Researchers from Lek, a Sandoz company, receive two Golden Innovation Awards by the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Artificial stomach and artificial intestines

Igor Legen, PhD, Sandra Berglez, Alenka Bevc and Uroš Klančar, PhD from Lek, a Sandoz company, and Prof. Janez Diaci, PhD and Lovro Kuščer, PhD from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Ljubljana have developed two technically demanding and completely new digestive tract simulators. The artificial stomach and artificial intestines enable simulations of the actual dimensions and peristaltic movements of the stomach and small intestines in humans and thus bring the replication of the human gastrointestinal tract closer. The simulators are an important acquisition in the process of medicine development and analysis. Similar devices which could simulate the gastrointestinal tract at a comparable level have not been identified therefore the team of scientists filed a patent application for their innovation.

»The gastrointestinal tract varies considerably among population groups; however the dissolving and absorption of active substances from pharmaceutical forms should be similar in all people in order for the medicine to be effective. From this aspect, the imitation of biological systems, as exact as possible, by using »in vitro« external devices is of the utmost importance. With a good imitation of biological systems it is also possible to better illustrate the actual behaviour of a medicine in the gastrointestinal tract after ingestion, which facilitates the course of development and reduces cost,« explained Uroš Klančar, the leading scientist at the Department for in vivo / in vitro correlations at the Sandoz Development center Slovenia.

New system of catalysis and synthesis of active ingredient for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Lek’s researchers Zdenko Časar, PhD and Tomaž Mesar MSc were the first in the world to discover and develop a simple, efficient, economic and environmentally friendly process based on the use of an organic catalyst that enters the key synthesis stage in the synthesis of cabergoline, the active ingredient for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, hyperprolactinemia and prolactinoma.

With this innovation, the scientists of Lek, a Sandoz company, open new insights into the entire chemistry of N-demethylation. This has also been confirmed by publication in a reputable international scientific journal Organic Process Research & Development. The presentation of the innovation attained high visibility immediately after its publication and was ranked among the most read articles in February 2015. It was especially highlighted by the American Chemistry Association in its online publication which summarizes the most innovative ideas from a broader range of literature in the field of chemistry.

»The key aspect and high value of the invention lies in the fact that we were the first in the world to discover a process that enables the application on an industrial scale and at the same time shortens reaction time, increases the yield of the product and significantly reduces the use of reagents and solvents. This contributes towards a more ecological and safer synthesis in comparison with those currently described in the literature,« explained Zdenko Časar, Head of prototype analysis at Sandoz development center Slovenia.

The information about the recipients of the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Innovation Awards is available at: www.gzs.si.