DINNESMIN

The project aims to establish a strategic collaboration between Bionature (BN), one of the few Greek academic spin-offs for drug development from the University of Crete, and Qualia Pharma (QP), a fully Greek pharmaceutical company, for the preclinical development of novel, internationally competitive drug candidates for Alzheimer’s disease (AD)—a disorder affecting millions worldwide with no effective therapy to date.

Bionature has developed non-toxic, synthetic small molecules capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, binding with high chemical affinity, and activating the TrkA receptor of the NGF neurotrophin (Micro-neurotrophins), exhibiting strong neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties. These Micro-neurotrophins are protected by international patents in 130 countries owned by Bionature.

The two companies collaborate with internationally competitive Greek academic laboratories (Foundation for Research & Technology – University of Crete, Crete/Patras, and the National Hellenic Research Foundation, Athens) with the following objectives:

Expansion of the Micro-neurotrophin chemical library by synthesizing new molecules targeting the TrkB receptor, which binds BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) and is implicated in AD, aiming for new international patents jointly owned by the two companies.

Proof-of-concept studies to evaluate the efficacy of Micro-neurotrophins (neuroprotection, neurogenesis, memory and behavioral effects) in AD experimental models (5XFAD transgenic mice) and to conduct comprehensive pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies in rodents—essential for filing an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the FDA and EMA.