18 Nov Licensed innovation from the University of Belgrade
Center for Technology Transfer of the University of Belgrade once again pointed out the importance of the commercialization of new technologies and the potentials that researchers’ innovations have. The license for innovation of Dr. Uroš Andjelković, research associate at the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy of the University of Belgrade, was signed.
Dr. Andjelković discovered a new antiviral agent, in cooperation with an international team of researchers from the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy and the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, University Clinic in Ulm, University of Montenegro and Jožef Institute Stefan in Ljubljana.
An antiviral agent is a new, isolated, purified protein that has been found to have potent antiviral activity. Antiviral activity was confirmed on HIV-1, HSV-1 and HSV-2, Influenza A and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. It is believed that the therapeutic concept based on the newly discovered protein has advantages in the fight against viruses that possess the capsule. In relation to antiviral agents with small organic molecules and vaccines, the new antiviral agent has the advantage of keeping the virus out of the cells, it cannot cause the selection of more dangerous strains of the virus, the absence of pronounced side effects, and non-invasive use (does not require a needle). Advantages over known proteins of the same mechanism of antiviral action have been identified in high stability under alkaline conditions, absence of cytotoxicity and mitogenic action in the range of therapeutic concentrations. The study has an effect on other viruses, microorganisms and tumor cells. The use of this molecule for in vitro and in vivo virus removal and guidance of therapeutics, virus production, biochemical analysis and research is being developed.
The new antiviral agent can significantly contribute to protection against viruses from these groups and push the boundaries of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
The discovery is the result of a vision and continuous work on a topic that was set more than 35 years ago at the Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy and the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Belgrade by Academician Miroslav Gasic, continued prof. Dr. Dušan Sladić and other project leaders, followed by numerous associates including Ivana Vukašinović, MA and Dr. Uroš Andjelković.