Objective
MiRacle focuses on the development of a therapeutic formulation for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Head and neck cancer contributes to approximately 5% of all cancers in the Western world. Unfortunately the majority of H&N cancer patients present with advanced stages of disease. These patients frequently develop locoregional recurrences, distant metastasis and/or second primary tumors resulting in 5-years survival rates of less than 60% The development of novel anti-cancer agents to improve outcome is therefore urgently awaited. The goal of MiRacle is the advancement of a therapeutic tumor-killing miRNA formulation towards the clinic by combining two innovative technologies, i.e. therapeutic miRNA and head and neck tumor specific targeted drug delivery. Such a project requires (1) expertise in the therapeutic application of miRNA (InteRNA) and knowledge on the synthesis of biochemical active miRNA (Biospring), (2) knowledge of drug formulations to deliver the therapeutic miRNA into humans (IC) and understanding the synthesis of complex drug formulations (Polymun), plus (3) in-depth knowledge of the therapeutic indication, e.g. H&N cancer (VUmc) and skilfulness in toxicity tests that are required for RNA based drug registration (LPT). We believe that this project encompasses all parties that are required to successfully bring a tumor killing miRNA towards registration for first in human testing.
Fields of science
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
FP7-SME-2013
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
BSG-SME - Research for SMEsCoordinator
1081 HV Amsterdam
Netherlands