Hans Lennernäs - Biography#
Hans Lennernäs is a full professor in biopharmaceutics, drug discovery, and development at Uppsala University. According to the latest Stanford/Elsevier ranking (2024), he is ranked 104th among 150,000 researchers in the sub-discipline of Pharmacology-Pharmacy (https://topresearcherslist.com/). He is a well-cited author with more than 23 500 citations and a H-index of 68 -71(web of science, Google Scholars, Research Gate and Scopus).
Lennernäs has made pioneering contributions to drug delivery, absorption, and pharmacokinetics, particularly focusing on oral drug delivery and understanding gastrointestinal drug absorption. Between 1992 and 2000, he served as Principal Investigator in a collaborative project with the FDA (USA), the University of Michigan (USA), and the Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA). This work led to the creation of the FDA’s Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS), a breakthrough regulatory framework that predicts drug absorption and pharmacokinetics based on physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties. Today, BCS is a globally adopted tool in pharmaceutical research, aiding in the design of drug formulations and dosage regimens.
In addition to his contributions to regulatory science, Lennernäs has advanced novel drug delivery technologies, including modified-release systems for sublingual, oral, intraprostatic, and intrahepatic dosing. He is a prolific and highly cited researcher with over 23,500 citations and an H-index of 68 (Web of Science).
He is one of the innovators and developers of a novel treatment for various acute pain conditions (Rapinyl® later Abstral®). He has also together with co-inventors initiated five other start-up companies. One company has developed a novel oral replacement therapy (Plenadren®) for Addison disease (approved by EMA 2011) and the second public company is developing of local drug product of localised prostate cancer (phase III-trials). Another innovation in ENDORIZ AB is used for the circadian based oral hormone treatment of hypothyroidism. He has been on the board on several companies such as Aqilion AB, LIDDS AB, Recipharm Pharmaceutical AB, Nanologica AB, Empros Pharma AB, Canthera AB, ENDORIZ AB, Sweden.
Throughout his career, Lennernäs has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards (see above). He has been the managing entity for an EU-grant from IMI (Innovative Medicine Initiative) of 24.5 MEuro during 2012-2018. He received the highest research rank after an external international evaluation at UU during 2011 (Quality and Renewal 2011)
Currently, his research focuses on innovative treatment approaches for hepatocellular carcinoma, prostate cancer, endocrinological disorders, and gastrointestinal diseases, including chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Lennernäs is also the inventor of over 23 patents and patent applications. Among his notable innovations is Rapinyl®, a treatment for acute pain conditions. He has co-founded five start-up companies, including one that developed Plenadren®, an oral replacement therapy for Addison’s disease, approved by the EMA in 2011. He is currently engaged in Endoriz AB.
