The RePo-SUDOE project will have a prominent role at RExPO25, the fourth edition of an international conference series that has become one of the leading global forums dedicated to drug repurposing.
RExPO25 will take place in Barcelona, from 24 to 26 September 2025, bringing together a vibrant community of researchers, clinicians, policymakers, industry representatives, innovators, and patients. The program will cover a wide range of cutting-edge topics, including Network Medicine, Network Pharmacology, Precision Diagnostics, Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models, the European Health Data Space, healthcare implementation, drug reformulation, innovative trials, intellectual property, health technology assessment, patient-centered care, and the global impact framed by the UN 2030 Agenda.
Within this international context, the RePo-SUDOE project will showcase its progress and strategic goals through three scientific contributions highlighting the potential of drug repurposing to address unmet medical needs and to position the SUDOE region (Spain, Portugal, and France) as a European leader in this field.
RePo-SUDOE contributions at RExPO25
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Ana Álvarez – “Drug repurposing for cancer and beyond through the RePo-SUDOE project”
Ana Álvarez’s contribution addresses one of the most pressing health challenges: cancer, the second leading cause of death and illness in Europe. Drug repurposing emerges as a fast, cost-effective, and safe strategy to deliver new life-saving treatments.
In this context, RePo-SUDOE has identified the YAP/TAZ-TEAD complex, regulated by the Hippo pathway, as a priority target in oncology due to its central role in tumor progression. Following an extensive literature review and the selection of compounds reported to disrupt these interactions, the team is developing standardized biophysical protocols (SPR and BLI) to ensure reproducible and precise results. These advances not only strengthen the project’s scientific foundations but also open new therapeutic opportunities for cancer and beyond. -
Hugo Filipe – “RePo-SUDOE – A translational network for drug repurposing in the SUDOE space”
Hugo Filipe’s presentation focuses on building a translational network for drug repurposing in the SUDOE region, addressing the still modest contribution of Spain, Portugal, and France to global research in comparison with leading countries such as China, the USA, and the UK.
His talk highlights three key objectives: (i) raising awareness and understanding of repurposing technologies, (ii) fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and joint innovation, and (iii) introducing advanced technological tools such as an interactive 3D room with virtual and augmented reality to explore drug–target interactions and promote immersive learning among students and young researchers. In doing so, the project strengthens the region’s research competitiveness and establishes SUDOE as a key European player. -
João Joaquim – “RePo-SUDOE: Promoting drug repurposing in the SUDOE region through Public Health engagement and scientific literacy”
João Joaquim’s contribution emphasizes the role of public health and scientific literacy as essential drivers to ensure that drug repurposing innovations reach society as a whole.
He will highlight the work led by the Portuguese Society of Public Health (SPSP) in dissemination and knowledge transfer through workshops, summer schools, educational resources, and policy briefs. These initiatives bring the project’s achievements closer to healthcare professionals, policymakers, students, and the public, fostering the integration of drug repurposing approaches into health systems and promoting equity in access to innovative therapies.
Commitment to innovation and transnational collaboration
RePo-SUDOE’s participation in RExPO25 reflects its strong commitment to biomedical innovation, open knowledge, and cross-border collaboration. With these contributions, Southwestern Europe is moving towards a more integrated and competitive research model, placing patients at the center and aiming to accelerate the delivery of new therapies to those who need them most.