Drug Discovery and Business Strategy MSc

DRUG DISCOVERY.

This comprises four 15-credit Masters level modules that offer knowledge and skills around various analytical tools and techniques employed in drug discovery. These modules will provide you with the necessary laboratory skills needed in a routine drug discovery program, including personalised medicines, pharmacogenetics and molecular pharmaceutical techniques and their application in drug discovery and design.

An introduction to pharmacogenomics will be extended to an in-depth appreciation on how genetic variations are inherited and can be applied to pharmacogenomic analysis, i.e. how genetic variations affect human drug response and how this area will become an essential component in developing new medicines. The module will also explore the application of biomarkers to stratified or personalised medicine. Both pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics influences of drugs will be covered, such as inter-patient variation in the expression of drug metabolising and activating enzymes; as well as differences in the expression of drug targets such as receptors, genes, enzymes and growth factors. Biometric analysis such as bioinformatics will be explored through the understanding of the development of the Human Genome Project (HGP) and its relevance to ‘-omic’ technologies (genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics). In addition, different model systems that are used to identify and develop biomarkers and drug target identification will be covered. The module will use a series of lectures, workshops and tutorials to encompass these topics and areas of learning. This will involve several expert lectures including external consultants and scientists.

Extended experiments to develop, compare and assess methods for analytical problems carried out in small groups with joint report and oral presentations.

Basic statistical theory underlying the analysis and treatment of univariate and multivariate chemical, forensic, pharmaceutical and biological laboratory data.

You will be able to choose one of the following optional modules offering a range of advanced analytical tools, including electron and atomic force microscopy, electrochemical techniques, thermal analysis, advanced separation techniques, NMR and mass spectroscopy.

Overview of instrumental methods of analysis including atomic spectroscopy, electrochemical techniques, surface methods and radiochemical methods.

This module introduces the theoretical basis and current and future developments in analytical separation techniques. Areas covered range from solid phase extraction; theory of chromatography; gas chromatography (GC); high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); capillary electrophoresis (CE), asymmetric flow field flow fractionation (AF4) and sedimentation velocity in the analytical ultracentrifuge (SV-AUC). Tutorials are provided to support the lectures. Assessment is by an in-class test (50 %) and a major assignment consisting of an essay and presentation (50 %).

This module provides both a broad and in depth coverage of NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. There is a large emphasis on developing your knowledge of the two techniques and you will be exposed to the most recent advances in instrumentation and their applications. You will explore advances in NMR design through a written assignment and you will also be able to demonstrate your ability to interpret spectral data in an exam.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

This comprises four 15 credit Masters level modules that will provide a range of skills needed for starting and running a business and developing its business strategy.These modules will include the main pillars of business management such as: Finance, Budgeting, Marketing, Human Resources, Organisational Behaviour and Enterprise Strategy.

This module enables you to develop an understanding of the purposes and uses of financial information, together with the ability to use quantitative skills to improve performance management and decision making within an organisation.

This module examines the strategic nature of marketing communications, and the role of planning and evaluation. You will be introduced to relevant marketing communication theories and concepts; with emphasis placed on social media/digital marketing, and the concept of Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC). Assessment for this module is based on an individual assignment.

Managing People in Organisations is an extremely practical module which introduces critically analyses and evaluates key elements of Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour to enable effective deployment of people within organisations. A strategic exploration of the global context within which people work and are managed is also carried out through a range of organisational behaviour concepts and theories.

This module provides you with a substantial body of knowledge relating to the principles of strategic management in particular the two broad areas of techniques for analysing organisations and their environments and the identification of appropriate strategic choices. You will be encouraged to practice analyses and strategic designs throughout the delivery of the module.

PHARMCEUTICAL BUSINESS PROJECT

This will be a major project in pharmaceutical business strategy that will start from the first term and will run throughout the year to allow the time needed for an extensive 60 credit module of independent study and research.

The overall aim of the project is to integrate the learning across the modules and apply the knowledge into business practice. You will be expected to develop a business plan for a novel pharmaceutical formulation/product or novel themes around drug discovery and present it to a panel of expert for a thorough scrutiny and assessment

You will be taught by staff from the Department of Pharmacy and the School of Applied Sciences, many with experience of working with large pharmaceutical companies in new product introductions and product development. All staff will bring their research expertise to their teaching so you have insight into the latest developments in the field. You will also be taught by staff from the Business School who have background degrees and professional working experience of product management and marketing within the pharmaceutical industry, which makes a unique blend of expertise across the schools to deliver this course.