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Sustainable downstream processing of vaccines through incorporation of nanobiotechnologies : novel affinity ligands and biomimetic membranes

Objective

In the vaccine industry, downstream processing is of extreme importance. Prophylactic vaccines aim at protecting healthy people, so any contaminant has to be discarded with the most drastic measures. Such « negative » approach comes at the expense of the recovery of product : yields are poor, thereby inducing a high product cost. Processes are also complex, since they rely on multiple eliminations rather than on recovery of the unique product of interest. Technically, this is mostly due to the lack of specific capture systems that would allow direct, « positive » separation of the vaccine from its environment.Vaccines know no borders. For developing countries, the pressure on costs is even more acute, and local production is a way to try to reach the 1$ per dose target. In this context, water sustainability is a major issue, as it is a most sensitive ingredient in bioproduction.
DiViNe will tackle theses cost and environmental issues with technological answers. The partners will combine two major Nano/biotechnology innovations to develop an integrated purification platform amenable to the different natures of vaccines : glycoconjugates, protein antigens and enveloped viruses. They will implement Nanofitins (novel affinity capture ligands) and Aquaporin-based membranes (energy-saving nano-biomimetics used in the cleantech industry), for a « positive » purification approach. High yields are expected (data from antibody purification with Nanofitins), at affordable cost of goods and with a sustainable approach of water recycling.
Novartis Vaccines brings to the Consortium a broad range of targets, and identical strategies can be applied for biopharmaceuticals in general. The development custom affinity capture processes as a sustainable platform is therefore economically relevant, in a very large market. Beyond the technical partnership, the project is a first run for the partners to structure the platform as a commercial offer for downstream processing of biologics.

Call for proposal

H2020-BIOTEC-2014-2015

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Sub call

H2020-LEIT-BIO-2014-1

Coordinator

INSTITUTO DE BIOLOGIA EXPERIMENTAL E TECNOLOGICA
Net EU contribution
€ 1 663 706,25
Address
Avenida Da Republica Quinta Do Marques
2781-901 Oeiras

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Region
Continente Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Área Metropolitana de Lisboa
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 10 000,00

Participants (6)

AFFILOGIC
Net EU contribution
€ 1 146 225,00
Address
24 Rue De La Rainiere Parc Club Du Perray
44300 Nantes

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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
Pays de la Loire Pays de la Loire Loire-Atlantique
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 505 525,00
AQUAPORIN AS
Net EU contribution
€ 519 400,00
Address
Nymollevej 78
2800 Kobenhavn

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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
Danmark Hovedstaden Københavns omegn
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 222 600,00
MERCK KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT AUF AKTIEN
Net EU contribution
€ 1 397 000,00
Address
Frankfurter Strasse 250
64293 Darmstadt

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Region
Hessen Darmstadt Darmstadt, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 613 000,00
GENIBET - BIOPHARMACEUTICALS SA
Net EU contribution
€ 250 250,00
Address
Avenida Da Republica Quinta Do
2781 901 Oeiras

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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
Continente Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Área Metropolitana de Lisboa
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 107 250,00
GLAXOSMITHKLINE VACCINES SRL
Net EU contribution
€ 792 999,25
Address
Via Fiorentina 1
53100 Siena

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Region
Centro (IT) Toscana Siena
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 374 325,75
Third-party

Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.

GLAXOSMITHKLINE BIOLOGICALS SA
Net EU contribution
€ 21 000,00
Address
Rue De L Institut 89
1330 Rixensart

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Region
Région wallonne Prov. Brabant Wallon Arr. Nivelles
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 9 000,00