Manel Esteller, Director of the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), ICREA Researcher and Professor of Genetics at the University of Barcelona has been awarded the Research Award of the Royal National Academy of Pharmacy (RANF). He receives this recognition for his research in the area of anti-cancer drugs that change the genetic expression of tumour cells.

Dr Esteller's studies in this field have led to the development of the so-called epigenetic drugs, such as hypomethylating agents and histone function inhibitors, which target the regulation of gene activity and have been approved for clinical use in oncology, especially in haematological malignancies. Dr Esteller's most recent preclinical research has shown how other substances that act at the RNA level (epitranscriptome) also have initial anti-tumour capacity. A clinical trial has already been initiated using the first drug from this pathway in patients with leukaemia.

The official award ceremony will take place during the Solemn Inaugural Session of the 2024 academic year on Thursday 18 January at 19.00 in the auditorium of the RANF official headquarters in Madrid, with the presence of the president of the RANF, Mr. Antonio L. Doadrio Villarejo.