Objective
Peptide drugs hold immense therapeutic potential but are primarily restricted to injectable administration due to poor permeability across biological barriers. While conventional permeation enhancers (PEs) have enabled oral absorption for a few peptides, their broader application remains constrained by limited efficacy. Developing a novel, potent class of PEs would provide a patient-friendly alternative to injections, expanding access to peptide therapies and improving treatment acceptance. This project aims to establish enzymatic PEs as a strategy for non-invasive transbuccal macromolecular drug delivery as a proof-of-concept application. Membrane-degrading enzymes will be evaluated alone and in combination for their ability to transiently enhance drug diffusion across the buccal mucosa. The project follows a stepwise validation approach, incorporating in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies in dogs to ensure robust and clinically relevant evaluation of the PE performance. A substantial increase in bioavailability compared to current buccal formulations using conventional PEs will be the key translational benchmark to establish the superiority of enzymatic PEs for non-invasive peptide delivery. Upon successful validation, intellectual property protection will be pursued, and collaboration with industrial partner(s) will drive commercial development, positioning these PEs as a transformative technology for convenient peptide dosing. By leveraging enzymatic specificity with innovative delivery approaches, this project aims to address critical clinical and societal challenges, enhancing accessibility to macromolecule-based therapies while reducing reliance on invasive administration modes.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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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-2026-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.
8092 Zuerich
Switzerland
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.