Objective
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and myocardial infarction (MI) results in permanent loss of cardiomyocytes, fibrotic scarring, and progression to heart failure. Current therapies primarily limit damage, prevent adverse remodeling, and relieve symptoms, but they do not restore lost myocardium or induce true regeneration, leaving a major unmet clinical need. We have established the naked mole-rat as the first adult mammal capable of true cardiac regeneration, characterized by scar resolution, cardiomyocyte proliferation, and functional recovery. This unique model provides an unprecedented opportunity to discover factors that promote regeneration in the adult heart. Using this approach, we identified a previously uncharacterized, injury-activated extracellular matricellular protein, uniquely present in the naked mole-rat injured zone, which shows pro-regenerative and anti-fibrotic effects in vitro. This PoC proposes to develop this factor as an off-the-shelf regenerative therapy post-MI, delivered via anterograde administration during reperfusion, in alignment with existing clinical practices such as angioplasty. The therapy aims to stimulate cardiomyocyte renewal, limit fibrosis, and orchestrate repair pathways in the adult heart. The factor will be evaluated in a pre-clinical porcine MI model to generate critical data on efficacy in promoting regenerative repair and preventing fibrosis, as well as preliminary systemic safety. These data will provide the necessary evidence to support commercialization and regulatory strategy. To advance translation, the project will secure strong IP protection, early stakeholder engagement, and partnerships with clinical and commercial experts. By offering a context-specific regenerative therapy integrated with current care pathways, this approach has the potential to transform post-MI treatment and prevent heart failure, addressing a critical unmet medical need.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine cardiology cardiovascular diseases
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
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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.
50937 Koeln
Germany
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.