Project description
Novel MYC-targeting peptide for cancer therapy
MYC is a transcription factor that regulates cell growth and division. It is overactivated in more than half of human cancer types, driving uncontrolled proliferation. Despite its importance, MYC has long been considered ‘undruggable’ because of its complex structure and interactions. The ERC-funded MYSTIC project builds on a novel cell-penetrating protein called HeloMYC that inhibits MYC activity inside cancer cells. HeloMYC contains chemical modifications that endow it with high-stability and intracellular action. The project will complete the preclinical development of HeloMYC and proceed with commercialisation, paving the way for a new approach to treating MYC-driven cancers.
Objective
"MYSTIC aims to revolutionize cancer treatment by advancing HeloMYC, a novel cell-penetrating protein therapeutic that targets the oncogenic transcription factor MYC. Developed using our innovative reCHEMbinant platform, HeloMYC represents a breakthrough in addressing an ""undruggable"" intracellular target, combining the specificity of protein therapeutics with enhanced cell penetration and stability. MYC, implicated in over 50% of human cancers, has long been considered an elusive target due to its complex protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions and lack of druggable pockets. HeloMYC is a protein based MYC inhibitor that overcomes these challenges and through strategic chemical modifications achieves potent intracellular activity against MYC-driven transcription in cancer cells in preliminary studies. This 18 months project will focus on three key objectives: advancing HeloMYC's preclinical development; expanding and fortifying our IP portfolio to secure a strong market position; and developing a comprehensive commercialization strategy, evaluating spin-off and licensing pathways. The MYSTIC project has the potential to not only provide a powerful new tool against MYC-driven cancers but also to validate a novel approach to developing protein therapeutics against intracellular targets. Success could open new avenues for treating a wide range of diseases with previously undruggable targets, representing a paradigm shift in drug development. By bridging the gap between academic innovation and clinical application, MYSTIC aims to bring hope to millions of cancer patients worldwide and establish a new frontier in precision medicine."
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 biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
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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-2024-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.
2311 EZ Leiden
Netherlands
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.