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Phytopharmacy and Natural Products Group

«Combining the focus on nature with the scientific evaluation of traditional knowledge offers an inspiring approach to drug discovery.»

Dr. Andreas Lardos
Head of Phytopharmacy and Natural Products

Medicinal plants are an important resource for traditional and modern medicines. Using modern and innovative methods we investigate herbal substances from raw material or multicomponent extracts to fractions or isolated compounds.

Phytopharmacy deals with the value chain of dried or fresh plant parts or other biomass to the finished plant-based medicinal product or food supplement. The various process steps can be optimized in a targeted manner and modern analysis of the natural substance mixtures ensures quality. Research into the necessary raw materials, the medicinal plant, is also an integral part of phytopharmacy.

Competencies

The Phytopharmacy group at the ZHAW in Wädenswil is dedicated to the research of medicinal plants and natural substances of plant origin. This includes quality assessments, analyses, processing, toxicological and pharmaceutical evaluation, evidence of traditional use and product development of both known and new plants. It is a contact point for industry, associations and authorities and offers various R&D collaborations, services and further training in the field.

In particular, we offer expertise in

Research and services

The Phytopharmacy group

What we offer

Our team works on issues in the following areas and with the corresponding technologies:

Natural raw materials

Extraction and drying

Galenics

Chromatography and analytics

Quality management

Phyto Network

Through the broad networking with various institutes, companies and institutions the ZHAW’s Phytopharmacy group pools forces and promotes innovation. To this end, the network for phytopharmacy and phytotherapy was created to bring the various interests together to find solutions and discuss current topics. As a neutral partner, we form the core of this network and thus offer a point of contact for any questions that may arise and are also happy to pass on know-how within the network.

Veterinary medicines

As part of a research project supported by various foundations and the canton of Graubünden, Franziska Klarer has compiled old knowledge about herbal medicines in veterinary medicine. This resulted in the book "Jenzerwurz und Chäslichrut", which was published by Haupt-Verlag. You can find the results here (in German only).

Studies

Phytopharmacy is taught as part of the Pharmaceutical Technology lecture of the Bachelor's degree course in Biotechnology.

Literature, semester, Bachelor's and Master's theses on phytopharmaceutical topics are offered for application of what has been learned. They are based on practical experience and are often formulated in collaboration with a partner from industry, associations or authorities (pharmacopoeia).

Continuing education

The continuing education program consists of the varied course program of the Swiss Medical Society for Phytotherapy (SMGP) as well as courses for industry and authorities in the field of quality and production of phytopharmaceuticals.

In addition to the courses organized by us, the ZHAW offers a varied program for personal development.

Team