Project description
Advancing oligonucleotide therapies for cancer and chronic inflammation
Nucleotides and their analogues are used in several therapies, as antiviral agents and for treating genetic disorders. Despite their promise, they are associated with poor stability, suboptimal delivery and off-target effects. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the ON-TRACT project aims to unlock the full potential of oligonucleotide therapies for treating lung cancer, B-cell malignancies, and chronic inflammation. The project brings together experts across academia, industry, and healthcare who will focus on sustainable synthesis and ethical testing using organoids. They will also explore advanced delivery systems such as monoclonal antibodies and inhalers. The ultimate goal is to lay the foundation for responsible, innovative therapies for many severe diseases.
Objective
ON-TRACT focuses on advancing oligonucleotides (ONs) in medicinal chemistry to tackle urgent challenges in treating lung cancer, B-cell malignancies, and chronic inflammation. ONs are powerful tools for gene-specific therapy, yet their clinical use is hindered by challenges such as limited stability, inefficient delivery, and off-target effects. Since 2000, more than a dozen Nobel Prizes related to oligonucleotides in Chemistry or Medicine/Physiology, such as CRISPR-CAS9, telomers, DNA replication, RNA vaccines or micro-RNAs, highlight their transformative potential, but further innovation is essential to realise their full impact.
Our consortium, consisting of 10 academic research groups, 4 companies, 1 hospital, and 1 non-profit organisation, will address these limitations through an interdisciplinary approach. Key objectives include developing sustainable chemical synthesis methods to reduce environmental impact, advancing delivery technologies such as monoclonal antibodies, dendrimers, and inhalers for targeted and efficient delivery, and employing organoids as ethical, human-relevant alternatives to animal models for testing.
By integrating expertise in chemistry, biology, advanced delivery systems and medicine, the project aims to create a robust framework for oligonucleotide-based therapies. This holistic strategy will not only advance the development of innovative treatments for severe diseases but also set new standards for sustainability and ethical testing in medicinal chemistry. In addition, we will train 13 highly skilled researchers, ready to take on Europe’s challenges in the life sciences sector; our interdisciplinary and intersectoral training programme will give all ON-TRACT researchers the skills needed for a successful career in any sector.
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.
- medical and health sciences basic medicine medicinal chemistry
- medical and health sciences basic medicine pharmacology and pharmacy pharmaceutical drugs vaccines
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics RNA
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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-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks
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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-2024-DN-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.
SO17 1BJ SOUTHAMPTON
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.