About

Abhijit Date, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Pharmaceutical Sciences department. His professional contact information includes a location at 655 N. Alvernon Way, Suite 204, Tucson, AZ 85711, with phone and fax numbers provided for patient appointments and departmental communication. The webpage indicates his affiliation with the Ophthalmology Department and the College of Medicine, emphasizing his role in advancing research and education within ophthalmology and vision science.

Research topics

• Chemistry
• Chromatography
• Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical engineering
• Composite material
• Materials science
• Biochemistry
• Internal medicine
• Ophthalmology

Selected publications

• Kinase-independent signaling by PIM1 promotes drug resistance by increasing mitophagy and reducing oxidative stress.

  Cancer Letters · 2026-05-01

  articleOpen access

  PIM kinases are overexpressed in castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and many small molecule PIM kinase inhibitors (smPIM inhibitors) have been designed to block the catalytic activity of PIM. However, smPIM inhibitors have shown limited efficacy in solid tumors. Notably, all these inhibitors share the common property that they increase total PIM protein levels, which limits their efficacy because PIM1 has kinase-independent pro-survival effects. Here, we identify high mobility box group 1 (HMGB1) as a novel PIM1 binding partner. Stabilization of PIM1 by smPIM inhibitors increases the cytosolic accumulation of HMGB1, which leads to activation of mitophagy and suppresses oxidative-stress induced cell death. Knockdown of PIM1/2/3 and/or HMGB1 sensitizes cancer cells to smPIM inhibitors. In contrast, treatment with a PIM PROTAC (PIMTAC) that we developed overcomes the kinase-independent pro-survival effects of PIM1 and is more effective than smPIM inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. These results uncover a mechanism of resistance that has limited the success of smPIM inhibitors and provides compelling evidence that targeted degradation of PIM is needed to realize its potential as an anti-cancer target.

  PublisherDOI

• Borneol-caprylic acid deep eutectic solvent (DES) based microemulsion gel for improved topical delivery of ivermectin

  International Journal of Pharmaceutics · 2026-03-29 · 1 citations

  articleSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Topical administration of in situ gelling formulation containing myricetin-polycarboxylate nanoparticles inhibits murine genital herpes infection

  International Journal of Pharmaceutics · 2026-02-21

  articleSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Drug screen reveals new potent host-targeted antivirals against Mpox virus

  Research Square · 2025-06-05

  preprintOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Rilpivirine Ionic Liquid Nanoemulsion Augments the Oral Bioavailability of Rilpivirine and Its Delivery to the HIV Sanctuary Sites

  ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces · 2025-05-20 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Rilpivirine (RPV) is a potent antiretroviral drug used for the long-term management of HIV infection. The high crystallinity and very low aqueous solubility of RPV are responsible for the highly variable pharmacokinetics of RPV seen in HIV-infected patients. While fatty meals can increase the absorption of RPV, the low lipid solubility of RPV precludes the development of oral lipid-based formulations such as self-nanoemulsifying systems (SNES). To improve the oral delivery of RPV, we evaluated the potential of six biocompatible bulky anions to transform RPV into amphiphilic RPV ionic liquids with high lipid solubility and only sodium docusate successfully yielded an amphiphilic RPV ionic liquid (IL), RPV docusate (RPV-Doc). Spectroscopic, chromatographic, and thermal characterization techniques confirmed the formation of RPV-Doc as an IL. RPV-Doc showed remarkably higher (∼100–200-fold) solubility in lipids compared to pure RPV. RPV-Doc was incorporated into two SNES formulations that, depending upon the composition of the SNES formulation, yielded a <100 or <250 nm nanoemulsion irrespective of the pH of the dilution medium. Oral pharmacokinetics and biodistribution studies in mice showed that both SNES formulations containing RPV-Doc yielded rapid and significantly higher oral bioavailability (∼6-fold higher Cmax and AUC) of RPV compared to the RPV suspension. Furthermore, compared to the RPV suspension, both SNES formulations containing RPV-Doc resulted in significantly higher and sustained RPV levels in the HIV sanctuary sites such as mesenteric lymph nodes and the brain. Taken together, our innovative approach can be used to improve the oral bioavailability and tissue penetration of RPV, which can eventually result in a reduction in the pharmacokinetic variability and therapeutic dose of RPV leading to optimal drug utilization.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Linagliptin-Based Deep Eutectic System to Improve Transdermal Delivery (Abstract ID: 166896)

  Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics · 2025-03-01

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Preformulation Studies for Microemulsion Formulation

  Apple Academic Press eBooks · 2025-06-27

  book-chapterSenior author

  Preformulation studies are crucial for the design and development of pharmaceutical products. During this stage, necessary information is gathered to create a strategy for the formulation process and its optimization. The selection of components for a parenteral microemulsion formulation depends on careful screening of the physical form of the drug, its stability, and its solubility profile. A stability-indicating analytical method is essential for obtaining information on equilibrium and pH solubility profile, solution state stability, and drug excipient compatibility. Chromatographic techniques are the preferred methods for this purpose. Solid state characterization involves assessing thermal and photostability profiles, polymorphic form, and salt screening. The physicochemical properties and concentration of the oily phase, surfactant–cosurfactant 22system, and aqueous phase govern the process of microemulsion formulation. The viscosity and density of the oily phase play a crucial role in the optimization process related to the oily phase. The fatty acid components of the oily phase are direct determinants of the viscosity, density, and hydrophobicity of the oil. They also directly correlate to the extent of drug solubilization and stabilization. Short-chain fatty acids offer easier emulsification compared to longer-chain fatty acids, while longer ones can hold hydrophobic activities to a greater extent. Characterizing surfactants and co-surfactants includes evaluating their solubility or miscibility profile with both the oily and aqueous phases, determining the HLB value, and assessing compatibility with the drug under investigation. The aqueous phase of parenteral microemulsion should be isosmotic with plasma, which can be achieved by adding electrolytes as additives. These electrolytes can also affect the phase inversion temperature of surfactants. The choice of sterilization method for parenteral microemulsions depends on the physical and chemical compatibility of the formulation components. Filtration sterilization methods are useful for reducing bio-burden in products prior to terminal sterilization, especially for formulations containing thermolabile substances. This chapter covers important aspects of the preformulation of microemulsions. A case study describing the preformulation of propofol microemulsion has been included to illustrate various techniques that enable preformulation, with a special emphasis on the parenteral route of administration.

  PublisherDOI

• Drug screen reveals new potent host-targeted antivirals against Mpox virus

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-05-07 · 2 citations

  preprintOpen access

  Mpox virus (MPXV), a re-emerging zoonotic threat, has caused outbreaks in non-endemic regions through respiratory, sexual, and close-contact transmission. The increased transmissibility of Clade IIb fueled the 2022 global outbreak, with 2024 Clade Ib spread in the Democratic Republic of Congo further escalating concern. Both outbreaks were declared public health emergencies by the WHO. Although tecovirimat (TPOXX) has been used off-label for Mpox, its limited effectiveness highlights the critical need for newer antivirals for MPXV. We conducted high-throughput antiviral drug screening using a host-directed kinase inhibitor library composed of 2,750 compounds against 2022 Clade IIb MPXV. Our primary screen identified 138 compounds preventing MPXV cytopathic effects, including multiple inhibitors of EGFR, PI3K-mTOR, and Ras/Raf, as well as apoptosis and autophagy regulators. Secondary and tertiary screenings yielded a shortlist of potent, nontoxic antiviral compounds that inhibited MPXV replication. Three selected compounds, IRAK4-IN-6, SM-7368, and KRAS inhibitor-10, reduced MPXV-induced cell death in primary human epidermal keratinocytes. IRAK4-IN-6 and SM-7368 were also found to modulate NF-κB and STING signaling. Furthermore, these compounds were found effective in reducing skin lesions and viral burden in a mouse model of MPXV skin infection. Together, our study reveals new classes of antiviral compounds against MPXV, offering promising candidates for future clinical development.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Transformation of Moxifloxacin into Amphiphilic Ionic Liquid for Enhanced Corneal Permeation (Abstract ID: 189112)

  Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics · 2025-03-01

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Sweetening the Deal: Sweetener-Based Ionic Liquid of Albendazole Significantly Enhances Its Solubility and Oral Bioavailability

  Molecular Pharmaceutics · 2025-04-21

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Albendazole (ABZ) is a hydrophobic and weakly basic anthelmintic benzimidazole with a very low (5%) oral bioavailability. Conversion of hydrophobic ionizable drugs such as ABZ into ionic liquids (ILs) or liquid salts is an emerging strategy for improving their solubility and oral bioavailability. To date, FDA-approved non-nutritive anionic sweeteners have not been evaluated for the development of ILs of weakly basic and hydrophobic drugs. Hence, we evaluated the ability of various anionic non-nutritive sweeteners, acesulfame potassium (ACE-K), saccharin sodium (SAC-Na), and cyclamate sodium (CYM-Na), to transform ABZ into an IL. Interestingly, only ACE-K, upon interaction with ABZ at the ABZ to ACE molar ratio of 1:2, converted ABZ into a room-temperature IL [ABZ-ACE (1:2) IL], whereas SAC-Na and CYM-Na yielded salts or coamorphous systems. The interaction of ABZ with anionic sweeteners was confirmed using FT-IR and NMR. Compared to pure ABZ, all ABZ-sweetener ILs/salts/coamorphous systems displayed a 1.2- to 2-fold decrease in Log P value and a significant increase in the equilibrium solubility of ABZ in water, pH 1.2 buffer, and pH 6.8 buffer. ABZ-ACE (1:2) IL exhibited remarkably higher (∼92-fold) solubility in water and ∼5-fold improvement in pH 6.8 buffer solubility, with a complete lack of crystallinity at room temperature, even after 1 month of storage at room temperature. Finally, compared to ABZ oral suspension, orally delivered ABZ-ACE (1:2) IL showed an 11-fold increment in Cmax and a 7.6-fold increase in the oral bioavailability of ABZ in mice. Hence, the development of a sweetener-based IL could be an effective approach to improving the solubility and oral bioavailability of hydrophobic weakly basic drugs, including ABZ.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• Alleviation of ER stress as a translational strategy to curb ocular viral infections

  NIH · $5.4M · 2022–2026

Frequent coauthors

• Laura M. Ensign

  Johns Hopkins Medicine

  53 shared

• Justin Hanes

  Johns Hopkins University

  51 shared

• Yogesh Sutar

  University of Arizona

  26 shared

• Nicole M. Anders

  24 shared

• Mangal S. Nagarsenker

  Bombay College of Pharmacy

  23 shared

• Vandana Patravale

  Institute of Chemical Technology

  21 shared

• Pranjali Kanvinde

  University of Maryland, Baltimore

  21 shared

• Ashraf S. Ibrahim

  University of Baghdad

  14 shared

Labs

• McKay LabPI

Education

• Ph.D., Pharmaceutics

  Bombay College of Pharmacy

  2010

• M.Pharm., Pharmaceutics

  Bombay College of Pharmacy

  2006

• B.Pharm., Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology

  Institute of Chemical Technology

  2002