Download Ferrer, IBEC and Mind the Byte join forces to study new molecules

Press release
Ferrer, IBEC and Mind the Byte join forces to study new
molecules against cancer metastasis
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This venture is a new example of public-private technology transfer in Catalonia
between a pharmaceutical company with representation in over 90 countries and
two organizations based at the Barcelona Science Park: a bioinformatics SME and
a research center recognized with the Severo Ochoa Seal of Excellence.
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The study will be carried out, taking as a starting point, the pioneering research
work conducted Dr. Xavier Trepat from the Institute for Bioengeneering of
Catalonia on how cadherins interact in metastasis
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A computational design will be used to reduce costs and time
Barcelona, 14 September 2016 – The pharmaceutical company Ferrer, has created a consortium with
the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the bioinformatics company Mind the Byte –
located at the Barcelona Science Park (PCB)– to study the development of new therapeutic molecules
against cancer metastasis. The work will follow the research conducted by Dr. Xavier Trepat, ICREA
professor at and one of the few scientist that has won three grants from the European Research Council
(ERC) on cadherin interaction and their role in cells that cause metastasis.
Both Dr. Andrés G. Fernández-director of of Ferrer Advanced Biotherapeutics- and Dr. Alfons NonellCanals- a specialist in computer-aided drug design and CEO of the bioinformatics company Mind the
Byte- agree that this is a case of technology transfer between a public research center and two private
companies that will contribute with their knowledge and expertise. "
In the first phase of the project, to be started this September, Mind the Byte will computationally model
the interactions of cadherin molecules and will design molecules to act as potential blockers. The
decision to incorporate the computational design at this early stage "is to reduce costs and time," says
Nonell-Canals. Further along the project, Dr. Trepat´s team will be responsible for testing these
molecules. For its part, Ferrer will contribute with their "know-how" on chemistry and pharmacology and
their expertise in drug development, and will take on a key role as an industrial partner at a later stage in
the project if the expected results are achieved.
Ferrer´s current pipeline includes over a dozen external projects resulting from strengthened
innovation thanks to collaborations and partnerships with public research groups and biotechnology
companies with a view to tackle unmet clinical needs.
IBEC, a multidisciplinary center focusing on bioengineering and nanotechnology, has renewed its push
for technology transfer by implementing fast and red-tape free decision processes. As emphasized by
Dr. Xavier Rúbies, head of the technology transfer unit at IBEC, knowledge of the market and its
determinants is essential to ensure a real transfer.
Photo: Andrés G. Fernández, Xavier Trepat and Alfons Nonell-Canals lead the consortium on behalf of
Ferrer, IBEC and Mind the Byte, respectively.
www.ferrer.com • www.ibecbarcelona.eu • www.mindthebyte.com
About Ferrer
Founded in 1959, Ferrer (www.ferrer.com) is a pharmaceutical company based in Barcelona, with 24 international
subsidiaries and a presence in over 95 countries. Ferrer carries out activities along the entire value chain, from R &
D to international marketing in the pharmaceutical, healthcare industries, fine chemicals and power, key to
contribute to improving the health and quality areas of life of people. The strong commitment of Ferrer to R & D has
recently led to reinforce its strategy in collaborations and partnerships with public research groups and
biotechnology companies, creating a specific area for that purpose, Ferrer Advanced Biotherapeutics, which will
develop projects with high added value.
About IBEC
The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to research of
excellence at the frontier between engineering and life sciences. The goal of IBEC is to generate new knowledge by
combining together areas such as nanomedicine, biophysics, biotechnology, tissue bioengineering and application
of information technologies to health. In 2014, IBEC´s work was recognized with the Severo Ochoa Seal of
Excellence.
The model designed by IBEC has been inspired by a new creative and innovative ecosystem, based on the
interaction among researchers experts in different technologies (nano-bio-info-cogno) with one common goal: to
generate new knowledge and engineering solutions in health technology.
IBEC, based at the Barcelona Science Park, was founded in 2005 by the Ministries of Innovation, Universities and
Health Enterprises of the Generalitat of Catalonia, the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Polytechnic University
of Catalonia (UPC). It currently has 17 research groups and 250 researchers.
About Mind the Byte
Mind the Byte (www.mindthebyte.com) is a bioinformatics company specializing in computational drug design with
headquarters at the Barcelona Science Park and at the Copenhagen Bio Science Park. The company currently has
two lines of business: development and commercialization of next generation software through the SaaA (Software
as a Service) pay per use platform -a pioneer in the market- and customized services of computational chemistry
for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, research institutions and research groups around the world
committed to reduce the cost of research and drug development (drug discovery) processes and expedite the 'time
to market' of new medicines (from 1 to 3 years earlier). Mind the Byte is a technological partner of Amazon Web
Services and member of the Microsoft BizSpark Plus program and associations such as CataloniaBio,
Bioinformatics Barcelona and Medicon Valley.
About the Barcelona Science Park (PCB)
The Barcelona Science Park (PCB), created in 1997 by the University of Barcelona, promotes research, knowledge
transfer and innovation through the smart management of spaces, services and partnerships. Its aim is to stimulate
the PCB Community, composed of more than 2,000 researchers, entrepreneurs, businessmen and professionals,
especially in the field of life sciences, with a focus to turn ideas into innovations.
To learn more about PCB, visit www.pcb.ub.edu
For further information:
Ferrer
Marina Diez, Cariotipo MH5
914 111 347
[email protected]
IBEC
Angels López
934 037 299
[email protected]
Parc Científic de Barcelona
Azucena Berea
934034662
[email protected]
www.ferrer.com • www.ibecbarcelona.eu • www.mindthebyte.com