In recent years, methods have been developed to treat diseases with what are known as oligonucleotide drugs, based on short molecules of DNA or RNA. The Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine and Translation at the University of Gothenburg has now donated SEK 54m from the Knut Foundation and Alice Wallenberg, and SEK 48m from SciLifeLab and the University of Gothenburg, to create a national technology platform in the field. this topic: OligoNova Hub.
“The rapid development of oligonucleotide drugs is partly due to the detailed knowledge we have gained about the human genome and how changes in it can cause disease. This knowledge makes it possible to use computers to accelerate the first stage. levels in the development of new oligonucleotide drugs, “said Agneta Holmäng, Dean of the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.
In addition to funding from the Knut Foundation and Alice Wallenberg (KAW) and other stakeholders, the initiative was enabled by AstraZeneca grants in Mölndal: its unique approach and direction during the establishment of the OligoNova Hub. The initiative is taking place in collaboration with SciLifeLab (the Science for Life laboratory), a national research center for molecular life sciences. In the future, the OligoNova Hub will be part of the SciLifeLab drug development platform.
“We are proud and proud to be able to establish this Hub, which will give researchers access to advanced technologies and the opportunity to further develop their products. I would also like to emphasize that none of this would have been possible without strong collaboration both within the University and with a number of partners. This is a real project in which KAW and many other forces want to work together, “said Vice – Chancellor Eva Wiberg.
Able to more effective treatments
Today, there are examples of oligonucleotide drugs that took just a few years to develop. In contrast, in the development of traditional drugs it takes at least five years before new drugs reach patients. With the platform now under construction, Swedish researchers will be able to further develop their scientific discoveries regarding new drugs. It is hoped that this will lead to both more effective treatments and to future companies in a rapidly expanding part of life science control.
“Although the first oligonucleotide drugs were developed to treat rare, genetic diseases, we are now seeing the rapid development of new treatments against major disease groups. For example, the EU recently agreed short inclisiran, the new oligonucleotide drug used to lower cholesterol., ”says Claes Gustafsson, Professor of Medical Chemistry at the Sahlgrenska Academy.
OligoNova Hub is to be connected to a large network for the research and development of oligonucleotide drugs. The establishment of this network, through national collaboration involving the University of Gothenburg, AstraZeneca and other partners, is ongoing. At construction stage (2020/21), this initiative is funded by Vinnova through Swelife, the strategic innovation program.