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09/12/2022

Dr. Anna Meseguer highlights the importance of research at the inauguration of a new Hub for the development of innovative medicines for rare diseases

Dra. Anna Meseguer a la inauguració del nou Hub de tractaments contra malalties rares

09/12/2022

The head of the Renal Pathophysiology group at VHIR was part of a round table on how research can help to meet the needs of patients with rare diseases.

Dr. Anna Meseguer, head of the Renal Pathophysiology group at Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR), participated last November 15 in the inauguration of the new Hub for the clinical development of treatments against rare diseases in Barcelona. This project of Alexion, part of the Astrazeneca group, will promote the development of innovative drugs to improve the lives of patients with rare diseases and their families.

At the panel discussion "How can research and development address the needs of patients with rare diseases?", the speakers, including Dr. Meseguer, addressed the importance of collaboration between all experts in this type of disease. This is key to obtaining more data and knowledge, as these are very rare pathologies, with a low number of patients. The session, moderated by Maciej Gajewski, Head International Government Affairs & Policy at Alexion, also featured Dr. Miguel Pons, Sub-Manager – Medical Director Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Ignasi Carrasco, CatSalut Área Asistencial Director, and Antoni Cabrera, president of the Hipofam association.

"In the last 20 years, platforms have been developed that help to improve the diagnosis of rare diseases and better understand their natural history, but there continues to be a lack of treatments", explained Dr. Meseguer, who said that Alexion's new Hub could be key to testing new therapies. "Research collaboration with industry is needed from the beginning to find useful solutions for patients and society", she added.

"Research collaboration with industry is needed from the beginning to find useful solutions for patients and society", said Dr. Meseguer.

Related news

The project, which has received funding from the Association for Genetic Kidney Disease Information and Research, aims to help develop new therapies for familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis.

The association supports the Kidney Pathophysiology group at VHIR since 2015 to investigate familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis.

Dr. Conxita Jacobs' research has been awarded in the clinical project category, while Dr. Anna Meseguer's research has been recognised in the basic research category.

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