Entry requirements

150 credits in pharmaceutical science, biomedicine, biotechnology, chemistry and/or biology or equivalent. Proficiency in English equivalent to the general entry requirements for first-cycle (Bachelor's level) studies.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course the student should be able to:

• Explain fundamental immunological processes.
• Describe the role of the immune system when treating diseases with biological drugs and how to use the components of the immune system to treat diseases
• Explain how proteins are used in drug development and in prophylactic, diagnostic and therapeutic treatment strategies in healthcare
• Exemplify and group different biological drugs used in the clinic today or that are developed preclinically and describe their mechanisms of action
• Illustrate and explain how development, simple analysis and production of different types of biological drugs is done
• Illustrate how to design biological drugs from scratch with optimized functionality and minimised side effects
• Identify and justify the benefits and limitations of the function and administration of biological drugs and explain the factors that influence their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
• Demonstrate ability to identify, analyse and solve qualified issues regarding biological drugs in groups
• Apply scientific documentation and seek, evaluate and critically interpret relevant information in order to be able to analyse and solve problems related to the development of biological drugs and to present and discuss the conclusions reached in a scientific way in the form of a report

Content

The course introduces the immune system, followed by an in-depth study of the biotechnology behind biological drugs, with a focus on therapeutic proteins and antibodies. Furthermore, the course deals with the different phases in the development of biological drugs from idea to finished product with a focus on protein-based drugs. The elements involved are important properties of the antibody, protein / antibody interaction types, different parts and domains of common protein-based biological drugs, their function and antibody development. In addition, the course addresses what protein-based biological drugs are available today, what mechanism of action they have, how they are manufactured and the development of multispecific biological drugs. The course also includes the parameters that determine the route of administration, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics for biological drugs and which diagnostics are linked to both proteins and the use of antibodies in the clinic. In the course you can design your own protein-based biological drug.

Instruction

Teaching takes the form of seminars, lectures, oral and written reports, case work and self-study of literature. Study visits at a production facility.

Compulsory parts: seminar, study visits and theoretical laboratory.

The course may be given in English.

Assessment

Written exam will be taken at the end of the course. For a passing grade in the whole course, passing the exam (3.5 credits), passing the case and seminar (1 credits) and passing the theoretical laboratory work (3 credits)is required. Possibility to supplement unapproved compulsory parts can be prepared at the earliest the next time the course is held and only if there are free spots.

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make exceptions to the specified examination method and allow a student to be examined in another way. For example, particular reasons may be awareness of the need for special educational support from the university coordinator.

Other directives

The course cannot be included in the same degree as Biologicals 3FB025 due to overlap.