European Microbicides Project (EMPRO)
Research Areas
At a Glance
- Status: Completed Consortium
- Year Launched: 2004
- Initiating Organization: European Commission Sixth Framework Programme (FP6)
- Initiator Type: Government
- Disease focus:
HIV/AIDS - Location: Europe
Abstract
This proposal aims to develop new topical microbicides that block entry of HIV at mucosal sites with the aim of establishing a pipeline of candidate microbicides while taking selected microbicides through Phase I clinical trial. The proposed programme will bring together leading European experts in this field to work on an integrated programme of research. Members of the consortium have extensive expertise in analyses of molecular structure, molecular interactions, investigation of mechanisms of HIV infection, testing efficacy in animal models, development of methods for large-scale production of microbicides, mucosal delivery, and the conduct of clinical trials particularly in developing countries. The proposal builds on this strength and describes novel approaches to develop new microbicides. Novel molecules and combinatorial peptide, polypeptide, and oligosaccharide libraries will be screened for inhibitors that are specifically targeted to viral envelope proteins or host receptors.
Mission
Microbicidal efficacy of inhibitors will be rigorously tested in vitro and the most promising will be formulated and tested in animal models. The developmental process for candidate agents will be target-driven according to an established preclinical selection algorithm designed to fast track the most promising candidates and/or combination. This process will not be carried out in isolation from the rest of the International field, particular emphasis will be placed on development of compounds demonstrating synergistic activity with first generation compounds further ahead in the developmental process. The programme will operate like a virtual company allowing strategic developmental and budgetary decisions to be continuously reviewed. As well as identifying novel candidate microbicides, the programme should provide a rational basis for the design of second or third generation microbicides.
Structure & Governance
The European Microbicides Project is a project funded by the European Union and driven by the European Commission’s Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS).
Financing
The consortium was funded under the European Commission’s “Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS),” for just over 15 million euros.
Links/Social Media Feed
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Homepage |
http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/78712_en.html |
Points of Contact
KING'S COLLEGE, London
Strand
LONDON
United Kingdom
Administrative contact: Charles KELLY
Tel.: +44-2079554966
Fax: +44-2079554455
Sponsors & Partners
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ST. GEORGE'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL |
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KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN |
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INSERM ADR PARIS |
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CARBOHYDRATE SYNTHESIS LIMITED |
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UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI MILANO |
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ABLYNX N.V. |
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ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DI SANITÀ |
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IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE |
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CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD |
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COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE |
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FONDAZIONE CENTRO SAN RAFFAELE DEL MONTE TABOR |
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CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTÍFICAS |
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PEPSCAN SYSTEMS BV |
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GLYCORES 2000 SRL |
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UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI SIENA |
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TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT MÜNCHEN |
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UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH |
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PRINCE LEOPOLD INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL MEDICINE, ANTWERP |
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CENTRE INTERNATIONAL DE RECHERCHES MÉDICALES DE FRANCEVILLE |
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BIOZENTRUM DER UNIVERSITÄT BASEL |
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UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON |
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TIBOTEC PHARMACEUTICALS LTD |
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THE UNIVERSITY OF READING |
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UNIVERSITY OF YORK |
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COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC & INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH |
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UNIVERSITY UTRECHT, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY |
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POLYMUN SCIENTIFIC IMMUNBIOLOGISCHE FORSCHUNG GMBH |
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ASOCIACION CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION COOPERATIVA EN BIOMATERIALES - CIC BIOMAGUNE |
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PEPSCAN THERAPEUTICS BV |
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QUEEN'S UNIVERSITY BELFAST |