R&D has always been an expensive activity, especially in the field of innovative medicine.
On May 28, at the end of the first session on “Life Sciences”, called “From Human Genome to Personified Medicine. 10 Years Later” and conducted at Startup Village, a guest of honour gave a speech – a prominent Russian and American scientist, member of the Academy of Medical Science of Russia and Academy of Science of Russia, head of the department of neuroanesthesiology of the Institute of Neurology of the Academy of Medical Science of USSR in Moscow, Professor Vladimir Zelman. He narrated about deciphering 74 new genes and about the search for answers to the question: is it possible, knowing the DNA description, to foresee and forecast the onset of cancer? Why mutations leading to diseases exist in human population?
The audience expressed particular interest at the opening of the session named “What do we spend grant money for?” Well, believe it or not, the answer to this question belongs to “medicine” of Skolkovo! Nine firms, which received grants from the Skolkovo Foundation last year, were presented at the session of biometric technologies.
The first presentation was from “NewVac” which entered Top 20 list of finalist enterprises. Thanks to the Skolkovo grant the firm received license for production of its pharmacological product “Oncofag” designed for adjuctive therapy of kidney cancer. All production is directed at using methods of immunotherapy and chemotherapy for fighting oncologic diseases. The main feature is personalization of the medicine for each person based on individual analysis of his or her gene.
“BioSthene” has advanced in its scientific-research developments in the field of sthenes (endovascular implants). Their use in medicine today becomes more and more in demand. Sthenes are indispensable in conducting operations after cardiac arrests, operations on the heart, bypass surgery and everywhere where it can become necessary to restore blood flow. A small 5-10 mm long polymeric tube with a special medicinal covering is put on the vessel and “extended” to the necessary length, serving the role of a plaster of sorts. It must be marked that “BioSthene” is also included in the list of the Top 20 finalist enterprises.
JSC “Incuron” presented a joint project of the Russian Federation and USA on cureaxins (molecule class of clinic nature). The uniqueness of cureaxins is in their capability to simultaneously have therapeutic influence and model abnormal activities of three key signal ways in tumor cells. The development also envisages successful use of cureaxins for treatment of certain autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions.
“Pharma Bio” also works on the problem of autoimmune diseases treatment as well as alcohol addiction and Alzheimer’s disease. Skolkovo grant will allow developing the product using international GMP standards which will officially be applied in Russia as of 2014.
“Tartis-Aging”, holder of the Skolkovo monetary grant chose the following slogan to work under: “Aging is a disease!” Their research implies preventing origin of senescent cells (“aging” cells) by way of creating “hits” – cells destroying senescent. The question which they have to find an answer to is the norm of “hits” to prevent aging.
Summing up the session it can be said that money is not wasted in vain, it is spent for all of us, for our and our future children’s health and longevity! But the participants proved to everyone that they received and used the grants not in vain!