iUP25K awards non-toxic chemotherapy alternative

The "OnCure Therapeutics" project, which aims to create a targeted, non-toxic therapy for the deadliest form of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, was the big winner of the 11th edition of iUP25k – the University of Porto's Business Ideas Competition. Led by Sandra Tavares, an i3S researcher, the team intends "to inhibit small molecules existing in these cancer cells to prevent metastases," thereby offering an alternative to chemotherapy.

According to Sandra Tavares, "recent studies have identified a molecular event exclusive to cancer cells with high metastatic potential: the main cause of mortality amongst patients with triple-negative breast cancer." This event, the researcher adds, "confers upon these cells the ability to disseminate and form metastases, which highlights their potential as a specific therapeutic target."

Furthermore, the team members – Sandra Tavares and Andreia Silva from i3S, and António Ribeiro from LAQV/REQUIMTE and the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto (FCUP) – emphasise that "unlike chemotherapy, inhibiting this molecule in healthy cells does not compromise their normal functioning." The research group believes this project could mark "a shift towards precision oncology, with far fewer side effects than chemotherapy," the conventional treatment for this type of breast cancer.

For Sandra Tavares, "this opportunity to participate in BIP Ignition was already a prize. Being exposed to a new way of seeing our work, communicating it, and understanding the journey technology must take to become a reality in everyone's lives was truly unique in our path." Winning first place, she adds, "shows that our enthusiasm for this idea is well-founded and that we were able to absorb the knowledge acquired throughout the entire journey."

Surprised by the iUP25k victory, given the quality of the competing projects, the team now intends to utilise both the consultancy with Astrolábio and the incubation period at UPTEC as "tools and opportunities to develop the idea and business plan." The monetary prize of three thousand euros will be invested in team training, to consolidate their entrepreneurial skills.

Therapies for Parkinson's Disease and prevention of birth injuries

In second place in this edition of iUP25k was the "Allo Pharma Research" project, developed by Ivo Dias, Xavier Correia, and Hugo Almeida, all researchers from LAQV/REQUIMTE at FCUP, which aims to develop therapies with fewer side effects for Parkinson's Disease. Rounding out the podium of this 11th edition of iUP25k was the "AI4BirthCare" project, created by a multidisciplinary team comprising researchers Rita Moura from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (FEUP), Daniel Fidalgo and Dulce Oliveira from INEGI, and Mafalda Neves from Hospital São João. This project aims to predict and prevent birth-related injuries, assisting in medical decision-making.

This year, iUP25k 2025 was supported by Caixa Geral de Depósitos, Astrolábio, and UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto. The jury, consisting of Adriano Fidalgo (Astrolábio), Maria João Gonçalves Maia (Corium Biotech), and Raphael Stanzani (UPTEC), was unanimous in its decision regarding the winners.

When announcing the winners, Pedro Rodrigues, Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation at the University of Porto, emphasised that "never has so much been invested in innovation at the University of Porto as now," encouraging the teams to be attentive to all opportunities that may arise. "What we want is to see new ideas and new companies emerge that place our research on the national stage and at the service of society, with the impact we would all like to see," he stated.