Antiangina Strategy in treating Tumours The antiangina strategy treats tumours by making it possible to remodel vessel tissue in as way that prevents or limits expansion of the tumour mass. In physiological situations, angiogensis is regulated by the balance of pro and anti-angiogenesis factors, which, when altered, allow certain pathologies to proliferate, including numerous types of tumours, such as multiform glioblastoma, meningioma and carcinoma of the thyroid. DFM holds a leading position in the research and development of the antiangina strategy for the treatment of tumours, thanks to its identification of a series of molecules capable of modulating angiogenesis for either therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Design and Development of New Cardiovascular Medication In addition to solutions which favour the control of hypertension, of the processes that create blood clotting and of the dysfunctions at the basis of atherosclerosis, the main pharmacological approaches to the therapy of cardiovascular pathologies include solutions which guarantee cardiac frequency and coronary insufficiency. In this field, DFM has developed new peptide and peptidomimetic ligands of the human urotensin receptor. This strategy represents both a valid alternative and a complementary solution with hypertension medication. Furthermore, peptidomimetic systems with proangiogenetic action have been developed from VEFG. They allow repairing cardiovascular damages generated by ischemic disease processes.

The excellence of DFM’s research is guaranteed by the active participation of over 250 researchers of the Centre’s implementing bodies: The Biostructures and Bioimagining Institute of the National Council for Research Naples (CNR), the Interuniversity Centre for Instrumental Analysis Services of the University of Naples Federico II, the Department of Experimental Oncology of the National Institute of Tumours- G. Pascale Foundation and the Department of Biomorphological and Functional Sciences of the University of Naples Federico II.

DFM avails of a network of highly specialized laboratories, for both research and technical analysis. The spectrum of competences available is diversified in a chain of research and development which uses the following laboratories and integrated networks: CALab — Cells and Animals; SpectElLab — Structural Formula; MSLab — Mass Spectrometry; RMLab — Magnetic Resonance; DIMLab — Diagnostic and Imaging; NucleoNet — Nucleic Acids; DSNet — Drug Screening; BioSNet — Structural Biology.

DFM enjoys a prominent position, among both international research centres and pharmaceutical multinationals, in the research and development of anti-angiogenic strategy for the treatment of tumours and in the design and development of new cardiovascular medication. DFM researchers have registered twenty patents in these fields, twelve of which developed with industrial partners.

The use of DFM’s competences and solutions is aimed at operators of the pharmaceutical and diagnostic sectors. The Centre offers its services to both small niche operators and European pharmaceutical multinationals as an ideal partner for the joint development of new compounds both for pharmaceutical and diagnostic purposes.

Tromb-X (Belgium), Hardis S.p.a. (Italy), Tecnogen S.p.a. (Italy), Esaote S.p.a. (Italy), Kedrion S.p.a. (Italy), Sigma Tau - INDUTRIE FARMACEUTICHE RIUNITE - S.p.a. (Italy), Primm S.r.l. (Italy), Bracco S.p.a. (Italy), Chiesi Farmaceutica S.p.a. (Italy), Bioindustry Park del Canavese - IVREA (Italy), INBIOS S.r.l. (Italy), Regione Campania (Italy), Ministero dell'Istruzione, Università e Ricerca (Italy), Ministero della Sanità (Italy), ROTTAPHARM S.p.a. (Italy); ABOCA S.p.a. (Italy), Arterra Bioscience S.r.l. (Italy), Medestea S.r.l. (Italy), Sanofi-aventis S.p.a. (Italy), Segix Italia S.r.l. (Italy), Framework Programmes projects partnerships.