A consortium of European integration
The FOLSMART project includes all the most quoted independent and industrial European research labs combining expertise in nanotechnologies, biology, chemistry, materials science, biotechnology, engineering, medical and pharmaceutical sciences. The development of a FA-based nanobiodevice as a cost-effective alternative for treatment and follow-up of inflammatory diseases is a very ambitious objective, and could only be reached through a European scale project involving the top class research institutes. The complementarities between participants have been the first criterion in the partner selection. For each necessary task, the research group with the highest competencies in Europe has been selected. FOLSMART consortium is based on previous collaborations (private, national project and European initiatives) between R&D partners. Strong links and cooperation have already been established between some of them and FOLSMART will contribute to strengthen them in order to create a pan-European network of expertise specialised on inflammatory disease treatments. Within the framework of these collaborations, the overall scientific approach of FOLSMART did emerge. The large European participation ensures the rapid dissemination of the information among European countries. Efficient technology transfer from academic laboratories to European industrials is also crucial to ensure the competitive development of the transport industry in the European countries. The transfer will be carried out through training courses organized by academic, public or notified bodies.
The FOLSMART project includes all the most quoted independent and industrial European research labs combining expertise in nanotechnologies, biology, chemistry, materials science, biotechnology, engineering, medical and pharmaceutical sciences. The development of a FA-based nanobiodevice as a cost-effective alternative for treatment and follow-up of inflammatory diseases is a very ambitious objective, and could only be reached through a European scale project involving the top class research institutes. The complementarities between participants have been the first criterion in the partner selection. For each necessary task, the research group with the highest competencies in Europe has been selected. FOLSMART consortium is based on previous collaborations (private, national project and European initiatives) between R&D partners. Strong links and cooperation have already been established between some of them and FOLSMART will contribute to strengthen them in order to create a pan-European network of expertise specialised on inflammatory disease treatments. Within the framework of these collaborations, the overall scientific approach of FOLSMART did emerge. The large European participation ensures the rapid dissemination of the information among European countries. Efficient technology transfer from academic laboratories to European industrials is also crucial to ensure the competitive development of the transport industry in the European countries. The transfer will be carried out through training courses organized by academic, public or notified bodies.
A consortium with a proven track record of successful cooperation
All partners have been involved in the past in several national and EU projects (NANOFOL, KINACEPT, LIDWINE, MACROCEPT, NOVO, INFACT, EuroMEMBRANE, CARE-MAN, SYBILLA, BIOFINISHING, BIOFTEX, BIORENEW) and have the competencies to manage international projects on advanced research. The project management involves scientist of consolidated experience and young scientists with a particular relevant curriculum as well as women and men to meet gender issues. All the Work Package leaders have the expertise, competences and experience to meet all the requirements needed for the foreseen activity.
All partners have been involved in the past in several national and EU projects (NANOFOL, KINACEPT, LIDWINE, MACROCEPT, NOVO, INFACT, EuroMEMBRANE, CARE-MAN, SYBILLA, BIOFINISHING, BIOFTEX, BIORENEW) and have the competencies to manage international projects on advanced research. The project management involves scientist of consolidated experience and young scientists with a particular relevant curriculum as well as women and men to meet gender issues. All the Work Package leaders have the expertise, competences and experience to meet all the requirements needed for the foreseen activity.
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Tecminho is in charge of the coordination and full management of the project, as well as the communication and dissemination plan. R&D contribution will come from the Centre of Biological Engineering, which is the lead research centre in the area of Biotechnology in Portugal concerning publications and citations. Expertise exists within the group coordinating FOLSMART, headed by Prof. Artur Cavaco-Paulo, in areas of enzyme technology, encapsulation and nanotechnology.
Synovo is the German partner from Folsmart. It is a SME with key research and patents in the fields of autoimmune diseases and oncology. Synovo has discovered and patented a range of macrophage targeted therapeutics that either suppress autoimmune responses in diseases such as RA, or stimulate immune responses in cancer. Dr. Michael Burnet is the managing director of the company and has an extensive experience in drug and clinical development, being also Reviewer and Editor of various academic journals. Synovo is also member of the Innovation Management Board of Folsmart project, along with Tecminho.
The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), represented by the research group headed by Prof. Georg Gübitz, has as major focus the enzyme/protein technology related to medical and material applications where numerous peer reviewed papers have been published in high impact international journals.
Blueclinical is an SME devoted to R&D of medicines and medical devices. Blueclinical’s key personnel have a track record in leading innovative medicines from “bench to bedside”, at international level with several publications in specialized Drug Development journals. One of the most involved members in Folsmart project is Prof. Luís Almeida, Founder and Managing partner of Blueclinical.
The Medical University of Vienna (MUW) is represented by the group headed by Prof. Hannes Stockinger. Their key research and resulting publications are in the field of immunology with emphasis on the structure and function of surface receptors on T cells, dendritic cells and macrophages to identify novel targets for influencing abnormal and unwanted immune reactions in immunological disorders and diseases.
The French beneficiary in Folsmart project is Inserm, being the director of Research of the Institute Cochain, Dr. Georges Bismuth, directly involved in the team. The focus of Inserm partner is the study of immune responses at the molecular and cellular levels using murine models of human pathologies, including cancer and autoimmune diseases, and integration of this knowledge into translational medicine with the goal of improving human health.
The Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology (IBMC) brings knowledge on the molecular mechanisms that regulate transcription and protein expression in cellular differentiation and immune cell activation. The group headed by Prof. Alexandre Moreira focus particularly on inhibitory receptors of T cells and macrophages that control cellular reactivity and prevent undesirable inflammatory responses.
Aptuit is a contract research organization which can provide the most complete set of integrated early to mid-phase development services in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. Aptuit scientists apply a solution-driven approach to progress compounds efficiently and economically, working as a highly integrated co-located team. Dr. Luciana Marocchio, as Scientific Officer for Folsmart project, will drive project content, planning and delivery. She will also provide scientific expertise gain during over 20 years of work on toxicology field and development of integrated preclinical projects.
Bluepharma, through the companies of the group, offers an integrated approach on the process of drug discovery and drug development, consisting of disruptive and incremental innovation, including innovative research on New Chemical Entities (NCE) and New Therapeutic Entities (NTE - based on novel platforms for the delivery of known drugs) as well as the development, manufacturing and commercialization of solid dosage forms. Bluepharma’s scientific staff directly integrated in the consortium, headed by Prof. Sérgio Simões, has large experience in the development, characterization, in vitro and in vivo studies of liposomal drug formulations, expertise that will ensure a successful transition from bench scale to GMP pilot scale production of Folsmart’s formulation.
SOLFARCOS - Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Solutions Ltd. was created in 2016 as a spin-off company of the University of Minho as an exploitation strategy of Folsmart’s IP. The company aims to develop and commercialise cosmetic and health related peptides which are under the IP of University of Minho/Tecminho. SOLFARCOS is already a proof of the expected success of Folsmart.
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Project co-funded by the European Commission within the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 68335.