Scientific background

Our R&D efforts are centered on developing next-generation diagnostic procedures and in vitro tools that harness the function of multidrug transporters. By focusing on this critical biological mechanism, we aim to enable highly personalized therapeutic decision-making.
Our diagnostic solutions are designed to guide targeted treatment in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions—such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease—as well as in cases of pneumonia following acute infection. The goal: pinpoint accuracy in diagnosis that leads to more effective, individualized care.

Immune-mediated diseases

Immune-mediated diseases are a type of chronic inflammatory disease with an unknown cause. They are characterised by the overactivation of certain cells of the immune system, which produce large amounts of substances linked to the generation and maintenance of inflammation, and transporters are closely involved in this process. The most widely used drugs modulate the function of the immune system (immunomodulatory drugs, so-called DMARDs) and it is known that the proteins responsible for the development of multidrug resistance are also involved in the transport of many DMARD drug molecules. The causal link is currently the subject of intensive research, while previous scientific results have identified trend-like relationships.

This is the main focus of our research. We plan to confirm or refine previously observed trend-like clinical associations with data from new clinical trials.

Clinical studies

Understanding the function of transporter proteins is just the beginning. To ensure our discoveries have real-world relevance, we rigorously validate laboratory findings in clinical settings with actual patients.
Our clinical trials are designed and conducted with the highest standards of scientific rigor and ethical responsibility. Every study prioritizes patient well-being, aligning with international therapeutic guidelines and considering healthcare system realities, including funding pathways.
This commitment ensures our research translates into clinically actionable solutions—paving the way for scalable, impactful innovations in precision medicine.

In clinical development, we focus on therapeutic areas where transporter protein function is closely linked to disease progression and where a wide range of patients can benefit from our diagnostic approach

  1. Medicines exert their effects within cells, and the action of transporters actively influences the effect of medicines by removing the medicine molecules from the cells before they can exert their effect. This occurs with certain traditional drugs, such as those used to treat oncological diseases, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory diseases. This is classic multidrug resistance.
  2. Transporters are involved in the transport of molecules that are produced during normal metabolism or detoxification processes and are involved in intercellular communication. Certain signaling molecules involved in the regulation of the immune system are released from cells with the help of transporter proteins.

Our development strategy

As part of our development strategy, we generate robust clinical evidence through regulatory-compliant clinical trials—ensuring our diagnostic tools meet the highest standards of clinical performance.
Our clinical programs are strategically designed to validate MDR proteins as novel biomarkers in specific patient populations, with a focus on immune-mediated and inflammatory conditions. Each study is conducted under full regulatory oversight and scientific scrutiny, ensuring the highest standards of clinical integrity.
Currently, we are conducting targeted clinical studies across high-impact patient populations:

  • Two distinct groups of rheumatic patients
  • Patients receiving JAK inhibitor therapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Patients with pneumonia following acute viral infection

These trials not only validate our technology in clinical settings but also support strategic pathways to market, making our solutions highly relevant for partners focused on precision medicine and immune-related conditions.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a widespread disease in many regions of the world and is placing an increasing burden on healthcare systems everywhere. It is currently understood to be a progressive, incurable disease, and the main goal is to halt or slow its progression. Although a growing number of drugs are being introduced to treat the disease, there is no treatment that promises a lasting cure for all patients. DMARD-type drugs that modulate the immune system remain the first line of treatment today, but given that in the longer term they only relieve the symptoms of one in four to five patients, the use of new biological and/or targeted therapies is increasing. The significantly higher cost of new drugs justifies the introduction of a diagnostic procedure that helps to select the most effective drug for a well-defined group of patients, based on the principles of precision medicine. Early use of the right medicine offers the hope of slowing down the rapid progression of the disease and avoiding damage to the joints. The central element of our research is the development of a diagnostic assay to help predict which groups of patients will benefit from conventional DMARD drugs and which groups are likely to develop resistance to therapy and need to be switched to biological treatment early.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Clinical Trial

We are actively enrolling two distinct cohorts of RA patients:

  • Newly diagnosed individuals beginning methotrexate therapy
  • Patients with long-standing RA who have not responded to prior biologic treatment and are now initiating JAK inhibitor therapy

This trial has received full approval from the National Centre for Public Health and Pharmacy and has passed ethical review by the ETT Scientific and Research Ethics Committee. The study aims to uncover key insights into drug response variability and the role of transporter activity in RA treatment outcomes.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are becoming increasingly common in industrialized countries. With a growing number of patients—many of them young—experiencing severe symptoms, the strain on healthcare systems is rising rapidly.
While new biological and targeted synthetic therapies offer hope, their long-term effectiveness is still being evaluated. These treatments are also costly, highlighting the urgent need for reliable biomarkers that can guide treatment decisions early in the care process. By identifying which patients are likely to respond to specific therapies, clinicians can make more effective, personalized choices—benefiting patients, physicians, and healthcare funders alike.
Research into the role of transporter molecules is shedding light on how both traditional and modern small molecule therapies work. Understanding these mechanisms is key to improving outcomes and ensuring the right treatment reaches the right patient at the right time.

Acute Viral Pneumonia Study

This study focuses on hospitalized patients suffering from severe acute pneumonia caused by respiratory viral infections. It explores the behavior of multidrug transporters under acute inflammatory conditions, specifically within selected white blood cell populations. Insights from this trial may inform future treatment strategies in both infectious and inflammatory disease settings.

Oncology

A transzporterek működésének vizsgálata az onkológiai területen a mai napig intenzív.
In conventional cancer treatments, one major challenge has been drug resistance—often driven by the activity of multidrug resistance (MDR) transporters. Originally identified through cancer chemotherapy research, these transporters can actively remove anticancer drugs from tumour cells, reducing treatment effectiveness.
In certain tumour types, MDR transporter activity has proven to hold prognostic value, helping to predict how a patient might respond to specific therapies. As research advances, the list of cancers where transporter-related resistance should be factored into treatment decisions continues to grow.
Transporter function remains a highly active area of research in oncology, with ongoing studies aiming to improve outcomes by overcoming or bypassing drug resistance mechanisms.