Project description
Human-first approach to safer drug testing
Acute tubular necrosis is a major cause of drug failure. However, current animal and cell models do not really act like human kidneys. In this context, the ERC-funded DRiPNeT project aims to address this issue. It will use directly reprogrammed renal epithelial cells (iRECs) to build a human-specific platform capable of high-throughput nephrotoxicity testing. This iREC system works faster, produces consistent results, and is more like a real kidney than current models. The project will validate the platform and assess its market potential. The goal of the DRiPNeT method, which uses human cells, is to reduce drug failures, protect patients, and accelerate the availability of safer treatments.
Objective
Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) is a major cause of nephrotoxicity-related drug attrition in clinical trials, yet current preclinical models rely on animal studies or immortalized renal cell lines, which lack human physiological relevance. To address this gap, we have developed a directly reprogrammed renal epithelial cell (iREC) platform, enabling a human-specific, scalable, and high-throughput nephrotoxicity screening assay.
Our iREC-based system overcomes the limitations of primary, or iPSC-derived models by offering a rapid, reproducible, and physiologically relevant alternative model. Building on the advances of the ERC-Starting Grant project DiRECT, this project will validate the iREC-based platform by screening a curated panel of nephrotoxic and non-nephrotoxic compounds, assessing performance metrics, such as specificity, sensitivity, and Predictive value to benchmark against other model systems.
This project aims to establish the technical and commercial feasibility of iREC-based nephrotoxicity testing, seeking more predictive human-based preclinical models. The outcome will provide a cost-effective, scalable alternative to animal testing renal safety screen. Ultimately, this project will help reduce late-stage drug failures, improve patient safety, advance personalized risk prediction, and accelerate the development of safer therapeutics.
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-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.
8006 Zurich
Switzerland
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.