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Peptide-Drug Conjugates for Targeted Delivery in Tumor Therapy

Objective

Many tumor cells are characterized by the overexpression of certain antigens. Molecules that specifically recognize these structures are suitable as homing devices in tumor therapy. Conjugates of anticancer drugs with such a delivery vector targeting tumors would be a “magic bullet” according to the Nobel laureate Paul Ehrlich. Three antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) have already been approved for anticancer therapy. However, ADC have e.g. limitations with respect to tumor penetration, high manufacturing costs, and require challenging conjugation chemistry. Peptide-drug conjugates can have a high drug loading, easily penetrate tissue, and can be easily prepared in a homogenous form with straightforward and well-defined conjugation chemistry.
The ETN MAGICBULLET will focus on chemistry-driven approaches toward conjugates between peptides (delivery vectors) that recognize tumors and anticancer drugs (payloads or warheads) in order to selectively fight cancer, a topic with a high demand of research activities. The ETN will develop and validate an array of new peptide-drug conjugates combining either known tumor-specific peptides or newly discovered tumor-homing peptides with potent cytotoxic drugs. The tumor-selective peptides are designed for cellular uptake mediated either by endocytosis or by cell-penetrating peptides. The consortium of the ETN MAGICBULLET covers tumor biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, synthetic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, spectroscopy, conformational analysis, and computational chemistry.
The training program focuses on multidisciplinary research to explore and validate molecular targets for innovative treatment or investigations on the molecular mechanisms in organ-specific metastatic growth processes. It aims at scientific multilingualism and relies e.g. on concerted learning, a combination of introductory training, hands-on learning “on the bench”, teaching by peers, and training in additional skills.

Coordinator

UNIVERSITAET BIELEFELD
Net EU contribution
€ 498 432,96
Address
Universitaetsstrasse 25
33615 Bielefeld
Germany

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Region
Nordrhein-Westfalen Detmold Bielefeld, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00

Participants (8)

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DELL'INSUBRIA
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 516 122,64
Address
Via Ravasi 2
21100 Varese

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Region
Nord-Ovest Lombardia Varese
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
EOTVOS LORAND TUDOMANYEGYETEM
Hungary
Net EU contribution
€ 447 827,04
Address
Egyetem Ter 1-3
1053 Budapest

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Region
Közép-Magyarország Budapest Budapest
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO
Finland
Net EU contribution
€ 538 290,72
Address
Yliopistonkatu 3
00014 Helsingin Yliopisto

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Region
Manner-Suomi Helsinki-Uusimaa Helsinki-Uusimaa
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 516 122,64
Address
Via Festa Del Perdono 7
20122 Milano

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Region
Nord-Ovest Lombardia Milano
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
UNIVERSITAT ZU KOLN
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 249 216,48
Address
Albertus Magnus Platz
50931 Koln

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Region
Baden-Württemberg Stuttgart Stuttgart, Stadtkreis
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
Orszagos Onkologiai Intezet
Hungary
Net EU contribution
€ 223 913,52
Address
Rath Gyorgy Utca 7-9.
1122 Budapest

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Region
Közép-Magyarország Budapest Budapest
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00
HEIDELBERG PHARMA RESEARCH GMBH
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 498 432,96
Address
Gregor Mendel Strasse 22
68526 Ladenburg

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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
Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Rhein-Neckar-Kreis
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
EXIRIS SRL
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 258 061,32
Address
Via Savona Int 2 B 6
00182 Roma

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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
Centro (IT) Lazio Roma
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00

Partners (5)

Partner

Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.

Bayer Pharma AG
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 0,00
Address
Muellerstrasse 178
13353 Berlin

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Region
Berlin Berlin Berlin
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
Partner

Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.

FRIEDRICH-ALEXANDER-UNIVERSITAET ERLANGEN-NUERNBERG
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 0,00
Address
Schlossplatz 4
91054 Erlangen

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Region
Bayern Mittelfranken Erlangen, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Other funding
€ 0,00
Partner

Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.

KINETO Lab Ltd.
Hungary
Net EU contribution
€ 0,00
Address
Zápor U. 55.
H-1032 Budapest

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Region
Közép-Magyarország Budapest Budapest
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00
Partner

Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.

FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV
Germany
Net EU contribution
€ 0,00
Address
Hansastrasse 27c
80686 Munchen

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Region
Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt
Activity type
Research Organisations
Other funding
€ 0,00
Partner

Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.

IRBM SPA
Italy
Net EU contribution
€ 0,00
Address
Via Pontina Km 30600
00040 Pomezia Rm

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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
Centro (IT) Lazio Roma
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Other funding
€ 0,00