Project description
Therapeutic proteins to treat nerve pain and hearing loss
Current treatments for nerve (neuropathic) pain do not sufficiently treat pain symptoms. Most have serious side effects. Existing treatment options for hearing aids and cochlear implants are limited, with no approved pharmaceutical therapies. The EU-funded Sense21 project proposes novel therapeutics called HB-086 and HB-097 to treat neuropathic pain and hearing disorders. Research shows these two molecules have unique actions on sensory nerve cells and their surrounding support cells. Preclinical data reveal that HB-086 provides relief from neuropathic pain, while HB 097 preserves the sense of hearing. They could serve as novel treatment approaches and bring about a radical change in medical treatment and in the prevention of severe chronic conditions.
Objective
HB-086 and HB-097 comprise our portfolio of therapeutic proteins. They are a family of growth factors with actions on sensory nerve cells and represent a novel treatment approaches and a paradigm shift for medical treatment and prevention of severe, chronic conditions as pain and hearing loss. The drug candidates target sensory nerve cells and their support cells in dorsal root ganglia and inner ear. Evidence indicate a mode of action including normalisation of impaired neuronal-glial crosstalk, protection, and regeneration of sensory nerve fibres. All key biological mechanisms underpinning increased peripheral afferent drive associated with chronic pain, and apoptotic hearing loss. Preclinical data confirm that HB-086 completely abolishes pain sensation across different models and HB-097 preserves the sense of hearing in relevant models. Importantly, documented prolonged effects warrant biweekly or monthly dosing and prevention of further disease progression.
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Funding Scheme
HORIZON-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended FinanceCoordinator
2200 Copenhagen
Denmark
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.