Objective
Angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, contributes to major pathologies such as blinding ocular disease, inflammation and cancer. Blocking angiogenesis has therefore become a major field of research and an attractive therapeutic strategy. Current anti-angiogenic therapies focus on blockade of pro-angiogenic factors, such as VEGF. However, in cancer, insufficient efficacy, resistance and toxicity restrict the success of anti-VEGF agents. There is thus an urgent unmet need for novel anti-angiogenic strategies. In our ERC Advanced research grant (ECMetabolism), we developed an entirely novel anti-angiogenic concept and strategy, based on targeting key metabolic pathways in endothelial cells (ECs), cells lining blood vessels. More in particular, we identified - for the first time - that PFKFB3, a key glycolytic regulator, as a novel and promising target for anti-angiogenic therapy. Our findings show that glucose metabolism determines vessel sprouting and that lowering glycolysis only partially and transiently (by blocking PFKFB3) sufficed to inhibit pathological angiogenesis without causing systemic effects. In this ERC proof of concept project, PFKFBLOCK, we aim to develop lead small molecule compounds, blocking PFKFB3, and evaluate their potential to block pathological angiogenesis. Currently, no specific and orally available PFKFB3 blocker exists underscoring the value of our proposal and the necessity to develop such blocker for therapeutic applications. Through collaboration with a drug discovery unit we will identify lead molecules with novel intellectual property potential. Those lead compounds will be validated in relevant in vivo models and considered to be patented. The ultimate goal of this project is to get the best PFKFB3 inhibitor in clinical trials.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pathology
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2015-PoC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
9052 ZWIJNAARDE - GENT
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.