Objective
bio.SECRET introduces a fundamentally new liquid-biopsy approach for early detection and monitoring of solid-tumour recurrence. Existing solutions - imaging, serum biomarkers and first-generation liquid biopsies (ctDNA, exosomes) - are limited by low sensitivity, high variability and delayed detection, leaving a critical clinical gap in identifying recurrence and minimal residual disease at an early, actionable stage.
bio.SECRET directly overcomes these limitations by analysing the tumour secretome, the enriched mixture of molecules actively released by cancer cells. This upstream, tumour-centric strategy resolves the intrinsic signal-to-noise problem in plasma and enables the detection of low-abundance, biologically relevant biomarkers that conventional assays cannot capture. Pre-clinical data show a 4.9× increase in sensitivity, 99% reduction in plasma-protein interference, and identification of 1,300+ novel proteins, demonstrating clear technological superiority.
The project will advance the platform from TRL 4 to TRL 6 through: (i) optimisation and standardisation of the secretome-generation workflow using 150 patient-derived samples; (ii) identification and analytical validation of a secretome-derived biomarker panel for breast-cancer recurrence; and (iii) development of the first bio.SECRET Monitor™ – Breast multiplex immunoassay prototype, benchmarked against CA15.3 and CEA.
In parallel, the project will establish full investment and market readiness. Activities include: securing IP protection (priority patent filing and FTO analysis), developing CE-IVDR and ISO 13485 roadmaps, validating the value proposition with clinicians and diagnostic-lab users, and defining a clear commercial pathway. The dual strategy combining licensing of the discovery platform and biomarker panels to diagnostic and pharmaceutical partners (early revenues), and commercialisation of bio.SECRET Monitor™ diagnostic kits for clinical deployment, starting with breast cancer.
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 cell biology
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology breast cancer
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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.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
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-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
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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-WIDERA-2025-02
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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.
4500-281 ESPINHO
Portugal
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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.