Periodic Reporting for period 3 - NGN-PET (Modelling Neuron-Glia Networks into a drug discovery platform for Pain Efficacious Treatments - Sofia ref.: 116072)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2019-04-01 do 2020-03-31
Exploitation: the SMEs, AXXAM and L&B, and the research institute NMI, have already included the assays and models used and developed in NGN-PET as new services and are being offered to the scientific and academic partners. At KCL, several cell-type specific RNA-seq datasets have been generated and published. A public database has been created to allow other biologists easy access. EST and GRT, have already analyzed two targets, but the list of genes and proteins identified is huge and the validation of new targets is a continuous process at both pharmaceutical companies. Those targets with sufficient efficacy, pharmacokinetic features, and safety profile, could become the starting point of a program to find a new modality for pharmacological intervention. GRT and EST have plans to incorporate the developed co-cultures to their HCS/HTS or MEA systems in the project workflows. The two neuropathic pain models have been already used for other internal projects at both companies. The hiPSC-derived cell types will be part of the drug discovery process from now on. Besides the work done with macrophages, several other glial cells have to be developed and studied, one by one or in combination. The exploitation plans will contribute to support European leadership in achieving a sounder knowledge on chronic pain pathways, crucial in guiding the discovery of effective analgesics and of clinically useful biomarkers and help improve the health care of patients.
Dissemination: the partners have actively worked to disseminate the project results by participating to scientific conferences, social media, publications of project proceedings and results, targeting both the general public and the research community.
- new knowledge, advancement in target identification and markers, new predictive models for the discovery of effective therapies. Knowledge has been made accessible by oral and poster congress communication, partners websites and publications. A transcriptomic database, NIPPY - Neuro-Immune interactions in the Periphery, generated by KCL is available at - http://rna-seq-browser.herokuapp.com/
- a number of lab- and industrial-scale assays for drug identification and validation compatible with patch clamp, MEA, High-Content and Hight-Throughout Screening platforms, based on primary rodent DRG cells and iPSC-derived sensory neurons, glial and immune cells. Assays and related cell lines are accessible for use by scientific and industrial community through the collaboration with NGN-PET partners (AXXAM – www.axxam.com , L&B - www.lifeandbrain.com , NMI – www.nmi.de)
The scientific objectives were ambitious and the timings tight. The consortium managed the difficulties generated with diligence and commitment. Defined risks and some unforeseen ones have been addressed reaching agreements on the mitigation plan to apply. The use of the scientific results and the novel screening systems will foster the generation of IP, new chemical entities suitable for drug development, products and services, increasing the competitiveness of European SMEs and pharmaceutical companies, with the ultimate objective of identifying novel curative therapies for neuropathic pain.