The call for applications in the ABM competition ran from June 13, 2024 to August 18, 2024. 169 applications were submitted for substantive evaluation. Fifty-seven received funding, among them are three projects from MUW.
The winning projects
The development of new therapeutic systems for precise delivery and controlled release of anticancer drugs in the treatment of pancreatic cancer
The project has received funding in the amount of PLN 12,298,250.25. Prof. Marcin Sobczak, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Biomaterials MUW, is the project's substantive director. As written in the project application, pancreatic cancer, of which pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas (PDAC) is the most common histopathological subtype, is among the very poorly promising disease entities. The incidence of PDAC is increasing worldwide. This cancer has a high mortality rate due to its aggressive biology and usually delayed diagnosis. The main objective of the planned project is to develop new therapeutic systems for precise delivery and controlled release of anti-cancer drugs (DDSs) for chemotherapy applications (also using local hyperthermia). The developed materials will target the treatment of pancreatic cancer (mainly pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC).
Innovative methods for risk assessment and prevention of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) as a complication of CAR-T cell therapy
The project has received funding in the amount of PLN 13,601,796.25. The project is led by Prof. Mariusz Ratajczak of the Regenerative Medicine Laboratory MUW in cooperation with the MUW Faculty of Medicine teams composed of: Prof. Magdalena Kucia, Prof. Grzegorz Basak, Prof. Marta Struga and Radosław Zagożdżon, MD, PhD. As written in the project application, MUW is actively implementing a novel treatment strategy using modified chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) to treat patients with hematopoietic proliferative diseases and selected autoimmune diseases. This is the most technologically advanced form of immunotherapy, using the patient's own immune forces to fight cancer or autoimmune disease. One of the adverse, often lethal complications of such therapy is the induction of the so-called cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in the recipient of CAR-T cells. In an effort to increase the efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy, MUW researchers propose to develop early detection of CRS and strategies to prevent intracellular activation of nonspecific immunity. This novel research will serve to develop innovative strategies to improve the use of CAR-T cells in clinical practice and may become the subject of patent applications.
The use of the bioactive postbiotic metabolite of procyanidins - PVL208 in the treatment of inflammatory skin conditions of various etiologies
The project has received funding in the amount of PLN 14,981,100. The project is headed by Professor Jakub Piwowarski, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Bioanalysis MUW. As written in the project application, inflammatory skin conditions of various etiologies affect a large part of the population. Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects about 20% of children and 7% of adults. Currently, there is no effective therapy leading to a complete remission of AD, and treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms as well as achieving control of relapses. The moderate therapeutic efficacy of available drugs, significant side effects, and patient satisfaction as well as physician opinion data clearly indicate the need to develop new therapies. PVL208 is a postbiotic metabolite produced by the human intestinal microbiota from compounds of natural origin. The project plans to conduct experimental development work to exploit the anti-inflammatory potential of PVL208 in the topical treatment of inflammatory skin conditions of various etiologies.
About the ABM competition
The competition (2024/ABM/03/KPO) was conducted within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Component D Efficiency, Accessibility and Quality of the Health System, Investment D3.1.1 Comprehensive development of research in medical and health sciences. The amount allocated for the competition was PLN 450 million. The maximum value of co-financing for one project could amount to PLN 15 million. Implementation of the supported work is expected to lead to an increase in the number of innovative projects for new or improved solutions/ technologies/ products/ methods/ with potential for future use, which in the long term can contribute to increasing the efficiency and quality of the health care system.