Project description
Making gene therapy affordable for all
Gene therapy holds the promise of treating, and even curing, a wide range of genetic and acquired diseases. However, for most patients, these treatments remain out of reach because of their high cost. The EU-funded HEDGE-A project aims to make the production of gene therapies more efficient and affordable. At its core is a plan to improve how recombinant adeno-associated viruses (the tiny delivery vehicles of gene therapy) are made. Using big-data approaches such as transcriptomics and proteomics, together with synthetic biology, HEDGE-A aims to create cell platforms that can sustain production at high densities. The result could be more accessible, life-changing therapies and a boost for Europe’s biopharmaceutical industry.
Objective
HEDGE-A will address one of the current main challenges of biopharmaceutical production: The scalability of the recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) production process. Big Data approaches like transcriptomic and proteomic analyses will be used together with synthetic biology tools to engineer cell cultures and improve rAAV production. The objectives of HEDGE-A are to design (1) a suitable cell platform to sustain transfection at high cell densities and (2) a scalable upstream bioprocess to improve rAAV biomanufacturing.
Access to gene therapy is currently extremely limited due to the high cost of producing rAAVs, leading to expensive treatments and making it virtually inaccessible for the general population or even for diseases requiring high dosage. The main limitation is the poor scalability of the current rAAV production process. HEDGE-A will delve into the molecular limitations of the cellular platform and provide a solution to reduce costs, increase titers and help rAAV-based gene therapies reach the wider population. A cost-effective production process for rAAVs will have a high impact in EU competitiveness as it will open the market for countless gene and cell therapies that are currently non-viable due to the required titers to reach clinical trials.
HEDGE-A will present the perfect opportunity for the applicant to join a cutting-edge working environment to fulfil his potential in cell engineering and bioprocess development. The host centre, DTU (Copenhagen) is a leading expert in the field and can provide the essential network to undertake a project like HEDGE-A, bridging academic research and its industrial application.
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.
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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) HORIZON-MSCA-2022-PF-01
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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.
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark
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.