Metabolic anti-inflammatory nanomedicines

Project Information

MAIN

Grant agreement ID: 101123468

DOI

10.3030/101123468

Project closed

EC signature date 3 August 2023

Start date 1 October 2023

End date 31 March 2025

Funded under

• European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 150 000,00

Coordinated by

FUNDACIO INSTITUT DE BIOENGINYERIA DE CATALUNYA
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MAIN (Metabolic anti-inflammatory nanomedicines)

Reporting period: 2023-10-01 to 2025-03-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Inflammation is a natural defence mechanism of the human body, helping us fight infections and recover from injuries. However, when this response becomes chronic and uncontrolled, it can cause serious harm. Long-term inflammation is linked to tissue damage, autoimmune diseases, and even cancer. Although many medicines exist to treat inflammation, they often have limited effectiveness, cause unwanted side effects, and do not act specifically on the cells responsible for the problem.

The MAIN project set out to tackle this challenge by developing a new generation of medicines based on nanotechnology. The aim was to design small, biodegradable particles that not only deliver treatment directly to the immune cells driving inflammation but also play an active role in calming harmful immune responses. By working with natural building blocks that the body can metabolise, the project sought to create safer and more effective therapies.

The overall ambition of MAIN was to reshape the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. The project focused on orphan diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and systemic sclerosis, which currently have very few effective therapies, while also exploring more widespread conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. If successful, this approach could lead to new options for millions of patients and open significant opportunities for the European healthcare and biotech sectors.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

MAIN successfully advanced the design and testing of innovative nanomedicines that act in two complementary ways: they home in on immune cells involved in chronic inflammation, and they help rebalance the body’s natural defence systems. Unlike conventional drug carriers, these nanomedicines are designed to be active themselves, with the ability to reduce oxidative stress and guide immune cells toward an anti-inflammatory state.

During the project, researchers created several new biodegradable materials inspired by natural metabolism. They also demonstrated that these materials can assemble into nanoparticles capable of reaching and acting on specific immune cells. Laboratory tests confirmed that these nanomedicines can protect against harmful immune reactions more effectively than existing compounds, while offering the potential for fewer side effects.

These advances have already resulted in several patent applications and scientific publications. In parallel, a plan is underway to transfer the results into real-world use through the creation of a dedicated spin-off company. This will accelerate the translation of the project’s discoveries into therapies that can reach patients.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

MAIN has pushed forward the frontier of therapeutic nanomedicine. The project’s breakthroughs rest on three main innovations:
1. Designing new biodegradable materials with controllable properties.
2. Achieving selective targeting of immune cells by mimicking natural biological interactions.
3. Creating nanomedicines that are not just carriers but active therapeutic agents in their own right.

Together, these innovations open the door to safer, more precise, and more effective treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases. The results obtained so far show promise in preclinical models of inflammation-driven fibrosis and multiple sclerosis, paving the way for future studies.

The expected impact of MAIN extends well beyond the laboratory. For patients, it promises new therapies for conditions that currently lack effective options. For healthcare systems, it offers the prospect of reducing the burden of chronic inflammation, which contributes to some of the most costly and debilitating diseases worldwide. For Europe, the project strengthens leadership in advanced medical technologies and creates opportunities for innovation-driven growth, thanks to intellectual property protection and the planned spin-off company.

By combining cutting-edge nanotechnology with a deep understanding of biology, MAIN has laid the groundwork for a new class of medicines that could transform the way chronic inflammatory diseases are treated.