Feb 17, 2026 (MarketLine via COMTEX) --
Staff at the University of Szeged reported significant achievements in drug research and development during a four-year project funded by the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.
The staff of the University of Szeged (SZTE) achieved outstanding results in the field of pharmaceutical research and development, during a four-year program implemented from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund - the public relations directorate of the higher education institution informed MTI.
According to the announcement presenting the results of the project, which was implemented with a grant of 1.6 billion forints, the initial stage of the drug development process is based on basic chemical and biological research, at which time drug candidate molecules are identified. The researchers participating in the project produced new bioactive molecules, in many cases starting from natural, plant-based active ingredients.
The new molecules may be effective in cardiovascular, tumor or neurodegenerative diseases, as well as bacterial infections, and in the treatment of obesity. In many diseases, the treatment strategy is to inhibit protein-protein interactions, for which our researchers developed the modular development of biomimetic active ingredients that mimic proteins. Another focus of chemical research was the implementation of green syntheses. In several cases, the synthesis of bioactive molecules has already been carried out using such a sustainable process that can be applied on an industrial scale, reducing the burden on the environment.
The next step in drug development is to conduct non-clinical health and environmental safety studies aimed at the safe use of the materials. These studies provided significant support to both the project research groups and cooperation partners in the evaluation of potential bioactive molecules discovered during chemical research. The methods used helped to clarify the mechanism of action in several cases of already known molecules, and they identified new areas of application and confirmed effective combinations. The models used and developed by the researchers may be suitable for examining anti-tumor, antidiabetic, neuroprotective or cardiovascular effects, as well as for mapping changes in the absorption, distribution, transformation and excretion of active ingredients during pregnancy.
According to the announcement, if the preclinical studies have successfully proven efficacy and safety, then pharmaceutical development will begin, which includes the selection of the dosage form and administration port, and the development of manufacturing technology. The SZTE experts partly modified the physicochemical properties of the active ingredients, and in other cases they introduced them into innovative carrier systems in order to optimize the effect and patient safety. In addition to traditional oral administration, the university's pharmaceutical technologists have also developed forms that can be used on mucous membranes or skin, and in many cases they have also developed new methods for their production and testing. The clinical pharmacists of SZTE have contributed to the strengthening of rational, patient-centered pharmacotherapy at the domestic and international levels, among other things, with research helping to avoid antibiotic resistance and with the evidence-based evaluation of herbal active ingredients.
The outstanding achievements of SZTE researchers working in the field of drug research and development are demonstrated by the fact that more than three hundred scientific publications were written during the project, a third of which were published in the most prestigious international journals - ranked in the top 10 percent - the announcement states.
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COMTEX_475914527/2227/2026-03-25T04:46:00
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