Biological drugs—like antibodies, RNA therapies, and peptides—are changing the way we treat diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. These medicines are designed to target only harmful cells, leaving healthy ones untouched. But there are still big challenges: how to keep these drugs stable in the body, and how to make sure they reach the right place. This research tackles those challenges head-on, especially in the context of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Our promising new drug candidate, called APT001, was tested in rats and showed it can safely calm down an overactive immune system. We also created a simple fluorescent strip-test that could help diagnose rheumatoid arthritis more quickly and easily.
Another breakthrough came in the form of a RNA molecule designed to cross the brain’s natural defense barrier—a major obstacle in treating brain diseases. This molecule successfully reached brain cells in mice, opening the door to new treatments for neurological conditions. We also made new types of lipid nanoparticles—delivery vehicles that can carry genetic material to specific cells, just like the ones used in Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. These tools could make gene-editing technologies like CRISPR even more precise and powerful. Altogether, this work brings us closer to a future where medicines are not only more effective, but also smarter and safer—tailored to each patient’s needs and capable of reaching even the most protected parts of the body.
Principal Supervisor:
Associate Professor Kira Astakhova, DTU Chemistry
Co-supervisor:
Associate Professor Cedric Bouzigues, Ecole Polytechnique Paris
Examiners:
Professor Luca Laraia, DTU Chemistry
Associate Professor Chenguang Lou, University of Southern Denmark
Professor Amelie Eriksson Karlström, KTH, Sweeden
Chairperson:
Associate Professor Janus J. Eriksen, DTU Chemistry
Zoom: https://dtudk.zoom.us/j/68697409386