Michael Swedberg | Drug Discovery and Development | Best Researcher Award
Dr Michael Swedberg, Swedberg Preclinical Partner, Sweden
Dr. Michael Swedberg is a distinguished pharmacologist with extensive expertise in safety pharmacology, CNS pharmacology, gastrointestinal pharmacology, and drug abuse assessment. He has held key leadership roles, including Associate Director at AstraZeneca and founder of Swedberg Preclinical Partner AB. His global impact includes contributions to regulatory compliance, developing novel animal models, and mentoring future researchers. With a Ph.D. in discrimination learning and postdoctoral training at NIDA, Dr. Swedberg has collaborated internationally and received numerous accolades for his innovative research and leadership. His career embodies excellence in pharmacology and preclinical drug discovery. 
Publication Profile
Education
Dr. Michael Swedberg is a distinguished academic and researcher, having earned his Ph.D. in 1985 from the University of Uppsala, Sweden. His doctoral dissertation focused on “A Model of Discrimination Learning with Interoceptive Stimuli.” He completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specializing in addiction research at the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Preclinical Pharmacology Branch in Baltimore, Maryland (1985–1988). Additionally, Dr. Swedberg holds a Bachelor of Social Science (B.S.Sc.) from Uppsala University, with a comprehensive background in psychology, sociology, and law. 
Professional Appointments
Dr. Michael Swedberg has had an extensive and distinguished career in pharmacology and drug discovery. From 2014 to 2021, he was the Founder and CEO of Swedberg Preclinical Partner AB in Sweden. Prior to that, he was a Partner and Consultant at The Research Network (TRN) from 2014 to 2016. His earlier career includes key roles at AstraZeneca R&D, where he served as Associate Director in Safety Pharmacology and Preclinical Development. He also held senior leadership positions at Novo Nordisk and Ferrosan. Dr. Swedberg’s journey began as a Lecturer at Mälardalen University in 1981. 
Academic Service
Dr. Michael Swedberg has made significant contributions to the field of pharmacology and neuroscience through various roles. He served as a board member for the Department of Psychology at the University of Uppsala and the Faculty of Social Sciences from 1980 to 1985. His leadership extended to chairing the Council of Graduate Students. Recognized for his service, Dr. Swedberg received awards from the Drug Abuse Liability Ad Hoc Committee and for his work with the Lilly–Novo Nordisk Muscarinic Research Collaboration. He has also been a grant evaluator for the European Union and Poland’s National Centre for Research and Development.
Presentations
Dr. Michael Swedberg has made significant contributions to the field of drug safety and abuse liability assessment. His research, presented at multiple prestigious meetings, includes the role of drug discrimination studies in evaluating novel compounds’ abuse potential. Notably, his work at the Safety Pharmacology Society, American College of Toxicology, and the Swedish Pharmaceutical Congress has advanced methodologies like rat self-administration and drug discrimination for psychoactive effects. His work on the interaction between mGluR5 antagonists and benzodiazepines also stands out. Swedberg’s contributions to safety pharmacology have had a lasting impact on CNS drug development and regulatory guidelines.
Lecturing and teaching
Dr. Michael Swedberg has delivered extensive lectures and seminars on safety pharmacology, drug abuse, and CNS risk assessment. His contributions include lectures at the American College of Toxicology, Safety Pharmacology Society, and the European Congress of Toxicologic Pathology, focusing on drug dependence, abuse liability, and CNS safety. Additionally, Swedberg has provided in-depth training on the regulatory and industrial challenges in drug development at AstraZeneca and other global platforms. His teaching spans from the biomedical program at Karolinska Institute to the University of Uppsala, covering neuropharmacology, psychopharmacology, and drug addiction. His educational materials are widely respected in the field.
Academic Supervision
Dr. Michael Swedberg has mentored numerous students at various stages of their academic careers, including graduate, Ph.D., and postdoctoral researchers. He supervised students at Umeå University, University of Uppsala, and Karolinska Institute, guiding experimental work in fields such as cannabinoid tolerance, dopamine release, and nicotine’s effects on learning. His postdoctoral supervision included projects on visual and auditory discrimination in drug testing. Swedberg’s research has been supported by multiple prestigious grants, such as the Clas Groschinsky Memorial Foundation and the Swedish Medical Research Council. His contributions have significantly advanced brain and behavior research. 
Committee Service
Dr. Michael Swedberg held several key roles at AstraZeneca, including membership in the Safety Knowledge Group for CNS and leadership in CNS GLP Safety Pharmacology Harmonization. He was also a part of multiple committees, such as the AstraZeneca Expert Advisory Group on Abuse Liability and the Cross Company Abuse Liability Consortium. Dr. Swedberg contributed to international organizations like PhRMA and CPDD, focusing on drug abuse liability. He attended professional courses in safety pharmacology, project management, and leadership, further enhancing his expertise. Additionally, he completed a teaching course at Karolinska Institute, strengthening his academic influence.
Research Focus
Dr. Michael Swedberg’s research focuses on the pharmacology of muscarinic receptors and their potential therapeutic applications, particularly in relation to neurological and psychiatric disorders. His work has delved into muscarinic receptor agonists, with significant contributions to the understanding of their antipsychotic and antinociceptive properties. Additionally, he has explored the role of nicotinic compounds and their reinforcing effects. His research has implications for treating conditions like schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. His studies on receptor-ligand interactions and pharmacological profiles contribute to the development of novel drugs for various neurological and gastrointestinal conditions.
Publication Top Notes
Approaches for early identification of abuse potential liability
Drug discrimination: A versatile tool for characterization of CNS safety pharmacology and potential for drug abuse
Drug Discrimination: Use in Preclinical Assessment of Abuse Liability
AZD9272 and AZD2066: Selective and highly central nervous system penetrant mGluR5 antagonists characterized by their discriminative effects
Prediction and modeling of effects on the QTc interval for clinical safety margin assessment, based on single-ascending-dose study data with AZD3839
A multi-site comparison of in vivo safety pharmacology studies conducted to support ICH S7A & B regulatory submissions
Establishment of auditory discrimination and detection of tinnitus induced by salicylic acid and intense tone exposure in the rat
Professional Endeavors 
Notable Publications
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