Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : EmboPore (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université hébraïque de Jérusalem — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUJI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

This project aims to develop a novel platform for drug delivery and treatment for liver cancers. A first in its kind two-step acting platform is described in detail depicting an early step of drug elusion to viable tissue (in contrast to acute embolism) followed by a later stage of vessel blockage to induce tissue necrosis is introduced here. Inspired by the coronary drug eluting stent concept we will introduce a novel porous degradable bead referred as EmboPore used as “mini-stents” that can elute drugs for predetermined time and collapse at the end of drug treatment period to embolize the tissue. This two-step concept ensures that a proper and massive drug perfusion will be performed prior to occlusion of the blood vessel that is used to induce tumor necrosis. Another important advantage of the gradual blockage is in reduction of the secreted adverse pro-cancer stress signals that occurs in the acute embolism procedure. The product is designed as biodegradable and injectable to fit the current catheters as being used in the standard clinical procedures. Such product is expected to substantially improve the relatively modest clinical outcomes of embolic devices and possibly open new indications such as metastatic liver diseases, gastrointestinal disease and more.
Projet ERC : FlexiMin (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Imperial College London — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ICL
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Global societal health challenges are increasingly reliant on the continuous monitoring of key indicators used to trigger aimed interventions. Only the timely sensing of specific biomarkers can underpin the prevention, diagnosis, and drug response necessary to make a societal change in healthcare. Wearable healthcare sensors for wireless real time remote monitoring of biomarkers can only rely on batteries. These should be flexible, small in lateral dimensions, non-flammable, and they should be based on widely available raw materials. FlexiMin proof-of-concept aims at demonstrating a flexible miniaturized battery to power next generation of wearable sensors of biomarkers in body fluids. The specific objective is to demonstrate the continuous powering of a commercial sensor as well as of a new class of sensors, which are the organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs), for the detection of specific biomarkers in either interstitial fluids or sweat. The goal is to demonstrate powering of individual sensors as well as of arrays of sensors for accurate medical diagnosis over days of operation and a Go-to-Market Strategy will be designed as one of the objectives of the project. FlexiMin will create a new solution for the newly growing market of wearable healthcare sensors for continuous monitoring.
Projet ERC : FoodConnect (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Champalimaud Foundation — Pays : Portugal — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Altered feeding behaviors impair physical and psychosocial health and may lead to overweight or obesity. Obesity is a major global health challenge but current treatments are either ineffective in the long-term or carry important risks. Hence, novel therapeutic approaches are needed. The main ERC StG aims to explore the neural basis of eating patterns by exploring post-ingestive reinforcement of food-seeking behavior. In that context, we are studying the contribution of gut-brain communication towards activity in brain circuits controlling feeding behavior. Another strategy to clarify the neuroanatomy and neural correlates underlying dysfunctional human behaviors has been to study their occurrence when associated with a brain insult. We have used this approach for neuropsychiatric disorders, and believe it may also be used for feeding behavior. Indeed, changes in weight regulation concurrent with brain lesions have been described, raising the question of whether such lesions follow a particular distribution in the brain or impact specific functional networks. Several neuroimaging analysis methods can be used to explore if specific brain areas and/or connectivity networks are associated with specific lesional syndromes. In addition, these methods have also been proposed to offer the opportunity for development of novel strategies for therapeutic brain stimulation, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). In this project, we aim to identify TMS targets that potentially modulate feeding behavior, supported by lesion topography and/or connectivity networks involving lesions associated with changes in feeding behavior and weight regulation. We will then conduct a TMS protocol targeting the identified regions to modulate feeding behavior in patients with obesity. We are convinced that FoodConnect will contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of obesity, and the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for such a highly prevalent and socially impactful condition.
Projet ERC : TopoChipTHz (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : SATT Nord — Pays : France — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : SATT Nord
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 5000.0 €

Recent advancements in terahertz (THz) technology have unlocked the po-tential for ultra-high-speed wireless communication, with data rates far sur-passing those of current 5G systems. Operating in the 300-600 GHz range, future 6G systems could enable wireless transmission rates of up to 1000 gi-gabits-per-second, revolutionizing applications like metropolitan networks and uncompressed video transfer. However, current THz technologies face challenges, especially in demodulating high-frequency signals. Existing la-boratory solutions rely on bulky, expensive electronics with limited band-width, high noise, and non-linearity, hindering the scalability of THz com-munication. In this project, we propose developing an on-chip topological coherent de-modulator for THz signals using topological photonic crystals, which ex-hibit robust, low-backscattering wave propagation. Leveraging the valley Hall effect in photonic crystals, the device will feature waveguides, beamsplitters, mixers, and balanced detection outputs, integrated on a silicon chip. This all-optical architecture offers a significant improvement over tra-ditional electronics-based systems, with a target demodulation bandwidth over 50 GHz for signals at 300 GHz. The proposed solution will address key bottlenecks in current THz technolo-gy, including size, bandwidth, and signal-to-noise ratio. As one of the first functional on-chip demodulators for THz frequencies, this device sets a new standard for future applications. Its compact design, scalability, and en-hanced performance position it as a key enabler for 6G wireless systems, driving ultra-fast data transfer for real-world use cases.
Projet ERC : StoneForge (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Imperial College London — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ICL
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Despite their incredible durability, ceramics used are hampered by two limitations: they are difficult to manufacture compared with continuous manufacturing of metals and polymers, and they are brittle, even at relatively high temperature. Both these limitations are coming from their low fracture toughness and the absence of plastic deformation mechanisms. One the goal of my ERC SSTEEL was to find a way to toughen ceramic composites by introducing strain hardening mechanisms at the nanometric scale. We succeeded and produced a ceramic composite that show plastic deformation of at least 14% and toughness two orders of magnitude higher, in terms of energy release rate, than conventional structural ceramics at temperature around 1000°C. These temperatures are close to the ones used to hot forge steel and thus open two new applications avenues for these deformable ceramics. One is enabling ceramics forging, using preform to produce complex shapes in a quick and simple way. The other is using this high toughness to produce structural ceramics for high temperature applications, in burners or even engines. The goal of this Proof-of-Concept project is three-fold: 1. to work on the ceramic composition to lower the temperature needed for deformation or improve their high temperature mechanical resistance, 2. to develop the forging of ceramic beyond the initial results to showcase the capabilities to future clients, 3. to start testing the continuous processing of these composites. Succeeding in these goals holds promises for cheaper and faster manufacturing of complex-shaped ceramic parts, opening a wealth of potential applications previously limited to metals or polymers, as well as developing more ductile high temperature stru
Projet ERC : Green-GPT (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université hébraïque de Jérusalem — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUJI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Executive summary:  ● Generative AI systems, such as chatGPT, recently passed the Turing test, forever transforming human-machine interaction. These systems provide giant productivity leaps across many sectors. However, their energy requirements increase nine-fold annually and their abundance grows at exponential rate. The resulting carbon footprint becomes significant. ● IT giants such as Google, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Amazon, as well as many mid-sized companies, have committed to reduce their carbon footprint. The EU is strengthening regulation for emission reductions. But the new generative AI trend jeopardizes emission reduction commitments.  ● Most power consumption of generative AI is spent on matrix multiplication. Our novel solutions reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint by replacing current matrix multiplication algorithms with more efficient ones. These can be implemented on existing hardware and software stacks. Potential energy saving predicted at about 40-50%, while maintaining performance and accuracy.  ● The novel developments of Prof. Oded Schwartz and his strong team are based on years of research, and protected by patents. The funds are requested to pursue business opportunity.
Projet ERC : VASTO (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Saragosse — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 130000.0 €

VASTO Proof of Concept aims to develop and test an innovative microfluidic-based platform, which allows to evaluate the efficacy of different cell immunotherapy strategies against solid tumours. For this aim, we propose to microfabricate 3D solid tumour organoids with an aberrant microvascular network provided from the explant of human vessels. Although there are other different vessel-on-a-chip and/or microvascular network formation approaches that use in vitro cell monolayers, we are not aware of any solution covering human ex vivo blood vessel platform as it is proposed here. Therefore, we aim to recreate the existent mechano-chemical barriers characteristics of the tumour microenvironment in solid tumours with this novel ex vivo platform. With this technology, we can define a method to evaluate the efficacy of different immunotherapy-based strategies. Specifically, we focus on studying the effectivity of different Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies in solid tumours. Hence, the development of VASTO harbours the interest of CAR-T manufacturers to test these cell therapies against solid tumours. We will be able to asses CAR-T cell vascular extravasation, penetration into solid tumours and the CAR-T efficiency for tumour elimination. In addition to its applicability to liver cancer, the acquired knowledge in VASTO also could be extrapolated to any other kind tumours, but also in the development of an ex vivo platform for research in regenerative processes, by incorporating organoids from healthy donors, instead of malignant cells, and promoting functional vasculature, instead of aberrant one. Therefore, this human ex vivo platform will launch a new product to the market very attractive for clinical labs and companies, reducing animal experiments and providing a more reliable alternative for testing different therapies against tumours and approaching a more personalized patient-like model.
Projet ERC : PhaseFLUX (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Vienne — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : Uni Wien
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

MINFLUX is a novel super-resolution microscopy technology that localizes single fluorophores with extraordinary precision and enables structural imaging and single particle tracking with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. It can monitor conformational changes of proteins in living cells, which has the potential to revolutionize dynamic structural biology. Current MINFLUX microscopes however are complex and difficult to build, and the only commercial instrument is costly and has reduced functionality, thus access to this groundbreaking technology is limited. To enable widespread use of MINFLUX, we propose PhaseFLUX, a novel MINFLUX concept that reduces complexity by moving the zero position within the point-spread function, instead of physical movement. This innovative approach employs a fast variable phase plate consisting of only a few simple components, leading to significantly lower costs, higher robustness, and superior performance compared to existing instruments. Our project aims to develop a PhaseFLUX microscope prototype including 3D and multi-color capabilities. It will serve as a basis for potential commercialization, where the PhaseFLUX design promises reduced production and service costs, higher stability, higher performance and extended functionality. Building on our extensive expertise in super-resolution microscopy and collaborations with leading experts, we will focus on developing, validating, and demonstrating the PhaseFLUX prototype, paving the way for broader adoption and impactful biological discoveries. Additionally, we will analyze the intellectual property landscape to explore viable commercialization routes, ensuring this breakthrough technology benefits the wider scientific community.
Projet ERC : GlobalPROTECT (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Institut Karolinska — Pays : Suède — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 45000.0 €

As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has demonstrated, vaccines that provide broad global protection are needed. However, human antibody genes are highly variable and thus, the quality of vaccine-induced responses can vary between population groups. This variation is shaped by the long history of host/disease interactions and differences in endemic diseases between regions over time, resulting in differences in antibody allele frequencies between populations. Therefore, information about how naïve antibody repertoires representing diverse population groups recognize vaccine candidates would greatly improve the development of broadly protective vaccines. In this Proof-of-Concept grant, we will develop a technique, Global-Ig, which allows in vitro production of large antibody libraries from a database of antibody germline gene variants representing the range of human global variation observed in the major population groups of the world, which we have assembled as part of our ongoing ERC Advanced project. Libraries representing different population groups will be used to prospectively identify differences in B cell recognition of candidate vaccines to facilitate selection of vaccine antigens that are broadly recognized. In cases where suboptimal binding to a vaccine antigen is detected for one or more population groups, the antigen can be modified to better accommodate population-specific alleles. Importantly, prospective screening against population-based antibody libraries in vitro offers possibilities to identify antigens that are broadly recognized prior to advancing candidates to clinical trials, substantially reducing costs associated with clinical development and improving health equity. Thus, the population-based Global-Ig antibody library technique described here represents an opportunity to harness information about human antibody germline gene variation gained in our ongoing ERC Advanced grant to select and tailor vaccine candidates for a global market.
Projet ERC : HOMECAGE (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université hébraïque de Jérusalem — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUJI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Drug development for psychiatric and neurological disorders requires extensive preclinical testing for validation of safety and efficacy. Preclinical investigation of Central Nervous System (CNS) - acting drugs is primarily performed using traditional lab assays in rodent models. These experiments are typically based on manual analysis of isolated subjects, requiring huge investment in lab animals and technicians for brief measurements. These preclinical experiments are consequently subject to multiple sources of noise, and experience failures in prediction of clinical efficacy and safety. The need therefore exists for a scalable and automated preclinical experimental system for continuous parallel analysis of multiple co-housed subjects.  To address this industry need, we will develop the HOMECAGE—a first-of-its-kind, automated platform for continuous and parallel monitoring of the performance of multiple subjects in their native social environment. We will adapt HOMECAGE to industry standards, including its expansion to a broad range of preclinical experimental paradigms, and perform a comprehensive investigation of the IP landscape and appropriate business strategies for commercialization. Increased vigilance in assaying the abuse liability of CNS-acting drugs has erupted following the opioid crisis, exemplifying the industry need for efficient, effective and ethical methodologies for preclinical assessment. Addiction liability and sucrose preference, most relevant to depression and anxiety, are the primary preclinical assays on which project HOMECAGE will focus.  The breakthrough automated system provided by HOMECAGE will facilitate continuous and accurate simultaneous monitoring of co-housed mice, acting as a revolutionary ‘behavioral microscope’ for radically improved throughput and increased resolution in the preclinical analysis of rodent behavior.
Projet ERC : ANKOR (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Bath — Pays : Royaume-Uni — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Mental health conditions are set to become the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide by 2030 (at a projected cost of €14.8 trillion), surpassing other major health concerns. The most effective path to lasting recovery involves Mental Health Professionals (MHPs), but despite significant efforts, they currently can only help around one in three patients recover during treatment. MHPs lack adequate tools and remain ill-equipped to support the 970 million people in need of mental health care. Typical treatment cycles involve only one hour per week to rewire maladaptive responses, while digital alternatives suffer from a low two-week retention rate of 3.9%.  Ankor is a unique and scalable solution designed to help MHPs deliver faster, more effective treatments, aiming to double recovery rates and extend support to over 100 million additional patients; for whom existing solutions have failed. By integrating biosensing, AI, and real-time shape-changing mechanisms, Ankor enables both patients and MHPs to interact with and modify physiological and psychological responses, making mental health care more tangible, accessible, and easy.  The primary objective of this project is to explore and validate the innovation potential of our technology, with a focus on building customer traction and identifying viable market pathways. Specifically, we aim to: (1) construct functional demonstrators to advance the capabilities and reach of our technology; (2) engage with potential customers and establish relationships with key stakeholders, gain insights into market needs, and assess the commercial viability of Ankor; (3) create a market validation report that quantifies the demand for our technology and outlines a market entry strategy with measurable milestones.  Through this project, we will set the groundwork for launching a spin-out company to commercialise the Ankor concept and product with the long-term goal of radically improving the delivery of mental health support.
Projet ERC : MiTrA (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Sorbonne Université — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : Sorbonne U
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Fiber Fabry-Perot (FFP) microcavity technology developed in the ERC project EQUEMI enables hand-held gas analyzers based on cavity-enhanced laser spectroscopy with a combination of small size and high performance that does not exist in any commercial instrument today. Furthermore, the FFP principle also enables fiber-coupled arrays of cost-effective, passive remote sensors read out by one central unit using scalable fiber multiplexing technology developed for the telecom market. Both features enable fast, easy and cost-effective emission measurements of GHG and other trace gases in areas where they are not practically feasible today. Finally, the microscopic size of FFP cavities means that extremely small gas samples (below one microliter cavity volume) can be analyzed and high bandwidth can be achieved with low gas throughput. Here we propose to demonstrate the performance of such instruments by building a demonstrator for methane detection, investigate market potential and prepare commercialization with a team of founders that is already in place.