Dr. Neil Frankish

  Applied information systems   Autoimmune and hypersensitivity diseases   Autoimmunity   Cardiovascular and molecular pharmacology   Chronic inflamation   Commercialisation of scientific research   Computerised clinical systems   Cytoskelton, cell division   Digestive Diseases & Disorders   Digestive System   Drug Development   Drug discovery, profiling, targeting   Gastrointestinal Diseases/Disorders   Immune System   Immune System Disorders   Immunoassays   Immunopathology   Immunosuppression   Inflammation   Inflammatory Bowel Disease   Information management   Pharmaceuticals   Pharmacology   Pharmacy   Transplantation immunology, tolerance and rejection

Current research is largely concerned with finding novel drugs to treat auto-immune inflammatory disease such as inflammatory bowel disease multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Many of the classic immunosuppressive drugs available have a less than satisfactory toxicology profile. More recent monoclonal antibody anti-TNF therapy may be subject to auto-antibody formation and confer susceptibility to opportune infections. The research group concentrates on small molecule inhibitors, novel indane dimer derivatives, and their effects on several systems, including isolated T-cells and mast cells in culture and in vivo disease models. I have been responsible for directing a research program that took a potential drug candidate from its design in Chemdraw to clinical trial. This process included in vitro and in vivo validation studies, assessment in a variety of disease models together with the GLP toxicology and safety studies required for regulatory approval. In addition I was instrumental in designing the clinical trial respecting GCP guidelines, making the Clinical Trial Application to the MHRA and satisfying the Ethics Approval Board prior to the trial. During the clinical trial, I chaired the safety review committee and was responsible for approval for dose escalation in the human subjects. This is an achievement unparalleled in an Irish university.