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Chairman of the advisory board for Spark Finland project “DecoDerma” Dr. Erkki Ruoslahti awarded The Albert Lasker prize

Published on 6.10.2022
Tampere University
The chairman of the advisory board for Spark Finland Startup project “DecoDerma” Dr. Erkki Ruoslahti, M.D., Ph.D. is one of three winners of the Albert Lasker Medical Research Award, the most prestigious American Award for biomedical research. Additional winners for the “Discovery of Integrins” are Richard Hynes and Tim Springer.

Dr. Ruoslahti has served as the chairman of the advisory board for Spark Finland project DecoDerma. The DecoDerma team from Tampere University (Finland, Europe) is trying to develop a potentially life-saving drug for rare pediatric skin disease, epidermolysis bullosa. Their molecule is a recombinant, multi-functional fusion protein that has 1. targeting/homing peptide domain (tCRK peptide) for a delivery to normal skin and skin wounds and 2. Decorin (DCN) anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic protein as an active therapeutic component. DCN was actually discovered by Dr. Ruoslahti. Treatment of lethal skin disease, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) mice with systemically administered DCN-tCRK resulted in suppressing of inflammation, inhibition of fibrosis and significant improvement the survival of RDEB mice (more than with any previously tested therapeutic) suggesting best-in-class position amongst alternative competitive approaches. The molecule has other disease indication within derma-space; among them scar reduction after surgical procedure and suppression of tumor growth. DecoDerma has carried out proof-of-concept studies successfully, received the orphan drug designation for their molecule and the company was selected as one of the most promising startup companies in Scandinavia by both the Nordic Innovation Fair and the Nordic Life Science days (“Rising star” recognition). DecoDerma is currently raising capital for moving the molecule to clinical trials in RDEB patients to address the unmet medical need.

 

Please see more information about the recognition Dr. Ruoslahti has been awarded:

https://laskerfoundation.org/winners/integrins-mediators-of-cell-matrix-cell-adhesion/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasker_Award

 

Suomeksi

https://www.mediuutiset.fi/uutiset/suomalaisakateemikko-palkittiin-arvostetulla-laaketieteen-palkinnolla-palkituista-moni-saanut-pian-nobelin/d95380b2-c4f7-4b7e-8f5b-e45d12cacca4

 

More information about DecoDerma

https://www.tuni.fi/en/research/decoderma

https://www.nlsdays.com/presenters-and-exhibitors/rising-stars/

 

Contact information for DecoDerma

Professor & Chief Surgeon

Tero Järvinen, M.D., Ph.D.

Faculty of Medicine & Health Technology

FI-33014 Tampere University, Finland

 

Phone:           +358-44-285 4620 (Cell)

Email:            tero.jarvinen [at] tuni.fi (tero[dot]jarvinen[at]tuni[dot]fi)