Project description
Warming up cold tumours
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, and one of the deadliest when diagnosed late. Current treatments, including immunotherapies, often do not work, because a majority of late-stage CRCs is immunologically cold. This makes it invisible to the body’s immune defences. In this context, the EIC-funded IMMUNOCON project is working to change that. At its heart is EMT-224, a promising small molecule that can turn cold tumours hot, boosting the effectiveness of existing immunotherapies. Developed by EMUNO Therapeutics GmbH, EMT-224 builds on research from the ERC-funded IMMUNOSTIM project and is now being readied for clinical trials. If successful, it could offer new hope to patients with late-stage CRC and potentially transform treatment across a range of solid cancers.
Objective
The IMMUNOCON project aims to advance EMT-224, a first-in-class small molecule immune activator, towards clinical readiness to address the urgent need for effective therapies for late-stage solid cancers, such as colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC is the third most common cancer globally, with limited treatment options for advanced stages, resulting in poor prognosis and high mortality rates. While immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized management of certain solid cancers, many CRC patients do not respond to treatment due to the immunologically 'cold' nature of these tumours.
EMT-224 represents a potential breakthrough in immunotherapy by converting 'cold' tumours into 'hot' ones, thereby enhancing the efficacy of ICIs. This innovation builds on results from the ERC Proof of Concept project IMMUNOSTIM, where EMT-224 was identified as a potent immune activator capable of breaking cancer immune evasion mechanisms. The IMMUNOCON project will finalize the pre-clinical validation of EMT-224, focusing on its safety and efficacy in in vivo cancer models. This will involve CTA-enabling studies, GMP manufacturing preparations, and a comprehensive commercial roadmap.
The project will also establish a robust business strategy for EMUNO Therapeutics GmbH (EMT), positioning it as a leading early drug discovery company in the immunotherapy field. The goal is to mature EMT to support the clinical development and eventual commercialization of EMT-224, which has strong 'pipeline-in-a-product' potential for a broad range of solid cancers. By the end of the project, EMT-224 will be poised for Phase 1 clinical trials, marking a significant step towards bringing a novel, effective treatment to patients suffering from late-stage CRC and potentially other cancers.
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.
-
HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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
See all projects funded under this callCoordinator
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.
79098 Freiburg im Breisgau
Germany
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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.