Objective
Antibiotic resistance presents a growing threat to global health. The emergence of the superbugs is alarming: at current rates of increase, and without new intervention strategies, antibiotic resistance could cause a staggering 10 million deaths/year worldwide by 2050. Therefore, new approaches need to be developed to combat antibiotic resistance, particularly for the WHO’s priority pathogens which include the so-called ESKAPE family of dangerous drug-resistant bacteria.
Recently, we developed a novel technology platform comprising a set of methodologies to semisynthetically modify the natural antibiotic nisin. In doing so we generated novel lipopeptide antibiotics with a much higher in vivo stability than the parent compound. These semisynthetic antibiotics possess a lipid II-mediated mode of action similar to nisin, which sets them apart from any current clinically-used antibiotic. During my ERC CoG, we have significantly improved these compounds, i.e. increased their antimicrobial activity and eliminated undesired haemolytic effects. Importantly, preliminary data shows that these antibiotics have a lower propensity to lose their potency due to antibiotic resistance development. I propose that these innovative lipopeptide antibiotics present a significant step forward in addressing the alarming threat of antibiotic resistance. However, to establish their commercial viability and broad applicability, the efficacy and preliminary safety of the new compounds need to be addressed. This can best be achieved via a PK/PD proof of concept study in appropriate animal models along with with a detailed evaluation of the business opportunity.
The main objective of VOILA is therefore to establish both the technical feasibility and commercial viability of an entirely new class of lipopeptide antibiotics that is enabled by our innovative technology platform.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology bacteriology
- natural sciences biological sciences biochemistry biomolecules lipids
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs antibiotics
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug resistance antibiotic resistance
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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.
2311 EZ Leiden
Netherlands
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.