Horizon Europe is the EU’s key Research and Innovation funding Proposals with a budget of €95.5 billion running from 2021-2027. The EU Funding & Tenders Opportunities Portal is where all information is stored and where grant submission happen. You can type in keywords and search through open, forthcoming and closed calls in the portal. The three pillars are: 1. Excellent Science (including ERC and MSCA Actions); 2. Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness (which contains the topics Health, and Digital Industry and Space); and 3. Innovative Europe, which includes the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) Pathfinder, Transition, and Accelerator opportunities. The EIC also has prizes celebrating female entrepreneurs and social innovators. Below are our latest success in Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe, under the Digital, Industry and Space cluster.

ELR SCAR (2022-2026) aims to complete preclinical validation of a novel biomaterial, an elastin-like recombinant (ELR) hydrogel, to prevent scar tissue formation in the heart following myocardial infarction. To facilitate endocardial delivery, we will develop a minimally invasive endocardial catheter. Both components (hydrogel + catheter) will be advanced to the preparedness level for a first-in-human (FIH) validation study for the application as therapeutic intervention post-MI (to be performed after the project). @ELR_Scar . View the website here: https://elr-scar.eu/

ELR-SCAR is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe funding programme for research and innovation with Grant Agreement Number 101091766 (Dec 2022 to Nov 2026). Call identifier: HORIZON-CL4-2022-RESILIENCE-01-13.

 

BUCCAL-PEP (2023-2026) will develop a novel multifunctional biomaterial patch which allows buccal (cheek) delivery of peptide-analogue therapies, with unique integration of a permeation enhancer (SDC) with biomaterials and a peptide-analogue that can diffuse across the mucosal multilayer, thereby effectively achieving their intended pharmacological response. The novel approach will result in an improved quality of patient life and increased treatment compliance. See the press release here and check social media: @Buccal-Pep. View the website here: https://buccal-pep.eu/

BUCCAL-PEP is funded by Horizon Europe, Grant Agreement Number 101091765 (Jan 2023 to Dec 2026). Call identifier: HORIZON-CL4-2022-RESILIENCE-01-13.

 

SMARTSHAPE (2022-2026) will investigate challenges related to biocompatibility, longevity, and delivery  of  an IP-protected a technologically disruptive sensor for continuous pressure measurement. This will involve formulation of an innovative temperature-dependent shape memory polymer (SMP) that will enable the development of a microsensor that can be curled up, introduced into the body through a minimally invasive procedure, and ‘opened up’ when placed at body temperature to take a pre-defined shape. After integration of the biomaterial in the sensor, validation data will be generated for proof-of-performance, longevity, biocompatibility, safety, and sensor delivery through bench testing and in vivo preclinical studies. See the press release here and @SMARTSHAPE-project. View the website here: https://smart-shape.eu/

SMARTSHAPE is funded by Horizon Europe, Grant Agreement Number 101092242 (Dec 2022 to Nov 2026). Call identifier: HORIZON-CL4-2022-RESILIENCE-01-13

 

Restore Vision (2023-2027) is taking a ground-breaking approach to improve eye health for Rare Eye Diseases (REDs), a major cause of visual impairment and blindness in Europe, affecting patients of all ages. The EU funded project will verify disease pathomechanisms, using cutting-edge models for each rare disease to test novel and repurposed compounds and determine drug mechanisms of action, formulating compounds as safe eye drop suspensions or subconjunctival drugs, and performing several first-in-human trials of novel therapies. The 7 REDs targeted are Aniridia-Associated Keratopathy, Neurotrophic Keratopathy, Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency, Ocular Cicatricial Pemphigoid, EEC Syndrome, Ocular Graft versus Host Disease and Corneal Neovascularisation, affecting over 500k patients in Europe. RESTORE VISION brings together actors from across the full value chain: 6 leading research institutions, 3 SMEs and a European patient organisation. This innovative approach will circumvent lengthy and complex regulatory and drug development processes, ensuring rapid translation into the clinic. See the press release here. View the website here: https://restorevision-project.eu/

Restore Vision is funded by Horizon, Grant Agreement Number 101080611 (May 2023 to April 2027). Call identifier: HORIZON-HLTH-2022-DISEASE-06-two-stage.