Two researchers from the University of Navarra have received the 2009 NORMON award from the Royal National Academy of Pharmacy. They are Conchita Tros de Ilarduya, professor at School of Pharmacy, and María Buñuales, scientist at research center Médica Aplicada (CIMA).

The award NORMON is convened annually to recognize the best work on "research and development of galenic formulations". Researchers from the University of Navarra presented a study graduate "New 'targeted' dosage forms formulated in the presence of epidermal growth factor (EGF) as vehicles in cancer gene therapy".

It addresses the preparation and assessment of new formulations to improve the efficacy of gene transfection by applying new therapeutic strategies against this disease. "Instead of directly administering the drug, the corresponding gene capable of expressing it is administered, which has several advantages," the authors explain.

The work was made at partnership with the group of Dr. Nejat Düzgünes, University of the Pacific in San Francisco (California, USA). The submission of award will be held on January 21 at the Real Academia Nacional de Farmacia, in Madrid.