The PhD Programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Sapienza offers a highly interdisciplinary training path that integrates chemistry, biology, technology and regulatory science applied to drug research and development. The training includes advanced research seminars and structured courses, with specific modules for the different PhD cycles (39–41).
The scientific contents range from drug discovery and drug design (structure-based methods, computer-aided design, ADME profiling, natural products, epigenetics) to nanotechnologies for drug delivery and to state-of-the-art analytical and spectrometric techniques (MALDI-MSI, advanced mass spectrometry, spectroscopic techniques for the pharmaceutical industry). Further topics include genomics, ligand and enzyme kinetics, chemical safety, and new strategies for the delivery of antimicrobial and anticancer agents.
A distinctive feature is the strong connection with the industrial sector: courses on safety, quality, regulatory affairs, technology transfer, manufacturing of sterile products and quality control are also offered in collaboration with RMTECH initiatives and industry professionals.
The programme is complemented by cross-cutting activities focused on research valorisation, patents, scientific communication and career development (academic, industrial and in non-academic research institutions), including seminars on academic entrepreneurship and preparation of artwork for scientific papers.
The participation of numerous international lecturers and researchers, together with experts from research institutes and companies, ensures a learning environment that is strongly international and oriented towards professional placement in both academic and industrial settings.
The PhD Programme in Pharmaceutical Sciences is strengthened by the contribution of highly qualified external lecturers. Among them, Paola B. Arimondo (Institut Pasteur, Paris), a chemist and chemical biologist internationally recognized for her work on epigenetic mechanisms in cancer, and Emma Di Consiglio (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), whose expertise spans toxicology, toxicokinetics, in vitro toxicology and regulatory science. The programme also benefits from Marco Ciufolini, Canada Research Chair in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, and Fernando Pedro Cossio Mora (University of the Basque Country), head of a consolidated bioorganic chemistry and molecular modelling group and co-founder of the oncology-focused spin-off Ikerchem.
Further contributions come from Constantinos Athanassopoulos (University of Patras), an organic chemist with long-standing experience in the synthesis of bioactive molecules and former visiting professor at Sapienza, Franco Lombardo, an ADME and pharmacokinetics specialist with a strong track record in major pharmaceutical companies and founder of the consulting firm CMAXDMPK, and Trond Vidar Hansen (Norwegian University of Life Sciences), expert in natural product chemistry, medicinal chemistry and lipid synthesis and modulation. Their involvement offers PhD candidates a broad and up-to-date perspective that bridges cutting-edge academic research, industrial innovation and modern drug development.