R&D Projects

SCHIZO Biomarker project

The aim of the project

The aim of the project is to develop biomarkers and methods to support, rationalize and accelerate the discovery and development of novel drugs for the treatment of psychotic disorders. As a result more effective drugs with fewer side effects than the existing ones can be put on the market.

The project consists of three tasks with the following goals:

1. To establish a disease based biobank (named SCHIZOBANK) collecting both phenotypical and environmental data and biological materials from schizophrenic patients. It will be applied for the identification of genes and genetic variations that influence disease susceptibility. In addition it will be also used to find biomarkers, which speed up the diagnosis of the disease and help monitor the drugs' effect.
2. The aim of this task is to reveal different relations between the symptoms and the treatment of schizophrenia at the molecular level by using the arsenal of the systems biology approach. We will identify biological and clinical predictors (biomarkers) of patient response and adverse side-effect profile during antipsychotic drug treatment.
3. In this task we will determine markers and pathways of the metabolic syndrome adverse effect of antipsychotic in humans, in rodent experimental model systems, as well as in vitro cellular systems. The effect of prototypic antipsychotic drugs will be examined in these models and signatures of drug effects as well as mechanisms of action will be identified.

Members of the consortium

1. UD-GenoMed Medical Genomic Technologies Research and Development and Service providing Ltd.
2. Richter Gedeon Chemical factory Plc.
3. Kripto Research and Development Ltd.
4. University of Debrecen
5. Hungarian Clinical Neurogenetic Society

Sections of work

1. To establish schizophrenia biobank
2. To identify schizophrenia and treatment-related molecular markers
3.1. Metabolic syndrome of the psychiatric disorders patients with AAP treatment: identify marker
3.2.-3.6. Metabolic syndrome of the psychiatric disorders patients with AAP treatment: identify marker: molecular mechanism research

Results

The above-mentioned stages of the professional background of clinical sample collection (quality assurance, determination of methodologies), as well as the infrastructure is completed, and we started filling the biobank. The peripheral blood of schizophrenic patients transcripts, proteomics and metabolomics analysis is in progress, caused by antipsychotic drugs of the side markers of metabolic syndrome, defined rodent samples is also underway.

Update 12.2010: Based on annual report 2010, closer the halftime of project, the results are convincing. The background of  clinical sample preparation and collection, the follow-up of sample collection, the creation and continuous upload of clinical database, and the quality assurance requirements are ready to go. The hardware and software infrastructure of biobank have been set up, and connect to international biobank databases. Sample collection of patients processes according to plan, more than 300 samples are already collected by assign clinics.
In the point of our success we look forward positively in the future and ready to work on the year 2011!

Contact

Gábor Zahuczky
Chief executive officer
Contact us!

Epigenetic kit development

The aim of the project

Our aim is to develop the prototype of kits adaptable in tumour genetics. The developed kits give the opportunity of introducing the investigations of chromatin (material of chromosomes) or epigenetic measurements to everyday routine.

In the past decade the discovery of differences in the chromatin (by epigenetic methods) transformed the definition of cancer diseases. This breakthrough was due to the technological development in the field of basic research. Although epigenetic techniques have greatly simplified, they are still not capable to be introduced into daily routine as clinical diagnostics. The main reason for this is the lack of adequate standards.

We are willing to produce kits to improve the reliability and sensitivity of epigenetic measurements enabling the utilization in routine clinical diagnostics.

Members of consortium

The leader of this in-process research is - besides our company - the Clinical Genomic Centre of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Institute of University of Debrecen.

Results

Our R&D project of medical sciences and life sciences will generate a new market segment related to clinical diagnostics: the market of tumour diagnostics based on epigenetics (kits and methodology).

Project leader

Bálint László Bálint, M.D., Ph.D.
Head of laboratory
Contact us!

Developing tearproteomic depletion kit

The aim of the project

In the framework of New Hungary Development Plan Economic Development Operative Program the goal of UD-GenoMed Ltd. and its project partners is to develop a depletion kit prototype for diagnosis of diabetes complications. Diabetes mellitus is the most widespread endemic disease in the developed countries. Its most important ophthalmological complications can be prevented if they are recognized on time in the early period or the already evolved complications can be treated. Diabetic retinopathy holds the first place among blindness causing illnesses. Early recognition is based on the regular blood-sugar screening of diabetes patients, but there are no markers for forecasting ophtalmological complications. The goal of our project is to identify markers that help to recognize and monitor ophtalmological complications in the early state providing a chance to prevent and to treat them. Another advantage of diagnosis from tear is that in contrast to blood taking tear sampling is not invasive, it is not inconvenient for patients carries lower risk for infections and its cost is one tenth compared to blood taking.

Results

The official kick-off of the project will take place on Life Science Technology Day 23- 24th of May, Debrecen. We can perform the results in the future, we can only share the plan of the project now.

Due to the funding of New Hungary Development Plan Economic Development Operative Program 1.1.1 we can perform the applied research of prototype development for tear proteomics applications, than we can perform prototype validation and testing it in tear biomarker discovery of diabetes. The identified biomarkers make it possible to develop a non invasive tear diagnostics for ophtalmological complications of diabetes. There are no similar diagnostics available either home or abroad.

Contact

Gábor Zahuczky
Chief executive officer
Contact us!

Micro RNA measuring with UPL based technique

The aim of technology

Gene expression and translational regulation via micro RNA became well-known in the past few years. Micro RNA was called by this name in a publication in 2002. Their significance was stressed, since the regulation opened a completely new research area when Andrew Fire and Craig Mello described the fundamental phenomenon in 1998. More methods are available to implement our research. The most accepted one is the so-called "Northern blot" that provides separation according to size via radioactive marking. It also has an alternative method called "Real time quantitative PCR (QPCR) research" that is really reliable and makes the processing of a higher number of samples possible.

Results

The Commercialisation of Transglutaminase

The aim of the project

The overall objective of the TRANSCOM project is: to establish the molecular nature of the role of the multifunctional enzymes transglutaminases in the pathogenesis of diseases which are known to involve their cross-linking activity, with a view to developing novel diagnostic assays, specific inhibitors and new therapeutic approaches. This will be achieved by the coordinated efforts of the recognised world experts in their respective fields.

The project will facilitate the exchange of knowledge and technology between 3 leading European research teams in transglutaminases and 4 SMEs involved in the invention, development and production of diagnostic kits and treatments for health problems related to the activity of transglutaminases. Our ambitions for this project are: (1) increase the capabilities of highly skilled researchers for biotechnology industry and academia, and (2) have a major impact at European level

Scientific and Technology Objectives:

• Development of biomarkers for celiac disease diagnosis
• Development/testing alternative treatment forms for celiac disease
• Development of new models for testing potential therapeutics in neurodegenerative diseases associated with intracellular inclusion formation. Engineering, characterization and production of "leakyTG2" and exploration of the biological effects of this enzyme in disease models.
• Development of transglutaminase inhibitors and formulations suitable for therapeutic use and assays

Knowledge Transfer Objectives:

These focus on the transfer and use of skills and knowledge primarily between sectors but also between disciplines.

• Knowledge and Technology transfer and exchange between Academics and Industry partners through interdisciplinary scientific research and high quality training programs in generic and transferable skills and in state of the art techniques;
• Dissemination of scientific and technical information to stakeholders and the international science and biotechnology communities.
• The provision of a pool of highly knowledgeable researchers, technicians, entrepreneurs and business managers trained in generic and transferable skills relevant to the European Biotechnology sector. These will include: business skills, and state of the art science such as molecular modeling and drug development, systems biology, clinical trials, animal models, and diagnostic development.
• To develop a lasting collaborative partnership focused on exploiting transglutaminases.

To meet these objectives work will be undertaken by staff on 20 secondments, six will involve staff moving from SMEs to academia and 14 will involve academic workers seconded to industry. Four new fellows will be recruited to bring additional skills and capability to the partnership.

Project partners

• Aston University (UK)
• X-LINK Ltd (UK)
• Tampereen Yliopisto (Finland)
• Ani Biotech (Finland)
• Covalab (France)
• University of Debrecen (Hungary)
• UD-GenoMed Ltd

Contact

Gábor Zahuczky
Chief executive officer
Contact us!