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Folate-Target Nanodevices To Activated Macrophages For Rheumatoid Arthritis
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The FOLSMART project proposes a novel and effective approach to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using folate-based nanodevices (FBNs).

FOLSMART is the follow-up of the EU 7th Framework Programme project NANOFOL that had developed folate-based nanobiodevices for integrated diagnosis/therapy targeting chronic inflammatory diseases. 

Within FOLSMART, FBNs of various formats (folate-hydrophobic peptide decorated liposomes or folate-protein conjugates) will bring well-established anti-rheumatic drugs, such as methotrexate, directly into the pathogenic cells within the arthritis-affected joints of RA patients, i.e. activated folate receptor-positive macrophages.

By using a new formulation with polyethylene glycol (PEG), another special feature of these FBNs is that they are not only masked for the immune system, but biologically inert in general so that they can reach relatively specific their target cells. Based on preliminary data it is expected that the packaging of anti-inflammatory drugs within these nanodevices, which deliver them specifically to the target cells, reduce their toxicity dramatically and significantly improve the clinical outcome.

FOLSMART will develop production of FBNs under Good Manufacturing Practice conditions. The FBNs will be further tested in pre-clinical tests in vitro using various human and animal cells and in vivo in several animal models. Finally, the best FBN format will proceed into the phase I clinical trials.


MedUni Vienna Researchers

The Medical University of Vienna is the project coordinator under the leadership of Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hannes Stockinger, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology | Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology.

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hannes Stockinger

Principal Investigator

Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology
Molecular Immunology Unit, Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology
hannes.stockinger@meduniwien.ac.at 

Research Staff:
Dr.in Anna Repic


Consortium

Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Artur Cavaco-Paulo, Universität Minho, Portugal

8 project participants


Facts

ProgramHorizon 2020
Call/TopicH2020-NMP-PILOTS-2015/NMP-06-2015
Project duration01.01.2016-31.12.2019
EU contribution, MedUni Vienna404.510 €
EU contribution, total project4.993.834 €

Projectwebsite

The FOLSMART project proposes a novel and effective approach to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using folate-based nanodevices (FBNs).

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