Carrying out research at the Process, Environmental, Biotechnology and Energy Engineering Laboratory (LEPABE) of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), in Portugal, Joana Loureiro and Maria do Carmo Pereira are preparing for the new phase of the innovative approach they began developing several years ago together with researchers from their team: a controlled drug release system for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Technology based on nanoparticles designed to transport drugs directly to the brain is particularly interesting for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, as it allows drugs to be delivered to the affected regions of the brain, maximising therapeutic effects and minimising side effects.
This technology could mean “a breakthrough in the treatment of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and brain cancers, where treatment options are limited by the inability to achieve efficient drug delivery to the brain” says Joana Loureiro.
“These nanoparticles are modified with specific molecules that have a natural affinity with brain receptors. In addition, they have molecules that induce cell permeability, enabling them to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) – a selective protective membrane that normally blocks most substances from entering the brain,’ explains the professor from the Faculty of Engineering.
In addition to the awards and honours they have received over the last few years for this promising research, Joana Loureiro and Maria do Carmo Pereira created the startup BNanoTech, were selected for an investment from XTX Ventures, worth 120,000 euros, in order to accelerate this technology and confirm its disruptive potential. “Our next steps involve building a robust financing strategy to secure the capital needed for further research and development (R&D),” she adds.
Developing the idea through Conception X
The potential of this technology has been proven in sessions that have taken place in London in June and November 2024, where the receptiveness of investors has enabled progress to be made within the technological entrepreneurship programme of Conception X, a London company that relies heavily on the talent of doctoral students in the search for solutions to problems that affect a large part of the sectors of activity in our societies. FEUP is the first institution outside the UK to join Conception X’s technological entrepreneurship programme.
“One of the most distinctive features of the programme is the guidance provided by industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs, who offer practical guidance, helping researchers to tackle the specific challenges of launching a technological product onto the market. This support extends to crucial areas such as legal considerations, intellectual property management and customer validation, equipping participants with a comprehensive toolkit for the success of future startups that may be created. With the experience, support and knowledge acquired through Conception X, we created our startup and we were selected for investment through XTX Ventures, which allows us to bring our technology even closer to patients with neurological diseases.”
