Project description
Preventing ovarian cancer recurrence
Ovarian cancer recurrence remains a major challenge in oncology, with relapse rates exceeding 80 % in advanced-stage cases. Current therapies target broad DNA repair and signalling mechanisms; however, their limited specificity causes significant side effects. The ERC-funded PEPTOC project proposes a paradigm shift from treating recurrence to preventing it by targeting the cellular pathways underlying chemotherapy resistance. Researchers will validate PEPTOC in preclinical in vivo models and secure intellectual property before proceeding to commercialisation. To facilitate translation in the clinic, the project will engage with clinicians, patients and pharmaceutical stakeholders. If successful, PEPTOC could deliver the first preventive therapeutic option for ovarian cancer recurrence.
Objective
Ovarian cancer recurrence after complete clinical response is a major challenge in gynecologic oncology. Recurrence occurs in nearly 25% of early-stage cases and in more than 80% of advanced-stage cases. Current targeted therapies for the treatment of ovarian cancer relapse are still in Phase II clinical trials and, while these therapies represent significant advances in cancer treatment, they target broad inhibitory mechanisms that affect DNA repair and signaling pathways in a variety of cell types, which lead to significant side-effects.
To address the critical challenge of recurrent ovarian cancer, PEPTOC’s solution shifts the paradigm from treating recurrence to preventing it. By strategically targeting the cellular pathways involved in chemotherapy resistance, PEPTOC offers a preventive approach to avoid ovarian cancer recurrence.
This ERC Proof of Concept project aims to:
1) Perform preclinical validation of PEPTOC in an in vivo model.
2) Secure intellectual property and define the commercialization pathway.
3) Develop and implement a comprehensive business strategy.
Taken together, the objectives of PEPTOC will pursue the steps necessary to develop a viable therapeutic option: ensure that the therapy is both safe and effective in vivo, protect intellectual property and define the commercialization pathway (spinout company and strategic partnerships, if needed), and engage with relevant stakeholders through a series of activities, including workshops with oncologists, focus groups with patients, and meetings with pharmaceutical representatives and investors at industry events. To guide these efforts, we will rely on the expertise of Key Opinion Leaders serving on an Advisory Board to ensure that PEPTOC’s development is strategically aligned with market needs. If successful, PEPTOC would represent a breakthrough innovation in oncology, providing a first-of-its-kind solution for the prevention of ovarian cancer recurrence.
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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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
15001 La Coruna
Spain
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.