Pharmacist Hannah Cleary Advances Drug Delivery Through Research

Pharmacist and PhD researcher Hannah Cleary is making significant strides in pharmaceutical research, focusing on innovative drug delivery systems known as long-acting injectables (LAIs). Cleary, who is in her final year of study with the SSPC (Research Ireland Centre for Pharmaceuticals), aims to enhance patient care through a deeper understanding of how these medications behave in the body.

Her research highlights the critical need for “trust and transparency in scientific communication.” Cleary emphasizes that researchers must engage openly with the public not only about their findings but also regarding the uncertainties and limitations inherent in the scientific process. Speaking to SiliconRepublic.com, she noted, “Researchers now have a greater responsibility to engage openly with the public.”

Based at Trinity College Dublin and supervised by Dr Deirdre M D’Arcy, Cleary’s research is part of a broader collaboration involving University College London and University of Nottingham. She has a solid academic foundation, having earned her master’s in pharmacy at University College Cork. During her studies, she developed a keen interest in research, participating in projects addressing pharmacy education, gender imbalances in healthcare, and interdisciplinary patient intervention initiatives.

Exploring Long-Acting Injectables

Cleary’s research focuses on understanding how LAIs, which can deliver medication over an extended period, are absorbed in the body. These formulations are crucial for maintaining consistent drug levels in patients’ blood, thereby enhancing adherence to treatment regimens. Designing effective LAIs is complex, as the mechanisms governing their dissolution and absorption are not yet fully understood.

When an LAI is administered via injection into muscle tissue, it forms a depot where the drug gradually dissolves and enters the bloodstream. Cleary’s team investigates factors influencing this absorption process, such as the local physiological conditions at the injection site and the pharmaceutical properties of the formulation that affect drug release. The research combines physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) computational modeling with laboratory-based dissolution testing, imaging, and characterization techniques.

The ultimate goal is to develop in vivo predictive dissolution tests for LAI products, enhancing the design, testing, and implementation of these advanced formulations in patient care. LAIs are gaining attention across various medical fields, from antipsychotics and contraceptives to therapies for chronic diseases. Yet, their complex release and absorption behavior complicates predictions regarding their efficacy across diverse patient populations.

By improving mechanistic understanding through PBPK modeling, Cleary’s research aims to optimize formulation design, reduce development costs, and ultimately improve patient safety and adherence to medications.

A Personal Journey in Pharmaceutical Research

Reflecting on her journey into research, Cleary attributes her passion to several influences rather than a singular defining moment. In secondary school, a strong emphasis on science led her to choose biology and chemistry, subjects she thrived in thanks to inspiring teachers. She recalls how Mrs. Greene made science relatable and exciting, while Mrs. Sweeney encouraged her to think critically.

One piece of advice from Mrs. Greene continues to resonate: “Keep a diary of the questions you can’t find an answer to; that’s how you discover your research interests.” This guidance has shaped Cleary’s approach to her work, emphasizing curiosity and perseverance.

Cleary’s research highlights the misconception that pharmaceutical studies are purely laboratory-based. She points out that understanding how a formulation behaves in the body directly impacts how medicines are prescribed and experienced by patients. “Patient-centered care is always in my mind, whether I’m conducting research in the lab or working in the community pharmacy setting,” she states.

To convey the complexity of her research, Cleary often uses relatable analogies. For instance, she compares her in vitro dissolution testing to making a cup of tea. The tea leaves represent the drug, and the tea bag acts as the depot within the muscle. As the tea steeps, similar factors affect both the perfect brew and the drug’s dissolution in the body, helping others visualize the scientific processes at play.

Cleary also enjoys participating in conferences and science outreach activities, which allow her to share her research beyond academic circles and engage with individuals who may benefit from the advancements in drug delivery.

Through her innovative research, Hannah Cleary exemplifies how pharmaceutical studies can bridge the gap between science and patient care, ultimately aiming to create more effective, tailored therapies that enhance patient quality of life.