Within the framework of the Operational Program ERDF 2021-2027, ACTION 1.1.2 “Support for collaborative research projects of research laboratories and universities with companies” of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Call for Laboratories 2023-2024 for strategic industrial research projects aimed at the priority areas of S3 2023-2024, IRET Foundation is a partner in the GLYMED project.
GLYMED – Repositioning of glycosaminoglycans in new medicinal products for the treatment of degenerative joint diseases
➡️ Start date: 06/02/2024
➡️ End date: 06/08/2026
⏱️ Total duration: 30 months
Repositioning for new therapeutic indications of marked drugs is a powerful approach for the rapid development of new effective and safe medicines.
The project is part of this approach and involves research activities aimed at developing new medicines that exploit a glycosaminoglycan such as pentosan polysulphate (PPS) for the treatment of degenerative osteoarticular diseases such as osteoarthritis.
The project aims to:
1) Study the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of PPS through both in vitro and in vivo models;
2) Pharmaceutical development of a PPs nanoformulation for intra-articular injection, based on chitosan and sodium hyaluronate;
3) Preclinical evaluation of the efficacy of the new formulation;
4) Scale-up from prototype to pilot production of the new formulation;
5) Preparation of the clinical development pathway based on a strong regulatory approach.
Objectives and expected results
The WHO estimates that around 25 per cent of the population over the age of 25 suffer from osteoarthritis (OA) with symptoms ranging from pain to more or less severe disability. The consequence is a huge impact on the quality of life for tens of millions of people, and enormous social costs. The development of new, effective, and safe treatments based on molecules with anti-inflammatory and pro-reparative properties, such as PPS, has a major impact on the lives of these people.
The expected result is a drug product ready to enter the clinical phase accompanied by a robust and credible clinical dossier that minimises the risks associated with the subsequent development phases.
The partnership brings together laboratories of the High Technology Network (Biopharmanet TEC – University of Parma, IRET Foundation, Democenter-Sipe Foundation, Rizzoli-RIT) and companies (Neupharma, Enable Innovations), leaders in their respective fields, which are a good guarantee that the project objectives will be achieved.
The GLYMED project is co-funded by the ERDF RP 2021-2027, ACTION 1.1.2 of the Emilia-Romagna Region.
You can find out more about the project by clicking here.
