Objective
Widow spiders are spread worldwide, and their bite induces severe envenomation symptoms that can lead to a complex syndrome known as latrodectism and death in severe cases. The only available specific treatment consists of polyclonal antibodies derived from horse plasma obtained by hyperimmunization with black widow spider venom. However, this process is slow, dangerous, and implies the continuous use of large domestic animals (mainly horses) in the manufacturing process. Venom unavailability is a significant supply chain bottleneck in antivenom manufacture, which imposes a very high product cost. Also, the efficacy of this horse-derived product suffers from batch-to-batch variation, resulting in variable efficacy profiles for different batches. Finally, the non-human nature of the horse-derived antibodies may provoke severe adverse immunological reactions. The high prevalence of adverse reactions severely limits its use, and antivenom use is thus reserved for only the most extreme cases, while not being administered at all to the many patients with asthma, atopy, or other allergy-related conditions. We are developing a recombinant antivenom based on a single broadly-neutralizing fully human monoclonal antibody that can neutralize the toxic effects of widow spider bites. According to WHO nomenclature, this antibody will be called Latrotoxumab, and it will be safer to administer, more efficacious, as well as cost-competitive with existing antivenoms. In this ERC PoC project, which is based on results obtained in the ERC StG project MABSTER (grant number 850974), we will explore the commercial potential of Latrotoxumab and lay the first foundation for a spin-off company (Fang Pharma) by securing in vivo PoC, securing IPR, developing a regulatory, manufacturing, and clinical trial plan, and preparing a fully-flexed business plan, incl. market, pricing, and SWOT analyses, identification of business growth opportunities (partners and investors), and exit strategy.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-POC1
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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.
2800 KONGENS LYNGBY
Denmark
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.