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With the leadership of TTK a national laboratory has been established to support domestic drug research and development

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The National Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (PharmaLab) was established under the leadership of ELKH Research Centre for Natural Sciences (TTK), aimed at developing therapeutic and diagnostic solutions, as well as cost-effective and environmentally friendly procedures for the production of active substances and drug formulations for the treatment of oncological, immunological and neurological diseases. The project is implemented in a consortium consisting of the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME), Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), University of Pécs (PTE), and three research sites of the Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), including the Biological Research Centre (BRC), the Institute of Experimental Medicine (IEM), and the Research Centre for Natural Sciences (TTK), with a total of 5.45 billion forints of non-refundable European Union and domestic support. 

The goal of the project, which is being implemented through the collaboration of universities, ELKH research sites, European research organizations, as well as small, medium, and large enterprises, is to create a critical mass that is uniquely capable of developing competitive technologies, therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. 

The six-member consortium will implement the development in four professional pillars over a period of four years, whose main objectives are as follows: 

Molecular oncology pillar: Identification of clinically applicable therapeutic options for solid tumor patients who currently do not have access to adequate drug therapy or have developed resistance to available treatments, through analysis of large genomic and transcriptomic databases. 

Neuropharmacology pillar: Focusing on neurological diseases, the main goal is to conduct research on neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, develop new translational protocols, and study human MR biomarkers related to these conditions, which increase both diagnosis and treatment efficacy. 

Biotechnology pillar: The development of DNA/RNA-based and immunoprotein-based (antibody-based) diagnostic and therapeutic antibodies, and the development of semi-industrial technology for researching the diagnostic and therapeutic options for pandemic infections, as well as cancerous and autoimmune diseases. 

Drug development technology pillar: Development of innovative methods for preclinical development and manufacturing of drug compounds. The main goal is to develop industrial-scale procedures that enhance the competitiveness of the domestic pharmaceutical industry, as well as to develop product technology solutions that improve the delivery and effectiveness of active ingredients. 

The project with the identification number RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00015 is realized within the framework of the "Establishment and Complex Development of the National Laboratories" call of Hungary's Recovery and Resilience Plan between March 2022 and February 2026. The consortium is open to cooperation with Hungarian pharmaceutical companies, and in addition to the main locations in Budapest, Pécs, and Szeged, research and development staff are expected to work together in many parts of the country.