Dr. Ulrich Lächelt. Image: LMU

For his innovative research on “Metal-Organic Nanopharmaceuticals” Dr Ulrich Lächelt receives the 10^th Galenus Technology Prize. The pharmacist is head of a research group at the Chair of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the LMU Munich.

Dr Ulrich Lächelt is a former member of the NIM-GP and since 2015 he heads a research group at the Chair of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology of Professor Ernst Wagner at the LMU Munich.
The research of the pharmacist focuses on new routes and materials for drug delivery. His innovative concept on “Metal-Organic Nanopharmaceuticals” could convince a panel of experts. For further approaches in the development of his nanoparticular metal-organic pharmaceutical carrier systems he receives the Galenus Technology Prize 2019 which is endowed with 5,000 Euro.

In his project, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which represent materials with very high porosity, are utilized and modified for the application as drug carriers in biological environment. In addition, drug molecules containing Lewis base functions in their molecular structure are directly converted into nanoparticles by interaction with metal ions. Since the resulting coordination polymers in large part consist of the drug molecules, such nanopharmaceuticals exhibit very high drug loading at low amounts of additives.

Progress through promotion

The Austrian Galenus Foundation aims to support young scientists as PostDocs, Habilitands, Assistant and Junior Professors in the pharmaceutical technology and biopharmacological field since 2004. The foundation bi-annually awards the Galenus Technology Prize and annual Galenus Supports, as well as funding of guest professorships and international workshops.

The Galenus Technology Prize acknowledges innovative research projects in the field of pharmaceutical technologies. Professor Olivia Merkel (2015) and Professor Carsten Rudolph (2007) are former awardees of the prize.

Lächelt also receives the Galenus Support since 2017. This Support allows young researchers to participate in international conferences for a vivid scientific exchange and to attend specialized trainings. Besides Lächelt, Dr Gabriella Costabile and Dr Aditi Mehta from the Merkel Group receive this funding since 2017. Merkel (2010-2015) and Rudolph (2007-2009), also obtained the Galenus Support.

The Prize will be awarded during a ceremony at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna on 14 November 2019. (IA)

Further information:

www.galenusprivatstiftung.at/82.0.html (German only)

Contact:

Dr Ulrich Lächelt
Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Center for System-based Drug Research
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Butenandtstraße 5-13, Building D
81377 Munich
Germany

Phone: +49 (0)89 2180 77842

E-Mail: ulrich.laechelt(at)cup.uni-muenchen.de

Web: www.cup.uni-muenchen.de/pb/aks/ewagner/members/dr-ulrich-laechelt/