Project description
Large-scale, high-quality data for protein-peptide interactions
Peptide-based drugs hold great promise owing to their ability to target challenging molecules and penetrate cells to modulate intracellular targets. Despite their potential compared to conventional therapies, their development has been hindered by a lack of large-scale protein-peptide interaction data needed for AI-driven design. The ERC-funded PepVerse project will leverage a platform developed during another ERC grant to generate proof-of-concept data for commercial exploitation. Specifically, PepVerse will generate binding data for three high-value therapeutic targets that currently lack orally available drugs. This data will not only validate the platform’s ability to discover binders but will also provide specific starting points for high-value drug discovery programmes.
Objective
Peptide-based drugs offer distinct advantages over existing molecular therapeutics, such as their ability to engage targets that have proven challenging for small molecules, and their capability to penetrate cells and modulate intracellular targets, which conventional biologics cannot achieve. However, despite this potential, the development of peptide-based medicines has lagged due to the lack of high-quality, large-scale protein-peptide interaction datasets essential for rational AI-driven peptide design. During the ERC Consolidator Grant DiProPhys, we developed a platform that can profile protein/peptide interactions at scale. As part of the PepVerse project, we will leverage this platform to generate proof-of-concept data for commercial exploitation. Specifically, we will generate binding data for three high-value therapeutic targets that currently lack orally available drugs due to difficulties in identifying non-peptidomimetic small molecule binders. These data will not only validate the platform’s ability to discover binders but will also provide specific starting points for high-value drug discovery programmes. Moreover, the data will showcase the platform’s potential to create the world’s largest protein/peptide mimotope dataset foundational for advancing any peptide-based drug discovery programme --- a goal we aim to achieve with the help of private capital. In addition to generating these validation data, which are key for fundraising and translating the technology to a commercial entity, our other critical objectives for the project include establishing solid IP protection for the technology and building relationships with key stakeholders, such as advanced library providers and pharma partners. By the end of the project, we aim to have generated robust validation data, filed an intellectual property application, and raised funds to launch a peptide-based drug discovery company
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.
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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.
CB2 1TN CAMBRIDGE
United Kingdom
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.