The role of non coding RNA in organismal ageing

Project Information

RNAging

Grant agreement ID: 737561

DOI

10.3030/737561

Project closed

EC signature date 22 February 2017

Start date 1 March 2017

End date 31 August 2018

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 149 950,00

EU contribution

€ 149 950,00

Coordinated by

IFOM-ISTITUTO FONDAZIONE DI ONCOLOGIA MOLECOLARE ETS
Italy

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - RNAging (The role of non coding RNA in organismal ageing)

Reporting period: 2017-03-01 to 2018-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Ageing-associated diseases are a wide spectrum of different pathologies, which share a common molecular cause: the activation of a DNA damage response (DDR) at dysfunctional telomeres.
With this project we aimed to evaluate the effects of telomeric DDR suppression by the use of a novel drug, based on antisense oligonucleotide technology, in a mouse model of premature ageing. The results of these experimental activities provided a prove of concept to apply our novel therapeutic strategy to many ageing-related diseases.

Thanks to robust intellectual property and business development strategy by TTFactor, the project was presented to various investors and eventually an industrial partner was found to foster and support its further development. The partner is a very qualified accelerator, called BiovelocITA, based in Milan and backed by large venture capital firm, discovery funded preclinical work on the candidate molecules with seed funding. The seed phase is due to terminate in February 2019 after which, if successful, a start-up company will be crated to foster further preclinical development.