Project description
Advanced antiviral drugs for HBV using capsid assembly modulators
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major global health issue, causing chronic liver infections that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) are emerging as a promising class of antiviral drugs that target the viral capsid, disrupting HBV replication by preventing the formation of new viral particles. The ERC-funded S-CAM project aims to advance CAMs with a novel scaffold for ultrapotency and improved stability. Researchers will evaluate the pharmacological properties of these new CAMs and develop a business plan for commercialisation. Project deliverables have the potential to improve treatment and offer a cure for chronic HBV infection.
Objective
This PoC project aims to advance the development of next-generation direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against hepatitis B virus (HBV), namely capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) with a novel spirocyclic scaffold chemotype described in our proprietary patent (WO2021/160617). The identification of next-generation spirocyclic CAMs (S-CAMs) during the funding period of ERC CoG 725038 (FATE) represents a potentially important step towards the cure of chronic HBV infection, one of the major uncontrolled medical challenges of our time with a huge economic and social burden worldwide.
The novel spirocyclic scaffold represents a major advantage for the progression towards the clinic, thanks to its greatly improved synthetic process and excellent stability in mouse and human hepatocytes. Fewer synthetic steps and a reduced need for costly and hard-to-find intermediates provide a price-competitive production process compared to any other CAM, such as our previous generation non-spirocyclic series (patent WO2020/234483) sold to a US-based biotech company. In addition, our novel S-CAMs have an effective dose in the lower pM range, making these new molecules ultrapotent.
In this project we will confirm the technical and commercial viability of the ultrapotent novel S-CAMs that are called to out-compete previous generation non-spirocyclic series still in preclinical and first clinical phases as follows: 1) evaluate the pharmacological properties of the best candidates in normal inbred mice and assess their safety, efficacy and immunostimulatory potential in HBV-replicating transgenic mice; 2) perform a comparative analysis of the main competing CAM solutions; 3) establish the IP strategy and stakeholder mapping; 4) prepare a business plan and commercialization roadmap for in-licensing to a spin-off and mid-term out-licensing to potential strategic partners to bring the best ultrapotent S-CAMs candidates to the market.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases DNA viruses hepatitis B
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antivirals
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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)
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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
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-2023-POC
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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.
20132 Milano
Italy
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.