Understanding how topical drugs work in the skin
Official title: Assessing the skin pharmacokinetics of topical drugs, and the bio(in)equivalence of topical drug products, using non-invasive techniques
Funded at University of Bath · NIH-10469997 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Bath NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bath, United Kingdom) |
| Project start | September 1, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $249,919 |
| NIH project number | 5U01FD006533-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10469997 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals using topical medications for skin conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use topical medications or have conditions that do not require such treatments may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Bath
Bath, United Kingdom Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guy, Richard H — University of Bath
- Study coordinator: Guy, Richard H
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.