Every year, hundreds of families arrive at the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu hoping to find a treatment for highly aggressive forms of childhood cancer. In some cases, these hopes clash with a complex scientific reality: the difficulty of getting drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier and act effectively against pediatric brain tumors. In this scenario of high medical and scientific demand, Clàudia Resa's industrial doctoral project is framed, developed between Gate2Brain and the research group in Pediatric Cancer Treatment of the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute ( IRSJD – UB ).
His project focuses on the preclinical evaluation of an innovative drug delivery system based on shuttle peptides, specifically MiniAp-4, with the aim of improving the ability of chemotherapeutic drugs to reach the brain and act on previously untreatable tumors. Through this technology, his research aims to take a decisive step towards clinical application, providing solutions to patients who currently do not have viable therapeutic alternatives.
In this interview, she shares with us her experience as an industrial doctoral student in a highly specialized scientific environment, explains the milestones achieved throughout the project and reflects on the value of applied research that establishes bridges between academia and business to transform knowledge into clinical hope.
– What do you research in your industrial doctorate?
– My thesis project focused on the preclinical development of a new drug delivery system based on shuttle peptides. Specifically, we worked with MiniAp-4, a peptide developed over the last fifteen years by several research groups. The main objective was to conjugate it with drugs, specifically chemotherapeutics, which on their own cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. Using these peptides, we checked whether the drugs managed to reach the brain and if, once there, they were effective against pediatric brain tumors.
– How do you experience the final stage of the project?
– On the one hand, it seems that the end will never come, since in research there is always something more to contribute, some result that complements what has already been obtained. But, on the other hand, I feel great satisfaction in seeing how during these four years I have worked to achieve results that provide scientific evidence that our drug may indeed be a candidate with future potential to treat pediatric brain tumors.
“I am proud to have developed a new delivery system for a highly cytotoxic drug that until now was not administrable to patients.”
– Why did you choose the industrial doctorate?
– When I finished university, I did my final degree project in the laboratory of the Friedrich Cancer Center in Barcelona. Later, I took a master's degree in drug development. Upon completing it, I considered whether to continue in research or to orient myself towards other sectors. Then the opportunity of an industrial doctorate arose, which I considered as an opportunity to do applied research. For me it was essential that the research in which I participated had an impact beyond academia. Although I consider academic research to be essential, I was especially motivated by the possibility that the results of my work could have a direct application in a company and, consequently, reach a real clinical development.
– What results would you highlight?
– Mainly, I am proud to have developed a new delivery system for a highly cytotoxic drug that until now was not administrable to patients due to its physicochemical characteristics. Our strategy allows it to be administered safely in preclinical models, while maintaining its high antitumor activity. In addition, this formulation is easy to produce on an industrial scale, as it avoids the use of organic solvents that often limit clinical application. This breakthrough has allowed us to obtain a patent for the developed system. We have also been able to demonstrate that this system can transport the drug to the brain in biologically relevant concentrations, causing a significant reduction in tumor volume in animal models. These preclinical data have facilitated the application for Orphan Drug Designation at the European level, an important step that will bring regulatory benefits to the company.
– How has the collaboration between business and research worked?
– The relationship has been very positive and fluid, thanks to the constant good communication between the academic and business parties. Although I was in the middle, everyone was clear about their role. In the laboratory, my role was to develop the project, while from the company we received indications on which lines of research would be most relevant to their commercial interest. This rapport has allowed us to move forward easily, without significant difficulties throughout the doctorate.
“Industrial doctoral students must always think about the applicability and industrial viability of their results, which gives them a broader perspective oriented towards real impact”
– What has this experience brought you?
– The industrial doctorate has given me, first of all, the satisfaction of knowing that the results obtained will have continuity and practical application, possibly reaching future clinical trials. This has been an important advantage over purely academic research. It has also allowed me to discover other professional opportunities within the scientific field, beyond the laboratory. Specifically, thanks to the interaction with the company, I have identified an interest in the regulatory and project management part. During the last year of the doctorate, I completed a master's degree in Industrial Pharmacy and Drug Registration that complements this new professional interest.
– What difficulties have you had to face?
– Pursuing a PhD comes with significant challenges, especially the need for persistence and determination in the face of technical difficulties that inevitably arise. We encountered several obstacles at the beginning of the project, but thanks to the continuous communication and the experience of my thesis supervisors, both clinical and peptide development, we were able to overcome them. Most technical problems were resolved through open dialogue. Personally, this experience has also contributed to my growth by showing me that I am capable of generating knowledge with real impact.
– And now, which path do you want to follow?
– The first immediate challenge is to successfully defend my doctoral thesis. After that, I will face a significant change, as I will leave my laboratory work to dedicate myself to scientific management and Project Management. Although it is a major change, I feel prepared thanks to the practical experience acquired, which allows me to have a comprehensive vision of the scientific development process from the preclinical phase to commercialization.
– Would you recommend doing an Industrial Doctorate?
– I would recommend the Industrial Doctorate because it provides a more transversal vision that goes beyond traditional academic research. Industrial doctoral students must always think about the applicability and industrial viability of their results. This allows them to develop a broader perspective and one oriented towards the real impact of their work, opening up the possibility of applying these results in various areas and clinical contexts.
