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Developing a novel Parkinson's disease drug using small molecule mimetics of Glial cell line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)

Project description

Treatment targets Parkinson’s disease at its core

Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects millions worldwide, causing both motor and non-motor symptoms due to dopamine neuron degeneration. Current treatments primarily focus on symptom management, leaving an unmet need for therapies that address the underlying causes. In this context, the EIC-funded KevadBio project aims to fill this gap with a groundbreaking approach. Their novel drug mimics the GDNF peptide pathway, penetrating the blood-brain barrier to protect and restore damaged dopamine neurons. This small-molecule compound promotes neuron survival, potentially increasing dopamine levels in brain tissue. Administered orally, it could offer long-lasting relief from PD symptoms, with broader applications for conditions like ALS and neuropathic pain. The project holds promise for revolutionising neurodegenerative disease treatment.

Objective

GeneCode is developing a novel anti-PD drug that contains a central nervous system penetrant compound imitating GDNF peptide pathway activation that alleviates both motor and non-motor symptoms in PD patients, protecting and restoring lesioned dopamine neurons as well as potentially increasing dopamine levels in brain tissue. GeneCodes unique solution uses small-molecule compounds that penetrate the blood-brain barrier, target the GFL receptor complex (containing GDNF protein) and mimic GFL (GNDF family of ligands) biological effects in neurons, promoting survival in the affected dopaminergic neuronal pathways. Once fully developed, the PD drug would be administered weekly or less frequently as an oral treatment. Considering the importance of GDNF family ligands and/or RET-signalling pathways for other groups of cells, applications of compounds developed by GeneCode are not limited to PD, but can be applied to cure other medical conditions such as neuropathic pain, addiction, ALS etc.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Programme(s)

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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.

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.

HORIZON-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended Finance

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2023-ACCELERATOR-01

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Coordinator

GENECODE AS
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 1 636 639,00
Address
AHTRI 8
10151 Tallinn
Estonia

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Eesti Eesti Põhja-Eesti
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 2 338 056,00
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