Objective
The fastidious balance of our immune system to fight infections or cancer while avoiding autoimmune reactions is regulated by coinhibitory and co-stimulatory immune checkpoint complexes (ICCs), which have become major drug targets. We witness the skyrocketing progression in cancer immunotherapy with antibodies that block inhibitory ICCs whereas Abs that block stimulatory ICCs are in clinical trials for treating autoimmune diseases.
Surprisingly, but likely fuelled by the most obvious focus on IC inhibitors, the field largely ignored that ICCs are genuine transmembrane receptors that transmit signals upon binding of an extracellular protein ligand. This leaves unexplored modes of therapeutic intervention that I will uncover by validating Nanobodies (Nbs) as first-in-class modulators of signaling pathways associated with immune receptors in a unique, previously unexplored fashion.
By applying innovative immunization and bio-selection techniques and building on POC data, I will deliver Nbs for representative ICCs to demonstrate the efficacy and selectivity of these Nbs in preclinical models of various inflammatory conditions, focusing on cancer and autoimmune diseases. We will deliver novel therapeutics agents which may outperform current inhibitor-based immunotherapies that trigger a magnitude of side effects. In this regard, the Nbs will exert their therapeutic effect through a distinctive mode of action that will ensure patient safety, even in the event of an overdose.
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: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/euroscivoc.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunisation
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology immunotherapy
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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.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 - HORIZON ERC 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-ADG
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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.
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
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.