Master Innovative Drugs - COMUE Université Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Master Innovative Drugs

Context

For several decades, medical research was tremendously impacted by the emergence of targeted strategies to deliver drugs and imaging probes to specific tissues or cells. The recent advances in both nanomedicines and new molecular imaging tools allow together the enhancement of the efficiency and the safety of therapeutic treatments owing to a selective drug transport and an early diagnosis of the disease. Nowadays, numerous research programs focus on an innovative approach so-called theranostic approach to develop “all-in-one” healthcare products to treat and follow up the therapeutic response.

Objectives

The “Innovative Drugs” international Master is a high-level training program in the field of innovative strategies for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Students enrolled in the Master program will acquire a dual skill in molecular imaging and in pharmaceutical nanoengineering. Fundamental concepts are integrated in common core courses taking place throughout the two years of the Master (M1 and M2). Advanced aspects of imaging and pharmaceutical technologies are addressed as optional units during the second year of the Master (M2) and given by French and foreign health professionals, industrial and academic researchers. Some of the lecturers are involved in research excellence programs including the Labex LipSTIC (Lipoprotein and health, prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer) and the Equipex IMAPPI (Integrated magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography in preclinical imaging). The diagnosis-related topics cover the fundamentals of modern functional and molecular imaging techniques and selected medical and industrial applications, along with the chemistry behind imaging agents (molecular probes), drugs and clinically relevant biomarkers. The nanoengineering part mainly focuses on the biomimetic and biological nanocarriers such as the lipoproteins for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and cancer. Related to the importance of the social impacts of these innovative strategies, some courses are dedicated to communication, security and regulations.

Skills

  • Molecular imaging techniques
  • Labelling chemistry and bioconjugate techniques
  • Pre-formulation
  • Preparation and physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles
  • Bioengineering of lipoproteins
  • Nanomedicines, lipid-based formulations
  • Experimental pharmacology
  • Regulation of health products for diagnosis and therapy
  • Project management
  • Experience in a research lab

Entry requirements

  • For the M1 (open since 2020): Validation of a Bachelor’s degree in biology, physics, chemistry or life sciences
  • For the M2 (open since 2017) : Validation of a first full year Master of Science in biology, physics, chemistry or life sciences / Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) or Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a significant professional experience in connection with the program of the Master and after the approbation of the pedagogical committee of the Master.
  • The program requires at least a level of English equivalent to B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Grants

Some grants will be awarded each year to high quality students.

Career opportunities

  • R&D engineer in pharmaceutical companies
  • Technical consulting in the development of nanomedicines and molecular imaging
  • Biotechnology engineer
  • Clinical imaging engineer
  • Hospital or university careers
  • Post-graduate studies
  • Doctoral degree in pharmaceutics (pharmaceutical technology) or in chemistry

Course content

For the M1 (60 ECTS): lectures are scheduled from September to June and will take place at the University of Bourgogne in Dijon. The M1 provides the basics required for the specialization of the M2. It includes units of general interest for a research-oriented Master (scientific culture, drug regulations and training to the management of scientific projects) and a two-month internship in a research laboratory. The other teaching units concern the following topics: introduction to nanosciences, chemistry and physical chemistry, spectroscopic methods of characterization, biomolecule and hetero-element chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, molecular and functional imaging, metabolic biochemistry and regulations, cell biology and engineering-cancerology, drug design and development.

For the M2 (60 ECTS including an internship of 30 ECTS): lectures are scheduled from September to December and will take place at the University of Bourgogne in Dijon. The internship will take place between January and June.

Common courses

  • UE1: Refresher courses, technology watch, communication and local culture (6 ECTS)
  • UE2: General pharmacology, regulations and security (6 ECTS)
    Methodological requirement and new trends in drug discovery
  • UE3: Basic concepts of pharmaco-imaging and pharmaceutical technology (6 ECTS)

Optional advanced courses in molecular imaging

  •  UE4: Advanced chemical pharmaco-imaging (6 ECTS)
  •  UE5: Applications in pharmaco-imaging (3 ECTS)
  •  UE8: Tutored project (3 ECTS)

Optional advanced courses in nanoengineering

  • UE6: Nanovectors in drug and gene delivery (6 ECTS)
  • UE7: Nanovectors and lipoproteins (3 ECTS)
  • UE8: Tutored project (3 ECTS)
  • Internship (30 ECTS) : 6-month internship in an academic or industrial research team. Projects topics focusing on the imaging, the therapeutic and theranostic nanomedicines should be beforehand approved by the pedagogical committee of the Master. Owing to Research Excellence Programs (LipSTIC and IMAPPI) and a strong network of European and International laboratories associated to the program of “Innovative Drugs” Master, a list of internships will be provided to students. They can also seek an internship by themselves.

Contacts

To get additional information about the Master’s program, please contact :

Dr. Arnaud BEDUNEAU (master’s supervisor)
Dr. Bertrand COLLIN (master’s supervisor)
master-innovative-drugs@u-bourgogne.fr