Jordi Hernández, researcher at Juan Valcárcel’s laboratory and young entrepreneur participating in the CRG Entrepreneur-in-Residence programme, will lead this innovative project.

CaixaImpulse, a programme run by La Caixa Banking Foundation and Caixa Capital Risc supporting the development of bio-health projects, funds in its thrid edition 23 projects out of 80 applications. CaixaImpulse offers up to €70.000 for creating and implementing a valorisation and commercialisation plan aimed at making use of protected or protectable assets resulting from research.

This programme funds now the AON project to develop new cancer treatment for lung adenocarcinoma based on antisense oligonucleotides (AON) acting selectively on key cancer related genes. The AON project uses an innovative approach to target lung cancer by correcting the alternative splicing of key cancer-related genes. It is the first therapy for lung cancer that uses splicing-modifying antisense oligonucleotides, paving the way for other potential cancer treatments based on this technology.

Jordi Hernandez, researcher at Juan Valcárcel’s laboratory and young entrepreneur participating in the CRG Entrepreneur-in-Residence programme, will lead this innovative project. He is currently collaborating with the CRG Technology and Business Development team to test the efficacy of splicing to modify compounds on human tumors. He also would like to establish a spin-off company for the development of new targeted alternative splicing modifying therapies.

The project mainly involves the group of ICREA research professor Juan Valcárcel, and the Techonology and Business Development Office at the CRG. It also involves Manuel Serrano, ICREA research professor at IRB Barcelona. They will benefit from the CaixaImpulse comprehensive programme that, besides financial support, also provides training, mentoring, expertise, contacts, access to investors and immersion in the reality of the market with a view to maximising the chances of successful transfer.