We alleviate the societal burden of complex human diseases by engaging in continuous innovation that integrates chemistry, biology and pharmaceutical sciences. Multidisciplinary teams collaborate daily to develop pioneering tools and techniques to prevent, detect and treat cancer, neurodegenerative, metabolic and infectious diseases.
Areas of Impact
Oncology
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. At imed, we aim to provide innovative solutions to cancer patients through disruptive advances in fundamental scientific discoveries, guided by a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of this disease. This advanced knowledge drives imed drug discovery program towards the identification of druggable targets that fuel cancer progression. imed cancer research program integrates biochemistry, molecular/cell biology and immunology with chemistry, nanotechnology and biotechnology to translate this fundamental knowledge into novel tools for cancer diagnosis, prevention and therapy. Emerging technologies include innovative small molecules as well as advanced delivery systems and devices for newly identified drugs and biologics.
Neurodegenerative disorders
Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Multiple Sclerosis are characterized by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the central nervous system. Although neurodegenerative diseases are typically defined by specific protein accumulations, regional vulnerability and parenchyma atrophy, these disorders share many fundamental processes associated with inflammation, glial reactivity, neuroimmune interactions and progressive neuronal dysfunction. At imed, we seek to understand the molecular basis of central nervous system pathogenesis, guiding the rational development of innovative therapeutic approaches for these diseases. Our strategy brings together neuroscientists, biophysicists and chemists to identify novel mechanisms driving disease onset and progression and envision new treatments. Our long-term vision encompasses the identification of novel, early biomarkers for pre-symptomatic disease diagnosis; the discovery of new targets for pharmacological intervention; as well as innovative strategies to prevent disease occurrence.
Metabolic Diseases
Metabolic disorders play a key role in many different human diseases by affecting the ability of cells to perform critical biochemical reactions that involve the processing or transport of proteins, carbohydrates, or lipids. At imed, we are studying non-endoplasmic reticulum associated rare inherited diseases and probing novel molecular targets involved in cell function to develop innovative therapeutics for metabolic disorders underlying diabetes, cancer and liver diseases. We perform biochemical and biophysical characterization of enzymes, transporters and channels involved in metabolic pathways, and employ innovative molecular biology techniques on cellular and animal models of metabolic diseases to identify novel mechanisms of disease pathogenesis that can translate into druggable biological targets. Benefiting from our ties with the pharma industry, we further synthesize and screen putative drugs for identified targets, while working towards the development of novel medical devices with the same goal.
Infectious Diseases
Infectious diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms that infect a host and can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one organism to another are a major threat to our societies. imed takes advantage of its multidisciplinary teams to gain insights into the mechanisms of infection associated to existing and emerging threats, aiming at the development of multipronged approaches capable of targeting host-infectious agent interaction, while controlling disease progression. We aim to further innovative research, with the end goals of increasing scientific knowledge and improved patient care. imed is actively developing effective vaccines and treatments to combat the spread of infectious diseases and to improve clinical care. Our coordinated efforts are directed towards the prevention, early detection, and intervention against public health threats, including malaria, HIV and Covid19, as well as tuberculosis, fungal and parasitic diseases.