Chairman of the advisory board for Spark Finland project “DecoDerma” Dr. Erkki Ruoslahti awarded The Albert Lasker prize
Dr. Ruoslahti has served as the chairman of the advisory board for Spark Finland project DecoDerma. The DecoDerma team from Tampere University (Finland, Europe) is trying to develop a potentially life-saving drug for rare pediatric skin disease, epidermolysis bullosa. Their molecule is a recombinant, multi-functional fusion protein that has 1. targeting/homing peptide domain (tCRK peptide) for a delivery to normal skin and skin wounds and 2. Decorin (DCN) anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic protein as an active therapeutic component. DCN was actually discovered by Dr. Ruoslahti. Treatment of lethal skin disease, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) mice with systemically administered DCN-tCRK resulted in suppressing of inflammation, inhibition of fibrosis and significant improvement the survival of RDEB mice (more than with any previously tested therapeutic) suggesting best-in-class position amongst alternative competitive approaches. The molecule has other disease indication within derma-space; among them scar reduction after surgical procedure and suppression of tumor growth. DecoDerma has carried out proof-of-concept studies successfully, received the orphan drug designation for their molecule and the company was selected as one of the most promising startup companies in Scandinavia by both the Nordic Innovation Fair and the Nordic Life Science days (“Rising star” recognition). DecoDerma is currently raising capital for moving the molecule to clinical trials in RDEB patients to address the unmet medical need.
Please see more information about the recognition Dr. Ruoslahti has been awarded:
https://laskerfoundation.org/winners/integrins-mediators-of-cell-matrix-cell-adhesion/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasker_Award
Suomeksi
More information about DecoDerma
https://www.tuni.fi/en/research/decoderma
https://www.nlsdays.com/presenters-and-exhibitors/rising-stars/
Contact information for DecoDerma
Professor & Chief Surgeon
Tero Järvinen, M.D., Ph.D.
Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology
FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland
Phone: +358-44-285 4620 (Cell)
Email: tero.jarvinen [at] tuni.fi (tero[dot]jarvinen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
