By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Explain how molecular structure and physicochemical properties influence target binding, selectivity, exposure and toxicity.
2. Interpret concentration–time and concentration–effect data and apply core pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic concepts.
3. Connect the modulation of receptors, enzymes, ion channels and transporters to biochemical pathways, organ-level effects, therapeutic effects and adverse reactions.
4. Justify drug selection, dose adaptation and monitoring in the presence of age-related changes, pregnancy, organ impairment, pharmacogenomic variation or drug interactions.
5. Critically appraise preclinical, clinical and post-authorisation evidence and formulate a transparent benefit–risk judgement.
6. Work collaboratively to communicate and defend an evidence-based molecule-to-patient analysis while making uncertainties explicit.
The course develops an integrated way of reasoning from chemical structure and molecular target to exposure, physiological response, patient variability and regulatory decision-making. It consolidates prior knowledge without reproducing a catalogue of medicines. Students learn to transfer pharmacological principles to unfamiliar compounds and clinical situations.
The course combines medicinal chemistry, molecular pharmacology, ADME, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and selected system-based examples. Particular attention is given to target selectivity, dose–exposure–response relationships, inter-individual variability, interactions and rational dose adjustment. Anti-infective, neuropharmacology, pain/inflammation, cardiometabolic and oncology/immunology examples are used as comparative cases. The final part follows the medicine lifecycle from discovery and clinical development to EMA/FDA assessment, benefit–risk management and post-marketing pharmacovigilance.
Structure, physicochemical properties and molecular recognition
Receptor theory, quantitative pharmacodynamics and experimental evidence
ADME, pharmacokinetics, PK/PD and dose optimisation
Inter-individual variability, pharmacogenomics and drug interactions
Chemical mediators and integrated physiological networks
Comparative therapeutic cases: infection, CNS/pain, cardiometabolic disease, oncology and immunity
Drug development, clinical evidence, EMA/FDA assessment and pharmacovigilance
Student symposium: molecule to patient to regulator
Students work in small groups on a medicinal product or pharmacological class. Using a common analytical framework, they relate structure and target to mechanism, ADME/PK, patient variability, efficacy, safety and regulatory evidence. Intermediate outputs include a lead-selection argument, a dose-adjustment memo, a mechanistic map and an evidence table. The work culminates in a concise written brief and an oral discussion with individual questions.
Short interactive seminars alternate with guided interpretation of chemical structures, pathway diagrams, pharmacokinetic profiles, concentration–effect curves, patient cases and public regulatory documents. Preparatory readings and slides are provided through WebCampus. Formative polling, peer explanation and instructor feedback are used to expose reasoning and misconceptions during class.
Individual written examination. The written examination uses unfamiliar data, graphs, molecular features and clinical or regulatory cases. It assesses interpretation, causal reasoning, dose justification and benefit–risk judgement rather than simple recall.
Ritter JM, Flower RJ, Henderson G, Loke YK, MacEwan D, Robinson E, Fullerton J. Rang & Dale’s Pharmacology. 10th ed. Elsevier; 2024. ISBN 978-0-323-87395-6.
| Training | Study programme | Block | Credits | Mandatory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master in Biomedical Sciences | Filière en recherche fondamentale et préclinique | 1 | 3 | Yes |
| Master in Biomedical Sciences | Standard | 1 | 3 | No |
| Master in Biomedical Sciences | Filière en gestion de la recherche clinique | 1 | 3 | No |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology | Finalité approfondie | 1 | 3 | Yes |
| Master in Biochemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology | Finalité spécialisée | 1 | 3 | Yes |