PharmSci Seniors Present Winning Project to Tech Launch Arizona
This spring, students enrolled in the course PCOL 488 – Drug Hunting for Beginners presented their final course projects to a panel of experts from Tech Launch Arizona, a unit that aims to increase the reach and impact of research done at the University of Arizona. Focusing on technological innovation and discovery, TLA works to unite research with business, teaming up with university faculty and students to take ideas from an initial pitch into the commercial sphere. Although this is only the second year of this collaboration, students are already benefiting from this unique partnership.
Designed to give students a deeper understanding of pharmacodynamics, PCOL 488 consolidates the basic concepts of chemistry and pharmacology and guides them through the process of drug discovery, design, and development. Using a team-based approach, students experience the drug discovery pipeline from ideation to the culmination of their final pitch to TLA, simulating a real-world journey of drug development, from beginning to end.
Although all course participants present to TLA, only one project is selected as the winner. The most recent winning team features PharmSci seniors David Jurkowitz, Emalee Flores, Gabriela Tay, and Jenika Narotam. Their presentation, To the BBB and Beyond: PPARɣ Agonists as Alzheimer’s Target, focused on developing a better drug alternative than what currently exists on the market for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease. “In our research, we discovered that PPARg agonists, TZDs, have been successful in treating type II diabetes, with a symptom being improved memory,” said Flores. From there, the team modeled their drug after existing TZDs, to target and treat Alzheimer’s more effectively. Jurkowitz added that their drug would not only improve the treatment of the disease but would hopefully provide a solid foundation for their TLA pitch. “After an in silico screening of over 4,500 novel drugs, we developed a suitable candidate for pitching to investors.”
Both Flores and Jurkowitz cited the hands-on approach of the course as a major factor in their decision to enroll. “I initially signed up for PCOL 488 because the class provided another perspective on drugs that is only briefly discussed in other PCOL classes,” said Flores. For her, this was an opportunity to explore a side of the pharmaceutical industry that students are less familiar with.
“I will likely work adjacent to or as part of the pharmaceutical industry in the future,” Jurkowitz said when asked how this course would carry over into the rest of his academic and professional careers. “Both the narrow and broad knowledge I learned will undoubtedly be useful and help inform my efforts in making the drug discovery process more efficient.”
Dr. Gregory Thatcher, who has been with the R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy since 2020, teaches PCOL 488. “This is the second year the course has been given, and every year TLA contributes a seminar on everything to do with starting a business and commercializing your therapeutic invention,” he said. Thatcher was recently named a Faculty Innovation Ambassador for TLA as part of a program to improve access to information and assistance related to innovation, inventorship, and entrepreneurship. Of the course’s unique TLA partnership, he added “TLA also hosted the final presentations at the Refinery attended by the entire class and a Shark Tank of local entrepreneurs.”
The winning team urges students interested in enrolling in PCOL 488 to plan ahead and start work on their pitch early. “Begin working on the presentation as soon as possible, take notes on how to use Shrödinger and PyMol, designate specific roles to each member, and communicate often with your team,” Flores advised. Regarding the TLA portion of the presentation, Jurkowitz stressed the importance of keeping the business aspect in mind: “Make sure your drug candidate has as few risks to being a viable investment as possible.”
Congratulations to the winning team! Students interested in enrolling in PCOL 488 can learn about the course here, and for more information on TLA and Dr. Thatcher, visit the Tech Launch Arizona website.