Nanomedicines & Translational Drug Delivery group

Honored for the Opening Keynote Speaker at the CRAFT 2026 Research Symposium in and share our latest advances in microengineered 3D multicompartmental models for drug screening across complex tissues and disease models. Fruitful discussions with the CRAFT community on how our next-generation microengineered platforms more faithfully recapitulate the complexity of human physiology, enabling more predictive and translational drug and nanomedicine development.

https://noticias.up.pt/2026/06/17/i3s-lidera-projeto-para-inovar-no-tratamento-do-glioblastoma/

i3S lidera projeto para inovar no tratamento do glioblastoma Projeto para desenvolver nanomedicinas ativadas por ultrassons recebeu financiamento de 150 mil euros do Programa UT Austin Portugal.

Reflecting on a wonderful 2026 NTDD Retreat!
Held at the Pharmacy Museum (https://sl1nk.com/mybrfzs), we were honored to hear a valuable and deeply testimonial talk from Dr José Nuno Brito da Silva (IPO), who shared his experience treating colorectal cancer patients, a powerful reminder of the real-world impact of the research we pursue. We also held a roundtable with NTDD alumni, who generously shared insights on navigating the PhD journey and life beyond it, offering guidance and inspiration to current members.
The day continued with a fun team coordination activity, building amity across the group, and ended on a high note with a traditional Santo António "sardinhada" at sunset.
Grateful for the connections, stories, and shared moments. Here's to many more!
Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde

Our latest publication, "Synergistic impact of 3D multicellular architecture and capillary-like flow on intestinal drug permeability", is now published Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. In this work, led by Sofia Dias, we investigated how combining a physiologically relevant 3D multicellular intestinal model with capillary-like fluid dynamics influences drug permeability assessment. Using a 3D system incorporating epithelial cells, fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, and an endothelial layer, together with the MIVO® millifluidic platform, we demonstrated that both tissue complexity and dynamic flow significantly enhance drug transport compared with conventional 2D models. Our results showed a clear performance gradient (2D static < 2D dynamic < 3D static < 3D dynamic), highlighting the superior predictive capacity of dynamic 3D systems for intestinal permeability studies. These findings support the adoption of advanced New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to improve the physiological relevance of preclinical drug development and help bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo outcomes.
https://lnkd.in/etPU2wi2

LinkedIn This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

Meet our group member Maria João Faria!

Maria João is a Junior Researcher at i3S. She is currently working on anisotropic nanoparticles, mucus transport, diabetes, biopharmaceuticals, oral delivery. You can find more about her work at https://www.i3s.up.pt/personal-info.php?id=6004&idg=109

In her free time, Maria João likes to travel, attend music concerts, go to the cinema, gardening, and spend time with friends.

Almost closing 3 inspiring days at the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences (EUFEPS) Annual Meeting in beautifull with my invited talk on our work on FcRn-targeted nanoplatforms for oral delivery of biologics. Thanks .Bilensoy for the invitation and organizing the BABP session! https://lnkd.in/eXePJ_Mq

Did you know that diabetes mellitus affects around 589 million adults worldwide and this number is expected to rise up to 853 million by 2050 if the current trends continue?
Diabetes mellitus remains a major global health challenge, and current treatment strategies often relies on the subcutaneous administration of antidiabetic peptides, as insulin or GLP-1 analogs. While effective, these treatments can be invasive and frequently require multiple doses, which can affect patient adherence.

SUPERATE project is working to change that. Our main goal is to develop mucodiffusive anisotropic nanoparticles for the oral delivery of antidiabetic peptides, improving their oral bioavailability and paving the way for more patient-friendly therapies.
Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde

Congratulations to Ana Baião on successfully defending her PhD! Her work on the development of a novel combination therapy for colorectal cancer, combining CD44v6-targeted chemotherapy with immunotherapy, is truly remarkable. Well-done!
Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar

Two recent publications developed through international collaborations, highlighting the growing impact of nanomedicine in addressing complex biomedical challenges. The first study, conducted with the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, presents an innovative approach to improving drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier through post-insertion functionalization of lipid nanocapsules with cannabidiol using click chemistry: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2026.115736. This work demonstrates how advanced surface engineering of nanocarriers can enhance brain targeting and drug transport to the central nervous system.

The second publication, in collaboration with the University of Chieti–Pescara, explores oxidative cues as theranostic switches for ROS-responsive nanotheranostics in oxidative stress-driven diseases: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2026.114933. It highlights how reactive oxygen species can be used as biological triggers to design smart nanomedicine platforms that integrate diagnosis and therapy.

Together, these studies reinforce the role of nanomedicine in enabling targeted delivery and responsive therapeutic systems, contributing to the advancement of precision medicine.