From lab to people in less time
Biomedical research is making great leaps forward, but the jump to human application is still large, expensive and slow. – We need to speed up the process from lab to people. We’re good at that here in Uppsala, says Jöns Hilborn, professor of polymer chemistry and director of an initiative for regenerative medicine within the EU.
The time it takes for research findings to impact the market is generally 15 – 20 years. That period can be shortened considerably, according to Jöns Hilborn.
– Today animal experiments normally require a large number of tries before you go back and redesign the test. It requires too many lab animals, takes too long, and is too expensive. Few companies can invest in experiments that might result in a product that can’t be sold for 15 years.
The EU project that Jöns Hilborn is leading is called Biodesign and is about designing experiments and materials in a more efficient way through enhanced planning, follow-up, and control of each step.
– We’ve found tools for better control of what happens in cells and tissue without having to use so many lab animals, explains Jöns Hilborn.
The research team’s “toolbox” is now to be disseminated and elaborated together with leading researchers in the EU. As in Jöns Hilborn’s own research team, it’s a matter of genuine intradisciplinary collaboration.
– We won’t get anywhere unless we get different disciplines to talk to each other. It takes nearly a year before you achieve an understanding across the boundaries, and
after two years you begin to get a whole different kind of overview.
And collaboration with industry?
– We have good relations with industry. I’ve worked there myself and have companies
of my own. But you have to be aware that the closer you get to final use the more aspects you have to address – not least economic aspects, says Jöns Hilborn.
Is there a risk that research is being pushed too hard by economic interests?
– Of course, and also by political interests. Those providing allocations often say “you can do any research you want – as long as you do this research”. And we answer “of course we’ll do that” but we do other things as well. If you want to survive as a researcher, you have to compromise.
Annbritt Ryman