Prof. Dr. Gert Fricker | Drug Delivery | Excellence in Research Award

Diretor at University of Heidelberg, Germany

Prof. Dr. Gert Fricker is Director of the Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology at Heidelberg University, Germany, where he also leads the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Freiburg with a focus on transcellular bile acid transport, followed by a habilitation in Experimental Medicine. His career spans academia and industry, including key roles at Sandoz Pharma AG and as CEO of the Steinbeis-Technology Transfer Center for Biopharmacy and Analytics. A pioneer in drug delivery systems, Prof. Fricker co-founded Heidelberg Delivery Technologies GmbH to advance oral peptide and protein therapeutics. His research centers on drug transport across biological barriers, ABC transporters, and drug formulation strategies. He has authored over 250 peer-reviewed publications, contributed to more than 60 books, and holds 14 patent applications. Among his accolades are the Phoenix Pharmacy Science Awards, the Dietrich-Schmähl Award, and the APV Research Award for outstanding pharmaceutical research.

Professional Profile:

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ORCID

🏆 Summary of Suitability: Prof. Dr. Gert Fricker Nomination for the Excellence in Research Award

Prof. Dr. Gert Fricker is an internationally distinguished pharmaceutical scientist whose decades-long contributions to drug delivery, biopharmaceutics, and membrane transport mechanisms have significantly advanced the field of pharmaceutical sciences. His profound academic rigor, interdisciplinary leadership, and translational impact make him an exceptional candidate for the Excellence in Research Award.

🎓 Education

• 🧪 University of Freiburg, Germany (1975–1986)
  ➤ Studied Chemistry and Medicine

• 📜 Ph.D. in Experimental Medicine (1986)
  ➤ Thesis: Transcellular Transport of Bile Acids in the Liver

• 📘 Habilitation (1993)
  ➤ Field: Experimental Medicine
  ➤ Thesis: Pathomechanisms of Obstructive Cholestasis and Estradiol-Induced Intrahepatic Cholestasis

💼 Professional Experience

• 🧬 Postdoctoral Fellow, Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland (1986–1988)

• 🧪 Research Scientist, Drug Delivery Systems, Sandoz Pharma AG, Basel, Switzerland (1988–1995)

• 👨‍🏫 Professor, Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie, University of Heidelberg (1995–2002)

• 🎓 Director, Institut für Pharmazeutische Technologie und Biopharmazie, University of Heidelberg (1997–2002)

• 🧫 Director, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Biosciences, University of Heidelberg (since 2002)

• 🧪 CEO, Steinbeis Technology Transfer Center for Biopharmacy and Analytics, Heidelberg (since 1998)

• 💊 Co-founder & Partner, Heidelberg Delivery Technologies GmbH (HeiDelTec) (since 2017)

🔬 Research Interests

• 🧠 Drug transport across the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB)

• 🏥 Hepatic and membrane transport mechanisms

• 💊 ABC transporters, drug absorption enhancement

• 🎯 Targeted drug delivery and pharmaceutical formulations

🏆 Awards & Honors

• 🧪 Phoenix Pharmacy Science Awards (2003, 2008)
  ➤ For outstanding scientific contributions in pharmaceutical technology and pharmacology

• 🎗️ Dietrich-Schmähl Award (2003)
  ➤ From the Central European Society for Anticancer Drug Research

• 🧫 APV Research Award (1998)
  ➤ Association of Pharmaceutical Technology for excellence in pharmacy

📚Publication Top Notes

Truncated mini LRP1 transports cargo from luminal to basolateral side across the blood brain barrier

Cited : 2

Increased Expression of Transferrin Receptor 1 in the Brain Cortex of 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease Is Associated with Activation of HIF-1 Signaling Pathway

Cited : 6

Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Alzheimer’s Disease

Cited : 9