SYNTHETIC GENE CIRCUITS FOR CLOSED-LOOP THERAPYbroad
SECURE · Horizon Europe grant · 2026-02-01–2029-01-31
EC contribution
Total cost
Beneficiaries
About the data
Source: CORDIS (official EU open data), Horizon Europe. Framework HORIZON · call HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDEROPEN · scheme HORIZON-EIC · topic HORIZON-EIC-2025-PATHFINDEROPEN. CORDIS record →
Objective
What if gene therapy could think, adapt, and act only when needed? SECURE sets out to create the world’s first self-adaptive gene therapy platform ‒ a transformative leap from today’s static interventions toward programmable, intelligent therapeutics. Rather than permanently active vectors, our approach uses synthetic gene circuits that remain dormant under healthy conditions and activate only in cells exhibiting disease-induced molecular stress. This ""on-demand"" precision therapy promises unprecedented safety, efficacy, and personalisation.As a first-in-class application, SECURE targets Parkinson’s Disease (PD) by focusing on vulnerable dopaminergic neurons identified through stress markers such as AGTR1 expression, inflammation, and oxidative damage. Using AI-guided design, we will engineer AAV and bocavirus vectors tailored for efficient blood-brain barrier (BBB) transcytosis and neuron-specific targeting, guided by human receptor maps from neurotropic viruses.Validation will rely exclusively on human iPSC-derived midbrain organoids ‒ including mosaic models combining healthy and PD genotypes ‒ to test selectivity, reversibility, and safety. A closed-loop development pipeline will be established, where data from single-cell transcriptomics, electrophysiology, and functional assays continually refine vector design through AI feedback.By integrating synthetic biology, AI, and advanced disease modelling, SECURE pioneers a new therapeutic paradigm for neurodegeneration and potentially for multifactorial and hereditary diseases at large. If successful, it will mark the beginning of preventative, adaptive, and lifelong gene therapy for complex human disorders.""
Beneficiaries (6)
| Organisation | Country | Role | EC contribution | SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAET HEIDELBERG | DE | coordinator | €448,438 | |
| THE CHANCELLOR, MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD | UK | participant | €809,878 | |
| CARDIFF UNIVERSITY | UK | participant | €645,181 | |
| ORGANOTHERAPEUTICS GMBH | LU | participant | €535,625 | Yes |
| TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY | IL | participant | €340,000 | |
| PHARMACOIDEA FEJLESZTO ES SZOLGALTATO KFT | HU | participant | €205,000 | Yes |
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