Objective Approximately 10% of the global population (40% of people over 65), suffers hearing difficulties. The socio-economic impact is deep, since in children, early hearing impairment (HI) affects language learning, and in adults, acquired HI impairs social integration. The sense of hearing depends upon the integrity of the sensory epithelia in the inner ear. HI occurs when this tissue is disrupted, that is when the sensory hair cells (HC) die and the spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) subsequently degenerate and die. To date, there is no potent curative or preventive solution for HI, the clinical options are based on the use of prostheses such as cochlear implants. Studies are being conducted to develop alternative treatments combining both preventive and reparative strategies. Since HC and SGN are of the same developmental origin, transcription and growth factors that modulate early development of the inner ear have been under the scope. These studies gave rise to two main therapeutic hypotheses, the use of exogenous stem cell with induction of their differentiation to HC and/or SGN, or the proliferation/transdifferentiation of cells supporting HC in the inner ear. Up to now, problems of cell death and control of the cell differentiation have slowed down the emergence of new therapies.To address this problem, AFHELO projects plans to evaluate potency of AF243, a small molecule which is a strong inducer of cell differentiation with interesting potencial on carcino-embryonic cells differentiation and neuron survival, and on an in vivo model of chemo-induced deafness, used for cochlear implant testing.The strategy is to optimize AF243 development by first extending the therapeutic applications to two major types of HI (noise-induced and age related/presbycusis) and second by completing the preclinical studies (pharmacology, mechanism of action, ADME, safety) supporting the clinical evaluation of AF243 for prevention and/or treatment of sensorineural HI. Fields of science medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cellsmedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplantsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacy Programme(s) FP7-HEALTH - Specific Programme "Cooperation": Health Topic(s) HEALTH.2012.2.4.5-1 - Technological approaches to combating sensory impairments Call for proposal FP7-HEALTH-2012-INNOVATION-2 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CP-FP - Small or medium-scale focused research project Coordinator AFFICHEM SA Address Rue saint joseph 9 31400 Toulouse France See on map Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) projects.administrative_contact Frederic Thivet (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 1 444 971,00 Participants (2) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE Belgium EU contribution € 650 400,00 Address Place du 20 aout 7 4000 Liege See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments projects.administrative_contact Isabelle Halleux (Ms.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS Spain EU contribution € 701 005,00 Address Calle serrano 117 28006 Madrid See on map Activity type Research Organisations projects.administrative_contact Antonio Javier Sánchez Herencia (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window
