Project description
Next generation immunosuppressants
Type-1interferons play crucial roles in the regulation of inflammation and are associated with various inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. The ERC-funded MACROMUNO project aims to advance the development of novel immunosuppressants that broadly inhibit key innate immune pathways. These pathways converge on the IRF3 transcription factor, a master regulator of interferon production. The research team will build on robust preliminary data to identify lead compounds with favourable pharmacokinetics, including blood-brain barrier permeability and plasma stability. At the same time, they will strengthen the intellectual property position and develop a commercialisation strategy. This will include business planning and stakeholder engagement towards successful market translation of promising drug candidates.
Objective
Several major unmet medical needs, such as autoimmune disorders and neuroinflammatory conditions, are characterized by aberrant Type-1 interferon production, suggesting that new drugs that specifically target this central inflammatory signalling axis could provide significant value for patients and for society. In this project, we will develop the foundation for future commercial exploitation of a class of novel macrocyclic immunosuppressants which has been shown to possess unprecedented broad inhibitory activities against several innate immunological pathways that converge on the transcription factor IRF3 linked to interferon production. Based on diverse preliminary data that span both cellular biology and chemical synthesis strategies, the planned work is aimed at securing a strong IP-position by providing novel structure-activity relation data on relevant cellular activities linked to IRF3-activity. The project will proceed to identify potential compound leads with favourable pharmacokinetic properties to be pushed forward for future in vivo experiments. The primary focus will be on ability to permeate the blood-brain-barrier (to address major neuroinflammatory conditions) and on achieving good plasma stability. Alongside the concrete experimental tasks and strengthening of the IP-position, a broader business plan and associated funding strategy will be prepared. This involves engagement of key future stakeholders and establishment of an advisory board. Overall, the planned activities serve to make the project ready for a pre-seed investment or acceptance into an biotech-accelerator program following completion of the ERC-PoC project.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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)
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-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.
8000 Aarhus C
Denmark
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.