About us
Transdermal Research Pharm Laboratories, LLC (TRPL) is a specialty contract research and development organization focused on providing customized pharmaceutical development solutions to pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and medical device industries. TRPL offers its services in two specialized area-development of Topical/Transdermal delivery systems and pharmaceutical development solutions using in-vitro models.
With more than 75 years of combined experience in the development of topical and transdermal products, TRPL is committed to offering a customized solution of the highest caliber to help develop your product in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. Our highly knowledgeable and experienced scientific team will provide individual attention to every research and development project with utmost care and attention to detail. Our core expertise in in-vitro percutaneous absorption studies and in vivo models can significantly expedite your development process through unique customized approaches.
TRPL employs Ph.D.s, Masters, PharmD, BS, and technicians. All our scientists are experts in the development of topical and transdermal products, in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Most recently, TRPL opened a new 4000 sqft state-of-the-art research and development facility in Paramus, NJ, which soon will be modified to a GMP facility. TRPL-Long Island City Facility holds a DEA schedule I-IV license for research and manufacturing.
TRPL has established a new standard in contract research capabilities, providing customized solutions in in-vitro model development for all drug discovery and development needs of a pharmaceutical company. We have successfully developed over 15 drug molecules in transdermal formulation with once a day to 7- day delivery. We pride ourselves in maintaining rigorous regulatory and ethical standards in our research services.
Our formulation development scientists during the development of your product will make sure that we use unique and innovative approaches to submit a provisional patent application.
The Team
Fotios Plakogiannis, Ph.D.
Managing Partner
Dr. Plakogiannis served as a professor in the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy at Long Island University for over 45 years and for over 25 years was the Director of the Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the College. He was instrumental in establishing the Scientific Graduate Division (MS and Ph.D. program) and was the recipient of the TASA Award for Lifetime Achievement Award, Founder Award, among numerous other prestigious awards. Dr. Plakogiannis has authored three books and more than 100 research papers with the majority in the area of Transdermal Delivery. He has mentored more than 200 MS and Ph.D. degrees, served as Chair of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences Basic Pharmaceutical Section, and has presented his work in the USA and Europe. Dr. Plakogiannis has been a visiting professor at a number of universities, including but not limited to Kentucky University and the University of Arizona. In addition, he has served as a consultant for the pharmaceutical industry and has served as an expert witness in several cases. Dr. Plakogiannis holds a diploma from the University of Athens (Greece), a Masters degree from Ohio State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Southern California.
Nisarg Modi, Ph.D.
Director of Research & Development
Dr. Modi is a Director of R&D at Transdermal Research Pharm Laboratories, LLC. Dr. Modi completed his Bachelor of Pharmacy from Sardar Patel University, India, and received his M.S. and Ph.D. from the Division of Pharmaceutical Science at Long Island University, Brooklyn. Dr. Modi has expertise in developing transdermal drug delivery systems for new chemical entities (NCE) and approved drug products through the 505 (b)2 pathway with successful clinical trials. He has more than 10 years of experience in controlled release product development with a strong emphasis on multiple-day transdermal drug delivery systems. His work in transdermal drug delivery has resulted in a number of patents. Prior to joining TRPL, he volunteered at the High Throughput Screening (HTS) core-facility of Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer center to determine the solubility of HTS library compounds using novel Nephelometry technique. He acquired solid dosage formulation development and manufacturing experience by working at Apex Pharmaceuticals Inc., Torrent Pharmaceutical Ltd., and Lincoln Pharmaceutical Ltd.
Tammana Lather, M.S.
Senior Scientist
Manager Paramus Laboratory
Tamanna Lather is working as a Research Scientist in Transdermal Research Pharm Laboratories. She received her B.S. Pharmacy and Post Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs from India, and her M.S. Pharmaceutics with specialization in transdermal drug delivery from Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Long Island University. During her Masters, she was selected as a scholar in the Rho Chi Society. She has 10 years of research and development experience in Transdermal Drug Delivery. Her expertise is in developing transdermal gel and matrix patch with multiple day drug delivery. She is co-author of several patents and patent applications. Her work in transdermal drug delivery development has successfully reached animal studies and clinical trials. She has strong analytical and quantitative skills, her inquisitiveness and determination, drive her to contribute to Transdermal Drug Delivery Development.
Yuliya Levintova, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist
Yuliya Levintova is a Senior Scientist at Transdermal Research Laboratories, LLC. Dr. Levintova completed her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science from the Division of Pharmaceutical Science at Long Island University in the area of Transdermal Drug Delivery. Prior to joining TRPL, Dr. Levintova had about 10 years of experience in the generic pharmaceutical industry. She was a part of the formulation team at Hi-Tech Pharmacal and Manager of Product Development at Saptalis Pharmaceuticals, LLC. She accomplished hands-on R&D experience with broad development and innovation in prescription products. She has pharmaceutical expertise in product and process development including formulation of semisolid dosage forms (gels, creams, ointments, and pastes), oral liquid formulations (suspensions, solutions) as well as nasal and ophthalmic dosage forms (solutions, gel-forming solutions, and suspensions). Dr. Levintova has strong skills in team leadership, effective communication, product lifecycle management, and cross-functional collaboration.
Mohammad Junaid, Ph.D.
Scientist
Mohammad Junaid is a formulation scientist at TRPL. Dr. Junaid completed his Master of Pharmacy degree from Southern University Bangladesh and his Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences at Mercer University, Atlanta. Dr. Junaid specializes in formulation development for both large and small molecules. Before joining TRPL, Dr. Junaid worked on vaccine drug product development as a Co-op for Merck & Co. He has published multiple research papers on transdermal drug delivery. Dr. Junaid will be a valuable scientific contributor to the diverse TRPL family.
Socratis Georgiou
Administrative Assistant
Socratis Georgiou attended DeVry College majoring in Information Technology (IT) Network management and is A+ Certified by CompTia. Prior to moving to New York, he lived in Cyprus and London and worked in various industries some of which include the military, police, hospitality, and real estate. Mr. Georgiou has successfully executed his skills in these industries. Mr. Georgiou joined TRPL in 2020 and manages all the IT infrastructure and administration.
Marina Borovinskaya, Ph.D.
Scientific Consultant
Dr. Marina Borovinskaya is a scientist with over 10 years of laboratory and research experience in the pharmaceutical science field. She graduated from Long Island University with a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Science in Transdermal Drug Delivery. Before joining TRPL Dr. Borovinskaya was a part of the formulation team in the R&D department in Sigmapharm Laboratories which was engaged in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of unique generic and brand products. Dr. Borovinskaya has extensive experience in the formulation design and development of unique drugs via transdermal patches.
Don McAfee, Ph.D.
Scientific Consultant
Dr. Donald McAfee has been a scientist and manager in academia and industry for more than 40 years. His undergraduate studies were at the University of Chicago and Portland State University, and he earned his Ph.D. at the University of Oregon School of Medicine (OHSU) in Physiology. He did his postdoctoral studies at Yale University under Dr. Paul Greengard, Nobel Laureate. During a long academic career researching ion channel pharmacology and biophysics in excitable tissues at Yale University, University of Miami, Beckman Research Institute, and the University of British Columbia, he published more than 100 scientific papers. Dr. McAfee has served as a VP and chief scientific officer at Nelson Research, Whitby Pharmaceuticals, Cardiome Pharma, and Aequus Pharma. He founded Discovery Therapeutics and led the initial development of Neupro™, a transdermal patch for the treatment of Parkinson's Disease and Restless Leg Syndrome now marketed worldwide.