MNESYS FORWARD, a project selected by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) under the National Research, Innovation, and Competitiveness Program (PN RIC 2021–2027), represents a further development of the results achieved through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Its aim is to consolidate an ecosystem of innovation excellence in the fields of neuroscience and neuropharmacology, promoting industrial transition and the commercial exploitation of research through an integrated and synergistic approach.
With total funding of over 10 million euros, the project is structured around three complementary action lines, each designed to cover key aspects of the pharmaceutical development supply chain.
- Action 1.1.2 – Strategic Research Pipeline;
- Action 1.1.3b – Innovation Cluster Support;
- Action 1.4.3 – Knowledge Building.
Specifically, Action Line 1.1.2 – Strategic Research Pipeline aims to implement an integrated multiscale platform covering the entire pharmaceutical development chain, from the molecular to the preclinical scale, building on results achieved with the support of the European Union. The pipeline accelerates screening and drug discovery for neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric, neuromuscular, and neurodevelopmental disorders through:
- Identification and validation of therapeutic targets and phenotypic/genotypic biomarkers.
- Advanced methodologies and high-content screening (HCS) using automated microscopy, 2D and 3D cell cultures (organoids and assembloids), and next-generation sequencing (NGS).
- Hit-to-lead optimization and innovative chemistry, utilizing computational modeling, virtual screening, diversity-oriented synthesis (DOS), and flow chemistry.
- Advanced formulation, pharmacokinetics, and toxicology, with a focus on nanoparticle and nanovesicle platforms, blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration, and in vitro and in vivo studies in animal models.
- Digital technologies and bioengineering, applying predictive Artificial Intelligence models to neuroimaging, connectomics, and cellular screening data for the development of clinical digital twins.
- Technology readiness level (TRL) assessment, mapping industrial trajectories and guiding patented demo cases to market.
