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CORDIS

A scientifically proven Microbiome immunotherapy for the treatment of colorectal cancer

Project description

Bacteria-based treatment against colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a common malignancy of the colon or rectum with a five-year survival rate of less than 60 %. Z.M.D. Medical from Israel has developed a microbiome-based treatment for colorectal cancer. The product is based on bacteria strains with high oncolytic activity, which are part of the microflora of a healthy individual. Animal model results have proved that the novel treatment enhances immune defence, eliminating cancer cells without pain or side effects. The same approach can be implemented for a range of immune conditions including Crohn’s disease, colitis and disorders resulting from long-term treatment with antibiotics. The EU-funded Oncarin project aims to examine the technical and commercial feasibility of this product and the possibility of bringing it to market.

Objective

Following 30 years of research, ZMD has developed ONCARIN; an immunotherapy treatment for the treatment and to boost
to immune system of patients with colorectal cancer. The treatment consists of special developed capsules containing a
lyophilized mixture of live bacteria (colon flora) with a high oncolytic activity. ONCARIN has the unique ability to both induce
cancer cell destruction and activate the immune system. Furthermore the technology allows for an easy synthesis and
manufacture enabling the commercialization of a cost-effective product (90% lower than competitor’s prices). No other
oncologic drug, currently marketed, is able to address therapy effectiveness, absence of side effects, and healthcare costsavings.
In addition, Oncarin can be easily implemented for a wide range of immune conditions including cancer, Crohn’s
disease, colities and immune system disorders after long-term treatment with antibiotics. This will improve patient outcomes
and greatly reduce healthcare costs. Moreover, ONCARIN costs 90% less than current solutions. ZMD will exclusively
license the further development and commercialization of ONCARIN to a pharmaceutical company. Oncarin now has a TRL
6, since successfully completing proof of concept in animal models. The next step to advance TRL is to conduct a phase I
trial in order to demonstrate safety and pharmaceutics of Oncarin. Z.M.D Medical Ltd is part of ZMD group ,which includes
ZMD Diagnostics Ltd. ZMD Medical develops and commercializes therapeutic remedies to cure cancer of all types using the
immune system- first focus- colorectal cancer. Z.M.D Medical has set a goal to produce the drug to rehabilitate distressed
colon microflora in order to eliminate cancer from patients’ immune systems. Barak Zigdon, an MBA with significant
entrepreneurial experience, leads the team. The team boasts more than 30 years of experience in Cancer research and
product development.

Programme(s)

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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.

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.

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020

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Coordinator

Z.M.D MEDICAL LTD
Net EU contribution

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.

€ 50 000,00
Address
28 SINAI ST
80200 NETIVOT
Israel

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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
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

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.

€ 71 429,00
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