1. 1/7/2014
Current Projects – some examples of activities on the Campus
‘NorthGell’ is a research and development project in which two new product concepts are developed based on hydrogels. These hydrogels are
formed by a new class of biomedical polymers which can dissolve in water. They may be injected in the skin or subcutaneous using a very thin
needle. Due to the high temperature a hydrogel is formed with which imperfections of the skin such as wrinkles and other irregularities can be
filled. This application is called the TissueGell. A pharmaceutical ingredient can also be added to the hydrogel which, during its slow
decomposition, can gradually perform its desired effect. It can be used for example to prevent fibrosis (forming of scars) in the healing of the
skin. This application is called PharmaGell. Both product concepts have commercial potential. The current project is aimed at product
development and examining its manufacturability.
The ‘Twincer’ is a medical device whose concept was developed and patented by the University of Groningen (RUG). The Twincer is a dry
powder inhaler for single use, designed for relatively high doses. The shape is such that the drug is dispersed very effective upon inhalation.
This project involves three parties: IMDS for further development and investigation of the production process; Pharma Group for research on
what drugs are suitable; the RuG for research on the functioning of the Twincer.
In the ‘Sprint@Work’ project, the UMCG, the University of Groningen, NHL, INCASS, Hanzehogeschool and a dozen northern SMEs work
together to contribute to the realization of a healthier working population in the northern Netherlands and thereby create value for
companies in the biomedical, healthcare and fitness technology, multimedia technology and gaming, sensor and monitoring opportunities,
while supporting SMEs to cash-in on these opportunities. The project aims to develop and test innovative products in the field of sensor
technology to objectively measure cognitive and physical performance and contribute to awareness of employees’ own behavioral
performance, as well as develop and test products aimed at new interventions that improve physical and cognitive functioning and help
develop compensation mechanisms. System development takes place together with companies such as Vitalinq, Umaco, Tizin Mobile,
Microsoft, Negotica, aXtion and CGI. The practical tests will take place amongst others ar NAM, Cofely and Oosterhof Holman.
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2. 1/7/2014
Current Projects – some examples of activities on the Campus
The ‘Platform development for the analysis of proteins’ project is an initiative of PRA BV and the RUG, which aims to develop accurate
platforms for analysis of proteins. A new trend is developing drugs based on proteins as opposed to the traditional way of drug development
through chemical synthesis. Also, proteins are important in the diagnosis of disease. Proteins are then called biomarkers. For drug
development and biomarker research a reliable platform for analysis of proteins from blood/urine is needed. The existing technologies have
significant limitations (sensitive to disturbances), while accurate new technologies are suitable only for small proteins.
‘Promanna’ is a new product that can delay or prevent aging diseases and degeneration for elderly. With aging, it is normal that DNA cells are
damaged. This project aims to prove that Promanna can slow or prevent damage to DNA cells. The expectation is that the product has a
positive effect on concentration, memory functions, hearing and vision and mobility. Clinical studies will focus on physical changes that come
with ageing, such as symptoms of increased susceptibility to stressors such as heat, cold, infections, fatigue and lethargy, weight loss, loss of
muscle strength, cognition, vision and hearing. The results of the studies will be published and if successful, the project partners Vitalnext BV,
Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, ABL BV and Medisan BV aim to produce and distribute Promanna as a dietary supplement to
pharmacies.
The ‘Healthy Ageing Drug Discovery Engine’ is an initiative of Syncom BV, ABL BV, Brain Online BV, Angita BV, Ofichem BV, the RUG and the
UMCG, which aims to cluster the most important companies and research institutions in the field of drug discovery and development. The
clustering creates a unique combination of expertise in the Netherlands needed for drug development. The project consists of three
subprojects: 1 ) Providing a structured inventory of ideas and goals aimed at selecting medicines from the public institutions, on the basis of
commercial and technical criteria and then search for chemical compounds that act on these goals. Syncom and RUG are connected to a
major European initiative which they are able to screen more than 300,000 compounds in these European chemical library. This is a first step
in the appreciation and valorization of academic knowledge. Then further optimization occurs (as in subproject 2). 2 ) Optimization of a
molecule for diseases of the central nervous system (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease). Initial tests are positive. The next step is
optimization and clinical testing. 3 ) Linking the synthetic chemical knowledge of Syncom to Ofichem in order to produce pharmaceutical
generics in Ter Apel.
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