They have launched a new research project which combines the expertise of academia, research and industry. To fully develop it, a person has been hired in the framework of this collaboration.
The pharmaceutical company ESTEVE has developed new inhibitors against pain. However, it still remains unknown how these drugs interact with its potential target. This collaboration project will enable that scientific expertise from UAB and the ALBA Synchrotron offers new information about the interactions, active site and mechanism of action of the developed drugs and the therapeutic target. These results may help to the better understanding of the effects of the inhibitors and will provide key information to improve their properties. Additionally, a complete experimental platform will be set-up opening the door to further studies and collaborations.
As a first step, the research will be carried out at the Protein Production Platform of the UAB to obtain the pure protein complexed with the inhibitors. Secondly, X-ray crystallography studies will be performed at the biolab and XALOC beamline in the ALBA Synchrotron.
This project is an example of public-private collaboration and it will foster the synergies and relationships between the industrial and academic sector, a key factor for the research and innovation.
ESTEVE is a chemical – pharmaceutical group leader in Spain and with a significant international presence. Founded in 1929 and chaired by Joan Esteve, currently employs 2,473 people, it has affiliate companies and industrial facilities in Europe, USA, Mexico and China. Total sales in 2016 reached 916 million euros. The company maintains a strong commitment to excellence, devoting all its efforts to promote health and improve quality of life. The research is the hallmark of ESTEVE, which has a portfolio of highly innovative projects whose ultimate goal is to provide answers to medical needs not covered properly. Social commitment is another of its hallmarks so all collaborative social projects in which the company gets involved are in line with its vision of CSR.
The UAB is a public institution with the mission to promote quality in teaching, attract international talent and obtain a growing impact in research, together with a progressive improvement in its classifications in the most prestigious and influential international rankings. Research activities at the UAB are backed up by the support of Scientific Technical Services. The Protein Production Platform (PPP) belongs to the UAB Scientific Technical Service sePBioES and is also one of the units of the Spanish Singular Scientific Technical Infrastructure NANBIOSIS. The PPP offers a tailored service for the design, production and purification of recombinant proteins using both prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems.
Left, the team from the Protein Production Platform of the UAB. Right, scientists at the optical hutch of XALOC.
