• New tax incentives for promoting investment in R&D; in the private sector
• Provision of annual funding for a new research and innovation policy action programme
• Revision of the current university funding model and shift towards more outcome oriented financial targeting
• Launch of a new research infrastructure policy

The European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences (EUFEPS) has awarded its first ever Distinguished Service Award to professor Arto Urtti, Professor in the Centre for Drug Research. Dr. Urtti was awarded for providing exceptional and valuable professional service to EUFEPS, and for demonstrating initiative and dedication in these roles. For 10 years, Professor Urtti served as editor-in-chief of the European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the official journal of EUFEPS. Professor Urtti received this distinguished honor at the 5th World Conference on Drug Absorption, Transport and Delivery (WCDATD): Responding to Challenging Situations. Professor Urtti currently serves as Professor in CDR, where his interests include nanotechnology and drug delivery research, especially related difficult targets like eye and tumors. Nanotechnology and drug delivery research is an active area within CDR. Within this field; we develop innovative technologies in: ocular drug delivery and ADME, nanocarriers/biomaterials and drug delivery, complex organotypic cell models, and transdermal drug delivery.

At the Centre for Drug Research (CDR), University of Helsinki, Dr. Alex Bunker leads the Computational Nanomedicine Group. In his research, he applies molecular modelling as a tool in nanoscale drug delivery research, known as "nanomedicine". A particular focus of his group is the PEGylated liposome, and he has modelled its surface in the bloodstream with molecular dynamics simulation. The same way that a map can be used to represent a country, he and his team have simulated a flat slab of the membrane of the liposome.

In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that human genes cannot be patented because they are "products of nature." This sets an important precedent for the biotech industry, and especially those organizations engaged in diagnostics based on naturally occuring human gene sequences. For example, Myriad Genetics (the company which developed the groundbreaking genetic testing for BRCA mutations linked to cancer) has had 5 of their patents invalidated as a result of this ruling.

Research project: Bioconjugated polymeric nanomaterials for industrial applications

Controlled synthesis and self-assembly of polymer-based bioconjugates will provide  broad array of novel biomaterials for industrial applications (drug delivery, molecular imaging, diagnostics, sensors, cell biological research tools). Despite its vast potential, the technology of bioconjugated polymers and nano materials is an under-developed nanotechnology field in Finland that needs to be improved. The project will generate an industrially applicable technology platform of bioconjugated polymeric nanostructures. The research involves versatile synthesis and testing of nanomaterial libraries. The program will be carried out in close collaboration with industrial partners, and special attention is paid to the generation of relevant intellectual property. The project will also be linked to the academic community in Finland, beyond the immediate project participants. This project will generate a platform of new polymer-based bioconjugated nanomaterials and relevant test methods for industrial applications. Companies from various fields are integral participants in the project, and the CDR is also participating through the research activities of Professor Arto Urtti.