Objective
IRONMED aims to unlock a new, iron-based cross-coupling platform for the synthesis of complex small-molecule pharmaceuticals and to demonstrate its commercial potential. Modern drug manufacture relies almost exclusively on palladium-catalysed cross-couplings to construct biaryl and alkyl–aryl motifs that pervade antivirals, oncology drugs and CNS agents. This creates structural dependence on a scarce, expensive and geopolitically sensitive metal, and drives significant costs for catalyst, purification and compliance with strict metal-residue limits, with negative implications for affordability and supply resilience. Building on the PI’s recent advances, IRONMED will exploit a family of well-defined, ligand-controlled iron complexes that have already been shown to perform demanding transformations under mild conditions and to construct representative biaryl and alkyl–aryl bonds with high yields and a well-understood mechanism. The project will translate this chemistry from advanced academic results (TRL 2–3) to a pharma-relevant technology (TRL 4) by (i) adapting and validating iron-catalysed cross-couplings on selected drug-like building blocks and fragments of real or representative active ingredients, (ii) benchmarking them directly against state-of-the-art palladium processes in terms of yield, robustness, metal residues, purification needs and indicative cost of goods, and (iii) co-developing with industrial stakeholders a small set of standardised protocols, decision guidelines and business models (reagent, process/IP or service-based). By integrating technical data with techno-economic and market analyses, IRONMED will identify the most promising application niches and define clear go/no-go paths towards scale-up and follow-on funding. IRONMED will deliver a credible alternative catalytic platform that reduces dependence on palladium, improves process sustainability and opens new options for cost-effective access to advanced medicines.
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.
32000 Haifa
Israel
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.