New therapeutic approach to treat chronic anaemia with safer orally administered drugs
The University of Barcelona (UB) is promoting an innovative project to develop new compounds aimed at treating chronic anaemia associated with kidney disease and other conditions. The initiative, selected in the Proof of Concept (PoC) call of the UB Innovation Promotion Fund (F2I), is led by Dr Jordi Juárez, professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences of UB, in collaboration with Dr Carlos Galdeano, expert in the biophysical characterisation of compounds and professor at the same faculty.
The project, entitled “Non-peptidic VHL inhibitors: From hit to lead”, is currently at an early stage of development (TRL2) and aims to advance the design of small molecules capable of acting on the Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase protein, a therapeutic target involved in red blood cell production. The proposal seeks to pave the way for new oral treatments that are safer and more convenient for patients with chronic anaemia by modulating the interactions of this protein.
New treatments for a growing medical need
Anaemia associated with chronic kidney disease affects thousands of patients and causes fatigue, weakness and a significant reduction in quality of life. Current treatments are mainly based on erythropoietin (EPO) injections or drugs that act on the cellular response to oxygen deficiency. However, these options present important limitations, either due to the need for injectable administration or concerns regarding their safety.
The technology developed by UB focuses on modulating the VHL protein, a key regulator of the mechanism that activates red blood cell production when the body detects low oxygen levels. “What we are trying to do is trick the cell into interpreting that there is a lack of oxygen and thereby activate the production of new red blood cells,” explains Dr Juárez.
The researchers have identified two small non-peptidic molecules capable of binding to this protein. Unlike compounds developed to date, these new molecules could offer improved pharmacological properties and allow oral administration. “With this funding, we will be able to use computational tools and biophysical studies to optimise these compounds and rapidly move towards a candidate with an appropriate therapeutic profile,” highlights Dr Juárez.
From initial discovery to future therapeutic applications
The project combines computational chemistry, biophysical characterisation and rational drug design in a collaborative strategy aimed at accelerating the development of new VHL inhibitors. Beyond their potential in chronic anaemia, the researchers point out that this line of research could have future applications in other therapeutic areas.
Thanks to the F2I grant, the team will be able to advance the hit-to-lead campaign, a key stage in drug discovery that enables the transformation of initial molecules into more promising therapeutic candidates. In the medium term, the project could lead to licensing agreements with the pharmaceutical industry or to the creation of a future spin-off focused on developing new treatments for anaemia.
Connecting research with society
The F2I Proof of Concept grants are aimed at UB researchers leading transfer projects in which the University owns or co-owns both the background knowledge and technology, as well as the results for which funding is requested.
The F2I programme is part of the Bosch i Gimpera Foundation’s knowledge transfer strategy, which works to connect UB research with industry and generate innovations with social, economic and environmental impact.
This activity is part of the project “Implementation programme of the UB–FBG Knowledge Transfer Plan (2025–2028), IMPACTE UB-FBG” (operation code UR68-8121), co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) of the European Union, with the support of the Department of Research and Universities of the Government of Catalonia, within the framework of the Catalonia ERDF Programme 2021–2027.