The University of Barcelona receives funding to develop an innovative treatment for autism spectrum disorder
The University of Barcelona (UB) is leading an innovative research project aimed at the preclinical development of a new treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), based on a pioneering therapeutic strategy that targets key epigenetic mechanisms involved in neuronal function. The project has received funding of €150,000, which will enable progress in the validation and optimization of a technology with high potential for transfer and biomedical impact.
The funding is part of the Knowledge Industry programme, under the Product Grants modality, promoted by the Agency for the Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR) of the Department of Research and Universities of the Government of Catalonia. The programme is designed to support the valorisation and transfer of knowledge generated by research teams in Catalonia.
The project is led by Dr Jordi Garcia, Vice-Rector for Research at the University of Barcelona and Professor of the Faculty of Biology, with the collaboration of Dr Mercè Pallàs, Professor, and Dr Christian Griñán, both members of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences at the University of Barcelona.
Although a proportion of autism cases have a known genetic basis, more than 80% are of idiopathic origin, meaning that no clear genetic cause has been identified. In this context, recent research has highlighted the key role of specific epigenetic mechanisms—processes that regulate gene expression—in the onset and progression of the disorder. The UB project focuses on two promising therapeutic targets involved in neuronal function and social behaviour.
The research will explore the potential of an innovative dual compound, known as CAM-11, which simultaneously targets two proteins involved in these epigenetic processes. Preliminary studies have shown promising results in improving social and cognitive functions in experimental models, with good brain penetration and high selectivity.
“This project exemplifies how the excellence research generated at the University of Barcelona can progress towards innovative therapeutic solutions with a clear social impact. Investing in new approaches based on epigenetic mechanisms allows us to open alternative pathways to address autism spectrum disorder,” notes Dr Jordi Garcia.
In this new phase, the project aims to optimize the compound and assess its efficacy in animal models, with the goal of advancing towards future stages of therapeutic development. This innovative approach could pave the way for more effective treatments for people with autism spectrum disorder, reinforcing the University of Barcelona’s role in socially impactful biomedical research.
For her part, Dr Mercè Pallàs believes that this project “stands out for its strong multidisciplinary vocation, integrating diverse areas of expertise around a common goal, which gives it considerable scientific robustness. This approach may represent a significant step forward towards the development of a potential pharmacological therapy for autism spectrum disorder.”
Social impact and alignment with the SDGs
This project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by contributing to the development of new therapeutic options for autism spectrum disorder, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide and for which no disease-modifying treatments currently exist. At the same time, the research reinforces SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, by promoting biomedical innovation based on knowledge generated at the university.
The project corresponds to file number 2025 PROD 00018, within the framework of the Knowledge Industry – Product Grants call.