KU Leuven and the Danish BioInnovation Institute (BII) will jointly look for new therapeutic drugs for the gynecological disorder endometriosis over the next three years. In the CurE-me (Curing Endometriosis) project, they build on a unique 3D cell model developed at KU Leuven that allows potential treatments to be tested in the laboratory. The project receives up to 1 million euros per year in funding from the BII and lays the foundation for a potential spin-off.
Endometriosis is a disease that affects an estimated 1 in 10 women of childbearing age worldwide, a total of 190 million women. In patients with this disorder, cells from the uterine lining (endometrium), which normally occur on the inside of the uterus, also grow outside the uterus where they form serious lesions. In many patients, this leads to severe pain that is very exhausting. Many other complaints also occur, such as abnormal periods, pain during sex, and serious problems with becoming pregnant. To date, there is no cure for endometriosis, so treatment is mainly focused on simply controlling the symptoms with painkillers and hormones.
In the CurE-me project together with the Danish BII, Professor Hugo Vankelecom from the Department of Development and Regeneration now wants to change this. In recent years, his research group has developed a unique 3D model or 'organoid' that simulates human endometrial tissue - healthy or diseased such as endometriosis lesions. His researchers will now use this model to carry out tests in their search for medicines that are more efficient and targeted than current treatments.
Vankelecom: "Over the next three years in the CurE-me project, we will use our unique biobank with organoids developed from biopsies of endometriosis lesions - obtained from patients through active collaboration with the gynecologists of UZ Leuven - to screen many possible treatments for endometriosis, and thus find new and more targeted (non-hormonal) medicines. Our lab has already identified several promising research avenues. In addition, we will also explore new pathways in this project."
Potential spin-off
The BioInnovation Institute makes up to 1 million euros per year available for Professor Vankelecom's drug discovery process through its Bio Studio program. "In addition, the BII will support us in the areas of infrastructure, access to investors, and intellectual property", he says. "Patents that would arise from CurE-me remain at KU Leuven - a unique asset of the BII's Bio Studio program. This way we can lay the foundation for a potential spin-off, which would be established after three years under the guidance of KU Leuven Research & Development or 'LRD', our university's technology transfer office."
"LRD supported our research into endometriosis with a Wellcome Trust-LRD Ignite Grant of 40,000 euros. Their business developers also helped set up the process with the BII. Together we now look forward to a fruitful collaboration to find the much-needed treatment for endometriosis, to help and cure millions of women with this disease."
