Project description
Next-generation drug screening
Drug target identification is central to the development of new therapies. Researchers leverage diverse technologies to identify compounds that modulate pathways associated with disease. Traditional drug discovery methods such as DNA-encoded libraries face major limitations for proteins involved in DNA and RNA processing because the DNA barcode is chemically and functionally incompatible with the biology of these proteins. To overcome these limitations, the ERC-funded ExSELence project is creating a drug discovery platform that eliminates the need for DNA barcoding. Researchers will validate the platform on ΕΧΟ1, an enzyme involved in DNA replication and repair as well as a promising therapeutic target in cancer.
Objective
The ExSELence project aims to validate and commercialize an innovative drug discovery platform that addresses key limitations in current screening technologies. Traditional approaches to identifying drug candidates, such as DNA-encoded libraries, face significant constraints when screening certain protein targets, particularly those involved in DNA and RNA processing. Our platform eliminates these constraints through a novel barcode-free approach that combines advanced synthesis methods with sophisticated computational analysis. ExSELence will validate the platform's capabilities through a focused study targeting EXO1, a promising therapeutic target in cancer. The project encompasses both technical validation of the platform and development of a comprehensive commercialization strategy. Technical activities will demonstrate the platform's ability to screen large compound libraries efficiently while identifying selective inhibitors. Commercial activities will explore various exploitation paths, from licensing opportunities to spin-off creation. The platform has shown promising initial results, including the successful screening of libraries containing up to one million compounds. The technology is protected by a recently filed patent application and builds on established expertise in combinatorial chemistry, mass spectrometry, and computational analysis. Success in this project would significantly impact drug discovery by making high-throughput screening more accessible to academic laboratories and smaller research institutions. The platform's unique capabilities could accelerate the development of therapeutics for previously challenging targets, particularly in cancer and genetic diseases where DNA- and RNA-binding proteins play crucial roles. The project's outcomes will include validated screening protocols, initial hit compounds for EXO1, and a clear commercialization strategy.
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 genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
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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-2025-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.