Science communication from the Center for Translational Science and Development of Biopharmaceuticals

• Grant number: 24/13799-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Journalism
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Communications - Journalism and Publishing
• Principal Investigator: Rui Seabra Ferreira Junior
• Grantee: Melissa Arruda Vieira
• Host Institution: Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos (CEVAP). Centro Virtual de Toxinologia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Centro de Estudos de Venenos e Animais Peçonhentos (CEVAP), Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11936-3 - Center for Translational Science and Biopharmaceutical Development, AP.CCD

Abstract

Technological advances are continually emerging to improve the discovery, rational modification, production and purification of biopharmaceuticals. The identification of different species of microorganisms from Brazilian biodiversity, using innovative strategies, must be carried out with a view to discovering alternative hosts for heterologous expression. The Center for the Study of Venoms and Poisonous Animals (CEVAP) - UNESP Translational Research Unit - has been prospecting and developing candidate molecules for the production of biopharmaceuticals since its foundation. Two bioproducts, respectively called "Fibrin Sealant" and "Anti-Apilic Serum", were developed by our team and have already crossed the "Valley of Death", awaiting investment for phase III clinical research and subsequent registration with ANVISA for distribution in the Unified Health System (SUS) network. To meet the last stage of phase III research, the product requires Good Manufacturing Practices. To overcome this challenge, the researchers submitted to the Ministry of Health the construction of the Pilot Batch Factory of Biopharmaceuticals for Clinical Research, the only one in Latin America, which was approved and tendered by UNESP in August 2021 for the amount of R$ 12,222,222.20. This Factory-School will meet internal demands, from other research institutions in Brazil, as well as from abroad, as it will function as a CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization). The Center for Translational Science and Development of Biopharmaceuticals proposed in this project, in addition to continuing the existing products, will develop and implement platforms for prototyping recombinant molecules for a new fibrin sealant 2.0 aiming to improve its healing performance; research and produce mono and polyclonal antibodies against Sars-Cov-2; and finally implement a platform for serological diagnosis against COVID-19 based on recombinant antigens. The antibody production and serological diagnostic technologies may be transferred to treat other viral diseases given the versatility and applicability of the proposal. To make the project viable, the candidates assigned to UNESP (headquarters), USP and the Biological Institutes, Adolfo Lutz and Emilio Ribas (partner institutions), as well as foreign collaborating institutions, will make every effort to achieve the established goals and implement the proposed projects and subprojects. We will also have the participation of visiting researchers from KU Leuven in Belgium and SRM University Delhi-NCR in India. Thus, it is necessary to disseminate scientific advances to the academic community as well as to society.