Project description
Bringing a revolutionary epilepsy treatment to market
The EIC-funded CLUSTREL project aims to address a critical therapeutic gap for approximately 15 million patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. To do so, it will develop a non-invasive, graphene-based oral device for on-demand rescue medication. Integrating with external EEG sensors, the system enables rapid drug release triggered either manually or automatically when a seizure starts. The project will advance this technology by optimising pharmaceutical formulations, engineering biocompatible prototypes and conducting rigorous preclinical validation in rodent and large animal models. By establishing a commercial spin-off and defining regulatory pathways, CLUSTREL will translate laboratory innovation into a market-ready medical solution, ultimately improving patient autonomy and reducing the systemic healthcare burden.
Objective
Epileptic seizures significantly impair patients' quality of life and autonomy. Despite recent advancements in wearable monitoring of brain activity, patients still struggle with seizures management and their pharmacological mitigation.
CLUSTREL addresses this problem. It will develop a smart, non-invasive oral device for on-demand delivery of rescue medication to treat epileptic seizure clusters, a critical unmet need of ~15 million patients with drug-resistant epilepsy worldwide. The technology uses a patented, graphene-based system that releases medication within minutes of seizure onset, triggered manually or automatically by an existing external EEG sensor.
The project's objective is to advance this technology from a lab-validated proof-of-concept (TRL 4) to a clinically relevant prototype demonstrated in a relevant environment (TRL 6).
This will be achieved by:
- Optimizing the graphene-drug pharmaceutical formulation for stability and rapid mucosal absorption;
- Engineering a miniaturized, biocompatible, and user-friendly prototype for use in animal models;
- Conducting comprehensive preclinical validation of the device's safety and efficacy in vitro, in rodent models of epilepsy, and in large animal models;
- Establishing a spin-off company to manage IP, define the regulatory pathway, and secure strategic partnerships for commercialization.
CLUSTREL aligns perfectly with EIC's TRANSITION vision, as it addresses a significant healthcare challenge by translating a breakthrough European technology into a market-ready medical device. It promises to reduce hospitalizations, lower healthcare costs, and significantly improve patient autonomy and quality of life, strengthening Europe's leadership in MedTech innovation.
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.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
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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.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
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-EIC - HORIZON EIC 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) HORIZON-EIC-2025-TRANSITIONOPEN
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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.
50121 Firenze
Italy
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.