Project description
Pioneering mRNA therapy could promote healing and reduce loss of vision
Messenger RNA (mRNA) plays a pivotal role in gene expression. During transcription, the code carried in DNA is copied to a single strand of mRNA. The mRNA is then used as a template to assemble the appropriate sequence of amino acids into the protein. INSIGHT EU has developed a proprietary mRNA-delivery platform that is already being used to treat chronic kidney disease. The project has now turned its sights to treatments for impaired vision and blindness. Development of mRNA therapies delivered to the eye could promote healing and ameliorate vision loss. Success could open a new window on life for millions with impaired vision.
Objective
Proper eyesight is essential for nearly all aspects of our life. Yet, over 4 million people suffer from reduced eyesight or blindness worldwide each year (30 million blind or partially sighted in EU, 1 in 3 senior (65+) EU citizens faces sight loss). Common reasons include glaucoma, cataract, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, corneal injury and inflammation, as well as complications of surgery of the eye and physical injury. Despite continuous improvements in treatment of various underlying causes, much is still to be gained in the promotion of healing of damaged eye tissue. While the patient suffers pain, loss of quality of life and participation in society, socio-economic costs include increased reliance on care-takers, increased healthcare cost and burden. Overall, the societal cost of eye disease is estimated to around 200 €Bn for the developed world.
We envision the development of novel drug candidates, based on Mercurna’s proprietary messenger RNA (mRNA)-delivery platform, for greatly improved treatment of eye disease. A particularly interesting opportunity to explore in this project, is the use of mRNA to accelerate healing of the eye, a strategy that is applicable to multiple causes of eye disease. For this project, we aim to hire a researcher with a skillset and knowledge in the field of ophthalmology, who can critically strengthen Mercurna’s Innovation potential in this area.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy drug discovery
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine ophthalmology glaucoma
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine surgery
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine ophthalmology retinopathy
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
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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.2.3. - INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.2.3.2.2. - Enhancing the innovation capacity of SMEs
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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.
CSA - Coordination and support action
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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) H2020-INNOSUP-2018-2020
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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.
6541 CX NIJMEGEN
Netherlands
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
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.