Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - April 2010 - (Page 15)

Public-private partnerships prosper In 2009, the BioMedical Materials (BMM) programme, the Center for Translational Molecular Medicine (CTMM) and Top Institute Pharma (TI Pharma) issued a joint call to stimulate research consortia to look for new healthcare solutions at the interface of three research areas: drug delivery and targeting, imaging and new biomaterials. The projects chosen to receive funding investigate an integrated approach to tackle some major challenges in healthcare, and also present the possibility of individualising patient treatment. One project combines magnetic resonance imaging with a heat-producing device (high intensity focused ultrasound) to non-invasively release anti-cancer drugs at the site of the tumour, while another project will visualise the immune system in action by labelling particles that migrate through the lymphatic system. In a third project, research will be conducted to identify specific monoclonal antibodies for the diagnosis and treatment of different forms of prostate cancer. In addition, two projects will investigate the biomaterial-based delivery of stem cells to support myocardial regeneration. These projects represent high-level academic research, combined with a clear perspective for creating both clinical and economic value. drug and biomaterial design. In these programmes, the diagnostic component can be positioned as the personal litmus test for treatment efficacy on a personal basis. Future therapy will increasingly rely on sophisticated diagnostic approaches combined with targeted delivery of the bioactive to optimise the efficacy/safety balance for the individual patient. Interdisciplinary research fosters important innovations in the area of personalised medicine; for this reason, we have decided to promote collaborative research between the specific competencies of the BMM, the CTMM and TI Pharma. The cross-fertilisation between academic, clinical and industrial research is important to translate this research into healthcare solutions for patients. Public-private partnerships provide unique incubators where intellectual creativity and real life applications come together. PTE Couple imaging and diagnostics with drug design The most direct control mechanism to study whether a particular treatment is successful or not is to develop molecular diagnostics and imaging in close collaboration with Based on contributions by Professor Frank Baaijens, Scientific Director BMM, Professor Peter Luijten, Scientific Director CTMM, and Professor Daan Crommelin, Scientific Director TI Pharma. www.bmm-program.nl www.ctmm.nl www.tipharma.com 1 CONTENTS 9 THE HUMAN GENOME 2 INTRODUCTION 11 CANCER THERAPY UPDATE 5 MORE THAN SCIENCE NEEDED 14 MANUFACTURING CHALLENGES 7 FUTURE SNP MARKET 16 TOP TECHNOLOGIES http://www.bmm-program.nl http://www.ctmm.nl http://www.tipharma.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - April 2010

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - April 2010
Table of Contents
Why Personalised Medicine Business Models will Require Long-Term Strategies and Great Flexibility in Order to be Successful
Science Alone Will Not Lead to Better Medicines
The Current and Future Market for SNPs
The Hype, Hope and Reality of Pharmacogenetic Tests
Unraveling the Human Genome
Progress in Molecular Diagnostics
Personalising Cancer Therapy
T Cells for Patient-Specific Cancer Treatments
Future Research Strategies for Glucocorticoid Therapy
Overcoming Manufacturing and Financial Challenges of Personalised Cell Therapies
Public-Private Partnerships Prosper
Eight Latest Technologies Showcased

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - April 2010