Summary
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women and men. CRC can be broadly subdivided into adenocarcinoma-type and mucinous-type CRC, characterised by an overproduction of mucin proteins which is the primary component of mucus. These mucins form a 'physical barrier' that impedes the accessibility of current CRC therapies to their target receptors, limiting what would otherwise be promising cancer drugs.
Dr. Karin Strijbis' group has discovered a compelling mucinase enzyme that can effectively degrade the mucin barrier. Preliminary research performed by Dr. Strijbis' group revealed this mucinase's therapeutic potential to enhance the effectivity of approved anti-CRC drugs (i.e., anti-EGFR antibodies and small molecule inhibitors) by demonstrating the removal of obstructive mucin proteins and a decrease in CRC cell proliferation.
In MUC-BITE, we present Nano-MUCase, a novel biological based on the conjugation of this mucinase with a nanobody to selectively target CRC tumours for optimal delivery and removal of the mucin barrier. During this PoC project, we will determine the technical and commercial feasibility Nano-MUCase through the following activities:
1. Validate the capabilities of the Nano-MUCase to target CRC tumours and reduce mucin interference of anti-CRC drugs in organoid samples and in vivo.
2. Define an IP strategy by performing a thorough IP landscape and patentability analysis.
3. Conduct market research to discover potential customers/industrial partners, analyse competitors and identify a feasible roadmap to commercialisation.
4. Formulate a detailed business case to guide the commercialisation of the Nano-MUCase to penetrate the market and deliver a new therapeutic strategy to benefit CRC patients.
Dr. Karin Strijbis' group has discovered a compelling mucinase enzyme that can effectively degrade the mucin barrier. Preliminary research performed by Dr. Strijbis' group revealed this mucinase's therapeutic potential to enhance the effectivity of approved anti-CRC drugs (i.e., anti-EGFR antibodies and small molecule inhibitors) by demonstrating the removal of obstructive mucin proteins and a decrease in CRC cell proliferation.
In MUC-BITE, we present Nano-MUCase, a novel biological based on the conjugation of this mucinase with a nanobody to selectively target CRC tumours for optimal delivery and removal of the mucin barrier. During this PoC project, we will determine the technical and commercial feasibility Nano-MUCase through the following activities:
1. Validate the capabilities of the Nano-MUCase to target CRC tumours and reduce mucin interference of anti-CRC drugs in organoid samples and in vivo.
2. Define an IP strategy by performing a thorough IP landscape and patentability analysis.
3. Conduct market research to discover potential customers/industrial partners, analyse competitors and identify a feasible roadmap to commercialisation.
4. Formulate a detailed business case to guide the commercialisation of the Nano-MUCase to penetrate the market and deliver a new therapeutic strategy to benefit CRC patients.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101101050 |
| Start date: | 01-01-2023 |
| End date: | 30-06-2024 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | - 150 000,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women and men. CRC can be broadly subdivided into adenocarcinoma-type and mucinous-type CRC, characterised by an overproduction of mucin proteins which is the primary component of mucus. These mucins form a 'physical barrier' that impedes the accessibility of current CRC therapies to their target receptors, limiting what would otherwise be promising cancer drugs.Dr. Karin Strijbis' group has discovered a compelling mucinase enzyme that can effectively degrade the mucin barrier. Preliminary research performed by Dr. Strijbis' group revealed this mucinase's therapeutic potential to enhance the effectivity of approved anti-CRC drugs (i.e., anti-EGFR antibodies and small molecule inhibitors) by demonstrating the removal of obstructive mucin proteins and a decrease in CRC cell proliferation.
In MUC-BITE, we present Nano-MUCase, a novel biological based on the conjugation of this mucinase with a nanobody to selectively target CRC tumours for optimal delivery and removal of the mucin barrier. During this PoC project, we will determine the technical and commercial feasibility Nano-MUCase through the following activities:
1. Validate the capabilities of the Nano-MUCase to target CRC tumours and reduce mucin interference of anti-CRC drugs in organoid samples and in vivo.
2. Define an IP strategy by performing a thorough IP landscape and patentability analysis.
3. Conduct market research to discover potential customers/industrial partners, analyse competitors and identify a feasible roadmap to commercialisation.
4. Formulate a detailed business case to guide the commercialisation of the Nano-MUCase to penetrate the market and deliver a new therapeutic strategy to benefit CRC patients.
Status
SIGNEDCall topic
ERC-2022-POC2Update Date
09-02-2023
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