UB team receives grant to develop a new drug against psoriasis and atopic dermatitis
Psoriasis and atopic dermatitis are two of the most widespread and neglected chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Now, a project led by the University of Barcelona (UB) that will allow the development of an innovative drug therapy for the treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis has been recognized with a grant from the Product modality of the Indústria del Coneixement program, an initiative of the Department of Research and Universities of the Generalitat de Catalunya to encourage the transfer of results.
These are the first inhibitors of the TREX2 gene, drugs that act directly on the skin, unlike current drugs that block the action of the immune system with various adverse effects.
TREX2 is a key gene for the development of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, which is only expressed in keratinocytes, the most abundant cells in the skin. Researchers have developed small molecule TREX2 inhibitors that have demonstrated low toxicity and efficacy in decreasing the pathogenesis of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis in mouse models of these two diseases.
This innovative approach based on blocking this gene would avoid the immunosuppressive effects of current therapies targeting different components of the immune system and, in addition, focuses the action on the affected tissue, the skin, thus avoiding systemic adverse effects. “The differential mechanism of action would also make the drug suitable for patients who do not respond to current treatments or as an adjunct to these therapies,” the researchers stress.
Another advantage of the new compound is that its composition allows it to be administered orally or topically, which would facilitate its use and greater patient adherence. The manufacture of this type of molecule also involves relatively low production costs, a feature that would allow a lower cost of the future drug.
The objective of the researchers is to continue with the preclinical development of the new compound, advancing in the optimization of the drug and validation in different models of psoriasis and dermatitis, among other actions, in order to value and promote the transfer of the developed product.
The project, with file number 2024 PROD 00106, has received a grant from AGAUR under the modality “Ayudas Producto para proyectos innovadores con potencial de incorporación al sector productivo” (Product Aid for innovative projects with potential for incorporation into the productive sector).
A multidisciplinary team
The project will be carried out by a team with members from the faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences, Pharmacy and Food Sciences of the UB, and the University Hospital of Bellvitge, made up of Dr. Concepción Soler, the scientist responsible for the project, Dr. Rodolfo Lavilla, Dr. Ouldouz Ghashghaei, Dr. Jordi Juárez-Jiménez, Dr. Francisco Ciruela, Dr. Jaume Notario and Daniel López-Ramajo.
This multidisciplinary approach brings together knowledge on the pharmacological target for the new compound, drug discovery, computational chemistry, medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, immunology and dermatology necessary for the development of the new therapy. The team also counts on the transfer experience of Dr. Sara Preciado, Dr. Marc Martinell, business mentor, and Inma Íñiguez, head of the Patents, Valorization and Licensing Area of the Fundació Bosch i Gimpera.