Objective
Gene therapy holds the potential to be an enabling technology to truly cure (rare) diseases by directly correcting errors in the patient’s genetic database underlying the disorder. For these corrections therapeutic nucleic acids (NAs) are typically used. However, the precise and efficient delivery of these NAs remains a critical bottleneck, hindering the full-scale clinical implementation of gene therapy. NAs are large, highly charged and unstable molecules, hampering transport and passing (intra)cellular barriers after administration. To mitigate this, NAs are typically packaged into nanocarriers, where lipid-based systems (LNPs) are the current state-of-the-art. Although an effective strategy to protect NAs, selective tissue targeting remains a tremendous challenge. Nanoparticles (NPs), including LNPs, tend to preferentially accumulate in the liver, limiting treatment of any disorder affecting other tissues and organs.
The ERC PoC POLYMORPH project builds on the promising results of the original ERC Starting Grant project and aims to validate the use of nanoparticle (NP) morphology to redirect nanocarrier accumulation away from the liver. Morphological control of NA-loaded NPs is uniquely facilitated by a novel formulation strategy recently developed in the ERC Starting project. This novel approach has the potential to provide a superior alternative to the current, yet suboptimal, LNPs.
POLYMORPH will achieve this validation through comprehensive in vitro studies and preliminary in vivo experiments, laying the groundwork for future clinical applications. The project is further strengthened by the active involvement of multiple stakeholders, including academic researchers, the pharmaceutical industry, medical centers, regulatory science experts, and a knowledge transfer organization. This broad engagement maximizes the potential for clinical, commercial and societal impact, ensuring a strong pathway towards real-world implementation.
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 computer and information sciences databases
- engineering and technology nanotechnology nano-materials
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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.
3584 CS Utrecht
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.