Oligonucleotides for Medical Applications

Project Information

OLIGOMED

Grant agreement ID: 956070

DOI

10.3030/956070

EC signature date 13 August 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 July 2026

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 4 138 062,98

EU contribution

€ 4 138 062,98

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON
United Kingdom

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - OLIGOMED (Oligonucleotides for Medical Applications)

Reporting period: 2021-01-01 to 2022-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The project OLIGOMED will explore cutting edge chemistry, analysis, nano- and bio-technology of nucleic acids in a unique academy-clinics-industry environment. This will result in a reliable and flexible platform based on tailored nucleic acids systems that has the potential to become the next pillar of drug development.

Over 4,000 human diseases are known to be monogenic (caused by a single genetic mutation) accounting for up to 40% of the work of hospital based paediatric practice. In the case of cancer, which is the most prominent genetic disease, the global burden is expected to grow to 21.7 million new cancer cases and 13 million cancer deaths by 2030. Therapies generally target the symptoms to aid quality of life. In certain cases, combination cancer therapy (radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy) can stabilise the disease and extend the life expectancy for early diagnosed patients, while the survival rate for patients with metastasis cancers still remains low. As for other inherited genetic diseases such as Huntington’s disease (HD), there is currently no cure.

The overarching aims of OLIGOMED are:
• To train 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) through an interdisciplinary research and training network in order to produce highly skilled young scientists and future leaders for the rapidly growing field of ON therapeutics.
• To unite world-class academic and industrial expertise in nucleic acid research, analysis, delivery and medical applications in order to develop the next generation ON therapeutics platform technologies.
• Utilize the novel ON platform to develop innovative sensor tools, delivery systems and treatment options for genetic diseases with a great potential for licensing to Europe’s pharma industry.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

In the first period, the work of the ESRs focussed on several aspects that are aimed at setting the scene for their research and training:

- ESRs were introduced to their working environment and obtained a thorough induction, including ethics, health & safety, academic integrity, and chemical understanding of the overall project.
- ESRs have started working on their individual project.
- ESRs have received general training related to both the research aspects of the project, as well as career development.

The consortium has already produced a number of novel compounds that are about to be tested in a bio-medical environment. The Beneficiaries are starting to work actively together on the overall aim of the project, and ESRs have started their secondments to other institutions according to plan.

Several training events were held for the ESRs, some of which were done on-line at the start of the period due to COVID-19 restrictions. The training is now exclusively done in-person. The ESRs received specific lectures on nucleic acids chemistry and industrial considerations, as well as tailored workshops delivered by professional trainers, who are part of the Consortium as Partners.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Due to the staggered and sometimes delayed start of the ESRs, which was predominantly due to COVID-19 restrictions, some of the projects have not yet shown the impact that was anticipated. However, all projects are well on track, and we expect that the goals will be achieved by the end of the project. As with every medical oriented project, care must be taken in the design and implementation of the research, therefore the wider impact cannot yet be assessed. We are on the way to deliver the platform that we envisage, which will greatly support the wider public in many health related areas.

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