Newly funded project DEFENDER

Pikado B.V. is proud to announce the press release of newly funded project DEFENDER, funded by Horizon Europe to 9.6 million euros. Pikado B.V. assisted with the preparation and submission of this winning proposal and will support the coordinator Leibniz Institute of Virology for managerial activities.

The interdisciplinary project DEFENDER (IDEntification oF novel viral Entry factors aNd DevelopmEnt of antiviRal approaches) is developing innovative approaches to combat (re-)emerging viruses.

Unique research approach

By using state-of-the-art technologies such as CRISPR gene technology, bioinformatic analyses and artificial intelligence, DEFENDER is pursuing an integrated concept for the development of new targets for antiviral therapies that focuses on both the host and the virus. On the host side, new host factors are identified that play a key role in viral entry, while on the virus side, virus structures are identified that represent potential targets for therapeutic antibodies or nanobodies.

The research focus of the DEFENDER consortium lies on highly pathogenic viruses such as Nipah and Lassa viruses and mosquito-borne viruses like Zika, dengue, yellow fever and chikungunya viruses.

Read the full press release here.