1 - Introduction

An estimated 7.3 million Europeans between 30 and 99 years of age suffered from different types of dementias in the EU27 in 2006 (14.6 per 1 000 inhabitants), most of these being of the Alzheimer’s variety. Innovative approaches based on biomaterials can improve the treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

2 - Scope

Proposals should develop new multifunctional biomaterials, as part of eventual Medical Devices and Advanced Therapies, which aim to create, optimise, enhance, substitute or support preventive and therapeutic interventions in Alzheimer’s disease. They can include: biocompatible and biodegradable biomaterials as part of minimally invasive treatments, theragnostic materials, and biocompatible materials that are easily degraded/cleared after completing their roles. The development of new drug candidates for Alzheimer’s and clinical trials are excluded.

The development of new integrated experimental and computational approaches aimed to describe interface processes and their determinants should be considered as the key step for the design of safe and performing materials. Experimental protocols should be planned taking due account of current good laboratory practice (GLP) and ISO guidelines. Standardisation and manufacturing processes can be addressed, including upscaling, good manufacturing practice (GMP), process analytical technology (PAT), and regulatory work in respect of relevant regulations as appropriate.

For this topic, proposals should include an outline of the initial exploitation and business plans, which will be developed further in the proposed project.

3 - Eligibility

At least three legal entities. Each of the three shall be established in a different Member State or associated country. All three legal entities shall be independent of each other.

4 - Budget

The total available budget for the call is €148,370,000. The European Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between EUR 6 and 8 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

5 - Timeframe

Information on the outcome of two-stage evaluation: maximum 5 months from the final date for submission.

Signature of grant agreements: maximum 3 months from the date of informing successful applicants.

6 - Deadline

* VHIR deadline is 16/03/2015

* The official deadline for stage 1 is 26/03/2015

* The official deadline for stage 2 is 08/09/2015

7 - More information

More information about this call can be found here: LINK