For a captioned version or to access the transcript, please visit: https://www.pharmaron.com/knowledge-center/dmpk-insights-14-cns-modelling/

In this podcast, Scott Summerfield and Professor Elizabeth de Lange discuss the evolution of CNS drug disposition models, highlighting the increasing sophistication of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models, such as LeiCNS-PK3.0. They discuss how these tools are enhancing our understanding of CNS drug distribution, predicting human pharmacokinetics, and supporting translational research across species.

We will address the following questions:

• What scientific needs led to the development of early CNS drug models?
• How have tools like microdialysis and PBPK modeling shaped current CNS pharmacokinetic models?
• What role does the unbound drug concentration (Kpuu) play in predicting CNS drug effects?
• How do modern models like LeiCNS-PK3.0 integrate complex physiological and pharmacodynamic data?
• What are the future research directions and translational opportunities in CNS PK/PD modeling?

Our Moderator:

Scott Summerfield – Executive Director Metabolism at Pharmaron

Scott Summerfield is the head of Metabolism, leading clinical and nonclinical radiolabeled ADME (Pharma and Environmental), in vivo support, imaging, as well as Discovery/Development and bioanalysis metabolite ID. Scott joined Pharmaron in 2022, having worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry for over 20 years, supporting both small and large molecule DMPK projects (Discovery and Development). He holds a PhD and a postdoctoral degree in protein mass spectrometry. He has published extensively in the areas of bioanalysis and the permeation of drugs across the blood-brain barrier.

Our Speaker:

Elizabeth de Lange – Professor Predictive Pharmacology at Leiden University

Elizabeth de Lange is a Professor in Predictive Pharmacology and Principal Investigator at the Research Division of Systems Pharmacology and Pharmacy of the Leiden Academic Center for Drug Research (LACDR). With her team, she is helping to unravel the rate and extent of mechanisms that govern central nervous system (CNS) target site pharmacokinetics (PK) and related pharmacodynamics (PD), with a special emphasis on physiologically based (PB) translation between species and conditions. The ultimate aim is to have mathematical models that support CNS drug development (including reduction and replacement of nonclinical studies) and can predict the best possible treatment for CNS conditions in the individual patient (‘tailor-made’). Elizabeth has contributed over 160 peer-reviewed publications, delivered more than 170 invited lectures, and organized numerous conferences, symposia, courses, and workshops. She has had multiple leadership positions in scientific projects, also at LACDR, nationally with the NVF, in large international organizations (e.g., AAPS), and is currently the scientific coordinator of the EU consortium QSPainRelief. She has several roles on advisory board, provides both advice and consultancy, and alongside all of this Elizabeth contributes to education in the BioPharmaceutical Sciences bachelor’s and master courses. Among other honors, Elizabeth received the AAPS Fellow Award (2013), an Honorary Doctorate in Pharmacy from Uppsala University (2020), and the prestigious Sheiner Lecture Lifetime Achievement Award from ISOP (2020).

Stay tuned for more podcasts in our Pharmaron DMPK Insights Series!