Project description
A targeted regenerative approach for treating incontinence
Faecal incontinence (FI) is the inability to control bowel movement, causing leakage of faeces. The EU-funded AMELIE project comprises a highly interdisciplinary consortium of experts who are proposing a novel regenerative intervention using autologous skeletal muscle derived cells (ASMDC) to restore the function of the sphincter muscle. Scientists will attach ASMDC to implantable microcarriers to improve cell delivery and engraftment in patients with FI. This will be tested in a randomised clinical trial. The strategy is expected to improve cell viability and increase the likelihood of muscle regeneration, contributing to improved continence.
Objective
Faecal incontinence (FI) is a common condition affecting ~67 million people in Europe, seriously impairing living and productivity of affected individuals and their families. Women with FI arising from childbirth injury may benefit from regenerative medicine using autologous skeletal muscle derived cells (ASMDC) to restore function of damaged sphincter muscle. However, progress is hindered by sub-optimal manufacturing and delivery techniques contributing to inconsistent results. AMELIE proposes an innovative approach that uses ASMDC attached to implantable microcarriers that will enable delivery of a higher number of viable ASMDC into the damaged sphincter muscle, increasing the likelihood of cell engraftment, regeneration of muscle and improved continence. To achieve this, AMELIE will develop bespoke implantable microcarriers suitable for clinical use; establish robust bioprocessing for manufacture of the cell-microcarrier combination; and for the first time, robustly test, in a clinical study, the principle that delivery of ASMDC in an anchored, natural state, are safe and provide more effective and consistent treatment. AMELIE comprises a highly interdisciplinary, gender balanced, consortium of internationally recognised experts and key-opinion leaders with relevant experience from academia and industry across Europe in the fields of engineering (IST, UCL, NHSBT), biological sciences (NHSBT, UCL, IISFJD), and translational regenerative medicine (QMUL, MUG, AUH, AU, RUH, UHE, IISFJD, CVBF). BCR will lead dissemination activity and stakeholder interaction with patients and the public, healthcare professionals, industry and third party FI charities across Europe to establish reciprocal dialogue with people that will interact with the new technology throughout the lifetime of the AMELIE project. PNO LSH will lead knowledge management and exploitation to develop a marketing strategy and business plan to facilitate future exploitation of the technology to ensure patient benefit.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.3.1. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Health, demographic change and well-being
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.3.1.3. - Treating and managing disease
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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.
RIA - Research and Innovation 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-SC1-BHC-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.
WC1E 6BT LONDON
United Kingdom
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.