Objective
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the 8th most commonly occurring cancer in women and it is estimated that by 2050 the number of women diagnosed with OC will rise over 55%. The main treatment modalities for OC, surgical resection and first-line chemotherapy, often fail the complete remission. CAR T cell-immunotherapy approved for the treatment of blood tumours have limited impact on solid tumors, including OC.
CLAUDIA develops next-generation anti-exhaustion HER2 CAR T cells (ex-CAR T) to overcome one of the key barriers in OC immunotherapy: T-cell exhaustion. Building on ERC Starting Grant results, CLAUDIA brings to in vivo preclinical models CAR T cells engineered with synthetic sensor-actuator circuits, that are activated by early exhaustion hallmarks and trigger local multi-therapeutic payloads combining (i) intracellular reprogramming to downregulate exhaustion-associated genes, and (ii) extracellular checkpoint interference to remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME).
This high-risk/high-gain Proof of Concept moves beyond basic research by demonstrating improved persistence and anti-tumor efficacy in an in vivo HER2+ OC xenograft model.
If successful, CLAUDIA will deliver a tumor-conditioned, autoregulated intervention expected to enhance CAR T durability, reduce systemic toxicity, and generalize across multiple solid tumors.
The exploitation strategy integrates two complementary routes, (i) Product Model → creation of an EU-based startup to develop ex-CAR T for OC, leveraging early partnerships with clinical distributors and manufacturing facilities; (ii) Technology Model → licensing CLAUDIA’s anti-exhaustion circuits to biotech and pharma leaders (e.g. Novartis, Gilead/Kite, Miltenyi).
Supported by IIT’s Technology Transfer Office for IP management, startup creation, and early regulatory planning, CLAUDIA aims to establish a new foundation in CAR T therapies for solid tumors, addressing urgent clinical needs and delivering significant societal impact.
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.
16163 Genova
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.