Research Interests
Professor Thakur welcomes PhD applications in the broad area of drug delivery, with a focus on the following research themes:
- Controlled drug delivery systems for the treatment of chronic disorders
- Delivery of small molecules and biologics using advanced platforms such as injectable implants, preformed implants, microparticles, and nanoparticles for ocular applications
- Synthesis and characterisation of block copolymers for sustained and targeted drug delivery
- Electrospun drug delivery systems for enhanced topical ocular delivery
- Thermoresponsive and in situ depot-forming hydrogel systems for long-acting formulations
- Nanoparticle-based platforms offering improved drug loading and enhanced penetration across biological barriers
- Microneedle technologies for minimally invasive transscleral and transcorneal delivery
- Medical device development for drug delivery applications
Public outreach & key achievements
Professor Thakur’s pioneering research in ocular drug delivery has translated into high-impact public engagement and entrepreneurial success. His work led to the founding of Re-Vana Therapeutics Ltd, a Queen’s University Belfast spinout developing long-acting drug delivery technologies to address unmet needs in chronic retinal diseases.
Re-Vana has grown into a thriving biotech company with over 20 full-time employees, raising multi-million-pound investment across Seed, Pre-Series A, and Series A rounds from leading venture capital firms in the USA, EU, and UK. The company’s platform technologies aim to reduce the frequency of intravitreal injections and improve therapeutic outcomes for diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema.
Notable public and entrepreneurial achievements include:
- Featured inThe DNA of Innovation, Volume V: New Voices, New Impact, recognising leading research with transformative societal and commercial impact.
- Winner, ‘Life and Health’ category, INVENT 2015, awarded by NISP CONNECT at the Northern Ireland Science Park.
- Silver Award Winner, MassChallenge UK 2015, one of the top global startup accelerators (selected from over 2,200 international applicants).
- Winner, Retina Innovation Award for Drug Delivery 2022 at the OIS Retina Summit, a major recognition within the global ophthalmology industry.
- Winner, Business Innovation Award 2022, sponsored by Belfast City Council, recognising commercial innovation and regional economic impact.
- In 2025, Re-Vana entered a landmark strategic collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim, a deal valued at over $1 billion in potential development and commercial milestones, positioning the company at the forefront of next-generation retinal therapeutics.
Through these achievements, Professor Thakur exemplifies how academic research can deliver global impact through entrepreneurship, job creation, and patient-centred innovation. He remains committed to inspiring young scientists and contributing to the innovation ecosystem across the UK and beyond.
Research students
| PhD Title | Depot forming nanoparticles for sustained ocular drug delivery |
| Name | Yu Wu |
| Country | China |
| Year of Study | 2018-2021 |
| PhD Title | Electrospinning-based ocular inserts for enhanced topical delivery |
| Name | Shubhamkumar M Baviskar |
| Country | India |
| Year of Study | 2018-2021 |
| EdD Title | Synthesis and characterization of block polymers micelles |
| Name | Ahmad Assiri |
| Country | Saudi |
| Year of Study | 2019-2022 |
Alumni: Where are they now
| PhD Title | Sustained release biodegradable ocular drug delivery systems |
| Name | Dr Hannah McMillan |
| Year of Study | 2012-2015 |
| Country | UK |
| Current Position | Formulation Scientist at Actavis, Belfast |
| PhD Title | Development and Evaluation of Biodegradable Implants for long-term ocular drug delivery |
| Name | Dr Kathryn McAvoy |
| Year of Study | 2014-2017 |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Current Position | Formulation Scientist Warner Chilcott |