BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence A.J.P. Hopstaken METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260703T134500 DTEND:20260703T151500 DTSTAMP:20260703T134500 UID:2026/phd-defence-a-j-p-hopstak@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260622T045722 LOCATION:Hoofdgebouw, Aula De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence A.J.P. Hopstaken X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Beyond Binding: Biologi cally Active Cyclic Peptides from mRNA Display

Resear ch accelerates search for new drugs against COVID-19 and malaria

The study by Twan Hopstaken, researcher in the field of p eptide drug development, shows that it is possible to select promisin g drug candidates from collections of more than a trillion random mol ecules in a much more targeted manner than before. This could signifi cantly accelerate the development of new drugs for diseases for which no good treatment yet exists.

When discovering new drugs, scie ntists often look for molecules that bind to proteins involved in a d isease. The problem is that many of these molecules do stick to a pro tein, but ultimately have no therapeutic effect. Hopstaken therefore focused on how precisely the active molecules can be extracted from h uge molecular collections.

The results show that several new se lection methods are successful. In one study, Hopstaken developed a c ollection of molecules based on a previously discovered COVID-19 drug . From this, a new candidate was selected that proved to be about a t housand times more potent than the original drug. In animal experimen ts, it also provided protection against infection.

The research also yielded promising results in the field of malaria. Using a modi fied selection technique, Hopstaken identified new drug candidates fr om a collection of more than a trillion molecules. By first excluding undesirable molecules, he was able to focus on compounds with the hi ghest likelihood of efficacy. The candidates found work through a dif ferent mechanism than existing malaria drugs, offering perspective in the fight against increasing drug resistance.

In addition, Hop staken developed an approach in which millions of potential drugs can be tested simultaneously for their biological activity. By combining this technique with existing selection methods, not only can molecul es that bind to a target be found, but also directly compounds that a ctually have an effect. This makes the drug development process more efficient and accurate.

The improved COVID-19 drug is currently being further developed by the company VirXcel, with the goal of bri nging a protective nasal spray to market. The initial application tar gets people with weakened immune systems, but in time the drug could have broader applications.

The discovered malaria candidates ar e also being further investigated by researchers and the Biomedical P rimate Research Center. If efficacy is confirmed, they could contribu te to new treatments against a disease that kills hundreds of thousan ds each year.

According to Hopstaken, the work shows that smart selection techniques increase the chances of finding effective drugs in huge molecular databases. This will allow the pharmaceutical indu stry in the future to develop faster and more targeted new treatments for infectious diseases and other conditions for which insufficient therapies are still available.

More information about the d issertation

DESCRIPTION:

Research accelerates search for new drugs aga inst COVID-19 and malaria

The study by Twan Hopstaken, researcher in the field of peptide drug development, shows that it is possible to select promising drug candidates from collections of mor e than a trillion random molecules in a much more targeted manner tha n before. This could significantly accelerate the development of new drugs for diseases for which no good treatment yet exists. When disco vering new drugs, scientists often look for molecules that bind to pr oteins involved in a disease. The problem is that many of these molec ules do stick to a protein, but ultimately have no therapeutic effect . Hopstaken therefore focused on how precisely the active molecules c an be extracted from huge molecular collections. The results show tha t several new selection methods are successful. In one study, Hopstak en developed a collection of molecules based on a previously discover ed COVID-19 drug. From this, a new candidate was selected that proved to be about a thousand times more potent than the original drug. In animal experiments, it also provided protection against infection. Th e research also yielded promising results in the field of malaria. Us ing a modified selection technique, Hopstaken identified new drug can didates from a collection of more than a trillion molecules. By first excluding undesirable molecules, he was able to focus on compounds w ith the highest likelihood of efficacy. The candidates found work thr ough a different mechanism than existing malaria drugs, offering pers pective in the fight against increasing drug resistance. In addition, Hopstaken developed an approach in which millions of potential drugs can be tested simultaneously for their biological activity. By combi ning this technique with existing selection methods, not only can mol ecules that bind to a target be found, but also directly compounds th at actually have an effect. This makes the drug development process m ore efficient and accurate. The improved COVID-19 drug is currently b eing further developed by the company VirXcel, with the goal of bring ing a protective nasal spray to market. The initial application targe ts people with weakened immune systems, but in time the drug could ha ve broader applications. The discovered malaria candidates are also b eing further investigated by researchers and the Biomedical Primate R esearch Center. If efficacy is confirmed, they could contribute to ne w treatments against a disease that kills hundreds of thousands each year. According to Hopstaken, the work shows that smart selection tec hniques increase the chances of finding effective drugs in huge molec ular databases. This will allow the pharmaceutical industry in the fu ture to develop faster and more targeted new treatments for infectiou s diseases and other conditions for which insufficient therapies are still available. More information about the dissertation Beyo nd Binding: Biologically Active Cyclic Peptides from mRNA Display END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR