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Folate-Target Nanodevices To Activated Macrophages For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective

FOLSMART will bring to phase I clinical trials novel folate-based nanodevices (FBN) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These nanodevices for folic acid (FA)-mediated targeting of activated macrophages showed improved clinical scores in a mouse model of RA when compared to methotrexate (MTX), first-line drug therapy for the treatment of RA. In this way, FBN will be benchmarked against this drug. MTX has significant associated toxicity and second-line biological therapies pose a great economic burden to hospital/public health systems. In parallel, nanodevices encapsulating Sulfasalazine (SSZ), will be tested. SSZ is a second line indication for the treatment of RA, unresponsive to MTX or MTX–intolerant patients. Furthermore, FOLSMART proposes the optimization of mechanisms for the release of the drugs, through pH and temperature-sensitive nanodevices. Exploitation and business plans will be elaborated. In parallel, the initial economic evaluation of all proposed treatments will be performed to validate these claims.

Specific technological objectives of FOLSMART will be:

Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) production of the FBN based therapies which have been positively bench-marked in the previous FP7 European project NANOFOL in comparison with the use of MTX in a RA mouse model:
-Liposomal MTX and SSZ with FA-“neck domain” peptide as targeting agent
-Nanoparticles from HSA-FA/MTX conjugates and SSZ
-Optimization of mechanisms of drug release and application to other fields

Pre-clinical development on RA models:
-Toxicology and pharmacokinetics, to determine tolerability and efficacy benefit in two animal models rat and dog, under Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards
-Genotoxicity and Carcinogenicity

Preparation for Phase I clinical trial of the best therapies bench marketed against MTX:
-Nanodevices with MTX and SSZ will offer improved tolerance and greater efficacy meaning that patients who do not do well on MTX will have cost-effective alternatives

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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RIA - Research and Innovation action

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) H2020-NMP-2014-2015

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Coordinator

ASSOCIACAO UNIVERSIDADE EMPRESA PARA DESENVOLVIMENTO TECMINHO
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 1 130 037,70
Address
CAMPUS DE AZUREM UNIVERSIDADE DO MINHO
4800 058 Guimaraes
Portugal

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Region
Continente Norte Ave
Activity type
Other
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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 1 130 037,70

Participants (10)

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