J. Norberto Pires Innovation Award 2023 goes to project that provides tailored treatment for epilepsy patients
The award was presented to project coordinators Ana Fortuna and Joana Bicker for their project to accurately determine the optimal drug dose for each patient based on their specific characteristics.
Translation: Diana Taborda
The PkXplorer®Epi project, focused on the development of dosage individualisation models for epilepsy patients, is the winner of the 2nd edition of the J. Norberto Pires Innovation Award, granted by the University of Coimbra (UC). The award was presented to the project coordinators Ana Fortuna and Joana Bicker, professors at the UC Faculty of Pharmacy and researchers at the Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research (CIBIT), during Inovação@UC (Innovation@UC), held on the 5th of December at the São Francisco Convent (Coimbra).
The PkXplorer®Epi project addresses the lack of dose individualisation models (PopPK- Population Pharmacokinetics) for epilepsy patients receiving new generation anticonvulsants. These models are designed to accurately determine the optimal drug dose for each patient based on their specific characteristics and using pre-defined biomarkers such as plasma or salivary concentrations of the drug and/or its metabolites.
The two scientists and their research group have developed three innovative analytical techniques for measuring new generation anticonvulsants, two in human plasma and one in human saliva, and have also created the first PopPK model for dose individualisation of “perampane” in adult patients diagnosed with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Their goal is now to integrate the developed models into a computer application that can be used by healthcare professionals to tailor anticonvulsant treatment and extend it to other pharmacotherapeutic groups.
The team's solution will enable the development of more effective and safer treatments in less time, reducing the risk of sub-therapeutic effects and toxicity, resulting in a better quality of life for patients as well as reduced health and social costs. According to UC Vice-Rector Luís Neves, who chaired the jury that awarded the prize, "The winning project stood out from a large number of high-quality applications, confirming its merit".
The J. Norberto Pires Innovation Award aims to promote and recognise groundbreaking initiatives designed and developed by students, staff, faculty or researchers of the University of Coimbra (or those with any kind of academic or professional link to the UC), as a tribute to Joaquim Norberto Pires for his exceptional contribution to innovation at the University of Coimbra. The award is granted annually and includes a diploma and a 6,000 Euros prize.
