Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies
The Faculty of Pharmacy of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) conducts extensive pharmaceutical and analytical research. . As scientific research activities expanded, the need emerged to establish an integrated pharmaceutical research centre that would bring together scientific and applied expertise, conduct research on medicines, raw materials used in their production, intermediates, and related product groups (food supplements, cosmetic preparations), accumulate and apply high-level competence and know-how in the fields of pharmaceutical and analytical research, and provide value-added services.
On 23 November 2017, the Council of the Faculty of Pharmacy established the Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies. The Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies officially commenced its activities on 1 March 2018 as a research unit of the Faculty.
RESEARCH
Directions of technological development at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies:
- New pharmaceutical and related products;
- New biotechnological methodologies (proteins, peptides, amino acids, separation and fractionation);
- New analytical and preparatory methodologies;
- Cell systems research.
STUDIES
The Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies serves as a research and training base where students’ scientific research activities are carried out. Students at all levels of study may conduct research and prepare final research papers at the Institute. This opportunity is available for students of Pharmacy, Medical and Veterinary Biochemistry, Medical and Veterinary Genetics, and Medicinal Chemistry study programmes. The Institute also contributes to doctoral studies in the fields of Pharmacy (M 003) and Biology (N 010).
LABORATORIES
Head of the Laboratory
Prof. Dr Lina Raudonė
Tel. +370 682 41377
Email: lina.raudone@lsmu.lt
You can find the contacts of the laboratory staff here .
The activities of the Biopharmaceutical Research Laboratory are organised in accordance with the requirements of its quality management system, which would allow for the accreditation of test procedures according to ISO 17025. The purpose of the quality management system of the Biopharmaceutical Research Laboratory is to provide social scientific partners and research clients with confidence that the Institute conducts research in accordance with recognised quality standards.
Currently, the Laboratory is accredited to conduct research on medicinal substances according to the ISO/IEC 17025 quality management standard (accreditation certificate No. LS.185-01).
Main directions of activity:
Subtopic Research into the diversification of quality indicators of biopharmaceutical and related products and the development of methodological solutions
- Development of analytical methodological conditions (preparation of analytical samples, chromatographic separation) for the investigation of the composition of active substances and excipients, intermediates and finished products used in the production of medicines.
- Development of biopharmaceutical research for the study of the qualitative characteristics of active substances and excipients, intermediates and finished products used in the production of medicines.
- Application of innovative and selective analytical methodologies in the evaluation of the diversification factors of the composition of plant raw materials and products.
- Studies of herbal medicinal raw materials and phytopreparations (composition, antioxidant activity studies and bioactivity studies).
- Applied development and implementation of analytical methodologies, including specialised and accredited procedures.
- R&D activities tailored to the needs of customers (business entities).
Services provided
Accredited research services:
| Research/trial object | Research/test components, parameters or characteristics | Designator, section, clause of the document defining the methods (if applicable) | Method type, principle and/or equipment used (if applicable) |
| Medicinal melissa leaves | Rosmarinic acid | EUR. Ph. 01/2011:1447 | Liquid chromatography |
| Narrow-leaved senna leaves (accreditation initiated) | Anthraquinones and hydroxyanthracene glycosides | EUR. Ph. 04/2020:0206 | Liquid chromatography |
Other research services:
Ultra-performance liquid chromatography with a mass spectrometry detector:
- Analysis of various drugs and their metabolites;
- Analysis of phenolic acids and flavonoids in plant raw materials and phytopreparations;
- Organic acid analysis;
- Analysis of oxidised lipids;
- Peptide analysis.
Performance liquid chromatography:
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds in apple sample extracts;
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of triterpene compounds in apple sample extracts;
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of phenolic compounds of pear sample extracts;
- Application of other liquid chromatography methodologies according to Ph. EUR. 2.2.29.
Spectrophotometry:
- Determination of the total amount of phenolic compounds (using the Folin–Ciocalteu methodology);
- Determination of total flavonoid content;
- Determination of the total amount of proanthocyanidins (using the DMCA methodology);
- Determination of the total amount of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives;
- Determination of antiradical activity in vitro (using the ABTS, DPPH and TFPH methods);
- Determination of reducing activity in vitro (using the FRAP and CUPRAC methods). More information about services and rates is available here .
Head of the Laboratory
Dr. Aistė Jekabsonė
Tel. +37067594455
Email: aiste.jekabsone@lsmu.lt
You can find the contacts of the laboratory staff here.
The activities of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory are organised to supportscientific and experimental activities, which would facilitate high-level and large-scale R&D works.
Main directions of activity:
Subtopic: Application of innovative biotechnologies for the development of tissue-on-a-chip models and advanced drug research
- Selection and application of cells suitable for drug and drug discovery models in a variety of models (including brain, tumour, respiratory, skin and insulin resistance);
- Selection of suitable hydrogel materials for research models of drugs and medicinal substances and targeted modification for various models;
- Selection of appropriate conditions such as perfusion type and parameters, temperature, oxygen concentration, cell ratio, seeding sequence and others to maximise the functionality of drug discovery models;
- R&D activities commissioned by customers (business entities).
Subtopic: Search and practical application of innovative pharmaceutical product technologies
Head of the Research Group: Prof. Dr Jurga Bernatonienė
- Search for the effect of extraction methods on the yield of active substances from plant raw materials. Studies on the production of dry extracts;
- Selection of innovative product recipes, technological modelling, assessment of biopharmaceutical properties and quality. Optimisation of the composition and technological processes of innovative pharmaceutical products using experimental design;
- Production studies of the system in the ‘liquid/solid’ phase. Modelling and quality assessment of oleogel composition;
- Influence of polyacrylic acid polymers on technological functionalization of gels. Use of polyacrylic acid polymers for w/w stabilisation of emulsions, investigation of emulsion stability;
- Studies of the effects of preparations on skin moisture, lipids, pigmentation, and keratin content;
- Microcirculation studies of extracts and other active compounds (in cooperation with other institutions);
- Research on demand and consumption factors for organic and plant-based products;
- Production of chewable tablets;
- Production of tablets and capsules;
- R&D activities commissioned by customers (business entities).
Services provided
Biopharmaceutical research:
- Rheological tests (determining the rheological (flow) properties of medicinal preparations, cosmetics and food products);
- Dissolution studies (assessment of the dissolution of solid drug forms (tablets, capsules, granules, powders and suppositories) (according to Ph Eur. 2.9.3 and 2.9.42 monographs);
- Particle size determination (particle size determination of microemulsions, nanostructured carriers using a ZetaSizer device; determination of the particles in emulsions, and suspensions using a MasterSizer device).
Production of various pharmaceutical forms and cosmetic products
- Tablets, capsules;
- Granules, microcapsules;
- Solutions, syrups;
- Ointments, gels;
- Creams, lotions, etc.
Projects of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies
- 2024–2025, “Development of Human and Animal Broadcasting Research Centre”, No. S-A-UEI-23-7 / No. 2023-PRO-00206.
- 2026–2027, “Strengthening the Competences of the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centres”, No. 10-031-P-0001.
- 2024, “Study of Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activity of Plant Nano-vesicles”.
- 2024, “Evaluation of the Effect of Melissa officinalis L. Nano-vesicles in Protecting Respiratory Epithelial Mitochondria Against Viral Inflammatory Damage”.
- 2024–2025, “Production, Phytochemical Analysis and Application of Sorbus aucuparia L. Fruit Extracts in the Formulation of Emul-gels” within the framework of the Council-funded activity “Student research during semesters”.
- 2022–2024, ExoPlant: “Influence of Environmental Factors and Genotypes on the Characteristics of Plant Exosomes and Potential Application to Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals”, funded by the Research Council of Lithuania Research Group Projects, registration No. P-MIP-21-310. The LSMU participated in the project as a partner.
- 2022–2026, COST activities European Network for Skin Engineering and Modelling, No. CA21108.
- 2023, Development of Commercialisation of Knowledge and Technology Transfer of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU-TTO2).
- 2022–2026, Project for competitively allocated doctoral places “Studies on the Composition and Biological Activity of Plant Extracellular Vesicles”.
- 2020–2023, “Development of in silico chemogenomics, in vitro and in vivo high potency compounds against S. aureus”, UAB SynHet project under the Lithuanian Business Support Agency measure “Experiment”, contract No. 01.2.1-LVPA-K-856 Experiment. The LSMU FTI participated in the project as a partner.
- 2021–2023, “Management of target metabolites in hemp for the development of COVID-19 symptom-relieving products”, funded by measure COVID-19 High Level R&D (SMART), 01.2.2-LMT-K-718, targeted research in the field of smart specialisation. Contract No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718-05-0039.
- 2017–2022, “Adaptation of the Exosomes for the Target Delivery of Medicines”, EXOTARGET. Funding under the measure “Targeted Research in Smart Specialization” (SMART) of priority 1 “Promotion of Research, Experimental Development and Innovation (R&D&I)” of the Investment Operational Programme of the European Union Funds for 2014–2020. Contract No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718-01-0036.
- 2018–2021, “Promotion of UAB AKVAVITA investments in R&D activities, creating innovative products in the beverage industry” (No. J05-LVPA-K-03-0117).
- 2018–2021, The project UAB Birštono mineraliniai vandenys and Ko investment promotion in R&D activities, creating innovative products” (No. J05-LVPA-K-03-0114).
- 2017–2021, “Development of eubiotically multifunctional nutraceuticals (EUNUTRITECH)” (No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718-01-0062).
- 2020–2024, “Technological functionalization of microencapsulated genistein and daidzein transport systems soluble in the stomach and intestines” (No. 09.3.3-ESFA-V-711-01-0001).
- 02/2020–12/2021, “Influence of branched chain amino acid degradation on tumour cell metabolism and proliferation” (No. P-SEN-20-20).
- 2020–2023, “Development of an innovative food supplement for the elderly to prevent geriatric frailty syndrome and malnutrition” (No. 01.2.1-LVPA-K-856-02-0037).
- 12/2020—06/2021, “UAB Fitodenta MTEP commercialisation of biotechnological results” (No. MITA -K-702-06-0010/JVS No.2020-JV-35).
- 2020–2022, “Development of highly potent compounds against S. aureus based on in silico chemogenomics, in vitro and in vivo studies” (No. 01.2.1-LVPA-K-856-01-0188). LSMU FTI is the applicant’s partner.
- 2019–2023, “Functionalization of cellular vesicles for targeted drug delivery to glioblastoma cells”. LMT competitive doctorate.
- 2019–2020, “Implication of respiratory exosomes exposed to poly I:C for immunometabolism of brain cells”. Development of scientific competence of LMT students through scientific activities during the semester.
- 2020, “Innovative technologies for increasing the production of biologically active plant metabolites”/ PlasmaMET.
Inter-institutional cooperation:
- Faculty of Informatics, Vytautas Magnus University – joint research;
- Faculty of Agronomy, Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy – general research;
- Faculty of Chemical Technology, Kaunas University of Technology – joint research.
Cooperation with business partners
- UAB Švenčionių vaistažolės;
- UAB Aconitum;
- UAB Acorus calamus;
- UAB Širdažolė;
- AB Vilkyškių pieninė;
- UAB Medicata Filia;
- UAB Akvavita;
- UAB Gintarinė vaistinė;
- UAB Korteka;
- UAB Biotecus;
- MB Rūpestingi namai;
- UAB Innovative Pharma Baltics;
- UAB Nature Labs;
- UAB Santamed LT;
- UAB Ebenus;
- UAB Kelmės pieninė;
- UAB Birštono mineraliniai vandenys ir Ko;
- UAB Valentis;
- UAB Saldoga.
Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies
Sukilėlių pr. 13, Kaunas
Prof. Valdas Jakštas
Head of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Technologies