MSC IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRYMASTER’S PROGRAMME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGENTargeted master’s programme for people holding a bachelor’s degree with a solid background in chemistry and an interest in drug research

MSC IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY

MSc in Medicinal Chemistry,

Department of Communications,

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Graphic design: Jens Raadal Photos: Mikal Schlosser,

Jesper Munck, Copenhagenmediacenter.com

- A SPRINGBOARD TO A

CAREER IN RESEARCH

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Are you fascinated by organic chemistry and designing potential drug substances? Then the master’s programme in medicinal chemistry is the answer for you. The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Copenhagen offers a focused, international MSc pro-gramme in Medicinal Chemistry for students from Denmark or abroad holding a bachelor’s degree with a solid back-ground in chemistry – for example medicinal chemistry, chemistry or pharmacy.

Medicinal chemistry as a discipline focuses on the part of the drug development process which deals with the design and synthesis of new chemical compounds with the purpose of developing new and improved drugs.

YEAR 1 YEAR 2

BLOCK 1 BLOCK 3 BLOCK 1 BLOCK 3

Organic Synthesis Heterocyclic Chemistry Thesis or elective course Thesis

Peptide Synthesis andProtein Modifications

Elective course Thesis Thesis

BLOCK 2 BLOCK 4 BLOCK 2 BLOCK 4

Organic Synthesis Elective courseStructural and Computational

Medicinal Chemistry Thesis

Medicinal and Biostructural Chemistry

Thesis or elective course Thesis Thesis

Compulsory course Elective course Thesis or elective course Thesis

Elective coursesYou can choose elective courses and a thesis subject

to tailor a programme that matches your interests. The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Faculty of Science and The Faculty of Life Sciences follow the same academic year and course block structure, which means you can take courses at all three faculties. The courses offered vary from year to year.

See more at: farma.ku.dk/msc

Structural and Computational Medicinal

Chemistry is about

· understanding the interaction between drug

molecules and their biological targets at the

molecular level. During the course you will

generate, use and critically evaluate results

obtained with computer-based methods used in

modern structure-based drug design

MSc Thesis

You can conduct your thesis project to-

gether with a research group at The Faculty

of Pharmaceu tical Sciences, The Faculty of

Science or The Faculty of Life Sciences.

Here are some examples of subjects:

· Synthesis of Novel Ligands which Target the

Glutamatergic Neurotransmitter System in

the Brain

· Towards better transfection systems

– understanding the interaction between

polyamines and DNA/RNA

· Tailor made artificial enzymes.

See more at: farma.ku.dk/msc

Peptide Synthesis and Protein Modifications is about· gaining knowledge and understanding of peptides and proteins as drug candidates· the planning of chemical synthesis of peptides and

peptide derivatives, and chemical modifications of proteins relevant for biopharmaceuticals

Heterocyclic chemistry is about· synthesis and reactivity of heterocyclic compounds, which play an important role in medicinal chemistry. Future drugs often contain heterocyclic elements

STUDY PLAN

Organic Synthesis is about· advanced organic synthetic methods and their mecha-nistic basis. Through case stories the course focuses on methods frequently used in drug discovery and early drug development projects

Medicinal and Biostructural Chemistry is about

· the relationship between chemical structure and

biological activity of important drug classes

· the key principles applied when designing and

developing new drugs on a rational basis

· the key chemical, physico-chemical and pharma-

cokinetic properties of the main drug groups

· the use of 3D-structures in ligand and inhibitor design

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THE PROGRAMMEThe two-year MSc programme in Medicinal Chemistry consists of compulsory and elective courses and a final thesis. The programme has been developed in close collaboration with the pharmaceutical companies based in Medicon Valley (see page 12), The Faculty of Pharma-ceutical Sciences, The Faculty of Science and The Faculty of Life Sciences at The University of Copenhagen. All programme courses are taught in English.The core programme is organic chemistry and synthesis development with focus on macro molecular and small molecule drugs. Students take courses about designing new drugs on a rational basis, coupled with project work that provides insight into the role of modern computerized chemical methods in drug design. Other courses focus on the production of peptides and proteins as potential drugs, a fast-track area of growth internationally.

At the University of Copenhagen and abroadAs a student in medicinal chemistry, you will spend most of your time on the University of Copenhagen’s North Campus. For some semesters it will be possible for you to take courses at other universities in Denmark or abroad. Likewise, there are good opportunities to write your industry-based thesis in Denmark or abroad.

Timeline (years)

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Hit identification - including identification of disease target

DiscoveryEarly and preclinical development

Tests on animalsClinical development

Tests on peopleRegulatory affairsScale up & launch

The development of new drugs is a long and complicated pro-cess. It usually takes from 10 to 15 years to turn an idea into a product that is approved and marketed, and very few ideas make it that far. Only about 10 out of every 10.000 ideas that become the object of close investigation in the laboratory of a pharmaceutical company reaches the clinical development phase where it is tested on people. And only one of these drug candidates will actually become a drug.

Detective work during the initial stagesA project-based approach is used at all stages of drug de-velopment, typically involving cooperation between various professional specialists: medicinal chemists, pharmacists, pharmacologists, molecular biologists, physicians, engineers and others.

The role of the medicinal chemistMedicinal chemists are involved during the early stages of the drug development process regardless of industry sector – pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical or biotech. Drawing on in-depth knowledge about the sites and mechanisms of action of drugs at molecular level, as a member of a project team, the medicinal chemist has the job of designing and synthesizing new compounds with the potential to become future drugs.

Another important job area for medicinal chemists is working with patent experts and others to ensure that new chemical substance categories with promising biological activity are patented, so that the company can continue developing new drug substances that are marketable. Drug design, produc-tion and patenting are some of the cornerstones of successful, profitable drug development.

FROM IDEA TO DRUG

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Molecular modeling

Medicinal chemistry

Pharmacology

Medicinal chemist

Other specialists such as pharmacists, pharmacologists and molecular biologists

Patenting

Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism

““ ““

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The pharmaceutical industry is financially strong and growing and developing rapidly. Drugs are currently Denmark’s largest single export product! At all times, the industry needs to be able to recruit a sufficient number of graduates with a focused background in medicinal chemistry.As a medicinal chemist you can expect to find work inter­nationally in the area of the pharmaceutical, biopharma­

ceutical and biotech industry that conducts research into new drugs – either as soon as you graduate or after completing a PhD course. There are many employment opportunities for holders of an MSc in Medicinal Chemistry, for example a PhD programme in medicinal chemistry, patenting, upscaling/ process chemistry or chemistry, manufacturing and controls (CMC).

TURN YOUR INTERESTS INTO A CAREER

SEBASTIAN LETH-PETERSEN

While Sebastian’s interest in molecules, gene- and bio-technology is longstanding, he developed an interest in small molecules and medicinal chemistry while working on his bachelor’s project at Lundbeck, a large Danish pharmaceutical company. His project involved phosphodiesterase inhibitors - phosphodiesterases are enzymes and putative drug targets for the treatment of schizophrenia.”The development of bioactive molecules has always been an interest of mine, but I became more engrossed with medicinal

chemical methods than molecular biological methods after finishing my bachelor’s project. That is why I decided to switch to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.”To direct his bachelor’s programme towards medicinal chem-istry, Sebastian took Organic Chemistry and Spectroscopy and Bioorganic and Drug Chemistry as electives.His primary interest is research into how the brain reacts to dif-ferent drugs, and his secondary interest is the development of new substances to become the drugs of the future.

Peter Kurtzhals, Senior Vice President, Novo Nordisk Novo Nordisk is a healthcare company and a world leader in diabetes care. In addition, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as haemostasis management, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 29,000 people in 76 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries.

Developing new drugs requires expertise and coopera-tion within many different natural science fields. A solid academic foundation in chemistry combined with an MSc in medicinal chemistry with focus on the design and production of new drug substances is therefore a highly sought-after skills profile for students consider-ing careers in the drug industry.

To be accepted into the MSc programme in medicinal chemistry, you must have a bachelor’s degree with a solid background in organic chemistry, and supplemen-

tary strength in biochemistry and molecular biology, for example.

BSc in biotechnology from The Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen

Klaus Bøgesø, Vice President, Lundbeck ResearchLundbeck is a global pharmaceutical company conduct-ing research into, developing, manufacturing, market-ing, selling and distributing pharmaceuticals for the treatment of neurological disorders. Lundbeck employs 5,900 people in 56 countries, and their products are registered in more than 100 countries.

All over the world, the pharmaceutical industry needs scientists with a strong academic background. An MSc in medicinal chemistry with focus on the design and synthesis of macro molecular and small molecule drugs will provide a solid foundation for a research career in industry.

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Ida, who comes from Tromsø in Norway, is underway with her bachelor’s project. She shifted her project focus from phar-macy to medicinal chemistry. She also chose extra courses in advanced organic chemistry, which gives her access to the MCs programme in medicinal chemistry. ”I have been crazy about organic chemistry since high school and was delighted to get a scholarship where I was doing organic synthesis,” explains Ida.

”Even in elementary school I thought molecules were fun. Being able to build substances from the molecular stage using synthesis fascinates me,” she continues.Once Ida completes her education, she would like to work with the design and synthesis of new substances. “Medicinal chemistry is a really good platform because it focuses on both peptides and small molecules,” says Ida.

Wang Shuai’s medicinal chemistry path started in middle school with his initial interest and good grades in chemistry and biology. His enthusiasm for medicinal chemistry developed from relevant lab experience and courses such as organic chemistry. “Although I do not have a specific research direction, design and synthesis have always been my top interests in the field of medicinal chemistry, along with research on targeted drugs,” explains Shuai.

“My internship this semester is centered on the design and synthesis of small asymmetric molecules. Once I get my mas-ter’s degree, I will try my best to pursue a PhD. When I have completed my education, I want to proceed with professional research in medicinal chemistry, and will aim at academia or work in the research department in a related industry,” con-cludes Shuai.

Pharmacy student at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Copenhagen

BSc in Pharmacy China Pharmaceutical University

IDA NYMANN PEDERSEN

WANG SHUAI

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An MSc in Medicinal Chemistry will give you an educational ballast that will supplement other experts in the field. Your educational profile will be much in demand thanks to your BSc in a technical or natural science field combined with a drug discovery oriented MSc programme.

The University of Copenhagen is located in the midst of one of the world’s leading biotech areas – Medicon Valley – home to almost 300 life science companies. The Faculty of Pharma-ceutical Sciences is known for its extensive cooperation with industry. One of these cooperative endeavours is the Faculty’s own Drug Research Academy (DRA), where a number of

Danish biotech and pharmaceutical companies co-finance PhD scholarships. DRA covers all key research areas in drug development from research, development and production to clinical testing.

This close concentration of biotech and pharmaceutical companies in the region coupled with the Faculty’s coopera-tion with industry provides good opportunities for students to build contacts to future employers already while they are studying. The location presents optimal opportunities to find student jobs related to the field and to initiate thesis projects at one of the many companies in the area.

THIS IS WHERE IT’S AT!

UNIVERSITY OF COPENHAGEN

Founded in 1479 the University of Copenhagen is Denmark’s largest educational institution today with more than 37,000 students and 7,000 employees. The university occupies four campuses in central Copenhagen, and was ranked no. 45 in the world on the THES 2010 ranking list.

The university’s website is: ku.dk

COPENHAGENCopenhagen is the capital of Denmark. There are 1.7 million inhabitants in Greater Copenhagen, which encompasses the city itself and surrounding suburbs.

Copenhagen’s special features:· a lively city with many young people· a green city with many parks and green oases· a blue city with a long waterfront, canals and lakes· a bicycle city with clean air· a city with good public transport and high public service

levels

· a city whose inhabitants speak good English· a city whose inhabitants enjoy a high degree of personal

safety.

The official tourist website for Copenhagen: visitcopenhagen.dk

THE FACULTY OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCESThe Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences was founded in 1892 as an independent pharmaceutical college, ‘Den Farma-ceutiske Læreanstalt’, which merged with the University of Copenhagen in 2007 to become a Faculty.

Drugs are at the core of all research and teaching at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Copen-hagen. The Faculty’s research and teaching are based on the interdisciplinary integration of the natural, health, social and technological sciences. This approach equips graduates for work internationally as experts in research, development test-ing, production, assurance and the use of drugs.

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The Faculty offers programmes in pharmacy, pharmaceu tical sciences and medicinal chemistry to about 1,400 students working on their bachelor’s or master’s degrees and 170 stu-dents in the PhD programme. The Faculty has about 400 em-ployees, of whom half are academic staff distributed among three departments, the library and administration.

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences is a European leader in its field. It is known for high-quality research and teaching, good laboratory and classroom facilities, and its unique close cooperation with the pharmaceutical industry, which means that the majority of its graduates find work in the industry.

International cooperation is high on the Faculty’s agenda. As well as participating in international research projects and offering an international student environment, the Faculty is a member of the ULLA consortium, a research and teaching

collaboration of eight leading pharmaceutical institutions in Europe. The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences is centrally located on the North Campus in Copenhagen, close to all the natural science and health science departments.

The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences’ website: farma.ku.dk

STUDENT LIFE AND FACILITIESThe MSc in Medicinal Chemistry is an international programme that admits students from all over the world. Fifty students are admitted annually. The relatively small number of students on the programme plus a good introduction and the compulsory courses during the first semesters help create a warm study environment both socially and academically.

The good student milieu is by no means restricted to the MSc in Medicinal Chemistry programme. The Faculty of Pharma-ceutical Sciences is known for its unique study environment. For example, the Faculty recently received the Danish Ministry of Education’s award for teaching milieu. The good student milieu is also reflected in good facilities and numerous social activities such as sport, choral group, Friday ‘happy hour’ and many unique student traditions. You won’t be lonely at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

RESEARCH BASED TEACHINGAcademic staff at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences con-duct research as well as teach, which means that all teaching is research based and students are introduced to the latest developments.

Another feature is problem-based learning focusing on an

active problem-solving approach. Teaching is often a combi-nation of lectures, classroom teaching, hands-on laboratory exercises and report, article and poster preparation. Group projects are common. The underlying philosophy is to ensure that programme graduates acquire the competences required by the job market.

ACADEMIC YEARThe academic year at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences starts in the last week of August and ends on approx. 30 June.

The year is divided into four 9-week blocks (15 ECTS credits in each block). Most courses are valued at 7.5 ECTS credits, in other words, the basic workload is two courses per block.

For detailed information on teaching periods and holidays see: farma.ku.dk/msc

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Application deadlines 2011

1 March for non-EU/EEA citizens

16 May for EU/EEA citizens (including Danish citizens)

Application form:

Download the application form from farma.ku.dk/msc

Admission requirements: You must have a bachelor’s

degree with a solid background in chemistry.

For more details about admission requirements and

selection criteria see farma.ku.dk/msc

Tuition: All EU/EEA citizens are exempt from tuition fees

for the MSc in Medicinal Chemistry programme, which are

covered by the Danish state.

Non-EU/EEA citizens must pay tuition for Danish

educational programmes. The annual fee for the MSc

in Medicinal Chemistry programme is DKK 108,000/EUR

14,400 (2011 level).

Living costs: The average cost of living for students in

Copenhagen is DKK 7000/EUR 930 per month depending

on housing expenses and general living standard.

Would you like to know more?

Find more detailed information at farma.ku.dk/msc

Or contact:

International Office at

the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences:

E-mail: msc@farma.ku.dk Telephone +45 35 33 65 72

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Copenhagen Universitetsparken 2 2100 Copenhagen Denmark

Phone: +45 35 33 60 00 MSc in Medicinal ChemistryE-mail: msc@farma.ku.dk Web: farma.ku.dk/msc