Objective
Antiviral drugs are used to successfully treat infections such as with HIV and HCV. Yet, for most (life)-threatening and neglected infections, there are no such drugs. This leaves also critical gaps in epi- and pandemic preparedness. Antiviral drug discovery efforts typically focus on a few known targets (e.g. proteases/polymerases) or on “tip-of-the-iceberg-molecules” from phenotypic screens. Yet, the biology of viral replication consisting of complex processes (e.g. entry, uncoating, genome replication, assembly, egress, host cell interactions) should harbor a wealth of undiscovered targets. Thus, a large space of potential druggable biology is entirely ignored. My ambition is to fundamentally revolutionize antiviral target-discovery. Using high-throughput, multiplex, high-content multiparametric phenotypic antiviral screening (>350k molecules) against representative, neglected RNA virus families (rhabdo-, alpha-, and bunyaviruses), we will generate rich multiparametric compound fingerprints. Advanced Artificial Intelligence models will be used to exploit the full complexity of the data to guide the selection of molecules that inhibit or modulate viral replication and that are to be used as unique chemical probes. These will then be systematically characterized through complementary methodologies, including genetic mapping, structural modelling and biochemical validation to obtain detailed understanding of their molecular mechanism of action. The outcome will be a first-of-its-kind “Atlas of Druggable Antiviral Targets”, a multidimensional annotation of druggable viral and host targets. Our efforts will expand the antiviral target space, provide new, much needed starting points for (later) target-based drug discovery and hit-to-lead optimization, deepen our understanding of viral replication biology, establish methodologies broadly applicable to other pathogens and ultimately strengthen preparedness against existing and future viral threats.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- natural sciences computer and information sciences artificial intelligence
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- medical and health sciences health sciences infectious diseases viral diseases RNA viruses hepatitis C
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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 - HORIZON ERC 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-ADG
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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.
3000 Leuven
Belgium
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.