The VIRO-FLOW project aimed to integrate the advantages of continuous flow chemistry with in vitro microfluidic bioassay technologies for the fast and efficient discovery of novel and innovative inhibitors of the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). The efficient production of drugs represents a challenge for society, since we face novel problems such as the expanding elderly population and the need of new chemical entities (NCE) or new molecular entities (NME) for the treatment of various diseases of high prevalence such as Hepatitis B. This programme aimed to contribute to the development of innovative methodologies that would allow more efficient production of new compounds with anti-viral activity, specifically against HBV, for future transfer of technology and knowledge between different sectors with relevant economic impact.
The global objective of this ITN-EID programme was to provide an innovative and high-level training in drug discovery and enabling technologies for 3 Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs), supported by a network of experts in anti-infective therapeutics, specifically virology and bacteriology in AiCuris, a pharmaceutical company; and the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), a research center working on catalysis, with a special focus on sustainability (functionalization of small molecules, renewable energies, new uses for light in chemistry) using an integrated approach. ICIQ is highly committed to knowledge and technology transfer to the chemical, pharmaceutical and energy industrial sectors. When at ICIQ, the students were integrated in the Pericàs Laboratory and the technology development unit ERTFLOW, with ample expertise in flow chemistry.
All three ESRs, successfully completed their training and individual projects leading to the awarding of a PhD title for each one of them. As a direct consequence of the outstanding work and excellent training received, all three fellows have already secured a qualified job in their field of expertise.
