Preparation and Development of Drugs with Biotechnological Methods
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The main learning objective of this integrated course is to highlight the great power of biotechnological methods for the production of drugs as well as for the optimization of existing drugs and the development of new drugs. The course aims at developing critical skills in relation to the pharmacokinetic issues that may limit the efficacy of biotechnological drugs; the possible chemical or biotechnological modifications useful to tune up the pharmacokinetic parameters are analysed and discussed. The course is focused on two main classes of biotechnological compounds: recombinant proteins and natural products and their derivatives, obtained using biotechnological methods.
The course gives an overview of the main classes of biotechnological drugs, starting from the history of their development, through the study of the structure-activity relationship until the development of new derivatives characterized by a better pharmacological profile, including also some examples of drugs that are currently under clinical evaluation.
In parallel, the course analyzes the strategies, based on the use of biocatalysis and industrial biotechnology, for the large scale production of biologically active natural compounds (traditionally obtained from natural sources by conventional fermentation and/or extraction processes), or new derivatives with improved pharmacological profiles.
The course gives an overview of the main classes of biotechnological drugs, starting from the history of their development, through the study of the structure-activity relationship until the development of new derivatives characterized by a better pharmacological profile, including also some examples of drugs that are currently under clinical evaluation.
In parallel, the course analyzes the strategies, based on the use of biocatalysis and industrial biotechnology, for the large scale production of biologically active natural compounds (traditionally obtained from natural sources by conventional fermentation and/or extraction processes), or new derivatives with improved pharmacological profiles.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have to know the main structural features of each class of drugs studied and they should be able to critically discuss the structure-activity relationships. In particular, they should be able to recognize the essential pharmacophoric groups and to discuss the possible modifications useful to optimize the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. Students should be able to propose a biotechnological method useful for the preparation of a given compound as well as the most adequate methods for structural modifications aiming at the optimization of the biological activity.
Finally, students should be able to correctly understand the questions posed during the final test, choose, elaborate and logically connect the information acquired within the course and communicate them effectively, using appropriate scientific language.
Finally, students should be able to correctly understand the questions posed during the final test, choose, elaborate and logically connect the information acquired within the course and communicate them effectively, using appropriate scientific language.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course deals with two main classes of biotechnological compounds: recombinant proteins and natural products and their derivatives obtained using biotechnological methods.
In details, the following topics will be discussed:
1) Natural products and their derivatives obtained using biotechnological methods.
- Secondary metabolism, biosynthetic pathways (lantapeptides, non-ribosomal peptides, aromatic and complex poliketides), gene clusters, regulation, strain improvement (mutagenesis and metabolic engineering) fermentation process and product recovery.
- Discovery, study of the structure-activity relationship and structural modifications for the optimization of the pharmacological profile.
- Combination of biotechnological and chemical methods for the synthesis of new analogs of natural products. Definition and examples of semisynthesis, precursor-directed biosynthesis, mutasynthesis and combinatorial biosynthesis.
- Biocatalytic methods for the semisynthesis or for the structural modification of natural products: relevance within the pharmaceutical field, biocatalytic techniques, protein engineering, enzyme immobilization.
- Bioconjugation methods for the improvement of the pharmacokinetic profile of small molecules.
Classes of drugs under study: beta lactam antibiotics, anthracyclines, statines, taxoids and artemisinin.
Recombinant proteins and peptidic drug
- Microbial cells for the production of recombinant proteins: host selection; strategies to improve productivity and secretion efficiency; bacterial protein expression systems (E. coli); eukaryotic protein expression systems (yeasts and filamentous fungi).
- Insulin and modified long-acting and short-acting insulins; insulin receptor: ligand-receptor interactions and discovery of small molecoles with insulino-mimetic properties. Incretinomimetics (GLP-1 analogs) and DPP-4 inhibitors.
- Growth hormone; GH receptor: ligand-receptor interactions; GHRH analogs; GHSR ligands (ghrelin and GHRP peptides); design of GH antagonists; other approaches for the treatment of acromegaly: design of somatostatin analogues.
- Cytokines: Interleukins and Interferons.
- Examples of industrial production of heterologous proteins.
- Pharmacokinetic limitations associated to peptides and proteins and strategies for the controlled and sustained release.
In details, the following topics will be discussed:
1) Natural products and their derivatives obtained using biotechnological methods.
- Secondary metabolism, biosynthetic pathways (lantapeptides, non-ribosomal peptides, aromatic and complex poliketides), gene clusters, regulation, strain improvement (mutagenesis and metabolic engineering) fermentation process and product recovery.
- Discovery, study of the structure-activity relationship and structural modifications for the optimization of the pharmacological profile.
- Combination of biotechnological and chemical methods for the synthesis of new analogs of natural products. Definition and examples of semisynthesis, precursor-directed biosynthesis, mutasynthesis and combinatorial biosynthesis.
- Biocatalytic methods for the semisynthesis or for the structural modification of natural products: relevance within the pharmaceutical field, biocatalytic techniques, protein engineering, enzyme immobilization.
- Bioconjugation methods for the improvement of the pharmacokinetic profile of small molecules.
Classes of drugs under study: beta lactam antibiotics, anthracyclines, statines, taxoids and artemisinin.
Recombinant proteins and peptidic drug
- Microbial cells for the production of recombinant proteins: host selection; strategies to improve productivity and secretion efficiency; bacterial protein expression systems (E. coli); eukaryotic protein expression systems (yeasts and filamentous fungi).
- Insulin and modified long-acting and short-acting insulins; insulin receptor: ligand-receptor interactions and discovery of small molecoles with insulino-mimetic properties. Incretinomimetics (GLP-1 analogs) and DPP-4 inhibitors.
- Growth hormone; GH receptor: ligand-receptor interactions; GHRH analogs; GHSR ligands (ghrelin and GHRP peptides); design of GH antagonists; other approaches for the treatment of acromegaly: design of somatostatin analogues.
- Cytokines: Interleukins and Interferons.
- Examples of industrial production of heterologous proteins.
- Pharmacokinetic limitations associated to peptides and proteins and strategies for the controlled and sustained release.
Prerequisites for admission
- Background in Medicinal Chemistry , in particular the following general topics: drug targets, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. For those students who did not previously attend a Medicinal Chemistry course, the following text is warmly recommended: G. Costantino, G. Sbardella Chimica Farmaceutica Ed. EdiSES (Sections 1, 2, 3).
- Basic knowledge of Microbiology and Biotechnology of fermentations, in particular microbial metabolism and fermentation techniques. For those students who are not familiar with these topics, it is recommended to contact the teacher who will provide the students with the appropriate material for personal study.
- Basic knowledge of Microbiology and Biotechnology of fermentations, in particular microbial metabolism and fermentation techniques. For those students who are not familiar with these topics, it is recommended to contact the teacher who will provide the students with the appropriate material for personal study.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons. The two teachers will alternate in order to better integrate the different topics of the course. Wooclap live quizzes will be used in order to promote interactivity and active learning and to constantly check the comprehension of the different topics.
Teaching Resources
- Power point presentations of the lessons, as pdf file, are available on MyAriel platform.
- Wooclap quizzes are available on MyAriel platform.
- Additional educational material (publications, videos) may be suggested by the teacher during the lessons and made available through the MyAriel platform.
-Suggested text-books:
1. G. Costantino, G. Sbardella Chimica Farmaceutica Ed. EdiSES
2. S. Donadio, G. Marino: Biotecnologie Microbiche - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
3. Maria Luisa Calabrò COMPENDIO DI BIOTECNOLOGIE FARMACEUTICHE Ed. EdiSES
- Wooclap quizzes are available on MyAriel platform.
- Additional educational material (publications, videos) may be suggested by the teacher during the lessons and made available through the MyAriel platform.
-Suggested text-books:
1. G. Costantino, G. Sbardella Chimica Farmaceutica Ed. EdiSES
2. S. Donadio, G. Marino: Biotecnologie Microbiche - Casa Editrice Ambrosiana
3. Maria Luisa Calabrò COMPENDIO DI BIOTECNOLOGIE FARMACEUTICHE Ed. EdiSES
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is a written test (2 hour time limit) including 4 open questions on the topics of the course. In order to pass the exam, the student must answer to all four questions demonstrating a sufficient level of preparation. The evaluation will take into consideration the student's ability to correctly understand the questions and chose, elaborate and interconnect the information and knowledge acquired during the course, using an appropriate scientific language. The exam pass mark is 18/30.
CHIM/08 - PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMISTRY - University credits: 5
CHIM/11 - CHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY OF FERMENTATION - University credits: 4
CHIM/11 - CHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY OF FERMENTATION - University credits: 4
Lessons: 72 hours
Professors:
Conti Paola, Gandolfi Raffaella
Professor(s)
Reception:
By appointment
Via Mangiagalli 25 - 2° piano