Novel nanomatrices and nanocapsules

Specific challenge: Encapsulation technologies have been widely used for a long time in the pharmaceutical industry for drug delivery applications. The emergence of nanotechnology and the availability of novel tools have paved the way for a new type of nanomatrices and nanocapsules, which can be used for targeted delivery and can carry payloads for localised action in many application fields.

Scope: Proposals should address applications for safe, controlled and reliable novel nanomatrices and nanocapsules containing active ingredients (e.g. drugs in nanomedicine, vitamins or anti-oxidants for cosmetic and personal care products, or cleaning and antimicrobial agents for housecleaning products), as well as their manufacturing processes. Different types of nanomatrices and nanocapsules are required, depending on the nature of the material (hydrophobic or hydrophilic) to be incorporated. Technical challenges relate to the production techniques involved (such as coacervation or phase separation) for improving the stability of the nano formulation and the active ingredients (payload) involved; development of novel mechanisms for the release of the payload (e.g. in response to changes in temperature or pH) is a further challenge. Nanomatrices or nanocapsules as carriers for targeted delivery could also be addressed. Safety considerations and contribution to standardization should be an integral part of the projects.

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

Activities expected to focus on Technology Readiness Level 4-5. Implemented as cross-KET activities.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU between EUR 3 and 5 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact:

                Supply of safe, energy- and resource-efficient manufacturing systems for nanomatrices and nanocapsules, with the potential for radical improvements in therapy and/or quality of life;

                Benefit the European healthcare and/or consumer sectors through novel new systems and improved collaborations between the key actors in the value chain;

                Paving the way for the future commercialisation of such products, based on an analysis of the efficacy, safety and cost-benefit of products utilising nanomatrices/nanocapsules for the end-users or patients.

                Identification of gaps in standards, paving the way for future pre-normative activities in the field.

                Promoting safe-by-design approaches in collaboration with the EU nano-safety cluster and contributing towards the framework of EU nanosafety and regulatory strategies[1].

Type of action: Research & Innovation Actions

[1] EU Nano-safety strategy 2015-2020 and NanoReg project