Partners

ToxGenSolutions BV

ToxGenSolutions BV valorises the knowledge and technologies developed by the Dutch ToxicoGenomics Center. The company offers technology, knowledge about molecular and cellular mechanisms and innovative genomics-based test systems for research on barrier (such as skin, lung, intestine) toxicity, carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and neurotoxicity. The products are gene profiles for identification, classification and effectiveness profiling of substances during screening, product development and risk evaluation. These gene profiles are based on mechanisms with relevance to the described toxic endpoints, and are the property of ToxGenSolutions (patents).

Erwin L Roggen, manager at Novozymes AS (Denmark) has 18+ years of experience in developing and leading industrial and European (FP6 and FP7) projects (eg FP6 Project Sens-it-iv (2005-2011). management of both fundamental and applied (immune) toxicological and pharmacological projects Erwin L Roggen is the owner of 3Rs Management and Consulting ApS (www.3rsmc-aps.com) in Denmark, co-owner of Senzagen (Sweden) and CEO of ToxGenSolutions (The Netherlands) He holds managerial positions in national and European organizations, and is a member of several European and global committees.

Icometrix

Icometrix is an innovative spin-off company of KU Leuven and University of Antwerp that focuses on the development of image biomarkers based on magnetic resonance images (MRI) for neurological disorders. Icometrix developed software for the automatic quantification of atrophy (volume loss) and injuries in the brain based on brain MRI scans. This software is approved for the clinical market in Europe (CE) and the corresponding clinical report for the clinical market in the US (icobrain) has 510 (k) clearance from the FDA. icometrix furthermore focuses on newer, more advanced biomarkers (diffusion, fMRI, MTR, et.) for image analysis of the brain and makes this software more specific when needed. icometrix analyzes data from more than 300 centers / hospitals worldwide for both clinical practice and clinical trials.

Icometrix developed software specifically for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and these methods have already been applied in multiple studies, including studies that attempt to demonstrate changes in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (MCI, prodromal AD, asymptotic at risk for AD). Icometrix is certified for ISO9001 and ISO13485 (Medical Devices) as well as ISO27001 (Information Security) and HIPAA compliant (Safety and Privacy guidelines and rules).

Icometrix is a partner in several Europose projects (H2020), eg centerTBI, Europond, Childbrain, TRABIT and BQminded.Icometrix is partner in verschillende Europose projecten (H2020), e.g. centerTBI, Europond, Childbrain, TRABIT en BQminded.

Universiteit Antwerpen

The Reference Center for Biological Markers for Dementia (BIODEM) (UAntwerpen) is part of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Born-Bunge Institute of Antwerp University. BIODEM consists of a research laboratory, a service lab and is led by Prof. dr. Dr. Sebastiaan Engelborghs, MD, PhD, together with Prof. dr. Maria Bjerke, MSc, PhD. The team also consists of a postdoctoral researcher, 8 PhD students, 1 foreign visiting PhD student, a physician-researcher and two laboratory technicians. The BIODEM research lab is conducting research into an improved and early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related brain diseases based on biomarkers. Both biochemical markers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSV) and imaging techniques (MRI, PET) are being studied, with intensive cooperation with the UAntwerpen / KULeuven spin-offs ADx Neurosciences and icometrix. BIODEM has played a leading role in the standardization, validation and harmonization of current CSV biomarkers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, including studies in an autopsy-confirmed cohort of patients with dementia. These CSV biomarkers were recently included in the revised diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease (with Engelborghs as co-author). BIODEM is part of leading international biomarker consortiums such as IMI EMIF-AD within which Engelborghs is the WP leader. Within the BIODEM service lab validated biochemical biomarker determinations are offered for clinical diagnostics as well as for clinical studies. As a neurologist specializing in neurodegenerative brain diseases that lead to dementia, Sebastiaan Engelborghs coordinates the Memory Clinic at ZiekenhuisNetwerp Antwerpen (ZNA), one of the 12 memory hospitals of our country that are recognized by the RIZIV. This clinical expertise is also relevant for this research project, especially since Sebastiaan Engelborghs has extensive experience with clinical-pharmacological studies in Alzheimer's disease. In that context there is a close collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceutica. In addition, the international context is also relevant for this research project: the ZNA Memory Clinic is part of the European Alzheimer Disease Consortium (EADC). Sebastiaan Engelborghs is a member of the executive committee of EADC.

reMYND

reMYND is a spin-off from the University of Louvain with a focus on protein misfolding disorders, research department for the development of new medicines and a service department (CRO) which commercializes transgenic models for Alzheimer's disease. reMYNDs Drug Discovery and Development (DDD) unit focuses entirely on the preclinical development of disease-modifying treatments with the aim to delay or even stop neuronal degeneration. Our expertise covers all aspects of preclinical drug development ranging from assay development, target identification and validation, compound screening and optimization, in / ex-vivo proof-of-concept studies and preclinical toxicity and safety evaluations. Our current pipeline consists of new modulators that normalize different aspects of protein misfolding disorders such as dysregulated calcium-directed signaling and oxidative stress. The CRO unit offers a comprehensive portfolio of preclinical efficacy studies and pharmacokinetic evaluations using transgenic mouse models based on APP-London and TAU P301L or P301S mutations. The CRO has provided PoC data for clients for various candidate drugs for clinical development.

KU Leuven

The KU Leuven Stem Cell Institute, located in O & N4 on the Gasthuisberg campus, Leuven, has extensive expertise in generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from patients with familial as well as sporadic neurodegenerative disorders, including patients with AD, as well as FTD, PD, ALS, and other disorders. We also have genome engineering technology using CRISPR / Cas technology available to correct the known genetic mutations in iPSC of patients with familial neurodegenerative disorders, so that the relationship between a mutation and abnormal neuronal function and abnormal function of the supporting cells can be genetically demonstrated . We have robust methods to generate the brain cells that are affected in those disorders starting from iPSCells (cortical neurons, dopaminergic neurons, motor neurons, as well as oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and macrophages / microglial cells, all involved in the degeneration that form the basis of dementia, or other neurodegenerative syndromes A number of phenotypic abnormalities in the neurons are substantiated, based on morphology, inclusions typical of the neurodegenerative disorder (cytoplasmic accumulation of phosphorylated Tau, FUS, TDP-43), electrophysiology, and transcriptomics, have already been identified, What are possible targets for drug discovery In 2017, an automated platform (NextGenQBio) assigned by EWI, from the Flemish government to the Stem Cell Institute KU Leuven and the VIB, will come online This platform contains an automated iPSC generation and differentiation platform as well as a high content imaging / hi gh content screen platform for phenotypic abnormalities and corrections by small molecules, CRSIPR / Cas or shRNA, on a medium to high throughput level.

Universiteit Maastricht

The Toxicogenomics department (TGX) is part of the Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences (FHML) at Maastricht University and consists of a multidisciplinary team of biologists, chemists, toxicologists and bioinformatics works in close collaboration with the biological consequences of exposure to identify potentially toxic substances. Currently, the department comprises around 35 FTEs, and the research program focuses on toxicogenomics, immunotoxicology, and on the environment and health. This department was established in 2011 by Prof. dr. Jos Kleinjans, professor of Environmental Health at Maastricht University. The rapid development of the new so-called omics technologies allows us to determine toxic reactions at different molecular levels with a higher sensitivity compared to classical effect markers in order to obtain a more accurate understanding of toxicological processes.

The application of these innovative omics technologies in combination with advanced bioinformatics analyzes in in vitro toxicology and in the health risk analysis can be regarded as the central research activity of our department where research on human or cq. the core of human cells.

For this purpose Toxicogenomics focuses on research and development of the full potential of innovative cell technologies and utilizes genomics platforms for predictive toxicology based on mechanistic insight based in vitro assays using human cells. In addition, the department focuses on research for the development of new biomarkers of toxicity and effect for use in studies of the human population.

The department maintains strong collaborations.On the national level, for example through the Netherlands Toxicogenomics Center (NTC): Prof. dr. Kleinjans was scientific director of the NTC, which focused on developing "-omics-based alternatives for the current animal models for chemical safety testing." In addition, the department coordinates a large number of EU projects such as the FP6 projects NewGeneris and Carcinogenomics. , and KP7 projects Dixa and the current FP7 Project HeCaToS.

Within Maastricht University there is a long history of collaboration with various clinical departments in the Maastricht University Medical Center (MUMC +). The Toxicogenomics department is part of the research school for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHens). The main focus of this is to conduct high-impact translational neuroscientific research into neurological and psychiatric illnesses and mental health.