Registry
Module Specifications
Archived Version 2023 - 2024
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Description The aim of the module is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the biotherapeutic pipeline, from initial discovery of a lead candidate, to the design and characterisation of the biotherapeutic drug, and finally to the development of production processes. Biopharmaceuticals are having a huge global impact on the treatment of challenging and previously untreatable chronic diseases. Biotherapeutic modalities such as monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins, and new generation formats such as bispecific antibodies and antibody drug conjugates are a significant proportion of recently approved and pipeline biopharmaceuticals, providing critical new therapies for many diseases, with both life changing and life saving properties. The module will be assessed through a combination of online tests, a group assignment and an oral exam. The online tests will include multiple choice and short answer questions. The group assignment will involve development of a plan for generation of a new biotherapeutic drug, given a particular target and disease setting.. The oral exam will be an interactive oral exam assessing course content in an engaging and focused way. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. To identify and critically evaluate the technologies that are used to identify new biotherapeutic drug targets and lead candidates for treatment of disease indications (including the use of artificial intelligence). 2. To identify the various strategies and key considerations that are used to make, design and characterise a new biotherapeutic drug, including the use of AI and bioinformatics tools. 3. To critically evaluate the technical challenges for expression of a lead candidate in a host cell line for biotherapeutic production. 4. To critically evaluate the challenges associated with the production of next generation biotherapeutics such as difficult-to-express monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins, antibody drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, etc. 5. To critically review pipeline biotherapeutics from initial discovery to the clinic, and how these molecules can fail or succeed in the drug development process (e.g. at pre-clinical or clinical evaluation). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and
Learning Activities Biotherapeutic PipelineProvide students with a comprehensive understanding of the biotherapeutic pipeline, from initial discovery of a lead candidate, to the design and characterisation of the biotherapeutic drug, and finally to the development of production processes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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