Professor Sanjay Garg

PIDG: Your Partner in Translational Pharmaceutical Research

Recent Media Releases

3D Printing of Oesophageal stents for anticancer drug delivery: UniSA and 7News

US FDA Approval and commercial launch of a Vaginal Contraceptive: UniSA and 7News

Improved Bioavailability of Curcumin: UniSA and 7News

Introduction

Professor Sanjay Garg is a pharmaceutical scientist dedicated to advancing drug discovery, development, and delivery. With a PhD in pharmaceutical science and a fervour for research and teaching, he's a visionary transforming patients' lives. As the Co-Director of the Centre for Pharmaceutical Innovation (CPI) and leader of the Pharmaceutical Innovation and Development Group (PIDG), he's committed to pioneering cutting-edge research and innovative solutions. His patented formulations have reached clinical stages and markets in the USA, India, New Zealand, UK, and Australia, such as Acidform (USA Patent 6706276), FDA-approved as a non-hormonal contraceptive (Phexxi) and marketed in the USA as a prescription product. During his tenure at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, he established a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) compliant analytical laboratory and played a pivotal role in creating research and post-graduate programs at the Auckland Pharmacy School.

Research Focus

Prof. Garg's current research focuses on several critical areas of importance, including:

• Anti-cancer Drug Targeting: Exploring 3D printing for precise drug delivery, both locally and systemically.
• Infections: Widely collaborating on novel antimicrobial compounds and formulations for human and veterinary applications, leading to successful patents and infection-fighting products, especially for resistant infections (AMR).
• Veterinary Delivery Systems: Over two decades of expertise in veterinary pharmaceuticals, developing cutting-edge drug delivery technologies, dosage protocols, and ensuring safety and efficacy for various animal species. The team has successfully developed several marketed and under animal trial veterinary formulations for horses, dogs, cats, fish, pigs, cattle, and other animals. Long-acting equine omeprazole injection is an example. 
• Other Patient-centric Projects: Ongoing work benefiting patients, including compounding and drug analysis in human milk.

Research Outputs and Awards

Throughout his career, Professor Garg's contributions have been exceptional:

• 265 peer-reviewed papers
• 100 patents
• 24 book chapters
• 4 edited books
• Technology transfer for 14 products

With h-index of 62 (Google Scholar), he's a highly cited researcher. He has mentored 237 research scholars at all levels, including 14 current PhD students. His accolades include the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association Medal, the Research Impact Awards finalist at UniSA, the President's Medal from the South Australian Indian Medical Association, the Butland Award for Excellence in Research Supervision, and the Fellowship of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association.

Collaborations

Professor Garg champions international engagement, serving as Co-Director of the China-Australia Centre for Health Science Research (Shandong University, China) and holding adjunct appointments with the International Medical University (IMU, Malaysia) and Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE, India). He collaborates with pharmaceutical, biotechnological, nutrition, and complementary medicine companies, along with government agencies and foundations, across the USA, Canada, Brazil, India, Malaysia, and China. He continues to seek new opportunities for research collaboration and exchange.

Capabilities and Facilities

Backed by state-of-the-art laboratories, innovative technology, and a skilled team of researchers and students, Professor Garg is poised to continue his impactful journey in pharmaceutical science. His unwavering focus on innovation, engagement, translation, and impact promises a significant and meaningful contribution to the field.  

• Scientific Advisory Committee Member, Australasian Pharmaceutical Sciences Association (APSA);  Executive Committee Member 2009-2014
• Director, Board Member and Chair, Students Affairs Committee, International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE), Australasia (2008-2014)
• Controlled Release Society (CRS)
• Life member and ex-secretary, Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), India
• Project Management Institute, USA

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy National Institute of immunology, India

• Master of Pharmacy University of Delhi, India

• Master of Management University of Auckland, New Zealand

Work history

Jan 2012 to present: Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, and Director, Centre for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapeutics (CCDT), University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. Director, China Australia Centre for Health Science Research; Adjunct Professor, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Malaysia;  JSS college of Pharmacy and Manipal College of Pharmacy, India.

Jun 2003­ to Dec 2011: Associate Professor and Deputy Head, School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland; Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, AnQual GLP Laboratories.

Jul 2002 to May 2003 Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Mohali, India; Assistant Professor from May 1998 to June 2002.

Apr 1995 to Apr 1998 Product Development Research Scientist and Assistant Professor, The Program for Topical Prevention of Conception and Disease (TOPCAD), Section of Ob/Gyn. Research, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Centre, Rush University, Chicago, USA.

Jul 1994 to Mar 1995 Research Associate, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, India.

Jul 1989 to Jul 1990 Product Executive with a Pharmaceutical Company, New Delhi, India.