Two researchers from DTU are among this year's recipients of the Lundbeck Foundation's Ascending Investigator grants, which support promising research leaders within health sciences.
Associate Professor Andrew Urquhart, from the Cell and Drug Technologies section at DTU Health Tech, receives DKK 4.6 million over four years for the project 'Targeted drusen solubilisation as a prevention against late stage age-related macular degeneration'. The project focuses on age-related macular degeneration — the leading cause of irreversible blindness in people over 55. Urquhart and his research team aim to develop a new therapy that targets and dissolves lipid deposits in the retina, potentially preventing disease progression and preserving patients' vision.
Associate Professor Timothy P. Jenkins, from the Biologics Engineering section at DTU Bioengineering, receives DKK 4.5 million over four years for the project 'Multi-target acute GPCR inhibitors for migraine delivered via intranasal mRNA-encoded binders'. The project pioneers a new approach to migraine treatment by combining AI-designed protein therapeutics with intranasal mRNA delivery for rapid, needle-free relief. The approach could also contribute to the development of safer, fast-acting treatments for related brain disorders.
