Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-informations-sur-les-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Preclinical proof of concept of AF243 potency to prevent and/or treat sensorineural hearing loss (AFHELO)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Translating research for human health
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: France,Belgium,Spain
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2012-INNOVATION-2, 2012)
Start date: 2012-09-01
End date: 2016-05-31
Duration (months): 45.0
Total project cost (EUR): 3602529.0
EU funding (EUR): 2796376.0
Participants: 3
Project status: CLOSED

Approximately 10% of the global population (40% of people over 65), suffers hearing difficulties. The socio-economic impact is deep, since in children, early hearing impairment (HI) affects language learning, and in adults, acquired HI impairs social integration. The sense of hearing depends upon the integrity of the sensory epithelia in the inner ear. HI occurs when this tissue is disrupted, that is when the sensory hair cells (HC) die and the spiral ganglion neurons (SGN) subsequently degenerate and die. To date, there is no potent curative or preventive solution for HI, the clinical options are based on the use of prostheses such as cochlear implants. Studies are being conducted to develop alternative treatments combining both preventive and reparative strategies. Since HC and SGN are of the same developmental origin, transcription and growth factors that modulate early development of the inner ear have been under the scope. These studies gave rise to two main therapeutic hypotheses, the use of exogenous stem cell with induction of their differentiation to HC and/or SGN, or the proliferation/transdifferentiation of cells supporting HC in the inner ear. Up to now, problems of cell death and control of the cell differentiation have slowed down the emergence of new therapies. To address this problem, AFHELO projects plans to evaluate potency of AF243, a small molecule which is a strong inducer of cell differentiation with interesting potencial on carcino-embryonic cells differentiation and neuron survival, and on an in vivo model of chemo-induced deafness, used for cochlear implant testing. The strategy is to optimize AF243 development by first extending the therapeutic applications to two major types of HI (noise-induced and age related/presbycusis) and second by completing the preclinical studies (pharmacology, mechanism of action, ADME, safety) supporting the clinical evaluation of AF243 for prevention and/or treatment of sensorineural HI.

Keywords: hearing loss,hearing impairment,cochlea,hair cells,presbycusis,noise,ototoxicity,igf1,cell differentiation,neuritogenesis,regenerative medecine
A novel micronutrient-based strategy to prevent hearing impairments: test and road to market for age-related hearing loss and preservation of residual hearing (PROHEARING)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Translating research for human health
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Spain,Germany,Sweden,Spain
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2012-INNOVATION-2, 2012)
Start date: 2012-07-01
End date: 2016-06-30
Duration (months): 48.0
Total project cost (EUR): 6698101.68
EU funding (EUR): 5096600.0
Participants: 5
Project status: CLOSED

Hearing impairment affects 600M people worldwide. It greatly decreases quality of life, particularly in the elderly, and constitutes an unmet health and medical need. Regeneration of sensory auditory hair cells is not available as a medical technology. In concordance with this topic call, we propose a novel strategy based on the development of a new technology, a micronutrient formulation implemented as a pill, to prevent damage, and perhaps recovery of auditory hair cells. This SME-driven program is based on the scientific rationale that free radical formation and blood flow reduction underlie cell death in sensory systems in response to environmental stress and with aging. In the auditory system, the stress of intense noise, drugs, cochlear implantation and aging lead to excess free radical formation, blood flow reduction, inner ear sensory cell loss, and irreversible hearing impairment. Our aim is to demonstrate that a proprietary combination of antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, E) and a vasodilator (Mg++) effectively prevent/treat: 1) hearing loss in the elderly and 2) loss of residual hearing in the elderly and patients receiving cochlear implants. A combination of human trials and animal studies will create a pathway to market and effectively translate this new technology to human application.

Keywords: sensory impairment,hearing loss,deafness,cochlear implant,noise-induced hearing loss,presbycusis,aging,antioxidants,vitamin,magnesium,otoprotection,free radicals,deafness prevention
Detection of persistent infections by human papillomaviruses (PIPAVIR)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Translating research for human health
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Austria,France,Germany,Greece,Austria,Germany
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2012-INNOVATION-2, 2012)
Start date: 2012-09-01
End date: 2015-08-31
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 4571168.91
EU funding (EUR): 3615279.0
Participants: 6
Project status: CLOSED

The SMEs MIKROGEN and BIOSYNEX are well established in the field of diagnostic tests for infectious diseases in humans and perform active research into innovative products. As a critical step to get access to the lucrative market of diagnostic kits for the detection of persistent infections by human papillomaviruses (HPV), the SMEs teamed up with partner UIBK who developed a unique set of immunological tools suitable for this purpose, and two leading European gynecological clinics with longstanding interest in improving clinical management of HPV-associated diseases. Currently used diagnostic tools can detect HPV DNA in cervical smears but fall short of discriminating between transient infections which can spontaneously regress and persistent infections, which have a high chance to progress to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. At this point, the PIPAVIR consortium comes in with the proposal to develop and validate a new diagnostic test for progressive infectious diseases that allows detection, by sandwich-ELISA, of HPV E7 proteins in cervical smears, as markers specific for persistent infections with bad prognosis. In addition, it is planned to develop and validate a diagnostic test strip for rapid detection of viral E7 proteins in cervical smears, most appropriate for alternative diagnostic procedures, such as self-sampling, as well as for the use in low-resource settings. As a major innovative feature, both proposed products use as molecular markers virus-encoded proteins closely related to infection-associated pathology, rather than just the presence of viral DNA or any surrogate markers. Based on the potential of the technology to meet a real clinical need, it can be anticipated that the ability of the participating SME partners to provide and market such superior diagnostic tools will create great business opportunities.

Keywords: human papillomaviruses,e7 proteins,sandwich-elisa,test strip,molecular markers
Development of Functionalised Cell Seeded Bioartificial Organ for Transplantation in Nerve Repair (NEUROGRAFT)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Biotechnology, generic tools and medical technologies for human health
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Ireland,France,Portugal,Belgium
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2012-INNOVATION-2, 2012)
Start date: 2012-12-01
End date: 2015-11-30
Duration (months): 36.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5561191.41
EU funding (EUR): 4211374.84
Participants: 5
Project status: CLOSED

Injuries and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system constitute a bottleneck in medical and surgical practice for which no therapy currently exists. To ensure clinical translation, NeuroGraft is organised in three R&D Work-Packages. NeuroGraft will develop functionalised cell seeded bioartificial organs, specifically spinal cord conduits for transplantation, incorporating a potent immunomodulatory cytokine (IL37) to target the initial inflammatory response to increase the survival and therapeutic efficacy of transplanted mesenchymal cells and the expression of potent neuro-regulatory molecules for enhanced functional nerve regeneration in the central nervous system. This exciting concept will be realised through the NeuroGraft consortium, consisting of one academic and four industrial partners (all SMEs), across four countries, with distinct synergistic expertise (including regulatory expertise) to develop cell seeded functionalised bioartificial organs as valuable solutions towards spinal cord repair. Regulatory advice is incorporated at an early stage in the development cycle, to facilitate the translation of the novel bioartificial devices developed, to the market in as short a timeframe as possible. The NeuroGraft consortium will validate the safety, efficacy and biodistribution of the functionalised bioartificial organs developed in a pre-clinical model of spinal cord under GLP conditions. Full Quality Assurance reports will be completed towards CE Mark regulatory approval of the medical device for spinal cord repair. These studies will facilitate progression to clinical trials of the technology (post project) and the development of a marketable product within 6 years of the completion of the NeuroGraft project. Intellectual property will be patented ensuring that SME’s have veto rights on commercial route for exploitation. An extensive business plan outlining detailed valorisation plan is presented.

Keywords: biomaterial,scaffold,cells,tissue engineering,transplantation,translation,regulatory measures
Molecular Mesoscopics for Organic Nano-Optoelectronics (MOLMESON)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Physical and Analytical Chemical sciences
Countries involved: Germany
Call:  (ERC-2012-StG_20111012, 2012)
Start date: 2012-12-01
End date: 2017-11-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1480555.8
EU funding (EUR): 1480555.8
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

This project explors the boundary between the individual molecule and the bulk solid in the context of polymeric organic semiconductors by constructing and studying molecular aggregates from the single molecule level upwards. Using time-resolved and steady-state spectroscopies at elevated and at cryogenic temperatures, the interaction of individual molecular units will be revealed. For example, the question arises as to how large a molecular aggregate can become to still behave as an individual quantum-mechanical entity, emitting just one photon at a time. How far can photoexcitations migrate in self-organized mesoscopic aggregates, and what is the interaction length with quenching species such as charges? Under which conditions does the coupling between molecular units weaken to become incoherent and irreversible? The work program combines routes to controlling self-assembly in-situ and monitoring conformational dynamics of the polymer chain as well as aggregation effects in real-time. Superresolution microscopic techniques will be applied to spatially localize excitations on a polymer chain and watch their migration. Single-molecule fluorescence will be combined with spin-resonance techniques to study charge formation und unravel radical-based material breakdown processes. Besides this bottom-up control of spectroscopic features, a top-down approach to device engineering will be explored with the goal of identifying the smallest-possible device features below which the effects of discreteness dominate leading to single-electron and single-photon devices. Breakthroughs with implications beyond organic electronics are anticipated, since the materials provide models for polymer physics, quantum optics and solid-state mesoscopics. Sensory functions are expected to derive from the control and understanding of light-matter interactions on super-molecular sub-ensemble length scales.

Keywords: organic semiconductors conjugated polymers single molecule spectroscopy oleds and organic solar cells structure-property relations polymer physics light harvesting
Science in Dialogue - Conference during the Danish EU presidency (SID)

Framework: FP7 — Capacities
Programme: Science in Society
Destination: Science in Society
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: Denmark
Call:  (FP7-Adhoc-2007-13, 2007)
Start date: 2011-10-01
End date: 2012-07-31
Duration (months): 10.0
Total project cost (EUR): 318083.2
EU funding (EUR): 200000.0
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The Danish EU presidency conference ’Science in Dialogue’ will bring together policy makers, research institutions, businesses, professional science communicators and NGOs to discuss and reflect on the relationship between science and society. The conference will take place in the city of Odense, Denmark, from April 23 to April 25 2012. A strenghtened dialogue and interaction between science and society is vital if science is to deliver on the solutions needed for addressing the major societal challenges. A mutual responsiveness between researchers, innovators and society at large must be an underlying mindset and precondition Horizon 2020 as well as for other future European frameworks. The overall objectives of the presidency conference are to: Offer a platform for stakeholders from Europe and abroad to discuss and reflect on the interaction and dialogue between science and society; Provide input on aspects of a European model for Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI); Provide input to future instruments for research funding; Promote a basis for the successful solution of the grand challenges in Horizon 2020. The conference will present high-level speakers and part of the programme will be dedicated to workshops based on participatory methodology during which the participants will be urged to exchange and discuss cases and best practices to the participants. The conference will thereby also seek to inspire and to support the formation of a European network on the subject matter. The conference will be organised by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation under the Danish Ministry for Science, Innovation and Higher Education.

Keywords: science society innovation dialogue responsibility governance horizon 2020 cooperation involvement citizens challenges research ethics democracy engagement interaction stakeholders inclusiveness
The COMET (Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials) Initiative (COMET)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Other Actions across the Health Theme
Action type: Coordination and support actions
Countries involved: United Kingdom,Ireland,Netherlands,United Kingdom,United Kingdom,Canada,United Kingdom,Italy
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2012-INNOVATION-1, 2012)
Start date: 2012-10-01
End date: 2014-12-31
Duration (months): 27.0
Total project cost (EUR): 879905.43
EU funding (EUR): 497368.0
Participants: 11
Project status: CLOSED

Clinical trialists often struggle when trying to choose the outcomes to measure which would be of most use to the patients, practitioners and policy makers who will use their research to help them make decisions. These difficulties are passed on to those producing and reading systematic reviews, many of whom have experienced the frustration of finding that the original researchers either did not measure certain outcomes or measured them in such different ways that it is difficult or impossible to compare, contrast or combine the studies. A core outcome set is a set of outcomes which should be measured and reported, as a minimum, in all clinical trials for a specific condition. Core outcome sets (COS) could have implications across all areas of health research, reduce heterogeneity between trials and lead to research that is more likely to have measured relevant outcomes. COS would enhance the value of evidence synthesis by reducing the risk of outcome reporting bias and ensuring that all trials contribute usable information. The COMET (Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials) Initiative aims to develop an international network of individuals and organisations interested in the development, application and promotion of core outcome sets. Working together will enable COS to be developed efficiently, leading to improvements in the quality of clinical research much earlier than would otherwise be the case. The objective of this proposal is to develop COMET’s strategic plan to: (i) increase the number of COS developed using evidence-based methods, (ii) increase their impact on the quality of research-based knowledge, by raising awareness and increasing implementation, (iii) establish methods for standards of COS development. COS will shape the future of European and international clinical trials practice, increasing the efficiency and value of the research process by reducing the inefficiencies of trials of similar topics measuring outcomes in different ways.

Keywords: clinical trials,systematic reviews,evidence synthesis,outcomes,outcome measures,measurement instruments,heterogeneity,outcome reporting bias,core outcome set,efficiency
Advanced Mathematical Tools for Complex Network Engineering (MORE)

Framework: FP7 — Ideas
Programme: European Research Council
Theme: European research council
Destination: Starting grants
Action type: Support for frontier research (ERC)
Panel: Systems and communication engineering
Countries involved: France
Call:  (ERC-2012-StG_20111012, 2012)
Start date: 2012-10-01
End date: 2017-09-30
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 1499714.4
EU funding (EUR): 1499714.4
Participants: 1
Project status: CLOSED

The objective of this research project is to develop a comprehensive mathematical framework to analyze and optimize future complex systems characterized by their large dimensions, their stochastic aspects, and their being self-organized, such as smart grids and small cell telecommunication networks. Complex systems are inherently not tractable by existing mathematical tools due to their large physical dimensions and to their many stochastic parameters. In the past decades, several mathematical tools have emerged that enable the analysis of simplified models of complex systems. Among those tools, we mention importantly large dimensional random matrix theory, decentralized stochastic approximation, and mean field games. Only recently have those tools started to improve to encompass broader ranges of system models, allowing one to obtain relevant results in realistic scenarios. The target of our research project is to develop these tools in order to address broad problems of complex systems and to encompass them in an original unified theoretical framework. This project represents an opportunity to develop common methodologies for many engineering communities sharing similar challenges in large dimensional stochastic networks, within a new world leading group on mathematical foundations for complex networks.

Keywords: mean field games,random matrix theory,stochastic optimization,communication networks,smart grids,sensor networks
Transposon-based, targeted ex vivo gene therapy to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (TARGETAMD)

Framework: FP7 — Cooperation
Programme: Health
Destination: Biotechnology, generic tools and medical technologies for human health
Action type: Collaborative project
Countries involved: Switzerland,Germany,Germany,Germany,Spain,Italy,France,France,Germany,Hungary,Austria,Sweden,Netherlands
Call:  (FP7-HEALTH-2012-INNOVATION-1, 2012)
Start date: 2012-11-01
End date: 2018-04-30
Duration (months): 66.0
Total project cost (EUR): 7772860.37
EU funding (EUR): 5976298.0
Participants: 15
Project status: CLOSED

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a neurodegenerative disease of the retina, is a major cause of blindness in elderly people. Due to the aging population, AMD has been referred to as a “time bomb” in society. In the exudative form of AMD, high levels of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and low levels of pigment-epithelial derived factor (PEDF), an inhibitor of vascularization and a neuroprotective factor produced by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells result in subretinal neovascularization and retinal pigment cell degeneration. The current treatment by monthly injections of anti-VEGF antibodies is only effective for ~30% of patients. To avoid the severe side effects, high costs and the overall continuing burden on health care associated with monthly antibody injections, inducing a higher level of PEDF expression to inhibit neovascularization would be a viable therapeutic alternative. TargetAMD will subretinally transplant genetically modified, patient-derived, Iris Pigment Epithelial cells that overexpress PEDF to provide a long-lasting cure of AMD. Stable PEDF gene delivery will be based on the non-viral Sleeping Beauty transposon system, which combines the efficacy of viral delivery with the safety of naked DNA plasmids. Academic scientists and SME partners will produce innovative gene delivery technologies, reagents and devices to be translated into a simple and safe gene therapeutic treatment for exudative AMD. Experienced clinicians will perform one clinical trial, comprising isolation and PEDF-transfection of a patient’s pigment epithelial cells and implantation of transfected cells into the patient during a single, 60-minute surgical session. This project will bring a significant enhancement on quality of life to AMD patients, highlight the synergistic power of academic, clinical and industrial cooperation to the scientific arena, and open new markets for novel products for clinical applications of transposon-based gene therapy to industry.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration,transposons,gene therapy,non-viral,autologous cell transplantation