News from the Department of Pharmacy
Greta Hultqvist receives SEK 1M from the Alzheimer's Foundation
2022-12-22
Greta Hultqvist, Associate Professor and researcher in Protein drug design, receives a SEK 1 million grant from the Alzheimer's Foundation. "My goal is for my research to contribute to future treatments, and with new protein drugs we can make a big impact," says Greta Hultqvist.

The World Health Organization WHO classifies dementia as one of the world's biggest health problems. Over 55 million people are affected and the number is expected to have tripled by the year 2050. The Alzheimer's Foundation provides financial support for research aimed at preventing and combating dementia, and is now allocating SEK 1 million to Greta Hultqvist, Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacy.
“This grant that makes me both proud and happy. The Alzheimer's Foundation was the first organisation that dared to invest in me when I was a young postdoc, and has continued to support me for many years. It gives me security to dig deeper into my research and is essential for me to be able to move on,” says Greta Hultqvist.
During Alzheimer's disease, the amyloid beta protein aggregates into clumps that damage the brain's nerve cells and cause impaired memory. Healthcare still lacks effective treatments, but in 2021 Greta Hultqvist presented a specially designed antibody that binds at least 40 times stronger to the harmful aggregates than previously known antibodies. In addition, the new antibody binds to the smallest clumps, by many experts considered to be the most dangerous.
“Other antibodies that are tested on patients bind relatively strongly to larger clumps, but hardly at all to the small clumps that are equally toxic and more mobile. This is due to an excessive distance between the two arms of the antibody that it uses to it bind aggregates. Thus, we have developed a new antibody format with shorter distance between the arms, and our results are very promising,” says Greta Hultqvist.
Already in autumn 2020, the research team launched a new protein transporter with the capacity to take the peptide hormone somatostatin into the brain, where it activates the body's breakdown of amyloid beta, which in turn stop and reverse the development of Alzheimer's disease in mice.
“My goal is for my research to contribute to future treatments. With new protein drugs, I am convinced that we can increase the breakdown of amyloid-beta. We won't be able to reverse the disease but we can make sure that it doesn't get worse. If detected in time, it can make a big difference.”
FACTS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
- 44 million people worldwide are estimated to live with Alzheimer's disease.
- Finland is most severely affected, Sweden is in seventeenth place and just over 110,000 diagnosed cases.
- Neurodegenerative diseases are currently the fastest growing cause of death globally with an acute need for effective treatments.
LEARN MORE
- Research in Protein Drug Design at Uppsala University
- Novel multivalent design of a monoclonal antibody improves binding strength to soluble aggregates of amyloid beta (Translational Neurodegeneration)
- Alzheimer's Foundation online
CONTACT
Greta Hultqvist, Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacy
Greta.Hultqvist@farmaci.uu.se
text: Magnus Alsne, Alzheimer's Foundation, photo: private
More news
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They search the medicine cabinet for new tools against rare diseases
2023-03-17
Taking a promising substance the full distance from laboratory to treatment requires large resources. Consequently, rare diseases are seldom first in line when new ideas are tried. Now the Faculty of Pharmacy is joining several European consortia on the outlook for new therapies among well-known drugs.
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Popular course focuses on Drugs in the environment
2023-03-17
Current research shows how pharmaceuticals affect our environment. Now the Faculty of Pharmacy has gathered several key organisations to build sustainable networks between a new generation of experts and their future employers.
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3D printers adapting drugs for seriously ill children
2023-03-17
In a laboratory at BMC stands a machine, about the size of a coffee maker but with the potential to fundamentally revolutionize healthcare. "By 2030, we expect to have 3D printers in private homes that will create drugs in accordance to each individual need," says Christel Bergström, Professor at the Department of Pharmacy.
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New model to predict drug absorption reduces need for animal testing
2023-03-07
In a new thesis, Vicky Barmpatsalou, PhD student at SweDeliver, introduces new in vitro models to cost-effectively identify which drug candidates are best suited for oral delivery and absorption in the large intestine.
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Middle school students rocked the Faculty of Pharmacy
2023-02-10
“Everything was just super exciting,” says Alice Mankert, one of four middle school students from Uppsala Music Classes who in early February visited the Faculty of Pharmacy to learn more about frontline pharmaceutical research and also performed a much-lauded rock concert at the Pharmen Student union building.
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Greta Hultqvist receives SEK 1M from the Alzheimer's Foundation
2022-12-22
Greta Hultqvist, Associate Professor and researcher in Protein drug design, receives a SEK 1 million grant from the Alzheimer's Foundation. "My goal is for my research to contribute to future treatments, and with new protein drugs we can make a big impact," says Greta Hultqvist.
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Sweden Inhalation Network unites Swedish expertise in pulmonary drug delivery
2022-12-15
Sweden Inhalation Network works to give a new generation of Swedish researchers access to leading expertise in pulmonary drug delivery. On Thursday 15 December, the network will present their operations and future initiatives at the SweDeliver and NextBioForm webinar series.
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DRUGtrain explores drug repurposing to find treatment for ADPKD
2022-12-15
With funding from Horizon 2020, European consortium DRUGtrain is exploring if available drug molecules also have a therapeutic effect against the currently incurable kidney disease ADPKD. "Our goal is to identify how existing drugs will work against ADPKD and thereby contribute to new treatment options," says Alina Meyer, PhD student at Uppsala University.
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Alexandra Teleki new member of the Particle Technology Forum (AIChE) executive committee
2022-12-08
Just a minute... Alexandra Teleki, researcher with a focus on pharmaceutical nanotechnology and Center co-Director of SweDeliver, that in January 2023 will join as the only non-American member of the Particle Technology Forum executive committee.
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Vinnova praises SweDeliver in new evaluation
2022-12-01
SweDeliver continues to receive top marks for its successful research program and building of new networks and expertise for future drug delivery. This time from main financier Vinnova, emphasizing, among many things, the efficient collaboration that characterizes the competence center.
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Swedish Cancer Society allocates SEK 7 million to Sara Mangsbo, Ola Spjuth and Ola Söderberg
2022-11-17
Immunotherapy against tumors, Studies of how DNA damage generates cancer cells and Cell profiling in a robotic laboratory are in focus as the Swedish Cancer Society allocates SEK 7.2 million to three promising research projects at the Faculty of Pharmacy.
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SRC investing SEK 10 million in research at the Department of Pharmacy
2022-11-10
Thomas Dorlo, Lena Friberg and Margareta Hammarlund Udenaes at the Department of Pharmacy receive grants amounting to more than SEK 10 million in the Swedish Research Council's calls in Medicine and Health and Natural Sciences and Engineering in 2022.
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Richard Bergström and Siew Chai new honorary doctorates at the Faculty of Pharmacy
2022-10-21
The Faculty of Pharmacy is awarding honorary doctorates to Richard Bergström, former national vaccine coordinator, and Siew Chai, Associate Professor at Monash University. The promotion will take place in the Uppsala University Main Auditorium Friday 27 January, 2023.
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Nanoparticles pave the way for biological drugs in tablet form
2022-10-21
In a new study, researchers at Uppsala University show how specially designed nanoparticles pave the way for oral delivery of biological drugs. "That the particles are absorbed in large quantities in the intestinal cells may facilitate medication for patients that have to inject their biological drug," says Patrik Lundquist, researcher in Drug Delivery.
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Numerous new findings by SweDeliver's junior researchers
2022-10-20
During summer and autumn, Ires van der Zwaan, Marcus Wanselius, Ann-Christin Jacobsen and numerous other junior researchers at SweDeliver are publishing results that add valuable knowledge to the fields of drug delivery.
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SweDeliver receives top marks in new evaluation
2022-10-20
SweDeliver fulfills the high expectations and is well equipped to reach its goals, states the Competence Center's Scientific Advisory Board in a new evaluation of the ongoing collaboration between Uppsala University and 16 pharmaceutical companies.
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New consortium to develop RNA-based treatment for Crohn's disease
2022-09-30
With over 5 million euros in funding from Horizon Europe, new knowledge consortium GENEGUT will develop an RNA-based therapy against inflammatory disease in the gastrointestinal tract. "It is inspiring to take on a challenge with such extensive medical needs," says Per Artursson, Professor of Dosage Form Design.
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PhD thesis provides new knowledge about oral delivery of biological drugs
2022-09-30
Biological drugs have an increasingly important function in healthcare, but despite numerous years of research, physicians often lack effective methods to give them as tablets. In a current PhD thesis, Staffan Berg presents new knowledge about how permeation enhancers and correct release profile can increase the absorption of biological drugs in the blood when delivered orally.
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Sara Mangsbo receives the BiotechBuilders Award
2022-09-08
“Receiving the BiotechBuilders Award 2022 provides valuable inspiration and hopefully contributes to consolidating Uppsala's and Biopharmaceutical’s places on the Swedish Life Science map,” states Sara Mangsbo, research director in immuno-oncology at Uppsala University.
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Popular summer school in Pharmacometrics continues to expand
2022-09-08
“This is the best course I have taken during my entire PhD,” states a participant at the Uppsala Pharmacometrics Summer School, every August gathering doctoral students from all over the world. "This year's summer school is our biggest to date," says Mats Karlsson, Professor of Pharmacometrics.
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Uppsala University ranks 23rd in the world in Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
2022-09-08
The 2022 Academic Ranking of World Universities is official: Uppsala University continues to climb in the field of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and now ranks 23rd in the world. "This is yet another acknowledgment that our determined work is fruitful," states Mathias Hallberg, Dean at the Faculty of Pharmacy.
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Antibiotic researchers of the future at Uppsala summer school
2022-09-08
Antibiotic resistance, Innovations and Design Thinking were on the agenda when the Faculty of Pharmacy welcomed young researchers from six European universities to the TIPAT Summer School 2022. "Organizing an event like this generates great values," says Iris Minichmayr at the Department of Pharmacy.
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Translational PKPD conference arousing international interest
2022-09-08
September 14-15, the conference Translating PKPD - (Retro)Perspectives brings the world of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics to Uppsala University. "It is inspiring to welcome such a significant part of our scientific field,” says Irena Loryan at the Faculty of Pharmacy.
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2023 Pharmaceutical Profiling Symposium full program and registration link
2022-12-07
The program for the 12th Pharmaceutical Profiling Symposium is now finalised and we are happy to announce the full list of confirmed speakers and their respective topics.
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PhD position in Molecular Pharmaceutics
2022-12-06
We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD student with an interest in RNA therapies to join the multidisciplinary GENEGUT project! Help us develop 3D intestinal organoid cultures to understand intracellular delivery of novel RNA-nanoparticles.
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Registration is now open for the 12th Uppsala University Symposium on Pharmaceutical Profiling in Drug Discovery and Development
2022-11-14
We are happy to announce that the registration to the 12th Uppsala University Symposium on Pharmaceutical Profiling in Drug Discovery and Development is now open.
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Madlen Hubert becomes newly promoted Associate Professor!
2022-03-09
We would like to congratulate Madlen Hubert for being promoted to Associate Professor (docent)! Very well done and a hard-earned achievement!
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Madlen Hubert receives grant from the Valborg Jacobsons fond
2022-02-10
The Valborg Jacobsons fond supports Madlen’s research with a grant of 200’000 SEK to develop human gut models for improved prediction of the in vivo performance of advanced oral medicines. Congratulations!
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Now hiring: Two PhD Students in Molecular Pharmaceutics
2022-02-01
SweDeliver is now recruiting two PhD Students in Molecular Pharmaceutics. Welcome to submit your application no later than 18 February 2022.
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***Update – Symposium will be held online***
2022-01-11
The 11th Symposium on Pharmaceutical Profiling in Drug Discovery and Development on January 27, 2022 will be held as a virtual meeting! Don’t miss to register before Jan 13.
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New article from the group was selected as today's ACS American Chemical Society Editors' Choice!
2021-12-16
The new article by Rosita Kneiszl, Shakhawath Hossain and Per Larsson was selected as today's ACS (American Chemical Society) Editors' Choice among articles from +60 peer-reviewed journals.
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Inaugural lecture of Prof. Bergström
2021-12-16
Prof. Christel Bergström gave her inaugural lecture November 16, 2021. The video is now available.
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The registration for the upcoming 11th Symposium on Pharmaceutical Profiling in Drug Discovery and Development on January 27, 2022 is now open
2021-12-10
The registration for the upcoming 11th Symposium on Pharmaceutical Profiling in Drug Discovery and Development on January 27, 2022 is now open.
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Alexandra Teleki was recognised as an outstanding early career scientist by JPharmSci
2021-12-07
The Editorial Staff and the American Pharmacists Association are for the first time choosing outstanding early career scientists for publishing their most original and significant scientific findings in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences(JPharmSci®) in 2021. Alexandra Teleki is one of the ten researchers who were recognised worldwide! Congratulations!
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Quality Abstract Award to Anders Thorsted
2021-11-29
Anders Thorsted recieved the Trainee Qualtiy Abstract Award at The American Conference of Pharmacometrics earlier this month.
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1st Prize in the Young Investigator Session at ISAP to Vicent Aranzana-Climent
2021-11-29
During Young Investigator Session of the International Society of Anti-infective Pharmacology, Vincent Aranzana-Climent was awarded the 1st prize for his work!
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Two of our colleges were elevated to ISoP Fellows
2021-11-16
It's with great joy and pride that we can announce that Prof. Lena Friberg and Dr. Siv Jönsson has been elevated to ISoP Fellows this year.
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***SAVE THE DATE*** 11th Symposium on Pharmaceutical Profiling in Drug Discovery and Development on January 27, 2022
2021-10-21
We are delighted to announce the date for the upcoming Symposium on Pharmaceutical Profiling in Drug Discovery and Development on January 27, 2022 in Uppsala, Sweden. Keynote speakers and registration details will be announced shortly.
Per Artursson, Christel Bergström, Madlen Hubert and Pawel Baranczewski
Drug Delivery Group, Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University
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Seminar by Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg
2021-09-08
"Without effective antibiotics, health care as we know it will not exist anymore!"
Don't miss unique opportunity of interacting with one of the leading researchers in global health: Cecilia Stålsby Lundborg, Professor at Karolinska Institutet.
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They receive the Pharmaceutical Student Union's pedagogical awards
2021-06-29
“Receiving the students' award after this challenging year feels extra great", says Lecturer Christina Wedén who, together with Ulrika Rosenström and Viktor Rognås, receive the Pharmaceutical Student Union's 2021 pedagogical awards.
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Now hiring: PhD student for project on oral delivery of antibiotics
2021-04-27
The research group Molecular Pharmaceutics are looking to recruit a PhD student for a project to develop a generic nanosized drug delivery platform for optimal absorption of antibiotics with minimal intestinal side effects.
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Now hiring: Researcher in molecular pharmaceutics
2021-04-07
SweDeliver is recruiting a researcher in molecular pharmaceutics for the project Structural characterization of formulated macromolecular drugs with lipids in response to dilution, digestion and permeation. Submit your application no later than 16 April 2021.
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Now hiring: Post-doc for project about lipid nanoparticles for oral drug delivery
2021-04-07
The BLT group is looking for new postdoctoral researcher. Join our multidisciplinary team as a post-doc focusing on lipid nanoparticles for oral drug delivery.
See advertisement for details, apply before 30 April 2021. -
Drug Delivery Group paper highlighted in J Pharm Sci's "Most Original and Most Significant Scientific Findings"
2021-03-29
The Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences has highlighted the original research article titled "Proteomics-Informed Identification of Luminal Targets For In Situ Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease" in their quartely summary of "Most Original and Most Significant Scientific Findings".
The article is authored by Shno Asad, Christine Wegler, David Ahl, Christel A.S. Bergström, Mia Phillipson, Per Artursson and Alexandra Teleki.
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Summary of the completed "Intestinanos" project published on CORDIS
2021-03-11
"Understanding what happens in the gut is crucial to the success of oral medications"
Read more about the ERC financed (completed) "Intestinanos" project here: https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/429242-building-virtual-intestine-to-fine-tune-the-formulations-of-new-drugs
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Visit the Department of Pharmacy virtual booth at this year's SciFest exhibition
2021-02-26
SciFest 2021 at Uppsala University is going digital! Join the event between March 04-10 via https://fb.me/e/FeVTSzpY & https://scifest.se!
Get to know more about the research we do & learn more about oral drug delivery! Check our virtual lab, pharmacy quiz & activities around nanoparticles in collaboration with Georgios A. Sotiriou's lab at KI.
Watch the trailer for our Virtual Lab https://lnkd.in/dE-mjGw.
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11th Symposium on Pharmaceutical Profiling in Drug Discovery and Development postponed to January 2022
2021-01-21
The upcoming 11th Symposium on Pharmaceutical Profiling in Drug Discovery and Development at Uppsala University is postponed to January 2022 due to current pandemic situation.
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Are you interested in a summer research project?
2021-01-11
Are you interested in joining our team for a summer research project? Apotekarsocieteten has scholarships supporting 5-7 weeks of research studies. Reach out to us to discuss interesting project ideas! Dead-line for application is Jan 31.