Project description DEENESFRITPL Novel drug for chronic pain from marine-derived compounds The medications available for moderate to severe chronic pain may provide pain relief but have strong side effects such as nausea and dizziness. The opioids used to control pain cause dependence, affecting cognition, motivation and mobility. Portugal-based company Sea4Us applies biotechnological innovations to exploit marine-derived compounds for the development of pharmaceuticals. The company’s research has demonstrated the many benefits of such compounds, including in the development of a high efficacy analgesic (ion channel modulator) with reduced toxicity and limited side effects for chronic pain sufferers. The EU-funded Sea4Pain project will take on a technological feasibility study as well as market, business model and intellectual property assessments, and prepare a work plan for the next phase of the development process. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective "The Sea4Pain project will expand and define the development strategy for Sea4Us’s “Drug Discovery and Development Platform” – a platform that applies novel biotechnological approaches to exploit marine derived compounds for the development of novel pharmaceuticals highly relevant for biomedicine. The first lab-based research results have clearly demonstrated the benefits of marine compounds in a series of pathologies, like chronic pain, and the huge potential of its derivate products in the health market. In particular, our innovative breakthroughs will lead to the development of a unique, high efficacy analgesic (ion channel modulator), with reduced toxicity and limited side-effects (Sea4Pain). This extremely innovative approach shows a differentiated mode-of-action (acting directly in the ""pain switch""), that will give rise to a new class of pharmaceutical drugs with no expected adverse effects on the brain (currently being patented). The disruptive compound will modulate specific ion channels in pain-sensing neurons (Kv), for which there is no known modulator, and ease the suffering of one fifth of the World's population who constantly suffer from chronic pain. Sea4Pain will offer alternative treatments for patients suffering from moderate to severe chronic pain. Current drugs in the market (opioid derivatives and others) do alleviate pain but co-inflict important noxious effects (habituation, addiction, loss of drive) and great loss in quality of life. The global pain management drugs and devices market was estimated to be worth $38 billion in 2015 and reach $51 billion in 2022 at a CAGR of 4%. Founded in 2013, Sea4Us has received over 525.000€ in Portuguese and European Research Grants, raised 10.000€ with crowdfunding, and 250.000€ in venture capital, supporting a team of 13 professionals and is focused on developing the Sea4Pain roll-to-market of innovative treatments." Fields of science medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discoverymedical and health sciencesclinical medicinerheumatologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineendocrinologydiabetesmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepathology Programme(s) H2020-EU.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs Main Programme H2020-EU.3. - PRIORITY 'Societal challenges H2020-EU.2.1. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies Topic(s) EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 - SME instrument Call for proposal H2020-EIC-SMEInst-2018-2020 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-SMEInst-2018-2020-1 Funding Scheme SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1 Coordinator SEA4US - BIOTECNOLOGIA E RECURSOS MARINHOS, S.A. Net EU contribution € 50 000,00 Address PORTO DE PESCA DA BALEEIRA ARMAZEM 8 8650-368 SAGRES Portugal 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 Continente Algarve Algarve 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 € 71 429,00
