Objective
Therapeutic access to the brain is severely restricted by the blood–brain barrier (BBB), and current in vitro models fail to reliably predict drug penetration mainly because they fail to recapitulate key aspects of BBB physiology. Existing 2D and 3D models oversimplify multicellular architecture, neglect the astroglial barrier, and lack physiologically relevant mechanical and biochemical environments, contributing to high failure rates in CNS drug development. This significantly hampers the development of better treatments for neurological disorders, which affect over 3.4 billion people worldwide.
We propose BraIN, a conceptually new, human 3D BBB model that embeds iPSC-derived brain-like endothelial cells, pericytes, and a functional astroglial barrier within a tuneable vinyl sulfone dextran (DexVS) hydrogel. Unlike other hydrogels, DexVS enables independent control of stiffness, adhesiveness, and degradability, supporting formation of a tight endothelial barrier, basement membrane deposition, and polarized astrocyte endfeet formation. By translating our in vivo knowledge of the BBB to an in vitro engineered system, BraIN overcomes limitations of existing models and provides a scalable, reproducible model for predictive CNS drug screening and mechanistic studies of astroglial barrier biology.
This Proof-of-Concept project will optimize, validate, and scale the BraIN spheroid system, leading to in the future to a robust, patentable model for early-stage pharmaceutical and biotechnology applications. Success will enable reliable assessment of BBB penetration, reduce late-stage drug development failures, and create a foundation for licensing, collaborative development, or spin-out formation.
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 basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine neurology
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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.
48149 Muenster
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.