Protein-based original drug development was launched at Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center

On one hand, the İzmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (İBG) is conducting research to develop original drugs, and on the other hand, it has started offering preclinical testing services by obtaining the GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) certificate, which is required for drug candidates developed by companies to pass preclinical trials.

İBG established Turkey's first Drug Analysis and Control Laboratory compliant with GLP regulations and was awarded the GLP certificate by the Turkish Accreditation Agency last March. As part of its drug development efforts, İBG formed a research group under the leadership of Dr. Sibel Kalyoncu Uzunlar, with the participation of Prof. Dr. Mehmet İnan, Dr. Soner Gündemir, Dr. Gülçin Çakan Akdoğan, and their laboratory members. The ongoing research aims to develop a protein-based original biotechnological drug. This scientific collaboration, initiated by İBG researchers and Dr. Ercan Varlıbaş, Chairman of the Board of VSY Biotechnology, aims to develop a drug for the treatment of an eye disease.

"It will be Turkey's first protein-based original drug"

Dr. Sibel Kalyoncu Uzunlar told Anadolu Agency (AA) that Turkey has successfully produced equivalents of original drugs developed abroad. Thanks to the GLP certificate awarded to İBG, they now aim to develop a protein-based original drug in collaboration with VSY Biotechnology. Uzunlar stated:

"The drug we are working on will be Turkey’s first protein-based original drug. Developing an original drug is a long-term endeavor. The process can take 10 to 15 years from the research stage to reaching the patient. We will carry out the design work required for the development of the drug at İBG. After determining in animal models that the molecule we developed is effective in treating the targeted eye disease, we will transfer it to our industry partner."

Uzunlar explained that protein-based drugs are not like the small molecule drugs sold in pharmacies, and that these complex molecules are used especially in the treatment of cancer and immune system disorders.

She emphasized the comprehensive nature of their research:

"We will produce this protein in bacteria and yeasts, then purify and characterize it. Afterward, we will examine its beneficial and harmful effects in zebrafish experiments. With zebrafish testing, we can observe how a molecule we designed behaves in a real biological organism. Thanks to İBG’s Good Laboratory Practice certificate, we will serve as a bridge to the clinical phase of the studies. Clinical trials mean testing the drug on patients."

Prof. Dr. Mehmet İnan stated that he returned to Turkey from the United States after 17 years to contribute to the development of original drugs. İnan emphasized the significance of İBG’s work:

"Turkey’s long-held dream of producing its own drug is becoming a reality. If the studies yield positive results, the drug developed by Turkish scientists for an eye disease will begin to be used worldwide."

Dr. Gülçin Çakan Akdoğan stated that they administered the developed drug molecules to two-day-old zebrafish larvae using microinjection, and that they chose this method because zebrafish studies produce results in a very short time.

İBG Director Prof. Dr. Mehmet Öztürk said:

"If you are dependent on foreign countries for healthcare, medicine, and vaccines, your national security is at risk. İBG's national mission is extremely important in this regard: to free Turkey from dependency on foreign sources in medicine and vaccines. At İBG, our R&D work on an original biotechnological ophthalmologic drug developed for VSY Biotechnology is progressing rapidly."

Sources: Hürriyet, Anadolu Ajansı