Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-erc-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet ERC : REVIVE (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft — Pays : Allemagne — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HGF
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

T cell infiltration and persistence in solid tumors are crucial for the success of T cell-based immunotherapies, yet the tumor microenvironment (TME) often suppresses T cell access and function. Our ERC-funded research has identified a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), activated by a metabolite commonly enriched in solid tumors, that substantially impairs T cells. We showed that inhibition of this GPCR enhances T cell infiltration, persistence, and cytotoxicity, thereby substantially improving the efficacy of CAR-T, TCR-T, and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies across tumor models of various cancer types.  To advance these findings towards clinical applications, we developed monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against this GPCR, which exhibit potent blocking functions and high specificity. Our lead mAb effectively reactivates patient-derived tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) against autologous primary tumor cells, underscoring its therapeutic potential.  Project REVIVE aims to 1) humanize and optimize our mAbs target this GPCR, 2) conduct preclinical validation to assess efficacy and safety in advanced models, 3) develop predictive biomarkers for patient selection, and 4) establish a comprehensive intellectual property (IP) and commercialization strategy, integrating freedom to operate (FTO) analyses, market assessment, licensing opportunities, and industry partnerships to facilitate clinical translation. By executing these steps, REVIVE will generate an investor-ready, clinically viable, IP-protected antibody targeting this GPCR, supported by comprehensive preclinical validation and a biomarker-driven patient selection strategy. These outcomes will enhance the commercial attractiveness of our therapeutic candidate for licensing or spin-out opportunities, paving the way for future clinical translation and patient benefit.
Projet ERC : INSITUOMVAC (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Biomvis srl — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Organismes privés (hors enseignement)
Financement ERC de l'entité : 80000.0 €

ISV is a promising immunotherapy strategy which envisages the direct injection of immunomostimulatory reagents into the tumor mass. ISV offers the advantage to reduce off-target toxicity and to induce potent inflammation where cancer antigens have the maximal concentration. Different substances are being exploited in ISV and they include adjuvants, lytic viruses, cytokines/chemokines, antibodies. The rationale is to recruit antigen-presenting cells, T cells, NK cells and macrophages, thus promoting a strong anti-tumor immunity. Two ISV products are available and others are expected to come in the near future. Similarly to other cancer therapies, the current ISV strategies need to be optimized to improve their efficacy. In this proposal we wish to demonstrate the strength of a novel approach of ISV optimization based on two main innovative solutions. First, we plan to couple ISV to the oral administration of Bifidobacterium, a probiotic that, in the context of the Advanced ERC Grant “Vaccibiome”, we have shown to promote the remodeling of the gut microbiome and the tumor infiltration of T cells. Second, we propose to treat tumors with engineered bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs). OMVs are naturally decorated with a number of immunostimulatory molecules and we have already demonstrated the effectiveness of E. coli OMVs in different tumor mouse models. We plan to exploit our proprietary OMV engineering strategies to further potentiate OMV adjuvanticity by decorating them with Flt3L, a chemokine known to recruit immune cells. The combination of Bifidobacterium and Flt3L-OMVs will create a “perfect immunological storm” at the tumor site capable of eliminating both primary and metastatic tumors. Considering its simplicity and low production costs, our Microbiome-ISV therapy has the potential to become a broadly applicable neoadjuvant therapy to be performed before surgery in a large panel of solid tumors.
Projet ERC : PUZZLE MATERIALS (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Universität für Bodenkultur. Vienne — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

In 2025 around 11 billion tonnes of plastic waste will pollute the environment. Therefore, a circular economy with biotransformation and biodegradation of oil-based plastics is as crucial as implementing biobased and biodegradable materials. Transforming lignocellulosic waste biomass into commercially valuable “green” materials is an emerging and promising way to minimize waste, substitute plastic and reduce our carbon footprint. As a waste resource, we suggest walnut shells, in which we discovered the interlocked 3-D puzzle cells. The homogeneity, the high surface area and the channels make these cells interesting for transformation into biodegradable bioplastic. We plan to dissolve the walnut shells in deep eutectic solvent to separate the cells, add water to regenerate lignin and recycle the solvent. The result of this closed process circle is a NUT slurry as a basis for our materials. To tailor and functionalize the composite for different applications we propose to add bacterial cellulose pellicles, a waste from kombucha fermentation or produced in bioreactors. The pure cellulose fibrils with high tensile strength are an exciting counterpart to the high lignin content pressure optimised puzzle cells. With different ratios of the two agri-residues we will tune the material properties for NUTplastic and NUTleather. Sustainable, energy and resource efficient, biodegradable NUTmaterials with a low carbon and environmental footprint are envisaged for the packaging and textile sector. The project activities comprise 1) development and characterisation of NUTleather and NUTplastic products at the demonstration level 2) life cycle analysis, cost of goods and carbon footprint, 3) define endusers, market analysis, potential industrial partner, buisness plan and IP strategy. We have a strong project team with highly motivated and experienced members with complimentary backgrounds and a solid wish to prove the puzzle cell performance in sustainable materials.
Projet ERC : Hypo-Imag (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université Bar-Ilan — Pays : Israël — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : BIU
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Cancer is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, development of new methodologies to early and accurate diagnosis of cancer, should reduce these death rates. Hypoxia is associated with low oxygen levels in the cells, which leads to an increase in tumor aggressiveness, and to resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Therefore, there is a compelling need to develop a biomarker for detection and imaging of hypoxic cells. Despite on-going efforts to identify and/or track hypoxia, there is still no routinely used clinical biomarker or a radiotracer of hypoxia. In the framework of the ERC-Stg CuHypMech project, we succeeded in developing a suitable, highly selective and sensitive radiotracer based on 64Cu(II) for PET-CT/PET-MRI imaging to report on the hypoxic conditions of cells. This was achieved by monitoring the cellular copper transfer mechanism in human breast cancer cells, specifically by identifying the various copper-binding sites in those proteins involved and identifying factors critical for proper copper transfer. Based on this molecular-level insight into cellular pathways involving copper, a lead compound was designed and characterized and termed 64CuCysPhe. Our lead 64CuCysPhe compound showed promising in vitro and in vivo results in breast cancer models. In this PoC proposal, we would like to expand our in vivo experiments by testing our compound in additional cancers, such as cervical and prostate cancers. The main objective of this proposal is to complete all pre-clinic experiments needed before entering the clinic. This will require us to show good identification of the tumor in various tumors of varied sizes from different cancers. We will also have to correlate imaging intensity with hypoxia levels. Finally, we will have to find ways to reduce preparation costs of our compound and seek subsequent investments (either non-dilutive through EIC Transition, or dilutive through business angels or venture capital funds).
Projet ERC : PROCT (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Vérone — Pays : Italie — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 110000.0 €

With 1.3 million new cases worldwide, prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common cancer in men, causing more than 350,000 deaths each year. It is so common that about 1 man in 8 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. As for any degenerative disease, early diagnosis is crucial to improve patients’ quality of life and reduce the mortality rate. However, the gold standard technique (biopsy) is affected by large diagnostic errors, representing a major limitation to achieve adequate management of PC.  The PROCT project aims to validate in pre-clinical stage a semiautonomous robotic approach to PC diagnosis based on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which aims to exactly pinpoint the target lesion and analyse it through an AI and robotic-based imaging setup. This can comprehensively visualize the lesions at the microscopic level in vivo, without taking any physical sample of the prostate. The resulting virtual microscope slide will allow urologists to explore and analyse various suspicious areas in the same procedure without the need to rely on the physical examination of the biopsy samples.  PROCT is a paradigm shift in PC biopsy, that is poised to turn a subjective and operator-dependent procedure into a safer and more accurate diagnostic tool. This solution is obtained by merging the AI-based target identification with robotic pointing developed in the previous PoC project PROST with a micro-optical coherence tomography sensor capable to acquire images of the prostate through a needle at cellular-level resolution.  The PROCT prototype will be laboratory validated and benchmarked to assess its usability and real time capabilities. It will be also tested and validated on ex-vivo animal tissues and in the cadaver laboratory.
Projet ERC : CoupledEOT (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Institute of Science and Technology Austria — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : ISTA
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The development of electrooptic transducers, that can effectively interface between microwave and optical frequencies, is critical to upcoming quantum technologies, such as distributed quantum computing over multiple superconducting qubit processors and the inclusion of any microwave-based quantum technologies in a future quantum internet. These transducers would furthermore also benefit classical applications where sensitive all-optical detection of microwave and THz frequency signals is beneficial, such as in radars and remote sensing. However, the development of such devices has been challenging owing to the more than 5 orders of magnitude energy gap between the microwave and optical frequencies. Only a handful of quantum-signal-enabled transducers exist in a few research labs around the world with no commercial availability. In this project, we develop a critical new functionality for one of the most successful platforms, i.e. ultra-low loss electrooptic transducers based on high purity bulk optical crystals. In CoupledEOT, we will develop a new optical coupling method for high index whispering gallery mode resonators that is high efficiency, easy to operate and robust against thermal contractions. This will make the highest performance quantum transducers compatible with common packaging solutions and commercial applications both in the quantum and classical domains.
Projet ERC : ParSyncR (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Réseau de recherche Eötvös Lorand — Pays : Hongrie — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : HUN-REN
Type d'entité : Recherche
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Parkinson’s disease is dominated by motor symptoms such as tremor, bradykinesia and postural instability. However, over 90% of all patients develop cognitive impairment including deterioration of learning, memory and decision making. Current treatments focus on motor symptoms and offer at best moderate improvement of cognitive functions. Alleviating cognitive symptoms could dramatically increase quality of life of patients. Therefore, we propose to apply a behavioral test of fine decision making combined with electroencephalography and electromyography measurements to quantitatively assess complex aspects of cognitive function, including inhibitory control, learning by reinforcement and decision making under conflict. This Quantitative Cognitive Testing (QCT) can be employed to improve Parkinson’s disease therapy based on regular feedback. Moreover, the method can be extended to other domains of neurodegenerative dementias. We foresee that the application of QCT can facilitate the development of telemedicine packages, thus reducing hospital visits and patient-doctor contacts. Under this PoC, we propose to validate equipment we developed de novo, conduct proof of concept experiments, extend IPR protection, and explore commercialization strategies. We believe that QCT can help achieve the best possible cognitive function, which would improve the quality of life of patients and their families. It could also reduce disease-related cost burden on health care systems and society, making it appealing to health providers.
Projet ERC : TargetNCREs (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Leiden University Medical Center — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Acronyme de l'entité : LUMC
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

The 98% of the human genome, sometimes referred to as the dark side of the human genome, contains many non-coding regulatory elements (NCREs), which control the combinational expression of the limited number of genes (only 2% of the genome) to form diverse cell types and tissues of a complex human body, all from the identical copy of the genome. Most genetic variants and mutations also lie in NCREs. However, the number of NCREs as potential therapeutic targets remains very limited. In TargetNCREs, two novel and unique high-throughput screening systems further developed within the ECR starting grant (Silencer) will be exploited for their innovation and commercial potential to harness the therapeutic values of NCREs. We aim to test and validate previously identified top hits in vivo, carry out pilot research to show the technologies to be effective and appropriate for commercial applications, clarify the IPR protection strategy, engage partners and stakeholders to focus on potential pipelines, and perform a market search for future business development.
Projet ERC : BulkNanoWe2 (Horizon Europe, appel 2023, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Leoben — Pays : Autriche — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Tungsten possesses the highest melting point amongst metals and exhibits superior characteristics when sustaining extreme environments. Nevertheless, tungsten also has a severe limitation, it is intrinsically brittle and prone to cleavage failure. In our ERC Consolidator Grant TOUGHIT, we are developing strategies to overcome this brittleness while concurrently enhancing the material strength. This is accomplished by refining tungsten to a nanocrystalline state via extreme deformation and strengthening the weak interfaces through segregation-driven grain boundary engineering.  In the current Proof of Concept project BulkNanoWe2, we aim to transition this knowledge to industrial application. Our objective is to devise efficient manufacturing procedures to create near-net-shaped bulk parts. We employ spark plasma sintering, using electric heating and applied pressure, to facilitate swift sintering at lower temperatures. The pivotal role of a nanostructured material to ensure the desired properties is realized by commencing with nanopowders. These also aid synthesis by increasing sintering kinetics. Further, the nanopowders will undergo surface modification to retard grain growth and concurrently enhance mechanical properties.  Thereby, we chart a course toward creating near-net-shaped components featuring distinctly tailored nanoscale microstructure and modified interfaces. This innovative approach will provide a synergistic combination of desired attributes, including a remarkable strength surpassing conventional bulk tungsten by >100%. Simultaneously, the fracture toughness will at least double for a resource-efficient yet secure design paradigm. Attaining these highly desirable properties in an adapted industrial framework, we also contribute to tungsten sourcing challenges. Finally, we realize an environmentally conscientious and economically appealing exceptional material tailored to endure extreme environments.

Mots-clés : nanomaterials harsh conditions interface engineering energy materials
Projet ERC : RE-SPINE (Horizon Europe, appel 2024, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Twente — Pays : Pays-Bas — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

RE-SPINE develops a real-time neuro-robotic platform for lower limb rehabilitation. Motor recovery following neuromuscular injuries is often sub-optimal. A key barrier hampering progress is that current neurorehabilitation robots interact with the human with limited knowledge of their effect on critical neuromuscular targets.  RE-SPINE addresses this challenge by proposing a platform that integrates a stationary robotic ankle exoskeleton with a non-invasive spinal cord electrical stimulation system. This platform generates electrical and mechanical stimuli non-invasively, which are directed to spinal motor neurons and innervated muscle fibers, with precision not considered before. RE-SPINE combines non-invasive biosignal recording and numerical modelling to decode the cellular activity of spinal motor neurons, with the resulting mechanical forces generated by innervated muscle fibers. In this way, residual spinal motor neuron activity is translated into biomechanical force, which is subsequently used to enable volitional and continuous control of a stationary robotic ankle exoskeleton across a wide range of joint rotations, which could not be otherwise achieved without neuro-robotic support. Concurrently, decoded spinal motor neuron activity is used to command spinal cord electrical stimulation patterns that modulate spinal excitability and neuronal synchronization, ultimately for enhancing volitional control of the own leg. Over time, the integrated effects of neuro-controlled electrical and mechanical stimulation promote positive neuro-plastic changes, which are required for gaining an integral motor recovery after injury, with potentials for disrupting current robotic systems for rehabilitation.
Projet ERC : DL-MechanoPredictor (Horizon Europe, appel 2022, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Chypre — Pays : Chypre — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

In the fight against cancer, it is well recognized that tumors are highly heterogeneous and they might differ considerably not only between tumors types but also among tumors of the same type or even for the same tumor during progression. As a result, the efficacy of standard cancer therapies varies, and while some patients respond to a particular treatment, other patients do not gain any benefit. Consequently, crucial in cancer therapy is the prediction of a patient’s response to treatment. Failure of standard therapies has led to the introduction of a new era of personalized, patient-specific treatments, which are based on the identification of biomarkers that characterize the state of a particular tumor. Many solid tumors (e.g., breast cancers and sarcomas) stiffen as they grow in a host’s normal tissue. Tumor stiffening is a known factor leading to compromised efficacy of therapeutics. Recently, it has been demonstrated by our team and co-workers that repurposing of common drugs with anti-fibrotic properties, known as “mechanotherapeutics”, target tumor stiffness and enhance therapy. Here, we aim to harness the power of deep learning (DL) methods in order to develop a robust biomarker based on ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE). This biomarker will aim to: (i) predict patient’s response to treatment, separating responders and non-responders and (ii) monitor treatment outcomes, in the case of strategies that target tumor stiffness (i.e., mechanotherapeutics). The DL algorithms will be applied to a large set of existing preclinical data and to additional new data. A proof of concept clinical study on sarcoma patients will accommodate the clinical translation of the biomarker. Furthermore, we propose to develop a software product to be used as a commercial tool for the measurement of the DL-derived, SWE biomarker. A planned market research will highlight the best options for commercialization.
Projet ERC : QUARTO (Horizon Europe, appel 2025, Proof of concept grants)
Entité participante : Université de Chypre — Pays : Chypre — Rôle : PI
Type d'entité : Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire
Financement ERC de l'entité : 150000.0 €

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology transformed wireless communications. However, the extreme requirements of the envisioned 6G services and the highly complex and dynamic radio environments of next-generation wireless networks call for better exploitation of the spatial channel dynamics and adaptation to rapid channel variations. Fluid antenna systems (FAS) have been recently proposed in response to these issues. They leverage liquid antennas whose position can be adjusted in real-time to enhance reconfigurability and, therefore, improve capacity, reliability, energy harvesting, and interference management. Nevertheless, antenna positions optimization is a particularly challenging problem that cannot be efficiently tacked by conventional means, especially given the excess of possible positions required to unlock FAS potential. Quantum computing alleviates this processing bottleneck. Based on the above, QUARTO Proof-of-Concept (PoC) aims at developing and validating through D-WAVE experimentation a novel FAS-based and Quantum Annealing (QA)-enabled MIMO communication paradigm. QUARTO focuses on establishing the effectiveness of a proposed pre-processing technique for large-scale quadratic unconstrained binary optimization (QUBO) problems, experimentally validating the QA-based antenna configuration solution for FAS-based MIMO systems, demonstrating its benefits in comparison to the state of the art, and exploring its commercial potential. The project will benchmark the pre-processing technique on classical graph problems, such as MaxCut, scaling from 100 up to 2,000 variables, and will test the QA-based solution on MIMO configurations with up to 100 liquid antennas and ports. The proposed solution provides new R&D directions in quantum computing and 6G wireless communication technologies. By integrating QA with FAS-based MIMO systems, QUARTO aims to deliver superior performance and pave the way for future technological breakthroughs.

Mots-clés : quantum computing,wireless communications,6g,mimo,quantum annealing,quantum optimization