The public-private Netherlands invests 28 million euros in research to personalized medicine

GELEEN-EINDHOVEN-LEIDEN, Netherlands, February 16, 2010 / PRNewswire / – The three largest institutes in the Netherlands for research in life sciences (the BioMedical Materials program, the Center for Molecular Medicine and Translational Top Institute Pharma) today announced a joint investment of 28 million euros for innovative research focused on creating a truly personalized medicine. Projects funded by the group will focus on developing new ways to deliver drugs to specific locations of maladiedans the human body, thus reducing the required doses, minimizing unwanted side effects and increasing efficacy. Associated with the development of drug therapies tailored techniques targeted drug delivery and guided imagery that these newly funded projects aim to develop, are widely regarded as one of the keys to highly personalized medicine.

The 7 projects for which funding has been announced today are aimed primarily therapies for cancer and cardiovascular disease. Combined, they meet 12 knowledge institutes and 14 industrial parties. The projects are the result of a joint call for proposals for projects initiated by the three largest institutes in recognition of the fact that the targeted drug delivery and guided imagery is an area of highly interdisciplinary research that leverages their individual strengths – IT Pharma in drug development, the CTMM in imaging and molecular diagnostics, and BMM in regenerative medicine and biomaterials. These 7 new projects are the first to embrace the skills of the three institutes.

“Through this joint initiative of the three public-private partnerships in the Netherlands sector of life sciences, the Netherlands stimulate collaboration and cooperation between industry and academy to an extent and scale unique in Europe “, said Wim Deetman, Chairman of the Executive Board of BioMedical Materials program (BMM).

“The evolution of diseases such as cancer are different in almost all patients, personalized medicine is absolutely essential to improve care for patients,” said Hans Hoogervorst, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee of the Center for Molecular Medicine translational ( CTMM). “The remarkable quality of the selected proposals in the joint call should really help us make personalized medicine into practice. >>

Ton Rijnders, PhD, Chairman of the Executive Board of TI Pharma, says: “It is a further serious step to merge the force of the three largest institutes. Moreover, in other areas such as education, training and communication, BMM, the CTMM and TI Pharma will continue to cooperate and coordinate their efforts. >>

The call for proposals was launched in June 2009 through a joint workshop on targeted drug delivery and guided imagery, after which submission of proposals was sought. At the end of October 2009, 25 proposals for pre-projects had been submitted, resulting eventually in 19 full proposals. Selection of 7 new projects have now received funding was based on an assessment and peer review conducted by an international Scientific Advisory Council attached (j-ISAB) composed of experts around the world.

“I was impressed by the quantity and quality of research applications submitted and the evaluation work done by the critical j-ISAB. It was a joy to participate in the selection of a research portfolio also excellent “, says Professor Bob Lowenberg, MD, PhD, Chairman of International Scientific Advisory Council attached.

In total, BMM, the CTMM and TI Pharma together over 180 national and international partners in the public and private, and charitable foundations 4. Together, the three institutes have a total budget of almost 700 million euros for research projects over a period of 5 years. 50% of the total financing provided by the Dutch government, the remaining 50% being provided by academic and industrial partners of the three institutes.

About MDB

The BioMedical Materials program (BMM) is a public / private partnership based in the Netherlands, aimed at achieving breakthroughs in the development and application of innovative biomedical materials. With a total of 90 million euros at its disposal, the research program MDB focuses on new therapies and applications, preventing rupture of chronic tissue or organs, and contributes to improving the quality of life of patients. Currently, the Call for Proposals for Young Researchers MDB continues.

Key Data MDB: 44 partners, budget allocated 79 million euros, 13 projects / consortia

About CTMM

Center translational Molecular Medicine (CTMM) is dedicated to the implementation of technologies for molecular diagnostics and imaging to create new treatments “Custom>> for the main causes of mortality and reduced quality of life (cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and to a lesser extent, neurodegenerative and infectious / autoimmune) and the rapid translation of these treatments to the patient.

The CTMM is a public / private partnership that includes a multidisciplinary group of parties – universities, academic medical centers, medical technology companies and pharmaceutical and chemical companies.

CTMM Key figures: 105 partners, budget allocated 275 million euros, 21 projects / consortia

About TI Pharma

Top Institute Pharma (TI Pharma) is a public / private partnership in which the industrial and scientific worlds collaborate on groundbreaking research and multidisciplinary to improve drug development socially important. Their research portfolio is based on the areas of disease specified in the Medicines priority, a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The knowledge gained in these projects provide an important contribution to developing better, faster and less expensive to important new medicines.