Chemical Industry

The Spanish research group has extensive expertise in inorganic and organometallic chemistry, with a strong track record in the design, synthesis, and characterization of metal complexes for biomedical applications. Its research focuses on platinum-group metal complexes, particularly those based on ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), rhodium (Rh), palladium (Pd), and platinum (Pt), investigating their electrochemical, photophysical, anticancer, and catalytic properties. The group has solid expertise in structural and photophysical characterization, cyclic voltammetry, computational chemistry, and mechanistic studies, and collaborates with national and international partners to develop innovative metal-based compounds for biomedical applications. Chemotherapy is one of the most widely used treatments against cancer; however, the chemotherapeutic agents used in clinical practice have significant limitations, primarily due to their low selectivity. A prime example is cisplatin, one of the most widely used and effective antitumor agents against various types of cancer. However, due to its mechanism of action, cisplatin not only destroys tumour cells but also affects healthy tissues with high rates of cell division, leading to significant adverse effects such as nephrotoxicity, nausea, vomiting, and alopecia. Furthermore, its reliance on platinum, a scarce and expensive metal, poses an additional limitation in terms of the treatment’s sustainability and availability. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as a promising alternative, as it allows for the local activation of photosensitizers (PSs) through irradiation with visible light to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that selectively destroy tumour cells. However, currently available PSs have significant limitations, such as tedious and inefficient synthetic processes, low efficiency in ROS generation, and poor activation by red light, whose deeper tissue penetration is essential for treating deep-seated or large tumours. These limitations have hindered the clinical adoption of PDT and highlight the need to develop new, more efficient PSs that can be activated by red light Applications: The technology is intended for the development of novel photodynamic therapy (PDT) protocols for the selective management of solid tumours. Activation by red light (635 nm) enables the treatment of deep-seated or large tumours due to the superior tissue penetration of this type of light. The compounds can be used as next-generation PSs for oncological applications, providing high photodynamic efficacy and remarkable selectivity toward cancer cells. The technology has been validated at the preclinical level in two-dimensional cell cultures, three-dimensional tumour spheroids, and murine models, supporting its potential for further clinical development and commercialization. New and innovative aspects: • Development of a novel family of cyclometalated Ru(II)-based PSs with red-light absorption for PDT. • Identification of a minimal structural modification (replacement of a hydrogen atom with a methyl group) that significantly enhances the photodynamic activity of the compound. • Rational design combining red-light activation with efficient intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation to promote selective cancer cell destruction. The university is seeking commercial agreements with technical assistance with pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology companies interested in further development, validation, licensing or integration of the technology into cancer treatment portfolios. Under the envisaged cooperation, the university can provide technical know-how, scientific support and expertise related to the compounds and their therapeutic application to facilitate technology transfer and commercial exploitation. Advantages and innovations: The technology offers high photodynamic efficacy following red-light activation (635 nm), showing phototoxicity indices above 9,000 and therapeutic activity at nanomolar concentrations. This high level of activity may allow effective treatment at lower doses than many conventional photosensitizers. Unlike many currently available photosensitizers that require activation at shorter wavelengths, these ruthenium-based compounds can be activated with red light, providing deeper tissue penetration and increasing their potential for the treatment of deep-seated solid tumours. The compounds display high therapeutic selectivity by remaining largely inactive in the absence of light and generating reactive oxygen species only after localised irradiation. This controlled activation reduces the risk of damage to surrounding healthy tissues and improves spatial precision during treatment. The technology has demonstrated efficacy in advanced preclinical models, including two-dimensional cancer cell cultures, three-dimensional tumour spheroids and murine models. Tumour regression has been observed following the application of photodynamic therapy protocols, supporting its potential for further development towards clinical applications. In addition, the compounds exhibit a favourable safety profile, including excellent blood compatibility, absence of significant haemolytic activity and no detectable systemic toxicity in vivo under the evaluated conditions. A further advantage is their comparatively simple synthetic route when compared with many state-of-the-art photosensitizers. This characteristic may facilitate scale-up, reduce manufacturing complexity and support future industrial production and commercial deployment. Expected role of a partner: Type of Partner: The university is seeking pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, as well as medical device manufacturers, active in the fields of oncology, photodynamic therapy and advanced cancer therapeutics. Suitable partners should possess expertise in regulatory development, preclinical and clinical validation, manufacturing scale-up, market access and commercialization of healthcare technologies. Expected Role of the Partner: The partner is expected to contribute to the further development and market deployment of the technology. This may include supporting regulatory activities, validation studies, manufacturing scale-up and commercialization strategies required for the successful translation of the technology into clinical and commercial applications. Within the framework of a commercial agreement with technical assistance, the partner would be interested in acquiring or licensing the technology for integration into its product portfolio or development pipeline. The university will provide technical know-how, scientific expertise and support related to the compounds, their production and their application in photodynamic therapy, facilitating technology transfer and commercial exploitation.