The MINECO program, which grants aid to collaboration projects between companies and research centers, has selected four proposals in the last call in which VHIR researchers participate. The projects, which will be developed in the different collaborating institutions for a maximum of four years, are the following: 1.PRECLINONCO: Regulatory preclinical development of new candidates for oncological drugsThe objective of this study is to develop new drugs for some of the tumors that still do not have an effective oncological treatment, specifically, for those of lung, pancreas, kidney and infantile rhabdomyosarcoma. It will be based on molecules that have proven effective for the in vitro treatment of these tumors. A study will be carried out to obtain data on efficacy, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and manufacturability of that treatments. From these data will be decided which of the molecules is better to carry out a subsequent clinical trial in humans.A team from the http://en.vhir.org/portal1/grup-equip.asp?t=recerca-translacional-en-cancer-en-la-infancia-i-ladolescencia&s=recerca&contentid=186749 Translational Research Group on Cancer in Childhood and Adolescence of VHIR will participate in this project, led by Dr. Josep Roma and Dr. Soledad Gallego, together with companies and technology centers IUCT, Tarrasense-Leitat Conditioning and Parc Científic de Barcelona. 2. Local treatment for the acceleration of muscle strength recovery after traumatic injuryThe project starts from the need to develop a treatment for muscle injuries more effective than current treatments, consisting of the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression and elevation) and anti-inflammatory drugs. The study proposes the use of tetanus toxin (TTC), tested until now in animal models, in combination with physical exercise, for the treatment of muscle injuries derived from exercise, as well as muscle loss and weakness in the elderly. The part of the study that corresponds to the VHIR will be directed by Dr. Vicenç Martínez, manager of the Hospital Vall d'Hebron and head of the research group in http://en.vhir.org/portal1/grup-equip.asp?t=cibbim-nanomedicina-bioenginyeria-terapia-cel%B7lular-i-cirurgia-en-malformacions-congenites&s=recerca&contentid=187172 Bioengineering, Cell Therapy and Surgery in Congenital Malformations. The other participating centers are the Spherium and Acondicionameinto Tarrasense-Leitat companies. 3. Development of an innovative therapy for the treatment of solid tumors by inhibiting mechanotransductionThis project will try to validate and optimize a new family of compounds for the treatment of solid tumors. In 2016, a first peptidomimetic molecule was produced that exerted an inhibitory action on the tumor cell, blocking the interaction between proteins of the cell's cytoskeleton. By stopping this interaction, the activation of an oncogene is prevented, which stops the metabolic activity of the tumor cell and causes its death.This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and technical feasibility of peptidomimetic compounds for the treatment of solid tumors, in which the action on the components of the cytoskeleton is effective to stop its progression. All the necessary tests will be carried out to develop and optimize a family of compounds that can be drug candidates and that can later be tested in humans.In the VHIR, the project will be carried out by a team of researchers from the http://en.vhir.org/portal1/grup-equip.asp?t=recerca-translacional-en-cancer-en-la-infancia-i-ladolescencia&s=recerca&contentid=186749 Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, group led by Dr. Josep Roma and Dr. Soledad Gallego, the Iproteos and IBEC centers will also participate in the project. 4. New strategies to increase the effectiveness of treatments with ABTL0812The objective of this work is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the compound ABTL0812, a drug in development, for the treatment of certain types of tumors. Studies carried out to date with this drug, tested in cell cultures and in animal models, have shown that it works for many types of tumors. Trials performed in patients with advanced cancer point to the safety of the drug. Now, with this project, we intend to start phase 2 trials, for the treatment of patients with endometrial cancer and squamous cell lung cancer. If the trials work, it may allow to reduce the current doses of chemotherapy.Within the VHIR, the project will be led by Dr. Antonio Gil Moreno and Dr. Eva Colás Ortega, both from the http://en.vhir.org/portal1/grup-equip.asp?t=recerca-biomedica-en-ginecologia&s=recerca&contentid=186717 Biomedical Research Group in Gynecology. The other collaborating centers are Ability Pharmaceuticals SL., Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and IRBLleida.