Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Translation and Commercialization of a QSOX1-inhibitory Antibody Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment in Breast Cancer

Objective

The high number of cancer cases worldwide points to the large global demand for therapeutics for adenocarcinomas (the majority of lung, breast, and pancreatic cancers). Cancer metastases cause more than 90% of cancer patient deaths. There is thus great need to develop more targeted cancer therapies, as well as therapies that enhance the delivery and penetration of chemotherapies to reduce side effects and increase efficacy. A specific societal need is improved therapies for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), to which the targeted therapies developed for other breast cancers are not applicable. TNBC treatment, particularly for women with BRCA1 gene mutations, typically involves aggressive chemotherapy, mastectomy, and radiation treatment, with preventive oophorectomy also recommended. The physical and psychological impact of this regimen on young mothers and their families is unquantifiable, and the risk of relapse imposes continuing psychological stress.

We have made a revolutionizing discovery that significantly controlled cancer cell adhesion, cell migration, primary tumor growth, and metastasis. We found that inhibition of the secreted enzyme QSOX1 by a monoclonal antibody inhibitor counteracts extracellular matrix ECM matrix stiffening and prevents tumor cell adhesion and migration. The QSOX1 inhibitor showed an added benefit in controlling primary tumor growth and metastasis when provided together with standard chemotherapy in a TNBC model in mice. The antibody drug we are developing based on these exciting discoveries has great promise for commercialization as a new therapeutic agent for TNBC and for other oncology indications.

The goal of the CONQR project is to perform key preclinical experiments and explore market entering opportunities for commercialization of a novel QSOX1-inhibitory reagent against ECM remodeling in cancer. The intended outcome will be a development and commercialization plan to best position the product for out-licensing.

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.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

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.

ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

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

(opens in new window) ERC-2018-PoC

See all projects funded under this call

Host institution

WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE
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.

€ 149 998,00
Address
HERZL STREET 234
7610001 Rehovot
Israel

See on map

Activity type
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.

€ 149 998,00

Beneficiaries (1)

My booklet 0 0