The Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) has obtained funding in the call for validation tests of the Strategic Plan for Research and Innovation in Health (PERIS) of the Department of Health of the Generalitat of Catalonia. With a total of four applications to which VHIR could apply, it has obtained funding in all of them.

This call from the Department of Health of the Generalitat of Catalonia grants subsidies for carrying out validation tests on innovative projects in the field of health that are in the early stages of pre-competitive development and thus facilitate their practical application. Its purpose is to support projects that require validation and development, or are just perfecting the prototype design through validation of the intended use, that drive the transformation of the health system and that allow improving the quality of life of citizens.

A total of two projects have been awarded in Modality 1 and two in Modality 2. Highlighting that the project led by Dr. Eva Colàs, co-head of the Biomedical Research in Gynecology group at VHIR, ‘ScreenEC: validation of a non-invasive screening tool for endometrial cancer’, has obtained the highest score among all the projects presented in Catalonia in Modality 1.

This project deals with endometrial cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in women and its incidence continues to increase. Currently, there is no specific method to detect it, and its detection is based on the presence of symptoms, such as abnormal uterine bleeding, which only a small proportion of diagnosed women present. ScreenEC is a new rapid and accurate tool that allows the detection of endometrial cancer with high sensitivity and specificity. The test is based on the detection of protein biomarkers in cervical fluid samples. This test offers a more convenient and effective solution for patients, improving early detection and offering a more efficient clinical practice that leads to a reduction in healthcare costs.

Funding has also been granted under Modality 1 to the project of Dr. Eva Baldrich, head of the Diagnostic Nanotools (DINA) group at VHIR, ‘Synthetic erythrocytes for the global control of influenza virus infections: production scaling and field validation’. The hemagglutination (HA) and hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) assays are used to study the reaction of influenza virus with erythrocytes (blood cells). These assays are important for identifying and monitoring influenza viruses, as well as for controlling vaccine production. Although they are inexpensive and simple techniques, they rely on the use of animal erythrocytes, a reagent that is difficult to produce in large quantities centrally. From this situation, the project group has developed “sintrocits”, a more stable, reproducible and scalable synthetic reagent, which has proven to be effective in collaborative experiments with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. With the funding, it will be able to scale up its production, and thus also make it more accessible and economical, facilitating the transfer and commercialization of the technology.

In Modality 2, Dr. Oriol Bestard, head of the Nephrology and Renal Transplantation service at the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and co-head of the Nephrology and Renal Transplantation research group at the VHIR, has received funding for the project ‘New second-generation bi-specific fusion protein to prevent transplant rejection’. Organ transplantation is essential for patients with terminal illnesses, but their survival has not improved in recent decades due to chronic rejection and the side effects of immunosuppressive drugs. For this reason, the molecule duacept has been developed, which acts more specifically, inhibiting one cell signal and activating another, both being key in the regulation of lymphocyte activation, and better controlling the immune response. Studies have shown that duacept can be as effective as current medications, but with fewer adverse effects, improving transplant survival in animal models.

The other Modality 2 project that has been granted funding is that of Dr. Santiago Ramón y Cajal, head of the Pathological Anatomy Service of the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and of the Translational Molecular Pathology group of the VHIR, for the project 'Strategic development of the MNK EB1-PD inhibitor to enter the phases of clinical trials and guarantee market entry'. Resistance to treatments and evasion of therapies that use the immune system are two major challenges in the treatment of cancer. These processes depend on some proteins that help cells respond to stress. The MNK1/2 proteins have become a treatment target to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments. EB1 is a drug that can block these proteins and has shown positive results in combination with other treatments for prostate, breast and other types of cancer. In addition, an improved version of this drug, called EB1-PD, has been created, which has better properties for treatment. Currently, this technology is protected by patent and the aim is to improve it, identify new biomarkers and create a business strategy to commercialize it in the future.

These projects stand out for their scientific rigour and innovative component and, in addition, have a high potential for impact on the health system and patients. Thanks to the impetus of PERIS, they will be able to continue advancing in their development and future transfer of knowledge and technology.