The execution of the project funded by the National Center for Research and Development (NCBiR), titled “Nowe technologie farmakologicznej stymulacji regeneracji” (New technologies for pharmacological stimulation of regeneration) REGENNOVA resulted in two positive decisions of the Patent Office of the Republic of Poland on granting patents to researchers from the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Gdańsk. The first patent concerns developing substance facilitating wound healing, the second developing substance stimulating cartilage regeneration.
The objective of the project, executed from 2014 to 2018, was to develop new substances stimulating wound healing and nervous system regeneration.
The inventions and the related publications were financed by NCBiR within the scope of the STRATEGMED1 Program. Dr hab. Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło, prof. UG, Head of the Department of Biomedical Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Gdańsk was project’s principal investigator. Research work within the project was carried out by the consortium comprising research teams from the University of Gdańsk (Consortium Leader), Gdańsk University of Technology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, together with commercial companies, Medventures sp. z o.o. and Pro Science sp. z o.o.
A drug that may facilitate wound healing
The first patented invention is: ‘Peptyd RDKVYR lub jego farmaceutycznie dopuszczalna sól do zastosowania w procesie regeneracji tkanki złożonej i gojenia się ran u ssaków” (The application of RDKVYR peptide or its salt pharmacologically allowed in mammals’ complex tissue regeneration and wound healing). The researchers representing the University of Gdańsk are: dr hab. Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło, prof. UG, dr Maria Dzierżyńska, dr Justyna Sawicka, prof. dr hab. Piotr Skowron, dr hab. Piotr Mucha, prof. UG.
- The invention concerns the new application of the RDKVYR peptide as wound healing stimulator. Millions of people around the globe suffer from slow healing (chronic) wounds. They are caused by multiple factors, like advanced age, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, cancer, skin infections and many more. Hence the ongoing intensive search for agents and methods facilitating wound healing - says dr hab. Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło . - The invention, after clinical trials, could become an entirely new product facilitating chronic wound healing, caused by various diseases.
A drug for osteoarticular (bones and joints) problems
The second patented invention is titled, „Nowy peptyd do zastosowania jako stymulator chondrogenezy i lek w terapii uszkodzeń chrząstki” (The application of a new peptide in chondrogenesis stimulation and cartilage injury therapy). The researchers representing the University of Gdańsk are: dr hab. Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło, prof. UG, prof. dr hab. Piotr Skowron, dr hab. Piotr Mucha, prof. UG, dr Izabela Załuska.
The invention may be applied in medical field, as a drug for osteoarticular problems, specifically for cartilage loss or injury. The cartilage is able to regrow itself, however this ability decreases or even completely disappears with age. People of advanced age, physically active or suffering from chronic cartilage growing disorders, could be the beneficiaries of such drug.
- Even though, there are many dietary supplements or drugs (maintaining cartilage in normal condition) available on the market, this invention could become a trailblazer in cartilage regeneration, due to the way the product itself works - says dr hab. Sylwia Rodziewicz-Motowidło.
Two trademarks, registered in the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), were additionally created within the scope of Regennova Project. The logos have been designed, among other things, to increase the REGENNOVA Project’s growing brand awareness.
Translation: Adam Myzyk