DPB
MMG
NIT
SMB
TCB

Medicines and Healthcare Products

MEDTECH
MEDTECH Research Labs

The main research objectives of MEDTECH are to develop new formulations for drug delivery. Two group members have a close relationship with pharmaceutical or cosmetic companies. Sousa Lobo is a consultant to Laboratórios Bial, working with the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Development in the formulation of new Bial molecules - Eslicarbazepine acetate and Opicapone. He is one of the experts responsible for the elaboration of Quality Overall Summaries for EMA. Delfim Santos collaborates with cosmetic companies (Castelbel and Laverde) in development of dermo-therapeutic products.

MEDTECH has focused on developing bold strategies to improve bioavailability and efficacy of  drugs, mainly focusing on topic formulations for ophthalmic and dermic pathologies. Based on our experience in solid lipid nanoparticles for oral use, we started studying cutaneous and nasal administration, namely innovative nasal applications for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. Also, we have been developing new ways to improve bioavailability of poor water-soluble drugs using  cyclodextrins derivatives.


Our studies on cosmetics focus on design and safety concerns, namely by using plant extracts in the preparation of surfactant-free formulations and evaluating the photostability of UV filters. We have been pioneers in the application of geomaterials in dermocosmetics (creams, gels, pastes and soaps), using beach sands from Porto Santo, pumice and peloids from volcanic regions from Azores.


Recent publications
Vieira, ACC; Chaves, LL; Pinheiro, M; Lima, SC; Neto, PJR; Ferreira, D; Sarmento, B; Reis, S. 2021. Lipid nanoparticles coated with chitosan using a one-step association method to target rifampicin to alveolar macrophages. CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS, 252, DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116978
Campos, J. C., D. Cunha, D. C. Ferreira, S. Reis and P. J. Costa. 2021. Oromucosal precursors of in loco hydrogels for wound-dressing and drug delivery in oral mucositis: Retain, resist, and release. Materials Science and Engineering B-Advanced Functional Solid-State Materials, DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111413
Padrão, T., C. C. Coelho, P. Costa, N. Alegrete, F. J. Monteiro and S. R. Sousa. 2021. Combining local antibiotic delivery with heparinized nanohydroxyapatite/collagen bone substitute: A novel strategy for osteomyelitis treatment. Materials Science and Engineering B-Advanced Functional Solid-State Materials, DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2020.111329
Filipa Sousa; Domingos Ferreira; Salette Reis; Paulo Costa. 2020. Current Insights on Antifungal Therapy: Novel Nanotechnology Approaches for Drug Delivery Systems and New Drugs from Natural Sources. PHARMACEUTICALS, 13(9), DOI: 10.3390/ph13090248
Fonseca, D. F. S., P. C. Costa, I. F. Almeida, P. Dias‐Pereira, I. Correia‐Sá, V. Bastos, H. Oliveira, C. Vilela, A. J. D. Silvestre and C. S. R. Freire. 2020. Swellable Gelatin Methacryloyl Microneedles for Extraction of Interstitial Skin Fluid toward Minimally Invasive Monitoring of Urea. MACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE, DOI: 10.1002/mabi.202000195