Searching for new anti-cancer drugs – lecture by Prof. Priebe

21.07.2023

Drug discovery in academia: from bench to bedside is the title of an open lecture given by a scientist of Polish origin – Prof. Waldemar Priebe from the Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, USA, at the invitation of the staff of the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Clinical Research Support Centre of the Medical University of Gdańsk. The visit, which took place on 11-12 July this year, was hosted by Dr. Habil. Anita Kornicka, Pharm.D., Head of the Department of Chemical Technology of Drugs of the MUG.

During the lecture, Prof Waldemar Priebe shared his knowledge on the search, design, and synthesis of compounds of therapeutic interest. The subject of the lecture was research on anticancer drugs, which is one of the Professor’s main areas of scientific interest. The lecture concluded with a discussion in which the following scientists of the MUG took the floor: Prof. Małgorzata Sznitowska, Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Prof. Jacek Jassem from the Department of Oncology & Radiotherapy and Prof. Jarosław Sączewski from the Department of Organic Chemistry.

During the visit of the foreign expert, a scientific seminar was also organised for employees of the Pharmaceutical Faculty of the MUG. The seminar was attended by, among others, Prof. Michał Markuszewski – Vice-Rector for Science of our University, Prof. Piotr Widłak – Director of the Office of the Clinical Research Support Centre, Prof. Wojciech Kamysz – Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Magdalena Prokopowicz – Vice-Dean for Educational Affairs of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Dr. Habil. Danuta Siluk, Prof. of the University – Vice-Dean for Scientific Affairs and Staff Development of the Faculty of Pharmacy, and Prof. Wiesław Sawicki – Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Sciences Council. During the meeting, Prof. Priebe shared his experience in clinical trials and discussed aspects of obtaining patents in the field of pharmacy. Seminar participants also had the opportunity to discuss the future use of chemotherapeutics in cancer treatment. The meeting provided an inspiring opportunity to exchange knowledge and present perspectives on the development of new anticancer drugs that could be of key importance for cancer treatment.

Professor Waldemar Priebe’s visit also provided an opportunity to meet specialists from the Clinical Research Support Centre, the Early Phase Clinical Research Centre, the Department of Haematology and Transplantology, and the Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology of the Medical University of Gdańsk.

photo Paweł Sudara i Patrycja Maszka/MUG