Objective Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived, membranous particles that mediate intercellular communication by transferring biomolecules such as proteins and RNAs. The discovery of EVs as natural biocarriers and inter-species communication means has raised great interest in the drug delivery field. EVs intrinsically possess many attributes of a drug delivery vehicle, since these particles i) are well tolerated in the body, ii) have long circulating half-life, iii) are internalised by recipient cells and iv) are able of crossing the blood brain barrier. Native and drug-loaded mammalian cell-derived EVs have recently been developed and are contributing to the expanding research field known as “cell-free therapy”. Despite these promising progresses, translational applications are currently hampered by the lack of suitable processes for the isolation, characterisation and functionalisation of EVs. The aim of Ves4US is to develop a radically new platform for the efficient production and functionalisation of EVs, which will enable for their exploitation as tailor-made products in the fields of nanomedicine, cosmetics and nutraceutics. A core aspect of the project is to focus vesicles from an identified natural source, which could constitute a more economically viable and sustainable source of EVs. This will allow the development of natural nanocarriers with unprecedented abilities for drug delivery in specific tissues such as brain, lung, skin, dendritic or tumor cells. Ves4US is endorsed by prominent industrial stakeholders with strong interests in market-oriented innovation. The actively emerging field of EV-based research and industrial/clinical translation will significantly profit from the proposed VES4US innovation of focusing on natural nanovesicles; the new knowledge created will influence the biomedical landscape of the future both within and outside the European Union.The actively emerging field of EV-based research and industrial/clinical translation will significantly profit from the proposed VES4US innovation of focusing on natural source derived nanovesicles; the new knowledge created will influence the biomedical landscape of the future both within and outside the European Union. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsnatural sciencesbiological sciencescell biologymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologynanomedicinenatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsRNAengineering and technologynanotechnologynano-materials Keywords Extracellular vesicles exosomes cell-cell communication membrane functionalization nanocarrier microfluidic microalgae nanovesicle purification method Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.2. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Main Programme H2020-EU.1.2.1. - FET Open Topic(s) FETOPEN-01-2016-2017 - FET-Open research and innovation actions Call for proposal H2020-FETOPEN-2016-2017 See other projects for this call Sub call H2020-FETOPEN-1-2016-2017 Funding Scheme RIA - Research and Innovation action Coordinator CONSIGLIO NAZIONALE DELLE RICERCHE Net EU contribution € 1 181 412,50 Address Piazzale aldo moro 7 00185 Roma Italy See on map Region Centro (IT) Lazio Roma Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 181 412,50 Participants (5) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all ATLANTIC TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY Ireland Net EU contribution € 560 187,50 Address Port road F92 FC93 Letterkenny See on map Region Ireland Northern and Western Border Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 560 187,50 EIDGENOESSISCHE TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE ZUERICH Switzerland Net EU contribution € 499 998,75 Address Raemistrasse 101 8092 Zuerich See on map Region Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera Zürich Zürich Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 499 998,75 UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI Slovenia Net EU contribution € 193 750,00 Address Kongresni trg 12 1000 Ljubljana See on map Region Slovenija Zahodna Slovenija Osrednjeslovenska Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 193 750,00 MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV Germany Net EU contribution € 303 455,00 Address Hofgartenstrasse 8 80539 Munchen See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Kreisfreie Stadt Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 303 455,00 ZABALA INNOVATION CONSULTING SA Spain Net EU contribution € 207 500,00 Address Paseo santxiki 3 bis 31192 Mutilva alta navarra See on map SME The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed. Yes Region Noreste Comunidad Foral de Navarra Navarra Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 207 500,00