This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 956146.

Drug Absorption in Geriatric patients and older people

Elderly people illustrated

A TRAINING NETWORK INNOVATING DRUG DEVELOPMENT FOR THE ADVANCED AGE POPULATION

The advanced age population (>65 years) is affected by an increase in the number and complexity of illnesses, including those of chronic diseases. Current medical formulation, however, is based on clinical studies of adults aged 18-55 years, meaning that a crucial part of the population in need of medications is not considered during key steps of drug development. The needs of the advanced age population have been addressed by AGePOP, a multidisciplinary training and research programme, which brought together expertise from academia, industry and clinics.

AGePOP was an Innovative Training Network (ITN) that trained 11 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) to better understand the gastrointestinal tract and metabolism of geriatric patients and older people. They proposed modified oral drug formulations for the advanced age population, with increased swallowability, absorption and improved curative effects, available in numerous publications. The ESRs have been trained as specialised scientists to implement changes in the oral drug product development process, enhancing their career perspectives and employability and contributing to their skill development.

White Paper

The AGePOP White Paper summarises the project outcomes on oral drug development and highlights best practices, identifies knowledge gaps, and offers guidance on drug formulation for older adults and geriatric patients.

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Research

We developed a sound knowledge of the physiological alterations associated with ageing, which is crucial to drug product performance in older people and geriatric patients. Early Stage Researchers have been trained as specialised scientists to implement changes in the oral drug product development process, enhancing their career perspectives and employability and contributing to their skill development.

Training

AGePOP was an Innovative Training Network (ITN). The project trained 11 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) on existing and new drug formulation approaches, on the oral drug absorption process and the GI physiology, as well as in quality assurance, ethics of clinical studies and a broad range of transferable skills.

Transferable skills

Complementary training equipped the ESRs with the broader knowledge and experience needed for successful career paths.

People

6 Beneficiaries and 8 Partner Organisations from 5 countries worked together in the AGePOP project. The collaboration created the ideal synergy between academic knowledge and mentoring experience, industrial know-how and innovative technology, and renowned expertise in clinical practice. With their expertise, the partners jointly worked towards understanding drug development for the advanced age population from bench to bedside.