GLYCANDRUG (HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN)
Start date: 1 December 2023
End date: 30 November 2027
Project summary
Glycoscience has made such significant technological advances over the last decade that it is now poised to make an unprecedented contribution to the most demanding societal needs. GlyCanDrug is a glycoscience-oriented DN that aims, for the first time, to take a step forward in the design of precision therapies targeting key glycan motifs implicated in cancer. These glycans are fingerprints of many cancers. Their targeting therefore has the surprising potential to overcome the heterogeneity of cancer that limits current targeted therapies and provides new opportunities for the discovery of precision therapies.
The credibility and high quality of GlyCanDrug is guaranteed by world-class glycoscientists from 9 academic institutions (8 EU and 1 US) and 6 SMEs encompassing complementary and cross-sectoral expertise and unique state-of-the-art technological tools to train 10 PhD candidates ( DC). GlyCanDrug focuses on the precise inhibition of cancer-associated glycan expression and the development of cutting-edge tools to target them. The unique combination of scientific excellence in interdisciplinary fields and industry knowledge will cover the entire process, from gaining fundamental knowledge to implementing innovative solutions. GlyCanDrug aims to create a critical mass of graduates with unique skills in glycan-based therapeutics. To this end, we will equip developing countries with a comprehensive and multifaceted understanding of the potential of glycoscience in the discovery of precision cancer therapies and the necessary transferable skills. This will place developing countries at an advantage in terms of job opportunities in both academia and industry.
Deciphering the glycoma expands the frontiers of knowledge and discovery and enables fundamental challenges in cancer to be addressed. GlyCanDrug DN will therefore strengthen European innovation capacity by bringing new glycoscience concepts in the development of precision cancer therapies closer to market and policy stakeholders.
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