Multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR) are strains of bacteria that have become resistant to multiple antibiotics, difficult or even impossible to treat with conventional antibiotics. Researchers at IBEC have developed an immunomodulator (MbBOOST) that offers a promising non-antibiotic alternative for the treatment of bacterial infections, especially those caused by MDR, as they have the potential to modulate the host's immune system to combat the pathogens. Our technology has demonstrated to drastically reduce or eliminate infections from resistant bacteria from our infection models. We plan to further validate the technology and maturate it into a product that can reduce the use of antibiotics and decrease the rate of antibiotic resistance globally.

A new peptide-based delivery platform to direct therapy-loaded nanoparticles to the brain by generating 'artificial' targets selectively on the brain vasculature. The platform, termed Brain Targets Artificially Generated (Brain-TAG), differs form current delivery strategies employing 'natural' targets with inherent brain-spceficity and safety limitations. Therefore, Brain-TAG has the potential to achive truly brain-specific therapy delivery against a wide range of brain disorders.

Malaria is the first parasitic disease in number of deaths. The currently used drugs are becoming increasingly useless due to rapid evolution of resistance in the parasites. Based on our current results, we propose the development of a new drug with potent in vitro activity against Plasmodium. Our preliminary data indicate that this new compounds will be highly active and stable without the need for refrigeration, significantly impervious to resistance, with an optimal activity/toxicity ratio, of easy and rapid synthesis, and with a good cost/activity balance; all these characteristics are unavoidably expected within the current clinical and economic landscape of malaria.

Neurological drugs, electrical and magnetic stimulations of the nervous system are clinically used to treat tremor and Parkinson’s disease, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and provide important benefits to patients, their families, and society. However, possess very important drawbacks, from high toxicity to invasiveness and high costs. In our laboratory, we have developed a series of compounds based on photopharmacology principles, with the unique advantage of controlling the neuronal signalling using light. Our strategy would allow for a safe use of potent neurological drugs, non-invasively, with a high spatiotemporal resolution of activation.

ISCHEMSURG IS A DISPOSABLE MEDICAL DEVICE THAT CONTAINS A MINITURIZED ELECTRONIC SENSORS (SIZE LESSTHAN 1mm) FOR A MINIMALLY INVASIVE MONITORING OF TISSUE ISCHEMIA

Our researchers have developed a universal 3D bioprinting technology capable of producing thin, homogeneous, and width-controlled free-form fibers using various cell-laden hydrogels. This method is especially suited for creating skeletal muscle tissues with biomimetic design and functionality. The technology includes a kit for 3D bioprinting (bioink + bioprinting methodology) and can be applied in the 3D bioprinting market, preclinical drug development and regenerative medicine.

mhealthySleep is a a new mobile health (mHealth) system, based on smartphone sensors and wireless devices, which could facilitate the early detection, assessment, and management of sleep disorders at home.

We have developed a drone for measuring the concentration of odour in real operation conditions. The drone includes a measurement chamber with a set of sensors configured to measure multiple parameters from air samples and a geopositioning system that allows a precise mapping of the odour signals. Our system is currently at a TRL 6 and has been validated in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) as relevant industrial environment.

ONCOBOTS is a patented technology based on enzyme-powered nanomotors, which are capable to navigate in fluids due to the biocatalytic decomposition of fuel contained in body fluids. ONCOBOTS core can be loaded with anticancer drugs and their surface can also include additional moieties, such as antibodies for cancer targeting, PEG for immune system camouflaging, or markers for fluorescence detection.

HEPATEX is a cell encapsulation technology platform that limits spheroids degradation and improves cell viability and stability in-vitro, while facilitating exchange of produced factors. As a bioink platform it is able to encapsulate cells using bio-printed micro spheroids wherein collagen is used to generate two-layer capsules cross-linked with tannic acid. This technology offer encapsulation solutions to companies specialized in cell-based tissue replacement, to improve cell viability and therapeutic outcomes.