Understanding how topical drugs work in the skin

Assessing the skin pharmacokinetics of topical drugs, and the bio(in)equivalence of topical drug products, using non-invasive techniques

NIH-funded research University of Bath · NIH-10469997

This study is looking at how well skin medications can get through the skin to work where they're needed, using special imaging techniques, so that we can create better treatments for skin conditions that help you feel better.

Quick facts

Grant typeU01 cooperative agreement
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Bath NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Bath, United Kingdom)
Project IDNIH-10469997 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how effectively topical medications penetrate the skin to reach their intended targets. By using advanced non-invasive techniques like Raman imaging, the study aims to measure the bioavailability of these drugs at their site of action beneath the skin's surface. The goal is to develop reliable methods for assessing how well these medications perform, which could lead to better treatment options for skin conditions. Patients may benefit from improved formulations and more effective therapies based on the findings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals using topical medications for skin conditions.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use topical medications or have conditions that do not require such treatments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective topical treatments for skin conditions by ensuring that medications reach their intended targets.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using Raman imaging for drug assessment is innovative, similar non-invasive techniques have shown promise in other areas of pharmacokinetics.

Where this research is happening

Bath, United Kingdom

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.