Experimental Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics

APT has extensive infrastructure, expertise and track record in experimental pharmacodynamics. We have many well characterised in vitro and in vivo models of infection, including hollow fibre infection models (HFIM) that are now widely accepted by regulatory authorities. HFIM are especially valuable for an understanding of the development of AMR and are increasingly used in drug development. APT has the largest HFIM laboratory in Europe.

Advanced Pharmacokinetic Modelling and Simulation

APT has advanced state-of-the-art techniques in quantitative pharmacology that includes PK-PD modelling, population pharmacokinetics, Monte Carlo simulation, optimal design theory, and modelling of the emergence of AMR. The APT has invested in a Dell PowerEdge R630 rack server system that enables encryption-secured, multi-user access and parallel computing.

Preclinical Imaging

APT has made a major investment in MALDI-MSI to assess the spatial distribution of small molecules in target tissues and organs. The APT has purchased an AP-SMALDI-10 High Resolution Imaging Source coupled with a Thermo Q Exactive HF Mass Spectrometer that enables drug distribution in diseased tissue to be assessed. Such an approach provides an insight into concentrations of drug at the effect site and provides considerably more information compared with traditional use of tissue homogenates.

Bioanalytical Sciences

APT has state-of-the art LC/MS/MS machines that enable the quantification of drug concentrations within clinically relevant matrices. APT can run clinical samples under GCP conditions, which is critical for PK studies embedded in clinical trials anywhere along the developmental pathway.

Early Phase Clinical Studies

As part of the Centre for Antimicrobial Pharmacodynamics, APT has established collaborations with the Clinical Research Facility (CRF), which is an MHRA accredited first-in-human unit within the Royal Liverpool Hospital. The CRF is supported by National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) funding and has an established track record in early phase clinical trials and experimental medicine. APT supports the PK-PD studies that are run within the CRF, but is also able to support similar studies run in other facilities anywhere in the world.

Teaching, Training and Public Engagement

APT is committed to training the next generation of researchers that will continue the fight against AMR. APT has Clinical Fellows that are supported by the Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council (MRC) and NIHR. We are a European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Collaborative Centre (ECC) that enables young investigators from around the world to visit and train with us. We have extensive global collaborations. We organise and run courses in PK-PD modelling. We have leadership roles in the organisation of international meetings, such as Microbe (American Society for Microbiology) and Drug Development to Meet the Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance (ASM and ESCMID). We have helped develop policy for the accelerated development of new antimicrobial agents, and participated as experts in workshops conducted by the EMA and FDA.

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