Pharmaceutical Research Institute - Albany is an independent, not-for-profit research and development institute for research, pharmaceutical services and education at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Under the direction of Shaker A. Mousa, Ph.D., formerly a senior researcher at DuPont Pharmaceuticals Co., PRI-Albany conducts pre-clinical testing and clinical trials to develop drugs for transitioning to industrial manufacture. Through its research capabilities, PRI-Albany endeavors to introduce novel non-invasive methods for the diagnosis of vascular, oncological and neurological disorders. Experimental research at the Pharmaceutical Research Institute focuses on identifying novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for unmet medical needs, with the initial focus on advancing the development of key concepts for vascular and cardiovascular diseases. In this area, initial research is concentrated on in vitro and in vivo models of angiogenesis, thrombosis and vascular biology. Investigation includes a search for new approaches to modulate angiogenesis in oncology, dermatology and ophthalmology. An important strategic focus of the Pharmaceutical Research Institute is development of drug formulation and drug delivery units that will facilitate drug development for pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations. These units will function as a resource partner for pharmaceutical and biotech industries operating under the Food and Drug Administration's current Good Manufacturing Practices and Good Laboratory Practices. During drug discovery and early clinical development, it is essential to have multiple mechanism-related readouts that predict successful clinical outcomes. This segment of research at the Pharmaceutical Research Institute provides key information that will help bridge the gap between experimental and clinical results. Additionally, this segment provides surrogates that are linked to clinical outcomes. Some activities include identifying potent integrin ligands and other biological targets for therapeutic and diagnostic applications; establishing screening strategy, endothelial cell migration, proliferation, tube information and in vitro neovascularization models; establishing the CAM assay for angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis; screening for anti-platelet and anti-coagulant potency; and collaborating with different groups in search of novel strategies.
