Project description
Foetal-inspired regenerative treatment for low back pain
Low back pain (LBP) affects nearly 80 % of the population and is caused by intervertebral disc degeneration. Current treatments are costly, invasive, and often ineffective, impacting patients' quality of life. The EU-funded FETALIX project aims to introduce a novel biomaterial that will revolutionise LBP treatment and rejuvenate the spine. The regenerative biomaterial has been inspired by foetal tissue and promises to improve clinical outcome at a lower cost, promoting circular economy. Its use can be extended to dogs, who might also suffer from intervertebral disc degeneration. Project funding will ensure readiness to conduct clinical testing of this innovative biomaterial and introduce it to the market.
Objective
Joana Caldeira is a forward-thinking researcher, PhD in Biomedicine and FETALDISC’s CEO, whose passion is to contribute to the generalized life quality improvement of an increasingly ageing society. Following her expertise as a researcher in the field of extracellular matrix modulation, improving current regenerative therapies, namely intervertebral disc disease, Joana was faced with a problem that is many times overlooked: Low Back Pain (LBP). Although it may pose as a straightforward health condition to address, LBP, frequently caused by intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), affects up to 80% of the population, having a tremendous socioeconomic impact. This condition often requires expensive, lengthy, and invasive treatment, which rarely treats the underlying disease, impacting patient’s life quality by affecting mobility, ability to work and sleep. Moreover, this health challenge is also prevalent in the canines, with many breeds suffering from continuous pain, limited mobility, and immobilization at older ages. To address this challenge, Joana founded FETALDISC, LDA to mainstream innovative, and sustainable deep tech biomedical solutions, especially for IVDD treatment, having FETALIX as its core product – THE FIRST REGENERATIVE FETAL-INSPIRED BIOMATERIAL TO TREAT LBP. The solution will change the market dynamics, by achieving better intervertebral disc regenerative results, being more affordable and eliminating existing treatments setbacks. The company’s biggest challenge is to master business and market insights to track investors’ interest, undertake clinical trials, and certification, and thus launch FETALIX into the market. Women TechEU support will be paramount for the company’s business and market robustness, as well as its scale-up through consolidating its business model and plan, thus allowing the company to be fully prepared for the commercialization stage. Women TechEU will be part of the journey of REJUVENATING THE SPINE TO SET PATIENTS FREE.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.3.2 - European innovation ecosystems
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-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
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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) HORIZON-EIE-2022-SCALEUP-02
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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.
4250-455 Porto
Portugal
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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.