UFRN receives R$ 25 million for research on medicinal cannabis and digital transformation
R$ 12 million will be allocated to the creation of a study center for cannabis-based medications for the SUS
The Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) will be awarded R$ 25 million for the execution of two research projects in the areas of health and digital transformation. The proposals were approved by the 2023 Thematic Centers Public Call from the Financing Agency for Studies and Projects (Finep), a public company linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI).
The project named Terasus, which is part of the health thematic area, was one of ten proposals approved among 61 applications nationwide. The funding of R$ 12 million will be allocated to the creation of a study center dedicated to cannabidiol and other cannabis derivatives, aiming to develop medications for the Unified Health System (SUS).
Coordinated by Professor Eryvaldo Sócrates Tabosa do Egito, with support from Professors Leandro de Santis Ferreira and Maria Bernadete Cordeiro de Sousa, the project aims to produce cannabis-based medications through the standardization of extracts and nano-structured products of pure cannabidiol. “We will work with nano-structured products of pure cannabidiol and the standardization of cannabis extracts,” explained Eryvaldo. This includes defining the cannabis species and the appropriate extraction method for producing the extract, with the goal of providing references to the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) for product approval.
In addition to regulatory advancements, the team also hopes to demonstrate that the products developed in Brazil have therapeutic effects comparable to or superior to imported ones. Professor Eryvaldo emphasizes the importance of this initiative, “We will have several answers for society regarding the safety and efficacy of the products within the standards established by our team of experts.” The project includes international partnerships, including collaboration with institutions from the United States, Italy, and France.
Digital Hub
The second approved proposal, called AvançaTech, will receive R$ 13 million and aims to create a robust infrastructure for research and technological development. The project will focus on building a digital transformation and innovation hub, directed towards areas such as specific reality, advanced production, and specialized computing.
According to UFRN's Vice-Rector for Research, Silvana Langassner, the approval of these projects reflects the high level of excellence of the university. “For the first time, UFRN has gained a prominent space in this Finep Thematic Centers call, where each institution could approve up to three proposals — and we managed to approve two. This victory reflects the scientific maturity of the institution,” celebrated.
In total, Finep approved 36 proposals out of a total of 238 received, in the areas of Energy Transition, Ecological Transition, Digital Transformation, Health, and Defense. The North, Northeast, and Midwest regions received 37.17% of the R$ 489 million allocated to the Public Call.