Project description
Towards novel CNS-targeting biopharmaceuticals
Millions of European citizens suffer from disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Currently, medicinal products with low CNS bioavailability are delivered directly to the CNS via intrathecal, intracerebroventricular or intraparenchymal injections which, however, require surgery. To address this limitation, the EU-funded Bio2Brain project will train early-stage researchers to develop innovative technologies for delivering biopharmaceuticals safely via the nasal route. The project's results are expected to address the low availability of CNS-targeting drugs including biopharmaceuticals such as monoclonal antibodies, which remains a major challenge for the treatment of CNS disorders.
Objective
Bio2Brain aims to create a trans-European network of industrially oriented specialists fully trained and experienced, a significant driving force in innovating novel technologies to deliver biopharmaceuticals safely and via the nasal route of administration to the central nervous system (CNS). Diseases of the CNS and the spinal cord affect around 165 million Europeans with disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. CNS disorders are often connected with high morbidity, significant side effects, suffering of the patients and their families, as well as an enormous burden on the welfare systems. Therefore, in terms of social sustainability, Bio2Brain contributes to increased benefit for both, the society as whole and particularly for those individuals at a disadvantage through these disorders. A highly critical challenge of CNS diseases is the low central availability drugs in general and in particular of biopharmaceuticals like monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Hence, approved medicinal products with a low CNS bioavailability are currently delivered via intrathecal, intracerebroventricular or intraparenchymal injections. In this way, they are delivered directly to the CNS. Unfortunately, such delivery systems are invasive, require a surgery with high risks, have a low patient compliance and are poorly controllable. Therefore, there is a critical need for a more safe and effective new approach, that means a paradigm shift, for drug delivery technologies in the treatment of CNS diseases. The Bio2Brain network will create a research environment for the interdisciplinary and intersectorial training of 13 ESRs supported by 11 academic teams (beneficiaries and partner universities), 6 key industrial stakeholders and an academic non-profit organization. As an important benefit, the close and frequent exposure of the ESRs to the private sector and to key technologies will significantly enhance their employability.
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Coordinator
80686 Munchen
Germany