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AFHELO - Preclinical proof of
concept of AF243 potency to
prevent and/or treat sensori-
neural hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing impairment (HI), which constitute
the majority of hearing loss, are characterized mostly by
damage to the sensory structures (hair cells, HCs) and neu-
rons (type I and II primary auditory neurons) of the audi-
tory portion of the inner ear. Currently, approximately
10% of the global population (40% of people over 65)
sufers from HI, and treatment is limited to replacement
techniques of auditory function. To address this problem,
AFHELO projects plans to evaluate potency of AF243, a
small molecule which is a strong inducer of cell diferen-
tiation with interesting potential on carcino-embryonic
cells diferentiation and neuron survival, and on an in vivo
model of chemo-induced deafness, used for cochlear
implant testing. The strategy is to optimize AF243 deve-
lopment by frst extending the therapeutic applications
to two major types of HI (noise-induced and age related/
presbycusis) and second by completing the preclinical stu-
dies (pharmacology, mechanism of action, ADME, safety)
supporting the clinical evaluation of AF243 for prevention
and/or treatment of sensorineural HI. The objective of the
AFHELO project is to complete and optimize the precli-
nical development of AF243, second lead drug candidate
of Afchem and to extend its feld of therapeutic action
in the two main types of hearing loss related to age and
noise. To this end, Afchem – a French medical biotechno-
logy company - has partnered with two European centers
of scientifc excellence: GIGA, Interdisciplinary Cluster for
Applied Genoproteomics of the University of Liège in Bel-
gium and the CSIC, the Spanish National Research Councill.
Contact: Brigitte Malgrange
Knowledge lies at the heart of the European Union’s
Lisbon Strategy to become the « most dynamic competitive knowledge-
based economy in the world». The ‘ knowledge triangle’ - research,
education and innovation - is a core factor in European eforts to meet
the ambitious Lisbon goals. Numerous programs, initiatives and support
measures are carried out at EU level in support of knowledge.
The Seventh Framework Program (FP7) bundles all research-
related EU initiatives together under a common roof playing
a crucial role in reaching the goals of growth, competitive-
ness and employment; along with a new Competitiveness and
Innovation Framework Program (CIP), Education and Training programs,
and Structural and Cohesion Funds for regional convergence and com-
petitiveness. It is also a key pillar for the European Research Area (ERA).
The broad objectives of FP7 have been grouped into four categories:
Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities. For each type of objec-
tive, there is a specifc program corresponding to the main areas of EU
research policy. All specifc programs work together to promote and
encourage the creation of European poles of (scientifc) excellence.
BELVIR - Virus–host interplay
at the early stages of infec-
tion
The goal of the project is to characterize the molecu-
lar basis and consequences of infection by viruses. To
infect cells at the portal of entry, most viruses must
frst cross extracellular barriers such as mucus. Next,
they need to interact with the appropriate receptors,
hijack cellular internalisation and transport mecha-
nisms, deregulate signaling pathways, activate cellular
enzymes, deliver their genome to the right cellular
compartment, exploit the cellular machinery to pro-
duce progeny virions, and at the same time evade the
innate immunity. Only then can they spread to secon-
dary sites and accomplish a successful infection.
The project will thus provide novel fundamental
insights in virology, in particular on virus-host interac-
tions at the early stages
of infection.
Network composition
Coordinator: Alain Vanderplasschen (ULg)
Belgian partners: Jan Mast (CERVA), Zeger Debyser
(KUL), Thomas Michiels (UCL), Hans Nauwynck (Gent),
Luc Willems (ULg)
International partner: Philip Stevenson (University of
Cambridge, UK)
The 7th Framework
Program (FP7)
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