Project description DEENESFRITPL Innovative therapies to arrest corneal blindness An estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide live with a vision impairment, with over 30 million of them in Europe. Many of these people have been afflicted by corneal blindness, which is the second most common cause of blindness. A lack of access to donor tissue, non-standardised treatments, and delays in translating innovative regenerative therapies into clinical use are preventing these individuals from receiving the care they need. The EU-funded ARREST BLINDNESS project will address the issue of corneal blindness using bioengineered scaffolds, therapeutic stem and endothelial cells, and regenerative factors to promote neural growth and function. Additionally, advanced methods for imaging and monitoring will be developed. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Over 30 million Europeans are blind or visually impaired, leading to reduced quality of life and a tremendous loss of productivity in society. Corneal blindness is the second largest cause of blindness globally and while treatable, millions remain unnecessarily blind due to issues of access to transplantable tissue, lack of standardized treatments, and the lag in translating new regenerative medicine therapies to the clinic. The objective of ARREST BLINDNESS is therefore to develop and validate new regenerative-based therapies addressing a spectrum of blinding disorders of the cornea. These conditions either have no effective current treatments, depend on a scarce supply of donor tissue, or non-standardized methods are hindering validation of promising regenerative treatments. To achieve our objective, we will implant GMP-fabricated collagen-based bioengineered scaffolds to replace or regenerate the corneal stroma in cases of stromal thinning, scarring, dystrophy or trauma; deliver therapeutic epithelial stem and endothelial cells to the cornea to restore its transparency; deliver regenerative factors to promote neural growth and function; and actively maintain corneal immune privilege in high-risk situations by targeted therapeutic approaches to regress blood and lymphatic vessels. We will additionally develop advanced methods to image and monitor therapy throughout the cycle from GMP-compliant cell and scaffold preparation through the pre- and intra-operative stages, to postoperative follow-up and evaluation. After proof-of-concept and preclinical validation of key enabling components, these technologies will be used by one or several partners in preclinical models and in phase I/II human clinical studies. ARREST BLINDNESS directly addresses the translation of regenerative medicine, bio-artificial organs, tissue engineered scaffolds, and advanced cell and gene therapies into clinical use and will help to alleviate the worldwide problem of corneal blindness. Fields of science medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineophthalmologymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologycells technologiesstem cellsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicinetransplantation Programme(s) H2020-EU.3.1. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Health, demographic change and well-being Main Programme H2020-EU.3.1.3. - Treating and managing disease Topic(s) PHC-16-2015 - Tools and technologies for advanced therapies Call for proposal H2020-PHC-2014-2015 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-PHC-2015-two-stage Funding Scheme RIA - Research and Innovation action Coordinator LINKOPINGS UNIVERSITET Net EU contribution € 1 623 175,00 Address CAMPUS VALLA 581 83 Linkoping Sweden See on map Region Östra Sverige Östra Mellansverige Östergötlands län Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 623 175,00 Participants (14) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all 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. REGION OSTERGOTLAND Participation ended Sweden Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address LARSGATAN 49B 581 91 Linkoping See on map Region Östra Sverige Östra Mellansverige Östergötlands län Activity type Public bodies (excluding Research Organisations and Secondary or Higher Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost No data AEON ASTRON EUROPE B.V. Netherlands Net EU contribution € 277 075,00 Address J.H. OORTWEG 19 2333 CH LEIDEN See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region West-Nederland Zuid-Holland Agglomeratie Leiden en Bollenstreek Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 277 075,00 NETHERLANDS INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATIVE OCULAR SURGERY Netherlands Net EU contribution € 622 582,50 Address LAAN OP ZUID 88 3071AA ROTTERDAM See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region West-Nederland Zuid-Holland Groot-Rijnmond Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 622 582,50 UNIVERSITAIR ZIEKENHUIS ANTWERPEN Belgium Net EU contribution € 738 065,00 Address DRIE EIKENSTRAAT 655 2650 Edegem See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Antwerpen Arr. Antwerpen Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 738 065,00 KLINIKUM DER UNIVERSITAET ZU KOELN Germany Net EU contribution € 1 122 407,50 Address Kerpener Strasse 62 50937 Koeln See on map Region Nordrhein-Westfalen Köln Köln, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 122 407,50 UNIVERSIDAD MIGUEL HERNANDEZ DE ELCHE Spain Net EU contribution € 397 656,25 Address AVENIDA DE LA UNIVERSIDAD S-N 03202 Elche See on map Region Este Comunitat Valenciana Alicante/Alacant Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 397 656,25 AARHUS UNIVERSITET Denmark Net EU contribution € 237 165,00 Address NORDRE RINGGADE 1 8000 Aarhus C See on map Region Danmark Midtjylland Østjylland Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 237 165,00 LUDWIG BOLTZMANN GESELLSCHAFT OSTERREICHISCHE VEREINIGUNG ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTLICHEN FORSCHUNG Austria Net EU contribution € 142 800,00 Address NUSSDORFER STRASSE 64/6 1090 Wien See on map Region Ostösterreich Wien Wien Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 142 800,00 LINKOCARE LIFE SCIENCES AB Sweden Net EU contribution € 321 278,75 Address MJARDEVI SCIENCE PARK, TEKNIKRINGEN 10, PLAN 3 58330 LINKOPING See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Östra Sverige Östra Mellansverige Östergötlands län Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 321 278,75 HAAG STREIT SURGICAL GMBH & CO KG Germany Net EU contribution € 233 097,50 Address ROSENGARTEN 10 22880 WEDEL See on map Region Schleswig-Holstein Schleswig-Holstein Pinneberg Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 281 222,50 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. MEDIZINISCHES LASERZENTRUM LUBECK GMBH Germany Net EU contribution € 48 125,00 Address PETER MONNIK WEG 4 23562 Lubeck See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Schleswig-Holstein Schleswig-Holstein Lübeck, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 48 125,00 NOVALIQ GMBH Germany Net EU contribution € 149 250,00 Address IM NEUENHEIMER FELD 515 69120 Heidelberg See on map Region Baden-Württemberg Karlsruhe Heidelberg, Stadtkreis Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 149 250,00 GENE SIGNAL INTERNATIONAL SA Participation ended Switzerland Net EU contribution € 0,00 Address PARC SCIENTIFIQUE EPFL - PSE A 1015 LAUSANNE See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Région lémanique Vaud Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 36 875,00 ACADEMISCH ZIEKENHUIS LEIDEN Netherlands Net EU contribution € 80 500,00 Address ALBINUSDREEF 2 2333 ZA Leiden See on map Region West-Nederland Zuid-Holland Agglomeratie Leiden en Bollenstreek Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 80 500,00
