Dr. Burgess

Diane J. Burgess, Ph.D.
Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Pharmaceutics, Pfizer Distinguished Endowed 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. 2026 AAPS Distinguished Pharmaceutical Scientist Award; 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. 326 refereed publications 790 research presentations, 367 invited presentations, 34 keynote/plenary addresses. 17 patents, 14 licensed and 8 products commercialized.

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

Students Advised

  • Major Advisor to 51 Ph.D. and 4 M.S. (major advisor) (43 graduated, 8 current Ph.D. students)
  • Major Advisor to 23 postdoctoral fellows and 12 visiting research fellows
  • Major Advisor to 234 undergraduate research students (including 32 honors students and 4 University Scholars)(220 previous, 14 current) 

Most senior graduate students have received awards for their research: 24 have received AAPS graduate student research awards; 13 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; 8 have received UCONN, campus-wide research achievement awards; 2 were winners of the Schering-Plough Science and Innovation Award; 32 have received departmental research awards; 38 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. 20 undergraduate research students have received a total of 24 research awards from UConn Office of Undergraduate Research.

Publications and Presentations

  • 326 referred publications with 24597 total citations, 9324 since 2021, H-index 86 (data from Google Scholar, September 27, 2026)
  • 790 research presentations
  • 367 invited lectures and presentations, including 34 keynote and plenary addresses

Funding

  • 34.55 million (US) in research funding from government agencies, research institutions and companies. Eleven active awards, including 5.70 million new awards in last three years (2024- 2026).

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 LNPs 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. DIANT’s six 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 

  • 2026 AAPS Distinguished Pharmaceutical Scientist Award
  • 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 Advisory Board Member

  • International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2004- to date
  • The AAPS Journal, 1999 – to date
  • AAPS PharmSci Tech, 2001 – to date
  • International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2004 – to date
  • The Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 2003 – to date
  • Journal of Microencapsulation, 1997 - to date.
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1995 – to date
  • Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 1997 - to date.
  • Current Drug Discovery, 1998 to date
  • Critical Reviewers in Therapeutic Drug Carrier Systems, 2004 - to date
  • Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 2006 – to date
  • The Journal of Drug Delivery and Transformational Research, 2011- to date
  • Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, 2011- to date

Patents

Patents

  1. J. Burgess, X Wang Textured film for use in dissolution adapter and uses thereof. US Patent App. 19/350,768, US 20260098847A1 Published April 9, 2026.
  2. 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.
  3. Bao, D.J. Burgess. “Adapters for dissolution and uses thereof”. United States Patent Application number US63/464,677, filed May 8, 2023. Licensed to Sotax
  4. 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.
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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-124342088 B2, issued September 7, 2025. Licensed to and developed by DIANT Pharma. The product is commercially available.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. 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).
  15. 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.
  16. Moussy, D. Kreutzer, D.J. Burgess, J. Koberstein, F. Papadimitrakopolous and S. Huang. "Apparatus and method for control of tissue/implant unteractions". United States Patent publication number US-2003/0099682 A1 filed May 29, 2003. Licensed by and is being developed by a private company (Biorasis).
  17. 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

2026 – 2029  FDA, Contract # 75F40126C00088, $1,207,750, PI

“Mechanistic Insight into Aggregation Behavior and Predictive Modeling of Long-Acting Injectable Nano-Suspensions”

2026 – 2029  FDA, Contract #  75F40126C00059, $789,844, PI

“Advancing LNG-IUSs Development Through Accelerated Testing, IVIVR, and Predictive Modeling Approaches”

2026-2029     USDA, GRANT# 14558397, $650,000, Co-PI (PI Xiuchun Tian)

“Farm-Ready Nano-Formulations of A Novel Small Molecule and Their in vivo Efficacy to Prevent and Treat Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome

2026– 2028   CPPR, $140,731, Co-PI

“Quantification of Sinker-Induced Hydrodynamic Variability on Capsules in a USP-2 Apparatus”

2026– 2028   CPPR, $140,797, PI

“Understanding Injection Site Reactions (ISRs) of Model Compounds via In Vitro Assessments”

2025 – 2026  Pacira, $87,545 PI

“Understanding Triamcinolone Microsphere Structure and Impact on Drug Release”

2025 – 2027  GSK, $330,651 PI

“Optimizing Monoclonal Antibody Formulation Stability and Subcutaneous Absorption”

2025 – 2026  BMS, $189,310 PI

“Development of In vitro-in vivo Correlation for Long-Acting Injectable Drug Products”

2025 – 2027  CPPR, $141,905, PI

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

2024 – 2027  FDA, Grant #U01FD008304, $912,790, PI

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

2023 – 2027  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”

 

1988 – 2026  122 completed grants with 29+ million

Recent Invited Presentations

  1. D.J. Burgess. “Understanding the complex interplay of formulation aspects and the in vivo environment on drug release mechanisms from long acting injectable suspensions”. FDA-CRCG Workshop on “LAI Generics: Advancing Innovation in Product Dev. & Regulatory Assessment“. Rockville, MD, to be presented on December, 1-2, 2026
  2. D.J. Burgess.  "Seeing is believing: importance of detailed characterization in understanding complex parenteral drug products". AAPS PharmSci 360. Keynote presentation. New Orleans, LA, to be presented on October 27th, 2026.
  3. D.J. Burgess. "Overcoming challenges in liposome development, manufacturing, and testing".  AAPS PharmSci 360, USP Workshop. New Orleans, LA, to be presented on  October 26th, 2026
  4. D.J. Burgess, “Advances in Formulation, Characterization and Manufacturing of Complex Injectables”. Ascendia Pharmaceutical Solutions Workshop on Advances in Innovative Technologies for Formulation & Delivery of Molecules Across All Modalities, Princeton, NJ, September 15th, 2026
  5. D.J. Burgess. “Exploring LAIs: In vitro release testing, injection site reaction, development of IVIVCs and continuous manufacturing”. Online presentation to Gilead Sciences, November 18th, 2025
  6. D.J. Burgess. “Understanding complex injectable therapeutics and developing in vitro release testing methods and IVIVCs”, Department of Industrial and Molecular Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, Oct 2025.
  7. D.J. Burgess. “Advanced continuous manufacturing to accelerate production of LNPs”, GSRS 2025, Lausanne Switzerland, Sep 17, 2025.
  8. D.J. Burgess.”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.
  9. D.J. Burgess. “Formulation, Advanced Manufacturing, Testing and Development of IVIVCs for Comnplex Parenterals”, Departamento de Ciencias y Tecnología Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile, August 20th, 2025.
  10. D.J. Burgess.” Intermolecular interactions and complex dosage form performance”. 7th David J.W. Grant Symposium on solod-state pharmaceutics. June 18-20, Minneapolis, MN 2025. Keynote Address
  11. D.J. Burgess. Novel adapters for in vitro release testing of long acting parenterals. PION Inc. Billerica, MA, May 15th, 2025.
  12. D.J. Burgess. “Uncovering advanced strategies for continuous manufacturing to accelerate production of LNPs”. LNP Summit. Boston, MA, April 15, 2025.
  13. D.J. Burgess. “Formulation, testing and development of IVIVCs for complex parenterals”. School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM, March 31st, 2025.
  14. D.J. Burgess. “Long acting injectables: in vitro release testing and in vitro-in vivo correlation”. Pharmaceutical Technology, Webcast. March 26th, 2025.
  15. D.J. Burgess. “Long acting injectables: in vitro release testing and in vitro-in vivo correlation”. Bristol Myers Squibb, Online Presentation. December 12th, 2024.
  16. D.J. Burgess. “Intermolecular interactions and complex dosage form performance”. NIPTE Research Conference - the use of prior knowledge to reduce drug development time. Washington, DC. December 3rd, 2024.
  17. D.J. Burgess. “Case Studies on Complex Injectables: Formulation, in vitro release testing and in vitro-in vivo correlation”. Merck Animal Health, Rahway, NJ October 7th, 2024.
  18. D.J. Burgess. “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
  19. D.J. Burgess. “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.
  20. D.J. Burgess. “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