Project description
Nature-inspired lubricants against sexually transmitted infections
Many sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are underdiagnosed due to lack of symptoms, stigmatisation or poor testing infrastructure. Currently, there are no vaccines or effective microbicides, and the use of antivirals is hampered by late diagnosis, lack of access and resistance development, making condoms the primary defence against transmission. Funded by the European Innovation Council, the NatProLub project proposes to develop prophylactic lubricants with antiviral properties inspired by nature. The key objective is to address the gender imbalance in sexual health and improve prophylaxis against contraction of HIV. These antiviral lubricants would have no side effects nor risk for drug resistance, offering a viable preventive solution against HIV, Herpes simplex virus and other STIs.
Objective
Currently, there are no vaccines against HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and HSV (herpes simplex virus) infections. Condom, when used properly, are the most effective means of prophylaxis against viral transmission. However, there is a significant gender imbalance in condom use because women are not always in control over their use. In addition, women are at least twice as likely as men to contract sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from infected partners. Several STIs, including HIV, are underdiagnosed due to asymptomatic infections and/or lack of testing facilities. This is particularly problematic for women from African countries, who are at high risk of contracting STIs but have poor access to testing facilities. Alternatives to condoms that use established antivirals for HIV prophylaxis come with issues such as antimicrobial resistance and low adherence in practice in high-risk groups. There are also no means other than condoms for prophylaxis against HSV. Co-infection with HIV/HSV results in a vicious cycle of mutual facilitation, as individuals who are carriers of HSV have a three- to fourfold increased risk of contracting HIV. Inspired by nature, NatProLub develops a radically novel prophylactic approach to HIV and HSV prophylaxis through the use of lubricants. By targeting women, who are particularly at risk, NatProLub has a clear vision for a user-friendly, prophylactic product that can redress the gender imbalance in sexual health while offering a low risk of side effects and avoiding the risk of developing antimicrobial resistance. The members of the NatProLub consortium have very strong backgrounds in relevant but complementary scientific disciplines that will contribute to the development of prophylactic lubricants for end users and have previous successful experience in managing large scientific projects, the creation of spin-off companies, and maintaining well-developed professional networks in academia, industry, and healthcare.
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.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering tribology lubrication
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases RNA viruses HIV
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases DNA viruses
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antivirals
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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.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
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Topic(s)
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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
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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.
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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-EIC-2023-PATHFINDEROPEN-01
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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.
751 05 Uppsala
Sweden
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.