The Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) obtained more than €1 million in profit by licensing the patent it holds to a new treatment for a rare mitochondrial disease caused by TK2 deficiency. It is the biggest financial profit generated by a Spanish research institute from a patent through tech transfer.
In 2013, Dr Ramon Martí, head of the VHIR Research Group on Neuromuscular and Mitochondrial Diseases, and Dr Michio Hirano from Columbia University in New York, discovered this new treatment. Then they licensed the patent to the company Modis Therapeutics (California, United States) which was later acquired by Zogenix.
HiTT, an international market access consultancy from a payer’s perspective with offices in Barcelona, participated in the evidence review to complete the evidence package for the drug's value dossier.
VHIR has introduced an innovation model that enabled it to successfully transfer research results to society. "This case study shows that we are competitive in health innovation on an international level and encourages us to continue being competitive," says Dr Joan Comella, director of VHIR and CataloniaBio & HealthTech board member.
All of the profit from licensing the patent will be reinvested in VHIR' research.
Photo: Research group led by Dr Ramon Martí - © VHIR
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