Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : DELAH (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de technologie de Delft — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : TU Delft
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The exponential growth in aviation calls for radical new technologies to curb aircraft fuel consumption and emissions. At the heart of the problem, lies aerodynamic drag. Laminarization, namely the extension of laminar flow over the wing, holds immense potential for reducing aerodynamic drag by up to 15%. Unfortunately, many solutions proposed so far are costly, complex, and unreliable, thus obstructing laminarization from reaching industrial-scale application.  The Delft Laminar Hump aims at breakthrough efficient, robust, and effective laminarization of aircraft wings. The Hump is a fully passive localised geometry modification of the wing surface, discovered by the PI and his team through their research on laminar flow control. In their preliminary experiments, the team has demonstrated a significant laminarization effect and have recently proceeded with an initial patent application. DeLaH aspires to be the first step in transitioning the Hump concept from laboratory to innovation and societal impact. Technical activities are planned towards validating the concept in wind tunnel tests, at conditions resembling cruise flight and documenting the influence of real-life environmental factors such as roughness. Innovation activities cover a diverse range of objectives, such as the strengthening and extension of IPR and the definition of a technology transfer strategy from HI to key industrial stakeholders, such as Airbus. A market and feasibility analysis will be combined with a business development plan, to explore and exploit industrial and research collaborations.  The PI and team will work closely with a group of stakeholders within the HI, such as the Impact and Innovation Centre, providing expertise in IPR and business development, and the Aerospace Innovation Hub, providing an engaging platform to industrial partners. Ultimately the project will strive to position the Hump technology at the starting line of technological development and industrial adoption.
Projet ERC : ClimateJusticeReady (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université Northeastern — Pays : Etats-Unis — Rôle : Partner
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 60000.0 €

Cities in the Global North are increasingly adopting nature-centered and other green infrastructure interventions to respond to climate risks and impacts and enhance their adaptation and resilience capacity. Yet, plans for such green infrastructure (GI) and other urban greening interventions tend to underestimate risks of displacement for lower-income and minority residents – what myself and others have previously called green climate gentrification. Despite increasing recognition of this process and concerns for the displaced, few municipal green interventions are coupled with social provisions (such as social housing; resident-driven economic development schemes) to protect residents from displacement. Yet, predicting and preventing green gentrification is the only way to build a green resilience agenda that upholds the stated social and environmental goals of such plans and avoid green paradoxes born out of urban renaturing projects and which municipalities have expressed commitment to avoid. In this POC, I propose to further analyze the social equity impacts of climate adaptation and green resilience efforts and build on my GreenLULUs ERC in order to (a) create a replicable, interactive community- and policy-driven predictor index, tool, and analysis for green gentrification in the context of planned green climate-centered infrastructure and (b) test the early development of an actionable, pilot municipal policy and planning instrument, such as a climate-adaptation focused community land trust, a municipal green bond program for equitable climate resilience, a community-based stewardship fund, or green minority-owned green business seed grants (among others) to prevent green climate gentrification. These tasks will be decided and built in partnership with municipal governments and community groups based on pilot cities included in my finishing ERC project – Barcelona and Boston – so that this POC can support them in their work for more just green cities.
Projet ERC : PEPTOC (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de La Corogne — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Ovarian cancer recurrence after complete clinical response is a major challenge in gynecologic oncology. Recurrence occurs in nearly 25% of early-stage cases and in more than 80% of advanced-stage cases. Current targeted therapies for the treatment of ovarian cancer relapse are still in Phase II clinical trials and, while these therapies represent significant advances in cancer treatment, they target broad inhibitory mechanisms that affect DNA repair and signaling pathways in a variety of cell types, which lead to significant side-effects. To address the critical challenge of recurrent ovarian cancer, PEPTOC’s solution shifts the paradigm from treating recurrence to preventing it. By strategically targeting the cellular pathways involved in chemotherapy resistance, PEPTOC offers a preventive approach to avoid ovarian cancer recurrence. This ERC Proof of Concept project aims to: 1) Perform preclinical validation of PEPTOC in an in vivo model. 2) Secure intellectual property and define the commercialization pathway. 3) Develop and implement a comprehensive business strategy. Taken together, the objectives of PEPTOC will pursue the steps necessary to develop a viable therapeutic option: ensure that the therapy is both safe and effective in vivo, protect intellectual property and define the commercialization pathway (spinout company and strategic partnerships, if needed), and engage with relevant stakeholders through a series of activities, including workshops with oncologists, focus groups with patients, and meetings with pharmaceutical representatives and investors at industry events. To guide these efforts, we will rely on the expertise of Key Opinion Leaders serving on an Advisory Board to ensure that PEPTOC’s development is strategically aligned with market needs. If successful, PEPTOC would represent a breakthrough innovation in oncology, providing a first-of-its-kind solution for the prevention of ovarian cancer recurrence.

Mots-clés : peptide based drugs ovarian cancer
Projet ERC : VisioWell (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute — Pays : Espagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Measuring single cell dynamics (cell division and death) is crucial to understand organism development, tissue regeneration, immune response, cancer development, response to treatment. For example, it can identify if a treatment induces cell death or a block in division on a given cells during drug screening. Ex-vivo single cell live-cell imaging can unlock the single cell dynamics analysis for translational research. Unfortunately, no options are commercially available for the study of non-adherent cells (immune cells, blood cells and progenitors, sperm cells, oocytes or circulating cancer cells). This hampers drug screening and bioengineering, affecting the development of novel therapies. The main requirements are high throughput to analyse thousands of single cell in parallel and efficient automated image data analysis. Moreover, this type of analysis requires specialists in biology, image analysis and data science. With VisioWell, we will develop the first accessible solution for ex-vivo single cell live-cell imaging on motile cells. VisioWell is an end-to-end tool, conceived specifically for motile cells and developed for non-specialists in microfabrication and imaging analysis. It leverages microfabrication and machine learning, allowing complex experimental designs with simple lab equipment (e.g. imaging platform or a microscope for live-cell protocols). To establish the potential of VisioWell, we will perform two testbeds, covering drug screening and clinical sample analysis. We will distribute this device through partnerships with academic and industrial stakeholders.VisioWell can unlock the potential of ex vivo single cell live-cell imaging for non-specialists. Access to this method will advance research and development for translational purposes.
Projet ERC : SENSOR (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Hôpital universitaire de la Charité de Berlin — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : Partner
Acronyme de l'entité : Charité
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 25000.0 €

The distinction between sense and reference has been foundational in the study of linguistic meaning since Frege’s classic On sense and reference (1892). More than a century later, the neural correlates of reference remain opaque. Meanwhile in computational psychiatry, a burgeoning field uses computational neural language models (NLMs) to predict psychosis from spontaneous speech. Clear behavioural evidence has emerged that patients with psychosis navigate the semantic space differently when retrieving words and building them into grammatical structures, causing shifts in patterns that are detectable through computational semantic similarity and probabilistic metrics. We propose the new concept that (i) grammar plays a specific role in mapping concepts onto referents so as to construct a cognitive map, which (ii) can be tracked in real time at a millisecond level, (iii) involves a cortical-hippocampal loop, and (iv) is a neural mechanism vulnerable in psychosis. Using MEG with optically pumped magnetometers (OPM), we will implement a naturalistic story comprehension paradigm in which the construction of reference through grammar will be tracked and regressed on computational semantic metrics. We aim to generate value through a novel sustainable, theoretically and computationally grounded framework for the study of language in psychosis, which will enable a transition to the larger goal of fully exploiting spontaneous speech as a rich and multidimensional data source for clinical practice.
Projet ERC : 3D-SpatiOmics (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Hôpital universitaire de la Charité de Berlin — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : Charité
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

For histopathological analysis and subsequent diagnosis of diseased tissues a rapid, accurate histopathological and genetic analysis of biopsied tissues are essential. However, traditional 2-dimensional slide-based histopathological analysis does not represent spatial tissue structures and molecular targets sufficiently, which aggravates an accurate and spatial analysis of tissue, a detailed description of the tumor microenvironment as well as patient stratification. To overcome these limitations, I propose an innovative, nanobody-based 3D-histopathology approach using non-destructive volumetric lightsheet-microscopy. This approach bears the potential to revolutionize the way pathological analysis of tumor samples are done. In comparison to conventional 2D-pathology, non-destructive 3D-histopathology allows rapid slide-free histological imaging of an entire tissue sample, volumetric analysis of diagnostic relevant structures such as immune cells, vessels and an improved spatial analysis of cell distribution relevant to study e.g. the microenvironment. To achieve this, we will generate nanobodies for improved wholemount tissue staining of the immune system as well as tumor-relevant markers. By labelling nanobodies with cleavable fluorescent dyes using click chemistry and integration of linkers for stoichiometric and directed labelling, we will be able to perform several rounds of multiplex staining of the identical sample and therefore provide cutting-edge diagnostic phenotyping of the specimen. Due to non-destructive nature of the optical-sectioning methodology, the sample is available for downstream applications such as molecular diagnostics of the previously imaged specimen. In summary, this innovative project holds the great potential to revolutionize cancer histology by providing a spatial and detailed description of the tumor microenvironment, improving diagnosis of tumor samples and consequently patient stratification and outcome.
Projet ERC : epi-hiPSC-Treg (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Hôpital universitaire de la Charité de Berlin — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : Charité
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a type of immune cell that can suppress harmful inflammation caused by autoimmune diseases or organ transplant rejection. Using Treg as a living drug is a promising form of precision medicine, but it faces many practical and economic challenges, such as the need to produce a specific cell product for each patient. A more feasible solution would be to create ‘off-the-shelf’ Treg products that are readily available and can be used universally without customizing them for each patient. One way to do this is to use human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), which can be differentiated into many different cell types. However, for Tregs, this has not been achieved yet in a clinically relevant way. In this proof of concept study, we will test our novel method of epigenetic editing on hiPSCs, which can modify the DNA structure and gene expression of the cells, to make them differentiate into functional Treg for their application in therapy. This method is based on our previous work in the ERC starting grant project EpiTune. If successful, it will open new avenues for the production of off-the-shelf therapeutic Treg products, which would mean a very important innovation for the field of Treg therapy. For this project, we assembled a team of experts who have experience in developing and testing new T cell therapy products in the clinic, including regulatory affairs experts, IP protection professionals, and marketing strategists. If the PoC succeeds, their advice and guidance will help us prepare for the next steps of developing a clinical-grade manufacturing process.
Projet ERC : PRIOBONE (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz de Hanovre — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Critical-size bone defects do not heal spontaneously over the patient’s lifetime and cause substantial individual, societal and economic burden. Current treatment options are hampered by associated complications, poor functional or aesthetic outcomes, a limited availability of tissue for bone grafts, and high financial costs. Worldwide, more than 4 million surgeries per year require bone grafts or substitute materials. Consequently, there is a significant clinical and economic need for novel treatments for critical-size bone defects. In PRIOBONE, we propose the validation and steps towards exploitation of our newly developed, bone-mimetic 3D-printable material for bone repair. Our PRIOBONE material has the potential to outperform current treatments and alternative solutions on the market due to its biomimetic composition, excellent cytocompatibility, osteoinductive capacity, ideal mechanical properties, and its 3D printability into any desired shape. This allows us to create implants optimized for clinical and individual patient needs. This includes, e.g., the possibility to print the material into foldable and deployable 3D designs that allow a minimally invasive insertion of the material into defect sites, where it can re-expand. The use of well-established components and our “materials-only” approach will enable a faster track to clinical application and regulatory approval in comparison to approaches containing biologicals such as cells or previously unknown components. In PRIOBONE, we will validate our material for bone regeneration, undertake a comprehensive market analysis, explore target leads and transfer pathways, and elaborate our IP strategy towards commercialization. Following successful validation, we expect that PRIOBONE will provide a cost-efficient, individualizable alternative to current treatments with the potential to significantly lower the economic, individual and social burden of critical-size bone defects.
Projet ERC : KidneyScope (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Centre national de la recherche scientifique — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CNRS
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 106250.0 €

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global health issue, with peripheral kidney microvascular damage being a hallmark feature that is challenging to assess and often requires renal transplant. Current diagnostic methods for monitoring microvascular complications in renal grafts, such as biopsies, lack the practicality needed for regular assessment. Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) and sensing-ULM (sULM) present a promising approach, providing detailed metrics on the microvascular network. We have demonstrated that sULM can visualize glomeruli in a patient's kidney in 2D by observing the peculiar swirling behavior of clinically common microbubbles within them. Such a technique could be used to characterize the kidney's microcirculation and its modifications by pathologies like CKD, but was severely impaired by its planar character. A sensing-volumetric-ULM, 3D, technique could transform renal transplant management by offering a non-invasive, portable solution to monitor vascular health and detect early graft dysfunction in entire kidneys at the microscale. This innovation builds on the ERC Cog ResolveStroke and ERC POC StrokeMonitor projects. The KidneyScope project, combining volumetric ULM and this glomerular insight, represents a promising approach to address the urgent need for high-resolution renal microcirculation assessment.
Projet ERC : TopoChipTHz (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Centre national de la recherche scientifique — Pays : France — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : CNRS
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 145000.0 €

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 : DEGRON (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université Christian Albrecht de Kiel — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

PROTACs (Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras) are a groundbreaking class of novel therapeutics capable of targeting disease-causing proteins previously thought to be undruggable. They work by recruiting E3 ligases to ubiquitinate target proteins, leading to their degradation. However, despite their promise, current PROTAC design is severely limited, relying on only two out of 613 E3 ligases. In addition, PROTAC development remains slow, inefficient and heavily reliant on trial-and-error approaches. The DEGRON project aims to revolutionize PROTAC drug discovery by commercializing key innovations originally developed in our ERC Starting Grant. First, we developed a patented high-throughput screening system to systematically identify the optimal E3 ligase for any given PROTAC target, enabling rational drug design. Second, we established real-time in vivo systems that enable target validation and precise measurement of PROTAC activity, replacing inefficient endpoint assays and reducing animal use and costs by over 70%. These innovations lay the foundation for a scalable drug discovery platform that transforms PROTAC development into a systematic and predictive process. Our commercialization strategy is two-pronged: 1. Provision of DEGRON services: We plan to establish a company offering PROTAC screening and validation assays to both academic and industrial customers. Over time, our goal is to offer the full PROTAC development pipeline as a one-stop-shop. 2. Development of proprietary PROTACs: We are currently advancing our own PROTAC pipeline under an ERC Consolidator Grant, focusing on therapeutics for pancreatic cancer. These preclinical candidates will be integrated and further developed within DEGRON and progressed towards clinical application. This ERC-PoC study will facilitate the establishment of a spin-off company that integrates E3 ligase discovery, PROTAC validation and drug development to set a new standard in targeted protein degradation-based medicine.