Diane J. Burgess, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor,
Pfizer Distinguished Chair in Pharmaceutical Technology, UConn

Biography

Biography

B.Sc. Pharmacy, University of Strathclyde (1979) and Ph.D. Pharmaceutics, University of London (1984). Fellow of AAPS, CRS, APSTJ, AIMBE and NAI. 2010 CRS President; 2002 AAPS President. Editor of IJP (2009 – 2018). Editorial board 14 international journals. 2024 NIPTE Grant Distinguished Scholar; 2023 AAPS Advancement of Women in Pharmaceutical Sciences; 2023 UConn AAUP Marth Mentorship Award; 2018 AAPS Wurster Award; 2014 AAPS Research Achievement Award; 2014 AAPS Outstanding Educator Award; 2014 CRS Distinguished Service Award; 2013 AAPS IPEC Shangraw Award; 2010 CRSI Fellowship, 2011 APSTJ Nagai Woman Scientist Award. 311 refereed publications 776 research presentations, 366 invited presentations, 30 keynote/plenary addresses. 15 patents, 12 licensed and 8 products commercialized.

Founder, DIANT Pharma (2019). DIANT develops continuous manufacturing technology for nanoparticles.

Students Advised

  • Major Advisor to 50 Ph.D. and 4 M.S. (major advisor) (42 graduated, 8 current Ph.D. students)
  • Major Advisor to 23 postdoctoral fellows and 12 visiting research fellows
  • Major Advisor to 223 undergraduate research students (including 28 honors students and 2 University Scholars)(215 previous, 8 current) 

Most senior graduate students have received awards for their research: 19 have received AAPS graduate student research awards; 12 have received the AAPS IPEC Foundation Excipient Graduate Student award; 1 has received CRS graduate student research award; 2 have received Pre-doctoral Fellowships from American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE); 1 has received the outstanding research award from the Diabetes Technology Society; 7 have received UCONN, campus-wide research achievement awards; 2 were winners of the Schering-Plough Science and Innovation Award; 30 have received departmental research awards; 25 have received the Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Award from UCONN Graduate School; 4 have received UCONN campus-wide Outstanding Teaching Assistant of the Year Awards and 2 have received the UConn Outstanding Senior Women Achievement Award. One postdoc has received the AAPS postdoctoral fellow research award. Ten undergraduate research students have received a total of 16 research awards from UConn Office of Undergraduate Research. 

Publications and Presentations

  • 311 referred publications in international journals with 22776 total citations, 9068 since 2020, H-index 82 (data from Google Scholar, September 23, 2025)
  • 776 research presentations
  • 366 invited lectures and presentations, including 30 keynote and plenary addresses

Funding

  • $30.9 million (US) in research funding from government agencies, research institutions and companies. Eight active awards, including 3 million awards in last three years (2022 - 2024). 

Founder, DIANT Pharma

Founded in 2019, DIANT Pharma (https://diantpharma.com) develops proprietary continuous manufacturing technology for nanoparticles with a wide array of applications throughout multiple industries, such as lipid nanoparticles and liposomes for pharmaceutical formulations. Using a proprietary, continuous ethanol-injection system, DIANT’s technology is able to form nanoparticles with controlled particle size at high flow rates. DIANT offers a robust, continuous platform for nanoparticle concentration and sterile filtration and has experience with in-line processing and concentrating systems. DIANT also boasts a continuous drug encapsulation technique to achieve ~100% drug encapsulation. DIANT has created robust and reliable, modular technology that can be used to produce a variety of complex drug delivery products. DIANTs commercially available continuous manufacturing systems range from a tabletop laboratory unit to a cGMP ready, 21 CFR compliant system that is capable of producing 20 L of product per minute. This platform technology is revolutionizing the production of complex parenterals such as liposomes and LNPs (lipid nanoparticles). 

Dr. Burgess’ key awards and honors 

  • 2024 NIPTE David J. W. Grant Distinguished Scholar in Basic Pharmaceutics 
  • 2023 Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
  • 2023 Recipient of the UConn American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Edward C. Marth Mentorship Award.
  • 2023 AAPS Alice E. Till Advancement of Women in Pharmaceutical Sciences
  • 2018 AAPS Dale E. Wurster Award for Excellence in Pharmaceutics Research
  • 2014 AAPS Research Achievement Award in Formulation Design and Development
  • 2014 AAPS Outstanding Educator Award in Pharmaceutical Technology
  • 2014 CRS (Controlled Release Society) Distinguished Service Award

Dr. Burgess is a fellow of AAPS (American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists) and of AIMBE (American Institute for Medical Biological Engineering). She served as elected President of AAPS in 2002 and CRS (Controlled Release Society) in 2009. She is a member of the USP Biopharmaceutics Expert committee and the USP Advisory Panel on Injectables. Dr. Burgess has served on NIH study sections on Drug Delivery and Biomedical engineering, Drug Delivery and Drug Discovery, Gene and Drug Delivery, and Nanomedicene as well as many special study sections for NIDA, NIDDK and NCI (2001- to date). In 2001 she undertook a sabbatical at the Office of Testing and Research at CDER, FDA. She consults for pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and other industries.

Editorial memberships

  • International Journal of Pharmaceutics (2004-Date)
  • The AAPS Journal (1999-Date)
  • AAPS Pharm Sci Tech (2001-Date)
  • The Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology (2003-Date)
  • Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (1997-Date)
  • Journal of Microencapsulation (1997-Date)
  • Current Drug Discovery (1998-Date)
  • Critical Reviews in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems (2004-Date)
  • Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology (2006 – Date)
  • The Journal of Drug Delivery and Transformational Research (2011-Date)
  • Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B (2011-Date)

Patents

Patents

  1. D.J. Burgess, N. Malavia, Q. Bao. “Dissolution adapter, method of manufacture and method of use thereof”. United States Patent Publication number 20240374478, filed May 8, 2024, published November 14, 2024. Licensed to PION Inc. in December 20204 and two products are commercially available. 
  2. Q. Bao, D.J. Burgess. “Adapters for dissolution and uses thereof”. United States Patent Application number US63/464,677, filed May 8, 2023. Under consideration for licensing 
  3. A.P. Costa, D.J. Burgess. “Permeation apparatus, system and method” United States Patent Publication number 20230256360, filed February 14, 2023, published August 17, 2023. Licensed to DIANT Pharma and in use in product development. 
  4. G. Yenduri, D.J. Burgess, A.P. Costa. “Particle modifiers for multi-drug loaded nanoparticles”. United States Patent Publication number 20230330025, filed April 17, 2023, published October 19, 2023. Licensed to DIANT Pharma and in use in product development 
  5. D.J. Burgess, X. Wang. “Long-acting injectable in situ forming biodegradable implants comprising non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs”. United States Patent Provisional Application number PCT/US2022/051358, filed November 30, 2022; published June 8, 2023. Licensed to ForDoz Pharma Corp. on December 28, 2022. 
  6. A.P. Costa, D.J. Burgess. “Particle Filtration”. United States Patent Publication number 20240252987, filed June 3, 2022; published August 1, 2024. Licensed to and developed by DIANT Pharma. The product is commercially available. 
  7. D.J. Burgess, X. Wang, Q. Bo, M.S Suh, M. Kastellorizios. "Dissolution adapter and method of use”. United States Patent Application number US63/285,169, filed December 2, 2021; PCT application filed November 30, 2022. Licensed to Sotax on January 1, 2022. 
  8. D.J. Burgess, J. He, Q. Bao. “Implantable medical devices with enhanced biocompatibility”. United States Patent Publication number 20230338701, filed September 21, 2021; published October 26, 2023; Europe Application number 21870407.0, filed April 20, 2023. Under consideration for licensing. 
  9. A.P. Costa, D.J. Burgess. “A continuous processing system and methods for internal and external modifications to nanoparticles”. United States Patent Application Number US17/286,956, filed October 28, 2019; US-2021/0379545-A1, published December 9, 2021. Licensed to and developed by DIANT Pharma.  The product is commercially available. 
  10. R.V. Lalla, D.J. Burgess, T Li. “Long-acting local anesthetic formulation”. United States Patent number 12251378 issued March 18, 2025. Filed May 8, 2019. Europe Application number 19799214.2.  
  11. A.P. Costa, D.J. Burgess. “Systems and methods for continuous manufacturing of liposomal drug formulations”. United States Patent number US-10632072-B2, issued April 28, 2020. Licensed to and developed by DIANT Pharma. The product is commercially available. 
  12. L. Wang, D.L. Wright, D.J. Burgess. “Compositions and methods for the treatment of liver fibrosis”. United States Patent Publication number 2018/0320177 A1, Published November 8, 2018. 
  13. F. Jain, F. Papadimitrakopouolos, D.J. Burgess, D.H Grantham. “Implantable biosensor and methods of use thereof”. United States Patent number US-8914090-B2, issued December 16, 2014. Licensed by and is being developed by a private company (Biorasis). 
  14. U. Bhardwaj, D.J. Burgess. “Dialysis adapter cell and method of release testing of a disperse dosage form” United States Patent number US-8318506-B2, issued November 27, 2012. Licensed to and developed by a Sotax Corp. The product is commercially available. 
  15. F. Moussy, D. Kreutzer, D.J. Burgess, J. Koberstein, F. Papadimitrakopolous and S. Huang. "Implant coating for control of tissue/implant interactions". United States Patent number US-6497729-B1, issued December 24, 2002. Licensed by and is being developed by a private company (Biorasis). 

Active Grants

2025 – 2027 CPPR, $141,905, PI 

“Development of Platform Dissolution Methods for Long-Acting Injectable Formulations”  

2025 – 2025 Pion, Grant #AG250429, $4,996. PI 

“In vitro drug release testing of medroxyprogesterone acetate suspensions using novel adapter with Pion Rainbow System” 

2024 – 2027  FDA, Grant #U01FD008304, $800,000, PI 

“Development of PBPK Model-Based Mechanistic IVIVCs for Long-Acting Injectable Suspensions” 

2024 – 2024 Afaxys, $20,920, PI 

“In Vitro Drug Release Testing Medroxyprogesterone Acetate SubQ” 

2023 – 2026 FDA, Grant #75F40123C00142, $1,103,886, PI 

Impact of API CQAs on in situ forming implants and understanding in vitro and in vivo performance differences” 

2023 – 2024 UConn CRISP (Clinical Research and Innovation Seed Program), $48,170.45, Co PI, (PI, Rajesh Lalla) 

“Clinical testing of a novel formulation of a topical anesthetic for oral mucositis pain in patients with cancer” 

2022 – 2024 FDA, Grant #75F40122C001632020, $709,554, PI 

“Correlative 3D Imaging and AI analysis to establish critical performance attributes of polymeric microsphere products in support of performance evaluation” 

2022 – 2024 CPPR, $97,962, PI 

“Spray-freeze-dried mucoadhesive microparticles for oral delivery of proteins/peptides” 

2021 – 2024 FDA, Grant #75F40121C00133, $1,324,913, PI 

“Enhancement and validation of in vitro – in vivo correlation method for long acting injectable drug products to accelerate their generic development” 

2020 – 2025 FDA, Grant #2U01FD005443-06, $1,255,000, PI 

“Development of real-time and accelerated dissolution methods for a long-acting levonorgestrel intrauterine system” 

 

1988 – 2023  115 completed grants with 23+ million

Recent Invited Presentations

  1. Impact of microstructure on the in vitro and in vivo performance of drug loaded microspheres. 23rd International Symposium on Microencapsulation - A tribute to Prof. Patrick DeLuca. Ferrara, Italy. Sep 10-12, 2025 
  2. Intermolecular interactions and complex dosage form performance. 7th David J.W. Grant Symposium on solod-state pharmaceutics. June 18-20, 2025. Keynote Address 
  3. Novel adapters for in vitro release testing of long acting parenterals. PION Inc. May 15th, 2025 
  4. Uncovering advanced strategies for continuous manufacturing to accelerate production of LNPs. LNP Summit. April 15, 2025 
  5. Formulation, testing and development of IVIVCs for complex parenterals. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of New Mexico. March 31st, 2025 
  6. Long acting injectables: in vitro release testing and in vitro-in vivo correlation. Pharmaceutical Technology, Webcast. March 26th, 2025 
  7. Long acting injectables: in vitro release testing and in vitro-in vivo correlation. Bristol Myers Squibb, Online Presentation. December 12th, 2024 
  8. Intermolecular interactions and complex dosage form performance. NIPTE Research Conference - the use of prior knowledge to reduce drug development time. December 3rd, 2024 
  9. Case Studies on Complex Injectables: Formulation, in vitro release testing and in vitro-in vivo correlation. Merck Animal Health, Rahway, NJ October 7th, 2024. 
  10. In Vitro and In Vivo Testing of Complex Parenterals and Development of IVIVCs. 14th American DDF (Drug Delivery & Formulation) Summit. San Diego, CA. September 16th, 2024. Keynote Address 
  11. Recent progresses on development of long-acting injectables. Part 1: Formulation and novel manufacturing of in situ forming, micro-sphere, lipid nanoparticles. Part 2; Corresponding performance and IVIVC testing. Abbvie. Irvine, CA. June 6th, 2024. 
  12. “Continuous manufacturing of complex parenterals such as mRNA vaccines and liposomes”. 11th Annual Symposium on Drug Delivery Systems, Osaka Japan, May 22nd, 2024. Keynote Address 
  13. “Impact of PLGA characteristics on the performance of long acting injectable drug products”. IPEC Americas, Excipient World 2024, May 13th, 2024. 
  14. “Continuous manufacturing platform for nanoparticle-based complex parenteral therapeutics”. University of Texas at Austin, April 23, 2024. 
  15. “Continuous manufacturing of complex parenterals such as mRNA vaccines and liposomes”. The 9th World Congress on Recent advances in Nanotechnology, Imperial College, London, April 9th, 2024. Plenary Lecture. 
  16. “Continuous manufacturing platform for nanoparticle-based complex parenteral therapeutics”. AAPS NERDG, Mystic, CT. March 22nd, 2024. 
  17. “Complex parenterals: in vitro release testing, development of IVIVC and continuous manufacturing”. Online presentation for Boehringer Ingelheim, March 21st, 2024. 
  18. Understanding in situ forming implants and development of appropriate in vitro testing methods. Characterization of Complex Excipients and Formulations Workshop. CRCG (Center for Research on Complex Generics), FDA. Rockville, MD. December 7th, 2023 
  19. Impact of polymer attributes on the performance of in situ forming implants to improve scientific approaches to evaluate generic drugs. Virtual ORS Scientific Presentation, FDA. December 4th, 2023 
  20. Continuous manufacturing platform for nanoparticle-based complex parenteral therapeutics. International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences (CIFARP 2023). Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. November 17, 2023