Objective
Since the first successful IVF birth in 1978, the technology has become a cornerstone of assisted
reproduction, driven by the trend toward delayed parenthood. While IVF now accounts for roughly
5% of births in Europe, its overall efficiency remains low, with only about 25% of cycles resulting in a
live birth. A major bottleneck is the high rate of failure during implantation. Due to the limited
availability of human embryos and ethical restrictions, IVF optimization has historically relied on
mouse models. However, while pre-implantation development is similar between mice and humans,
their post-implantation trajectories diverge significantly, limiting their translational relevance. This
highlights the urgent need for a reliable, ethical, and predictive model of early human development
after implantation. Under the ERC-CoG program, we developed human blastoids, blastocyst-like
structures that accurately mimic key features of pre-implantation human embryogenesis. The present ERC-PoC project will translate
this platform into a pre-commercial application by screening compounds to improve IVF outcomes.
Our expected deliverables include: (i) a validated blastoid-based screening platform, (ii) patented natural compounds with therapeutic potential for IVF, and (iii) a
business and IP framework for investors, partners, and funding bodies.
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 clinical medicine gynaecology reproductive medicine
- social sciences other social sciences development studies social developments
- natural sciences biological sciences developmental biology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine embryology
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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
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
1030 Wien
Austria
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.