Project description
Treatment of scleroderma with collagenase nanocapsules
Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue autoimmune rheumatic disease. Hardening of the skin is the most visible manifestation of the disease, associated with an abnormal accumulation of collagen. Treatment involves the use of proteolytic enzymes such as collagenase, able to digest collagen fibres. However, the labile nature of collagenase compromises its activity in the human body. The goal of the EU-funded DECOMPACT project is to develop and commercialise an improved treatment for scleroderma which involves polymeric collagenase nanocapsules that release protected encapsulated enzymes after UVA irradiation. Novel nanodevices will combine the ability of the proteolytic enzyme to degrade collagen with the immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects of UVA.
Objective
“Developments of Collagenase Polymeric nanocapsules as Therapeutics (DECOMPACT)”. The goal of this proof of concept project is the development and commercialization of a novel treatment to scleroderma. Scleroderma is a fibrotic disease with a significant incidence in the population and is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of collagen. Treatment of this disease involves the use of proteolytic enzymes, as collagenase, able to digest collagen fibers. However, the labile nature of collagenase compromises its activity in the human body. DECOMPACT purposes the development of polymeric-collagenase nanocapsules that protect the housed enzymes against external insults and are able to release them by UVA irradiation exposition. UVA irradiation has been selected as trigger release stimuli due to its capacity to induce both anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive effects and to enhance collagenase production in situ. These novel stimuli-responsive nanodevices would combine the ability of the proteolytic enzyme to degrade collagen with the immunosuppressant and anti-inflammatory effects of UVA. The methodology to obtain the system is based on previous results achieved in the context of the Advance Grant ERC-2015-AdG Proposal No.694160 VERDI. The work plan involves the synthesis of a library of UVA-sensitive cross-linkers which form the nanodevice, studies of UVA-responsive and evaluation of collagen digestion ability both in vitro employing 3D collagen matrices with skin cells embedded and in vivo using a scleroderma mouse model. This project supposes an important innovation respect to conventional treatments and could provide important social-economic benefits to the society. Finally, DECOMPACT embraces a work plan considering the commercialization steps which are required in order to place this technology in the market. The work team involved in this project includes specialized professionals in nanotechnology and medical doctors expert in fibrotic diseases.
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.
- engineering and technology materials engineering fibers
- engineering and technology nanotechnology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules proteins enzymes
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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-2018-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.
28040 MADRID
Spain
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.