The Dutch biotech company Amsterdam Molecular Therapeutics (AMT) will develop patents from CIMA of the University of Navarra based on gene therapy. This is contemplated in the agreement signed with the entities that manage the intellectual property generated in the research center (CIMA S.L. and Digna Biotech). At present, CIMA has about thirty patents in different phases of development. Some of them are based on gene therapy, which basically consists of modifying the genetic material in patients' cells to treat diseases.

Although still in the experimental phase, AMT will develop patents for anti-tumor treatments, liver cancer and diseases such as porphyria. The symptoms of this pathology appear when there are abnormalities in the production of heme, a basic substance for producing vital proteins such as hemoglobin, myoglobin and cytochromes.

Among the problems it generates, so far incurable, are neuropsychiatric and visceral discomfort or severe abdominal pain. In addition, acute attacks of porphyria can be fatal if they cause severe neurological complications.

Affected individuals suffer symptoms in intermittent, more or less long-lasting periods throughout their lives. They sometimes appear at puberty and more frequently in adulthood, with a higher incidence among women. "Some drugs, such as barbiturates, tranquilizers or sedatives, can trigger the disease; also slimming diets, hormonal disorders, tobacco, alcohol, infections or emotional and physical stress", explains Dr. Jesús Prieto, director of the area of Gene Therapy and Hepatology of CIMA and physician of the Clínica Universitaria de Navarra.

In addition to scientific findings based on gene therapy, there are patents at CIMA aimed at combating other diseases. Among the most developed are antifibrotics, antivirus B and C, protectors for organ transplants and immunomodulators for cancer and infections. Of these, the most advanced patent is P144, a molecule developed in the form of a cream for scleroderma. Other applications of P144 could include skin cancer, breast prostheses and cardiac fibrosis.

Some CIMA patents are shared with U.S. universities such as California, Minnesota and Rutgers.