About the Pediatric Division of Host-Pathogen Systems and Therapeutics

The Division of Pediatric Pharmacology and Drug Discovery comprises four integrated components, which together interface with the Division’s San Diego Pediatric Pharmacology Research Unit (PPRU), a part of a national network for development of pediatric therapeutics sponsored by the NICHD/NIH. The Division establishes bridges between the UCSD Department of Pediatrics and the new Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

A Pharmacometrics Unit, recognized internationally for its leadership in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modeling, including sparse data collection techniques and population analysis methodologies that enable appropriate dosing in pediatric subpopulations.

The Clinical Pharmacology and Assay Laboratory (CPAL), a dynamic working unit with the capability, experience and expertise to analyze quantitatively and qualitatively a large number of drugs in a variety of sample matrices, including many core services for the NIAID/NIH International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network (IMPAACT) pharmacology program.

A Clinical Trials Unit that performs Phase I-III research studies in conjunction with government and industry to advance knowledge in pediatric drug therapy and to bring pharmaceuticals forward for pediatric labeling.

Basic Research programs where treatment strategies for infectious diseases are sought from natural product libraries, targeted neutralization of bacterial virulence phenotypes, and pharmacologic augmentation of host phagocyte function. Translational research seeks to establish a pathway for drug development from initial discovery of novel compounds and targets through to early stage clinical trials.