industry a common platform to consolidate Sweden's already advanced position in drug delivery.

“Both SDDF and SweDeliver are interesting arenas to be involved in. Above all, I see great value in the new career paths that are opening up between universities and pharmaceutical companies. Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that academia with its acceptance for curiosity-driven research is where I want to be, but during my PhD studies I would undoubtedly have appreciated all the opportunities that come with, for example, SweDeliver's Work Package Training and Career Development and its close connection to industry,” notes Ann-Sofie Persson.