Luana Moraes, Bruna Ribeiro and Mariana Diniz are producing a new concept of non-invasive treatment against HPV-related diseases
Did you know that a therapeutic vaccine against cancer caused by HPV is being created by three Brazilian women scientists? Pharmacist Luana Moraes and biologists Bruna Ribeiro and Mariana Diniz are the names behind Terah-7, a new immunotherapy concept (treatment that stimulates the immune system to fight diseases) being developed by ImunoTera, a spin off biotechnology company also created by the researchers. According to them, the aim is to complete the development of the immunotherapy to offer a non-invasive and effective treatment against HPV-related diseases, such as cervical lesions, cervical cancer and head and neck cancer.
"The treatment made possible by ImunoTera, which is based on an injectable recombinant protein, is capable of teaching defense cells to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. The technology was developed during our master's and doctoral projects, and the results achieved generated two patent applications that were recently licensed by ImunoTera", Bruna said in a video for the USP Innovation Agency.
Product created by the scientists showed a permanent cure in an experimental model
The idea for the product came about in 2016, while the scientists were at USP's Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICB) in São Paulo. In their research, they came up with what they named Terah-7, based on a recombinant protein capable of directing and activating the immune system itself. The treatment is innovative and can be administered in the form of a DNA vaccine or recombinant protein alongside chemotherapy.
"Our product showed 100% regression of tumors in an experimental model and also showed synergism with other treatments already available in the clinic, such as chemotherapy. This association made it possible to reduce the dose of chemotherapy as well as the side effects induced by the treatment.", Luana Moraes in the video.
Now, the researchers' next step is to obtain a clinical proof of concept for Terah-7 with cells from patients diagnosed with precancerous lesions on the cervix. To do this, the trio has a partnership with the Hospital das Clínicas (HC) of the USP School of Medicine.
The company was created by the researchers to accelerate innovation in biotechnology
But, after all, how - and why - did the biotechnology company come about? In practice, in order for the product to be produced and marketed, the scientists decided it would be best to create their own company - and that's when the spin off ImunoTera was created, also in 2016. From then on, the three began participating in innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives to create connections with other startups in the biotechnology sector.
It's worth noting that, over the years, ImunoTera has enjoyed strong support from the ICB, which has made the Vaccine Development Laboratory available to the company. "The current director, Professor Luís Carlos de Souza Ferreira, opened the doors of the laboratory he heads with a bench and sophisticated equipment for cell culture, microbiology and molecular biology," Luana told Jornal da USP.
In addition to the ICB, the São Paulo State Research Foundation (Fapesp) provided an initial investment from the Pipe-Fapesp call for proposals (which made it possible to confirm the potential of the DNA vaccine) and the USP Innovation Agency (Auspin), which helped the researchers in the patent licensing processes.
The ImunoTera company, created by the trio of scientists, has already received several awards in the field of innovation and oncology
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Since its foundation, ImunoTera has taken part in several acceleration programs and has been awarded some prizes in the area of innovation and oncology - such as the Fleury Group Innovation Prize in 2015, and the Octavio Frias de Oliveira Prize from the São Paulo State Cancer Institute in 2014. In 2020, the spin off was also one of the winners of the 'Innovative Women' award, promoted by FINEP.
"We are passionate about science, fans of biotechnology, and believe in the potential of innovation to save lives. That's what drives us", concludes Luana in the video.
