Project description
Engineered bacteria: the future of acne care
Traditional skin treatments often suffer from poor penetration, while invasive procedures and antibiotic resistance present significant health challenges. The EIC-funded SkinEngineering project aims to address these issues by using genetically engineered skin bacteria (Cutibacterium acnes) to deliver biotherapeutics directly into hair follicles. These modified microbes continuously secrete therapeutic molecules, providing a safe, long-lasting treatment. Beyond preclinical and regulatory validation, the project will implement robust safety biocontainment strategies. This non-invasive approach will offer a sustainable alternative to antibiotics, addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance while targeting a massive international skincare market. Ultimately, the project will focus on refining a commercial strategy to attract investors and pharmaceutical partners.
Objective
We have developed a ground-breaking patented technology that uses genetically engineered skin bacteria (C. acnes) to deliver biotherapeutics directly to the skin, offering safe, effective and long-lasting treatment for skin conditions such as acne. Our modified microbes continuously produce and secrete therapeutic molecules in the hair follicle, addressing the problems associated with invasive procedures and the poor transdermal penetration of traditional topical treatments.
Preclinical results from our previous EIC Transition project SKINDEV (coordinated by UPF), have demonstrated significant efficacy in reducing sebum and inflammation in vitro. Additionally, further studies have shown successful engraftment and safety in mouse models. The SkinEngineering project will advance our technology from proof-of-concept (TRL3) to preclinical and regulatory validation (TRL5), bridging the gap between promising research outcomes and the stage where we are ready to enter into commercial agreements with potential partners.
SkinEngineering will help us further refine our platform, complete preclinical studies and address regulatory and manufacturing aspects. We will also focus on ensuring the safety of our engineered bacteria, including robust biocontainment strategies. We have preliminarily validated the market fit of this effective and non-invasive therapy without adverse effects, confirming that it meets the needs of clinicians and patients in the €14 billion acne market. Our biotherapeutic also reduces the need for antimicrobial-based treatments, helping combat antimicrobial resistance, a key public health issue.
Our commercialization pathway involves launching a spin-off, Synflora, with SkinEngineering refining our business model and go-to-market strategy. Successful project outcomes will capture the attention of key stakeholders, e.g. investors, pharma/cosmetic companies and end users, boosting our company’s awareness and enhancing its investment readiness.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
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)
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-EIC - HORIZON EIC 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) HORIZON-EIC-2024-TRANSITION-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.
08002 Barcelona
Spain
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.