Project description
Advancing heparanase inhibitors for metastatic cancer therapy
Many cancers express elevated levels of the heparanase enzyme known to degrade extracellular matrix and facilitate cancer cell invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. Heparanase also contributes to immune evasion and chemoresistance, making it a promising target for cancer therapy. Several heparanase inhibitors have entered clinical trials, demonstrating promise in treating haematologic and solid malignancies. The ERC-funded HEPARANIB project aims to investigate the potential of novel heparanase inhibitors for metastatic cancer treatment. Researchers will optimise synthesis of small molecules and conduct initial pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies. Inhibitors will be evaluated in breast cancer, lung cancer and multiple myeloma models, and promising candidates will be promoted for clinical testing.
Objective
The Heparanib Proof-of-Concept project aims to establish the feasibility of our unique small molecule heparanase inhibitors as drug candidates for the treatment of metastatic cancers. To strengthen our science case (experimental development A) and by building on our in vivo data in mouse models for metastatic breast cancer, lung cancer and multiple myeloma, we will (A-I) design a suitable route of synthesis to prepare sufficient quantities of clinical grade material; (A-II) synthesise reference compounds; and (A-III) perform initial pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) studies. With the aim to prepare for the establishment of a spin-out biotech company (business development B) to take our leads towards the clinic we will (B-IV) strengthen our intellectual property (IP) position; (B-V) perform an extensive analysis of the anti-metastatic cancer drug market; and (B-VI) prepare for commercialisation by consolidating the results in an investor-ready business plan to develop and commercialise our anticancer drug candidate.
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.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmacokinetics
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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-POC2
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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.
2311 EZ Leiden
Netherlands
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.