Erica Franceschinis
 | Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova Contacts |
Short CV
1993: High School Degree, Chemical Industry Technician, IPSIA "G. Ceconi" Udine (Italy)
2000: Traning courses in Design of Experiments: Screening of variables and Optimisation, Aix en Provence (France)
2001: Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology at the University of Trieste (Italy) (Supervisor: Prof Dario Voinovich) Thesis title Melt granulation in high shear mixers: preparation and characterization of pellets containing paracetamol
2001-2005: Ph.D. in Engineering and Science of Materials at the University of Trieste (Italy) (Supervisor: Prof. Dario Voinovich, Prof. Ing. Mario Grassi), Thesis title Alternative systems for the oral drug delivery
2002:Traning courses in Design of Experiments: Formulation and Mixtures, Aix en Provence (France)
2005-2007: Pharmacist at Farmacia alla Borsa (Trieste, Italy)
2007-2022: Assistant professor of Galenic Formulation and Legislation (SSD CHIM 09) at the Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences; University of Padova (Italy)
2022- Present: Associate Professor of Galenic Formulation and Legislation (SSD CHIM 09) at the Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences; University of Padova (Italy)
Teaching
Pharmaceutical compounding and legislation ( Pharmaceutical and Tecnology degree)
Pharmaceutical technology and compounding (Pharmacy degree)
Office hours
Please contact via mail for an appointment
Research
Scientific Activities
Agglomeration mechanisms and scale-up
The scientific research is currently focused on the study and deepening of the mechanisms underlying the wet granulation process in particular this could be useful in order to develop new scale-up strategies. Scale-up of any pharmaceutical process is a great technical and economic challenge and the current approach based on dimensionless numbers is not effective consequently the development of new strategies, e.g. the creation of new dimensionless numbers based on material properties not considered yet and easy to calculate, could represent a challenge. Granulation process and scale-up studies are performed in collaboration with the Dept. of Industrial Engineering of the University of Padova.
Design and development of oral solid dosage forms
Another branch of research activity is focused on the on design and development of oral solid dosage forms for active molecules (synthetics and naturals as well) having problems of poor bioavailability. In this context different approaches could be used such as lipidic formulations (emulsions, microemulsions, self-emulsfying systems, etc..) and solid dispersions. The selection of the most appropriate strategy depends on the different parameters for instance physico-chemical properties of the active molecule (solubility, permeability, …) and final dosage form. This activity is also developed in collaboration with other national research groups (University of Trieste and University of Bologna) and local food supplements industries.
Dispersion Improvement of hydrophilic powders
A new research is constituted by the development of techniques and strategies to improve the dispersion of high hydrophilic molecules such as hydrocolloids used both in food and pharmaceutical industries mainly as thickeners and binders.
Technical expertise
Particles size measurement of powders, granules and emulsions (sieve analysis, image analysis and laser light scattering analysis)
Powder characterizations: flowability, shape (image analysis), wettability
Rheology of the wet masses
Granulation process
Tableting
Characterizations of oral solid dosage forms (friability, crushing strength, dissolution test, compressibility studies)
DoE
Publications
1) E. Franceschinis, M. Roverso, D. Gabbia, S. De Martin, C. Vaccarin, S. Bogialli, A. Chilin. Self-Emulsifying Formulations to Increase the Oral Bioavailability of 4,6,4′-Trimethylangelicin as a Possible Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis, Pharmaceutics (2020) 14(9):1806 https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14091806
2) E. Franceschinis, F. Schmid, R. Baggio, M. Dal Zotto, N. Realdon, A.C. Santomaso. Prediction of the growth kinetics and agglomeration mechanisms using a mixer torque rheometer. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH AND DESIGN (2020) 159, 328-338. DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2020.04.024. Citazioni: 1; IF: 3.739
3) A. Rieder, E. Franceschinis, M. De Santi, N. Realdon, A.C. Santomaso. Reconstitution of food powders granulated with oil-in-water emulsions. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (2020) 43 (5) 859-868. DOI: 10.1002/ceat.201900439.
4) O.R. Arndt, R. Baggio, A.K. Adam, J. Harting, E. Franceschinis, P. Kleinebudde. Impact of Different Dry and Wet Granulation Techniques on Granule and Tablet Properties: A Comparative Study. JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES (2018) 107, 12, 3143-3152. DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2018.09.006.
5) E. Franceschinis, A.C. Santomaso, L. Benda, B. Perissutti, D. Voinovich, N. Realdon. Influence of process variables on the properties of simvastatin self-emulsifying granules obtained through high shear wet granulation. POWDER TECHNOLOGY (2015) 274, 173-179. DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2015.01.026.
6) E. Franceschinis, C. Bortoletto, B. Perissutti, M. Dal Zotto, D. Voinovich, N. Realdon. Self-emulsifying pellets in a lab-scale high shear mixer: Formulation and production design. POWDER TECHNOLOGY (2011) 207, 113-118. DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2010.10.016.
7) E. Franceschinis, D. Voinovich, M. Grassi, B. Perissutti, J. Filipovic Grcic, A. Martinac, F., Meriani Merlo. Self-emulsifying pellets prepared by wet granulation in high-shear mixer: influence of formulation variables and preliminary study on the in vitro absorption. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS (2005) 291, 87-97.
Research projects
2015-2016: PRAT 2015 (Progetti di Ricerca di Ateneo) (Prot. CPDA158924), University of Padova, Dept. of Industrial Engineering Dispersion Improvement of Dehydrate Food in Water, 25.000 euro – RUC
2013-2015 . Supervisor of a Research Grant for a PhD Program in Molecular Sciences (Dottorato in Alta Formazione), University of Padova. Title of the Project: Development of oral and topical sucrose esters-based formulations for the delivery of lipophilic molecules. Company involved: Labomar srl (Istrana, TV, Italy)
2021: PROGRAMMA OPERATIVO NAZIONALE RICERCA E INNOVAZIONE 2014-2020. Supervisor of a Research Grant for a PhD Program in Molecular Sciences (PON Green Technology), University of Padova. Title of the Project: Sviluppo di acaricidi biocompatibili per un'apicoltura sostenibile- DeveloPment Of environmentaLLy frIeNdly Acaricide for susTainable bEekeping (POLLINATE). Company involved: Chemicals Laif SpA (Vigonza, PD, Italy)
