The Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics is engaged in education and research in targeted drug delivery that will ensure optimal therapeutic efficacy of pharmacologically and immunologically active agents. It is a multidisciplinary endeavor requiring knowledge in basic pharmaceutics, chemistry, biopharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, and pharmaceutical analysis. Understanding of the pathophysiology may be required for assessing pharmacodynamic outcome. Drugs in this context may include small MW conventional drug molecules, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, and human genes.

Our division has undergone a major change in its research direction since 2005.  We have recruited five primary faculty members, all at the senior level.  Dr. Leaf Huang (non-viral gene therapy and cancer vaccines), Dr. Xiao Xiao (viral gene therapy), Dr. Russell Mumper (nano-based cancer and vaccine delivery systems), Dr. Rudy Juliano (delivery of macromolecular drugs) and Dr. Michael Jay (nano-based imaging and radiopharmaceutics) are all leaders of advanced drug delivery systems.  The division has grant support, mainly from NIH, totaling over $9M which has quadrupled since 2004.  We now enjoy the reputation as one of the best drug delivery programs in the nation.

Mumper Named AAPS Fellow

The American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists has named Russell Mumper, PhD, one of its 2009 fellows. The honor recognizes individuals who have made sustained, remarkable scholarly and research contributions to the pharmaceutical sciences.

DeSimone to Receive North Carolina’s Highest Civilian Honor

DeSimone is the Chancellor’s Eminent Professor of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences and holds a joint appointment in the School’s Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics. His research focuses on nanomedicine and drug delivery.

AAPS Honors Pollack with Manuscript Award

A paper coauthored by Gary Pollack, PhD, has been selected by the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists for the 2009 AAPS Pharmaceutical Research Meritorious Manuscript Award.