RETORNA Doctoral Networks foreseens a rich training path of the selected DCs that involves them in multidisciplinary and intersectoral experiences.
The Consortium promotes multi-disciplinary and intersectoral training to both stimulate synergistic advancements in research and to expose DCs to skills and environments they wouldn’t be normally exposed on an academic path. To achieve this, in addition to onsite and online courses and trainings, each DC is foreseen to perform mandatory secondments, both in academia and in industry, promoting the intersectoral aspect.
From May 20th to 26th, 2024 the 10 Doctoral candidates participated in a secondment at Arthex Biotech in Valencia. This marked the first secondment organized within the project, providing the students with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and insights into the cutting-edge research and development activities at Arthex Biotech. The secondment was strategically organized right before the summer school scheduled in Valencia, enhancing the overall learning experience for the DCs.
The role of Arthex Biotech in the project
Arthex Biotech is a biotechnology company based in Valencia, Spain and a spin-off from the University of Valencia. Within the RETORNA Consortium Arthex Biotech is one of the 9 associated partners, hosting DCs for their secondments.
The company specializes in developing advanced RNA-based treatments for genetic diseases, with a primary focus on Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1). Arthex Biotech leverages its expertise in drug discovery and the role of microRNAs in neuromuscular diseases to create innovative therapies that address unmet medical needs.
Dr. Beatriz Llamusí – Chief Scientific Officer co-founded Arthex Biotech in December 2019. During the initial steps of the project that led to Arthex Biotech foundation, she was granted different competitive acceleration programs (FIPS and Caixaimpulse) to assess the feasibility of the entrepreneurial project, including training in business management and development, IPP, financial and regulatory issues.
Activities during the secondment
During the week of secondment at Arthex Biotech the Doctoral Candidates had the opportunity to meet the staff, see from the inside how a spin off works, what profiles are needed to run such a type of company as well as the skills requested, what are the main steps to create a spin off, the researches they are conducting in this period and so much more…
Briefly, the DCs conducted, among others, the following activities aimed to make them gain significant insights into the entrepreneurial aspects of running a biotech startup:
- Met all the team of Arthex Biotech and get to know the area of work of each one
- Discovered not only the facilities of Arthex, but also the entire Institute of research Principe Felipe
- Acquired a first hand understanding on how the concept of Arthex Biotech was created and how it developped
- Learnt what were the challenges and the opportunities to build a spin off
- Learnt about the management of a spin off and how to face and solve problems
- Acquired knowledge on the importance of fundings and how to research funds
- Went beyond research to understand the importance of the Intellectual Properties and all the requirements behind the concept
- Analyzed the issues behind the good laboratory practices (GLP) and qualification of techniques to assess PK/PD
- Acquired knowledge on how to transform the scientific work into a business case and how important the communication is in research
Greetings !
RETORNA team