O Development of a drug aimed at treating type 2 diabetes, the most common among the world's population, is the objective of a partnership signed on October 2nd by Unicamp and Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos. The company will disburse R$2 million to finance tests of a compound produced by the Cell Signaling Laboratory of the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM). If the medicine reaches the market, Aché will pay between 2,5% and 4% in royalties from net revenue to the University, which holds the patent for the technology. According to the parties involved in the agreement, the signing of a licensing agreement of this type is still uncommon in Brazil, although it is common in the United States and Europe.

Medicine will provide lower expenses for the patient

According to doctor Lício Velloso, head of the Cell Signaling Laboratory, the compound is an oligonucleotide, that is, an altered DNA molecule. In preliminary tests carried out on diabetic mice, this molecule demonstrated the ability to block the production of a protein called PGC-1, which acts in the regulation of metabolism. Thanks to this inhibition, the production of insulin by the body shows a significant improvement, as does the action of the hormone in peripheral tissues. According to the expert, this is the great difference of the drug under development compared to conventional drugs. “Currently, the market offers only two classes of medicines: one that increases insulin production and another that improves its action on tissues. The compound we are researching works both ways,” he explains.

One of the possible consequences of this combined therapy, according to Velloso, is the reduction in the number of medications needed to treat diabetes, which could result in lower costs for patients. The tests that will be carried out from now on should last between three and five years, and will also be carried out on animals. At the current stage, the biggest concern, as highlighted by the head of the Cell Signaling Laboratory, is checking the level of toxicity of the drug and what the recommended doses are. “Only after we have these answers will we be able to think about a new stage, which involves trials on humans”, he observes. If everything goes as expected, the medicine will take around ten years to reach pharmacies. It is estimated that 10% of the world's population – something like 18 million people in Brazil – has type 2 diabetes.

Teaching and innovation – The rector of Unicamp, José Tadeu Jorge, highlights the importance of signing the licensing contract, remembering that it is the result of the educational model adopted by the institution since its beginnings. The research carried out at the University, states the rector, is one of the elements that make its teaching of good quality. “As important as reaching the cutting edge of knowledge is knowing that this same knowledge is being transmitted to our students, both undergraduate and postgraduate”, he emphasizes.

Regarding Unicamp's approach to the production sector, Tadeu Jorge highlighted that this movement is not new. He draws attention to the fact that the founder of the University, Zeferino Vaz, sought out businesspeople from the Campinas region to gather opinions on the curriculum that would be adopted by the institution. The objective was to compose a set of disciplines that could train qualified human resources to work in the market. “Currently, this type of initiative is considered common. 40 years ago, however, she was very bold.”

According to the dean, partnerships signed with private companies reinforce Unicamp's interaction with society in general, as they normally result in products, techniques or processes that generate well-being and wealth for the country. “In this aspect, it is worth highlighting the work that has been carried out by the Unicamp Innovation Agency [Inova] in order to facilitate this type of cooperation. Filing patents is important, but not as important as licensing them. It is through licensing that we have the opportunity to transform knowledge into something that brings benefit to the population.”

For the vice-rector and general coordinator of Unicamp, Fernando Ferreira Costa, contracts like the one signed by the University and Aché are uncommon in Brazil. According to him, although national scientific production is growing, it would be necessary to triple it to make this type of partnership become routine. “Actions like this are strategic for citizens and the country, as they produce scientific and technological independence”, he analyzes. Inova's executive director, Roberto Lotufo, states that the agreement made with Aché is a reflection of the University's boldness in the area of ​​research and development. In three years of activity, Inova signed 250 technology transfer and technological service contracts with the private sector. Last September, the agency was chosen by the Financier of Studies and Projects (Finep), an entity of the Ministry of Science and Technology, as the science and technology institution that best carries out technological innovation in the Southeast region of the country.

New partnerships – The financial director of Aché Laboratórios Farmacêuticos, José Ricardo Mendes da Silva, informs that the company has dedicated itself in recent years to consolidating its position in the market. “Now we are building the research side. Last year, we launched the first herbal medicine developed in Brazil. We believe that this partnership with Unicamp will bring great results, and could even change the lives of millions of people”, he predicts.

Aché's medical-scientific director, José Roberto Lazzarini, agrees that Brazil does not have a tradition in R&D, but emphasizes that this is fundamentally due to financial issues. Doing cutting-edge science, he says, requires a lot of money. “In the pharmaceutical segment, between the beginning of the research and the placing of the product on the market, an average of US$800 million is invested”, he estimates. Lazzarini believes, however, that it is possible to believe in Brazil in this area, as long as there is greater rapprochement between the university, the productive sector and the government. “This tripod is essential for us to advance scientifically and technologically.” In the opinion of the company's director, Unicamp is possibly the Brazilian institution that is most prepared to solve Brazil's technological problems, in whatever areas of knowledge. “I’m sure we will form new partnerships again”, he adds.

Disease affects obese people

The Brazilian Diabetes Society (SBD) reports that type 2 diabetes has a greater hereditary factor than type 1. Furthermore, there is a strong relationship with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. It is estimated that between 60% and 90% of people with the disease are obese. The incidence is higher after age 40. One of its peculiarities is the continuous production of insulin by the pancreas. The problem lies in the inability of muscle and fat cells to absorb it. For many reasons, cells cannot metabolize enough glucose from the bloodstream. This is an anomaly called “insulin resistance”. Type 2 diabetes is about eight to ten times more common than type 1 and can respond to treatment with diet and exercise. Other times you will need oral medications and, finally, a combination of these with insulin. The most common symptoms of the disease are: frequent infections, visual changes (blurred vision), difficulty in wound healing, tingling in the feet and furunculosis.