Maged "Pharmalogica" has developed a predictive tool for evaluating the ability of a medicinal molecule to be suitable for use in humans

The association operated for five years as part of the magnet program in the Office of the Chief Scientist at TMT * The development was awarded a cumulative state grant for 5 years: NIS 44.2 million

A concluding seminar for the association "Pharmalogica" in the position of the chief scientist at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Eli Ofer, was held in February. The association has developed a predictive tool for evaluating the ability of a medicinal molecule to be suitable for use in humans. These predictive tools help companies to identify the molecules that are more likely to succeed as drugs - already in the early stages of their development, thereby significantly saving development costs.

The association has completed 5 years of activity within Magnet, an activity that was based on the cooperation of researchers from academia with development personnel from industry, and among themselves. The cumulative budget for 5 years approved by the magnet committee chaired by the chief scientist, Dr. Eli Ofer, is 62.8 million NIS (of which 44.2 million NIS - state grants).

The association included companies engaged in the development of pharmaceuticals in Israel such as "Teva", "Prochon", "D-Pharm", "Pharmus" and "Perigo" (formerly "Agis") along with companies that develop tools that support development such as "Compugen" "Harlan Biotech" and "Beyord Haifa" (formerly "Protoptics").

FDA publications show that a 10% improvement in early failure assessment will lead to $M100 savings in drug development costs. Because, about 40% of the drugs fail in passing to humans and the goal is to reduce the percentage of failures.

The models and tools developed at Maged are of a particularly high degree of innovation. During the work, 3 patents were registered, and several more will be registered later. 17 professional articles were published, and some of the models developed in the academy have already been incorporated into the work processes of the industrial companies.

The chief scientist at TMT, Dr. Eli Ofer, noted the great importance of collaborations between academia and industry. In his estimation, the association created a mutual relationship in which the industry benefited from the implementation of the models developed through integrated activity with the best researchers in the field, and the academy, for its part, benefited from the support of the company's scientists, and from the study and practical application of quality methods accepted in the industry.

The director of Magnet, Ilan Peled, noted the uniqueness of the association's activity in which competing companies can cooperate because they are engaged in developing tools that help development, and are good for a group of companies, and added that the larger the partner group - the better the quality of the tools, because the sample, the experience, and of course - The shared knowledge, friends for success.

Dr. Talia Ben-Naria, who managed the association on behalf of Magnat, pointed out the added value to the companies that operate as part of Magnat. She brought up practical examples of contributions to both companies and academic groups, and scanned the processes that led to the high level of innovation - mainly thanks to the joint work.

The association was supported by Magnett in the amount of approximately $10 million over 5 years, thereby supporting dozens of researchers during the entire period of activity. The amount invested is very low compared to that invested by the large pharmaceutical companies, and the achievements of the association can be attributed mainly to the cooperation that will create mutual fertilization and high added value for each participant.