LDS reaffirms commitment to fighting viral diseases: the PANVIR.NET Project

LDS is the leading institution in PANVIR.NET Project together with VisMederi Research srl, Accurange srl, Pharma Development and Services srl, University of Siena, University of Florence, and University of Pisa.

PANVIR.NET is co-financed in the framework of POR FESR Toscana 2014-2020, Azione 1.1.5 sub-azione a1; Bando 2 “Progetti di ricerca e Sviluppo delle PMI”

Objective of PANVIR.NET (Preclinical development of novel panviral agents within a specialized regional network) is to develop new therapies based on broad spectrum antiviral agents against those viruses currently responsible of outbreaks with a potential epidemic or pandemic evolution, thanks to a public-private network localized in Tuscany Region and able to guide and support the antiviral drug discovery and development process.

Recent demographic and climatic changes have caused a wider diffusion of arboviruses such as Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, West Nile, and novel influenza viruses subtypes, and an increased risk for novel infections or re-activation of persistent infections, such as erpetic infections from cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex type -1 and -2 e varicella-zoster. Broad spectrum antiviral drugs  that target common components present in several viruses could represent a novel strategy to fight viral infections that are currently without any specific drugs, and to limit the selection of resistant viral strains.

Within PANVIR.NET, LDS and its partners aims to identify at least one novel preclinical candidate for the treatment of viral diseases. This will include the definition of all the tests and methods that are necessary to develop new antiviral drugs through the development and consolidation of a specialized regional network.

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PANVIR.NET è un Progetto co-finanziato nel quadro del POR FESR Toscana 2014-2020; Azione 1.1.5 sub-azione a1; Bando 2 “Progetti di ricerca e sviluppo delle MPMI”

Obiettivo di PANVIR.NET (Sviluppo preclinico di agenti PANVIRali innovativi all’interno di un NETwork regionale specializzato) è lo sviluppo di nuove terapie basate su agenti antivirali ad ampio spettro contro virus che sono causa di focolai con possibile andamento epidemico o pandemico, all’interno di un network pubblico-privato localizzato in Toscana in grado di supportare e guidare il percorso di sviluppo di farmaci antivirali.

Recenti cambiamenti demografici e climatici hanno portato ad una maggiore diffusione di arbovirus quali Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, West Nile, e nuovi sottotipi di virus influenzali, e ad un accresciuto rischio di nuove infezioni o di riattivazione di quelle persistenti, tra cui le infezioni erpetiche da citomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex tipo -1 e -2 e varicella-zoster. Farmaci antivirali ad ampio spettro che bersagliano componenti comuni a più virus, rappresentano una strategia innovativa per contrastare infezioni virali per le quali non esistono farmaci specifici e limitare la selezione di varianti virali resistenti.

In PANVIR.NET, LDS ed i suoi partner intendono identificare almeno un candidato preclinico innovativo per il trattamento di malattie virali oltre a definire i test e le procedure necessarie allo sviluppo di nuovi farmaci antivirali, attaverso lo sviluppo e consolidamento di un network regionale specializzato.

Sostegno finanziario ricevuto dall’Unione: 672 708,97 €

 

Farewell to Dario Fo

We are all very saddened to hear that the Nobel prize winning playwright and actor Dario Fo has died.

We have all lost a great protagonist of the theatre, of culture, of the civic life of Italy. LDS team feels much more involved since the incredible opportunity we had to personally meet him last May.

Dario Fo and Franca Rame – his wife, muse and leading actor – captured the hearts and minds of Italians, writing and performing for stage, radio and television, and regularly skewering political leaders with deft dialogue.

 

Art, he said, had to have a “very strong relation to the facts of life”, and this was also demonstrated by his interest to our work. Thank you Maestro, for the enthusiasm you had in supporting the research on DDX3 inhibitors both through economic support and by giving us the strength and the courage to carry on the project.  We will remember you with affection and admiration.

http://www.repubblica.it/cultura/2016/10/13/news/addio_a_dario_fo_premio_nobel_per_la_letteratura_uomo_delle_arti_a_tutto_tondo-149664086/