May 8 – Nanopharmaceuticals developed by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia made it into the Top 40 of technological innovation. The recognition comes after the results obtained by the research group of the TeFarTI Center at the Department of Life Sciences, directed by Professor Maria Angela Vandelli. The Modena researchers developed a sort of “Trojan horse” capable of bringing drugs into the brain, a fundamental step in order to address several diseases of the central nervous system. This is key step in the fight against diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, since the blood-brain barrier, which prevents the entry into the brain of pathogens, also blocks drugs. The research group developed nanospheres that encapsulate the drug and used endogenous mechanisms to sidestep the barrier and release the drug in a controlled manner within the brain. These Italian nanopharmaceuticals were recognized as among the 40 most promising technological innovations in the world by the Scientific Committee of the TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo. Celebrations are scheduled in Washington for June 14-17, during a pivotal event in the technological landscape.
