Pharmaceutical Research Institute (PRI) at Albany

At PRI our cause is to advance novel medicines for vascular disorders and our focus is to serve patients and their health care providers with the power of all of the science available to us.

Mission of PRI:

• To identify novel therapeutic & diagnostic strategies for unmet medical need
  
  
• To advance the development of key concepts for vascular diseases
  
  
• To establish novel as well as routine surrogate biochemical, genetic and immuno-histological markers for drug discovery & clinical development
  
  
• To establish center for Drug Formulation (CDF) & center for Drug Delivery (CDD)
  
  
• To partner with other academic and industrial institutes.

Key Research & Development Activities at PRI:

I.Screening: High throughput screening for novel pro- and anti-angiogenesis leads, Anti-integrins, antithrombotics (anti-platelets, and anticoagulants), and vessel wall passivation mechanisms represent the initial focus at PRI.

II.Experimental Research: In vitro and In vivo models of angiogenesis, thrombosis, and vascular biology represent the initial focus at PRI.

1. Angiogenesis:
   The formation of new capillary blood vessels, a process termed "angiogenesis" is dependent upon coordinate production of angiogenesis promoters and suppressors. In pathological angiogenesis can last for years and somewhat out of control due to imbalance between angiogenic and angiostatic factors (overproduction of angiogenic factors and/or deficiency of angiostatic factors). Regulation of blood vessel growth underlies a wide spectrum of biological processes including: physiological processes such as reproduction, development, repair, wound healing and collateral and pathological processes such as cancer (tumor growth and metastasis), ocular (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration), inflammatory arthritis, and cardiovascular disorders (ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic plaque).
   
   
2. Thrombosis:
   Thrombosis is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality; therefore; effective antithrombotic strategies remain a critical therapeutic objective. The past decade has witnessed distinct progress in the development of newer anticoagulant, antiplatelet, and thrombolytics for the prevention and treatment of various thromboembolic disorders. Understanding of the pathogenesis of thrombotic and vascular disorders has greatly facilitated these developments to target blood vessels, platelets, and the protease network involving the coagulation, thrombolytic, and the fibrinolytic systems. Improved processing from the natural sources, biotechnology, and organic chemistry strategies played a major role in these developments. Such drugs as the low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), oral heparin, antithrombin agents. Many of the important drugs, such as LMWH, pentasaccharide, direct antithrombin, direct anti-Xa agents, and biotechnology-derived therapeutic agents are rapidly advancing. The need for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic optimization that PRI can provide will be critical for the success of these strategies. Additionally, clinical monitoring that PRI can provide will be essential to advance the clinical development of these agents.
   
   
3. Vascular & Metabolic Disorders:
   The search for novel mechanisms that act at the vascular endothelial cell levels in providing vascular protection and hence improved vascular patency in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and vascular disorders represent a key focus for next generation medicines.

III.Clinical Monitoring (Biomarkers, Genetic & Immuno-histological Markers):

During drug discovery and early clinical development, it is essential to have multiple mechanistic and readout that would predict successful clinical outcome. This segment will provide key information that will help bridge the gap between experimental and clinical results. Additionally, this segment will provide early surrogates that are linked to clinical outcomes.

IV.Center for Drug Formulation (CDF) & center Drug Delivery (CDD) units: At PRI an important strategic focus is to establish state of the art CDF and CDD units to facilitate drug development for pharmaceutical and biotechnology institutes.