Sion Coulman

Senior Lecturer at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University
I have worked with microneedle devices since 2002, exploring their potential as a minimally invasive method for trans- and intra-dermal delivery of both novel and established active pharmaceutical ingredients, including a range of biologics and vaccines. I have a particular focus on, and passion for, translating the technology from laboratory prototypes to clinically useful and commercially available products. I have contributed to a range of projects and have considerable technical experience in the evaluation of intra- and trans-dermal delivery systems both ex vivo and in vivo. My expertise and publications include the use of innovative methods to evaluate human skin biomechanics, tissue architecture and local immunology, as well as user studies. I am a co-founder of Extraject technologies, a spin out from Cardiff University, which aims to commercialise minimally invasive systems for cell-based therapy in the skin, and am co-Chair of a Working Group (Microneedle Array Patch - Regulatory Working Group; MAP-RWG), which was initiated in 2018 to help define the regulatory pathway for this dosage form and expedite clinical translation of the technology.

I also work closely with major international Pharma to evaluate the performance of established and innovative capsule products to be used in capsule-based dry powder inhalers (DPIs). I helped develop an in vitro testing methodology for capsules that has been, and continues to be, used by the pharmaceutical industry for product development and quality assurance. My aim is to understand and improve the performance of DPIs both in the laboratory and in the hands of the user.

My third area of interest is 3D bio-printing and, more specifically, the development of a skin model using an affordable and commercially available 3D bio-printing platform. This highly innovative area of research has stimulated significant scientific and public interest, which has facilitated a number of engagement opportunities.

I also have a pedagogic interest in numeracy and medicines-based calculations, with a particular focus on the education of pharmacy students and pharmacists in this area. I have developed a contextualized diagnostic numeracy test that has been used at a number UK Schools of Pharmacy and have contributed to activities that have directly informed the education and training of pharmacy and medical students.