European Project to Take Novel Anti-Cancer Compound to Clinical Trials
The MEDiCS project – “Anti-cancer approach based on metabolic disruption of stem cells, with high efficacy in a broad range of solid tumours” – which includes the i3S as a partner, was among the successful applicants in the latest round of the European EIC Transition funding programme. The project, which aims to advance a novel anti-cancer agent to clinical development, has secured total funding of €2.5 million, with over €335,000 earmarked for i3S.
Led by researcher José Luis Mascareñas, from CiQUS - Singular Centre for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials, in Santiago de Compostela, the project builds upon the pre-clinical anti-tumour potential already demonstrated by a new compound from a family of ruthenium-based metal complexes. The immediate goal, explains Bruno Sarmento, who heads the i3S team, “is to further mature the technology and complete the necessary pre-clinical phase before commencing clinical trials in humans".
This project, the researcher adds, “aims to enhance the performance of this new compound in the pre-clinical setting against two particularly challenging cancers: pancreatic cancer, due to its high prevalence, and colorectal cancer, due to its high mortality rate, both of which have a significant impact on society".
The i3S team, which also includes researcher Cláudia Martins, will “incorporate this new compound into nano-scale matrices (either clinically approved or available in clinical trials) with the aim of improving its pharmacokinetic profile, as well as its transport and targeting to pancreatic and colorectal tumours". This approach, the researcher points out, “will not only allow for a reduction in the required dose but will also significantly increase the potential for the new compound’s success in clinical trials".
In addition to CiQUS and i3S, the MEDiCS team also includes scientists from the Sols-Morreale Institute for Biomedical Research (CSIC-UAM) and has the backing of the companies MyBiotech (Germany) and Asphalion (Spain).
About the EIC Transition
EIC Transition is a funding programme from Horizon Europe designed to boost the maturation of novel technologies and establish a commercial rationale for specific applications. Indeed, it stands out as one of the most attractive funding avenues for researchers and start-ups.
With over 400 proposals submitted from 39 countries, this latest round of applications for EIC Transition projects was the most competitive to date. The European Innovation Council (EIC) selected 40 projects, a significant portion of which originated from European Research Council (ERC) proof-of-concept projects (19).
The successful participants hail from 21 EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe. This funding stream, which has no predefined thematic restrictions, welcomes proposals from all fields of science, technology, and applications.
The selected projects will gain access to the EIC Business Acceleration Services, including mentoring, coaching, and partnering events. The projects are also eligible for the EIC Accelerator programme, aimed at supporting the commercialisation and scale-up phases.