Project description
Microbubles unlocking next-gen drug delivery
Delivering drugs effectively across biological barriers, such as the blood-brain barrier or dense tumour tissue, remains a challenge. Therapies may fail because they cannot reach their intended targets in sufficient doses without causing harmful side effects. Ultrasound-responsive microbubbles can work to temporarily open pathways for drugs to penetrate otherwise resistant tissues. The ERC-funded Open-SESAME project is developing a modular microbubble platform. Researchers will refine scalable synthesis methods, test performance in brain and tumour models, and strengthen intellectual property for future commercialisation. By combining preclinical validation with market analysis, Open-SESAME aims to deliver an investor-ready plan that could transform treatment for patients with high unmet medical needs.
Objective
OPEN-SESAME will assess the technical and commercial feasibility of a modular microbubble platform technology to enhance the delivery of drugs across biological barriers. The project aims to: (i) establish a robust and scalable synthesis protocol for producing shell- and shape-optimized polymeric microbubbles; (ii) evaluate the preclinical performance of our ultrasound-responsive microbubble enhancers in brain and tumor mouse models; (iii) strengthen our intellectual property (IP) position through freedom-to-operate investigation and generation of new IP on microbubble functionalization; (iv) consult key opinion leaders and perform market analysis of the drug therapy enhancer landscape; and (v) consolidate results in an investor-ready business plan to guide the commercialization of our microbubble platform. We anticipate that by exploiting the technological and socio-economic potential identified in the OPEN-SESAME project, we will create completely new opportunities for the use of microbubbles plus ultrasound to enhance drug delivery and improve therapy outcomes in patients suffering from high-medical-need diseases.
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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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.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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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) ERC-2025-POC
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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.
52074 Aachen
Germany
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.