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- "The effectiveness of the drug for the treatment of cocaine and crack addiction has been confirmed"
"The effectiveness of the drug for the treatment of cocaine and crack addiction has been confirmed"
Preclinical trials of a therapeutic vaccine have been conducted in Brazil, during which the safety and effectiveness of the drug for the treatment of cocaine and crack addiction have been confirmed. Sandra Regina Goulart Almeida, Rector of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), told Izvestia about this in an exclusive interview. Also, using a toxin from spider venom, UFMG researchers have synthesized a molecule that will form the basis of a drug for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in men and women. The head of one of the leading universities in Latin America also spoke about cooperation with Russian scientists, the importance of international rectors' congresses and advanced developments in the field of AI.
"We are talking about a therapeutic vaccine that will help people struggling with addiction"
— Is the university currently implementing joint projects with Russian scientists? If so, which ones?
— Yes, we already have joint projects. I've been to Russia twice. The first time was in 2023, when I came from the National Association of Heads of Federal Universities Andifes to prepare for the trip, which was scheduled for 2024. I returned to Russia last year, and since then we have established several areas of partnership.
UFMG currently maintains partnerships with 13 Russian universities. Portuguese language teachers from Russia and Belarus come for an internship at the Faculty of Literature, where they teach Russian. There are also online lectures on various subjects, including political science and international relations. In addition, the BRICS School of Legal Studies, a course dedicated to discussions on legal issues, will be held with the support of eight other foreign partner universities.
— Medical science in Brazil is very advanced. Could you tell us about the most advanced developments in this field? Are you planning to cooperate with Russia?
— A lot of attention is paid to healthcare in Brazilian universities, in particular in ours. For example, UFMG excels in the field of vaccines, nanotechnology applied in healthcare, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence in this field.
We also have research and innovation centers in strategic areas such as molecular medicine, neurodegenerative diseases, and advanced and innovative treatments. In addition, therapeutic agents are being developed for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder and related diseases.
In addition, we have many publications in the field of healthcare with the participation of researchers from UFMG and Russian institutes. According to the Scival platform, 171 joint scientific articles were published in this field between 2021 and 2025.
— There is widespread information in the international news that a vaccine against drug addiction, in particular from cocaine, is being developed at the university you head. It has already been tested on mice. How is the process progressing?
— Our interdisciplinary group is dealing with this issue, it has already received state and federal funding for the project. We are talking about a therapeutic vaccine that will help people struggling with addiction. It will be a drug that prompts the immune system to produce antibodies that bind to cocaine in the bloodstream. As a result, the drug turns into a large molecule that does not cross the blood-brain barrier. The development has passed preclinical trials, during which the safety and effectiveness of the drug for the treatment of cocaine and crack addiction have been confirmed. The scientists plan to conduct human trials after obtaining permission from the Brazilian authorities.
— There are also known studies by scientists from the University of Minas Gerais on the use of Brazilian spider venom for medical purposes. What stage are they at now?
— The project, fully developed at UFMG, began about 20 years ago with the study of the venom of the Brazilian spider, which causes painful and prolonged erections and can lead to necrosis. Using a toxin from this venom, UFMG specialists synthesized a smaller molecule that acts topically and is non-toxic. The most advanced studies are focused on the use of the drug for sexual dysfunction in men and women.
The second phase of clinical trials, which provides data on efficacy and safety, has been successfully completed in men who have undergone prostatectomy, especially in combination with Tadalafil.
The specialists are now awaiting the approval of the competent authorities in order to begin the third and final phase before the drug enters the market. It is held with the participation of a large number of people.
A national company has obtained a license for the technology, and the drug is expected to be available to both men and women by 2028. This will make it the first effective drug for the treatment of female sexual dysfunction.
I would like to emphasize that this is an example of a drug created from Brazil's biodiversity, which accounts for 23% of the world's. This suggests that there is a reserve of active molecules that has not yet been practically mastered.
The BRICS+ Open Science Week starts in Rio de Janeiro on June 30. Its program will include a forum of popularizers of the research field and events of the international festival "Science 0+", which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025, as well as the action "Scientists to Schools" and the exhibition "Science in Faces".
The BRICS+ open Science week will be attended by researchers from Moscow State University, the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Kurchatov Institute, JINR, representatives of Rosatom and Roscosmos, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, St. Petersburg State University, HSE, Sechenov University, the FMBA Research Institute of Pulmonology, Zaryadye Park and other organizations.
"UFMG is conducting research on the concentration of rare earth minerals in Brazilian soil"
— Tell us about your research in the field of artificial intelligence. What are the university scientists working on?
— At UFMG, we have invested a lot in the field of artificial intelligence. The university has become a pioneer among Brazilian universities by creating a commission that in 2024 presented a proposal on the principles of using AI tools in teaching and research, as well as in the management of educational institutions.
We also have an Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center for Healthcare. It was established in 2021 in partnership with businesses, organizations from our state and the federal government. The focus is on creating advanced AI solutions that can help medical professionals diagnose and treat diseases, and managers develop preventive measures and organize medical care.
— What other technical solutions are being created in this area?
— We hold various events related to the engineering school. The projects include embedded AI in nanosatellites for image processing, accident prevention during field work, an audio classifier for bee detection, and the use of quantum computing to improve machine learning algorithms.
At the Faculty of Computer Science, researchers are working in partnership with businesses and in order to strengthen national industry to apply advanced artificial intelligence in industries such as mining and food processing, petrochemicals, healthcare, public and private security, automotive, construction, and nanocomputing.
— Brazil ranks third in the world in terms of reserves of rare earth metals. According to data for 2025, such projects are actively being implemented in the state of Minas Gerais. Do you participate in research in this field?
— UFMG conducts research on the concentration of rare earth minerals in Brazilian soil, and operates a nanotechnology center that also deals with rare earth minerals and does this in partnership with several universities.
UFMG is part of a joint research network that unites 15 leading institutes. Specialists in the fields of theoretical and experimental physics, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, and geology are working together to create strategic technologies based on rare earths.
— This year, the university hosted the International Mendeleev Olympiad. Tell us, what is the main advantage of this event?
— We note the importance of holding this event at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, especially since this is the world's oldest Chemistry Olympiad, which is being held in Latin America for the first time.
First of all, I would like to emphasize its importance not only because of its traditions and international recognition - Brazil has been participating in it for many years — but also because of the fundamental role it plays in popularizing science, especially chemistry, among schoolchildren.
In addition, this event enriches cultural exchange. The interaction between young people from different countries, with their different experiences and cultures, contributes to the formation of a generation more open to dialogue and diversity. Another important aspect is the development of international cooperation.
— A meeting of the rectors of the BRICS countries was held in Rio de Janeiro. Would you like to organize such a forum at the Federal University of Minas Gerais? Have you discussed this with your Russian colleagues?
— UFMG is one of the main institutions in Brazil in the field of international cooperation. For us, such meetings of rectors are a potential for developing cooperation between different countries. We talked about the possibility of holding a meeting with Russian rectors in 2026. That would be very helpful.
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