Vera Valus Ricerca

Vera Salus Ricerca (VSR) is an innovative biopharmaceutical company whose core competence lies in the discovery of best-in-class drug candidates based on natural substances.

Disorders of the intestinal barrier are associated with an increased risk of acquiring gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal diseases, which are summarized under the term leaky gut syndrome (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, type I diabetes mellitus and rheumatic diseases). There is no cure for impaired intestinal barrier function, and current therapeutic approaches are mainly aimed at controlling the symptoms with anti-inflammatory agents, antibiotics or probiotics.

VSR's collaboration with Prof. Julian Weghuber's research group at FH OOE was initiated with the ambitious goal of identifying plant extracts or compounds (phytochemicals) that can safely and effectively support and maintain gut health and reduce inflammation in the intestinal tract. FH OOE and VSR are joining forces by sharing their proprietary libraries of phytochemicals. These extracts will be thoroughly screened and characterized using generally accepted experimental models and the combined expertise of FH OOE and VSR. The most promising phytochemicals will eventually be used as part of natural food/feed supplements for humans and animals.

The results of the collaboration will enable the development of an innovative, 100% natural product line specifically aimed at correcting gut barrier dysfunction through advanced nutrition. The products will be supported by preclinical evidence from the VSR and FH OOE laboratories and further tested in specific animal studies and clinical situations.

In the long term, the collaboration between VSR and FH OOE will also promote the development of innovative pharmacological compounds derived from the most promising phytochemicals as new therapeutics to cure diseases of the intestinal barrier.