Novel Research on Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 373

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Interests: physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling; drug–drug interactions; pharmacogenomics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
Interests: PBPK modeling; drug-drug interactions; special populations; drug-induced liver injury
School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Interests: clinical pharmacology; pharmacometrics; model-informed precision dosing; therapeutics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling has rapidly evolved into a core component of model-informed drug development, allowing mechanistic integration of drug properties with human physiology to support evidence-based decision-making. The growing regulatory acceptance of PBPK has accelerated its use in addressing complex clinical questions, including dose optimization in vulnerable populations, prediction of drug–drug interactions, characterization of transporter and enzyme contributions, biowaiver justification, and virtual clinical trial simulation. 

This Special Issue, titled “Novel Research on Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling”, highlights cutting-edge applications that demonstrate the expanding impact of PBPK across therapeutic areas and drug modalities. We invite submissions presenting innovative modeling frameworks, integration with pharmacodynamics or disease models, incorporation of in vitro and preclinical data, and quantitative evaluation of mechanistic hypotheses. Research leveraging PBPK to inform pediatric dosing, geriatric considerations, renal or hepatic impairment, genetic variability, long-acting formulations, and complex biologics is particularly welcome. Through original research articles, methodological advances, and comprehensive reviews, this Special Issue aims to provide a platform for novel insights and practical contributions that enhance the reliability, transparency, and translational value of PBPK modeling in drug development and clinical practice.

Dr. Xiaoqiang Xiang
Dr. Qingfeng He
Dr. Yufei Shi
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • physiologically based pharmacokinetics
  • drug–drug interactions
  • in vitro–in vivo extrapolation
  • special populations
  • virtual clinical trials
  • quantitative pharmacology
  • mechanistic modeling

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

22 pages, 2410 KB  
Article
Guiding a Diclofenac Sodium Dual-Release Sustained Formulation Development Through In Vitro–In Vivo Relationship Based on Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetics
by Qizheng Wang, Pengcheng Guo, Tianci Hu, Longjie Li, Tingxi Zhu, Yue Pan, Xiaoqiang Xiang and Jianxin Wang
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(5), 613; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18050613 (registering DOI) - 18 May 2026
Abstract
Background: Dual-release sustained formulations enable rapid drug release for prompt therapeutic onset while retaining the characteristics of sustained-release dosage forms. However, due to the complexity of this dosage form, conventional trial-and-error approaches fail to mitigate development risks or improve the success rate of [...] Read more.
Background: Dual-release sustained formulations enable rapid drug release for prompt therapeutic onset while retaining the characteristics of sustained-release dosage forms. However, due to the complexity of this dosage form, conventional trial-and-error approaches fail to mitigate development risks or improve the success rate of bioequivalence studies of the generic product. Accordingly, the present study aims to investigate the feasibility of guiding a dual-release generic formulation screening through establishing a quality-related media condition through construction of PBPK models and IVIVR for the reference product. Methods: Here, Difene® was selected as the reference product, and GastroPlusTM was employed as the simulation platform. Pharmacokinetic data obtained from the literature and in vitro dissolution test results were integrated to construct the PBPK model for the reference product and establish IVIVR in different media, respectively. A quality-related media condition was determined for formulation screening of the generic product. A pharmacokinetic study in beagle dogs was then conducted to evaluate the bioequivalence between the generic and the reference product. Results: In the PBPK modeling and IVIVR study, the PBPK model was successfully established. The IVIVR for the pH 4.0–pH 6.0–pH 6.8 media was optimal in all media conditions, with fold error ratios of 1.11, 0.86, and 1.11 for Cmax, AUC, and Tmax, respectively, all falling within the 0.80–1.25 range. Employing this medium as the quality-related media, the optimized generic product exhibited an f2 factor of 76 with the reference product in vitro. Pharmacokinetic studies in beagle dogs demonstrated that the geometric mean ratios and 90% confidence intervals for AUC and Cmax of the generic product versus the reference product were within the 80.0–125.0% range. No statistically significant difference was observed for Tmax, indicating bioequivalence between the two products. Conclusions: Overall, our study provides a strategic approach for generic development and a novel research framework for the generic development of other dual-release formulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Research on Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling)
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