Oxford University recently developed a therapeutic product called EvOx, which uses the unique and accurate communication system of human cells to deliver drugs to specific parts of the body to treat diseases that are currently incurable, such as brain diseases and autoimmune diseases And cancer. EvOx is funded by the investment company Oxford Sciences Innovation (Oxford Sciences Innovation) of 10 million euros, mainly for pre-clinical and early clinical trials technical support.
The Oxford team is led by Professor Matthew Wood, professor of neurology at the University of Oxford, and Dr. Samir Andalusi, a researcher and assistant professor at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. They use their own small transporters (small circular nanostructures that reciprocate between cells) to deliver drugs to the brain so that this new therapy can target the correct tissue.
These small transporters are called exosomes. They are completely natural and act as molecular carriers in millions of bodies, mediating cell-to-cell communication. Professor Wood said: "Being able to put drugs into the brain is one of the main obstacles preventing us from treating many diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and cancer." "Currently, more than 98% of drugs cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. This It is a protective mechanism in the human body, but it also interferes with the provision of many drugs.
"What we can do is to transform these exosomes into effective therapeutic agents that carry and target, such as protein and RNA drugs. These special tissues include brain tissue."
After is successfully implemented, we should be able to increase the effectiveness of the new drug and limit its side effects. The treatment of exosomes has completely changed the treatment of many diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease and brain inflammation. This can be achieved by intravenous injection or pills instead of directly injecting the drug into the brain.
"I believe this method will become a turning point for the next generation of RNA therapy and gene editing technology."
University technology commercialization company Isis Technology Innovation has applied for patents, business plans and marketing. Created opportunities. Support from the research team. Adam Stoten, Director of Life Sciences and Technology, Dr. Isis Technology Innovation Corporation, said: Work with your pharmaceutical company to achieve this goal. "