Objective
More than 589 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes (IDF atlas 11th edition). Currently, none of the pharmacological therapies can stop disease progression, which leads to devastating micro- and macrovascular complications and a steady increase in patient numbers. Prediabetic individuals develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) when insulin-producing beta-cells in the pancreas become insulin resistant, lose their function and die. Importantly, beta-cells not only produce insulin but also are critically dependent on insulin signaling for their function, survival and compensation upon increased metabolic needs due to gluco/lipotoxicity and insulin resistance. In a breakthrough discovery, we have previously identified a novel and druggable insulin inhibitory receptor (in short: inceptor). Genetic or pharmacological inceptor blockade allows insulin sensitization to enhance beta-cell function, survival, and regeneration, and as such, allows for the first time to revert diabetes progression in T2D mouse models.
Based on this novel therapeutic target and encouraging preclinical findings, we aim to develop a transformative, disease-modifying therapy for diabetes that goes beyond the
symptomatic treatments currently available. The goal of this ERC Proof-of-Concept (PoC) grant is to provide financial, business, developmental and regulatory preparedness for the new spin-off company Viacure Therapeutics GmbH, which plans to make the transition from basic research to preclinical and clinical development to implement first-in-class beta-cell regeneration therapy in the clinic, as a first causative treatment for people living with T2D.
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.
85764 Neuherberg
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.