DEADLINE: 29 July 2025
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DEADLINE: 04 August 2025
Seeking Novel Approaches to Promote Immune Reset in Inflammatory Disease/Autoimmune Conditions by Targeting Neuro-Immune Crosstalk
Past Calls
PAST CALLS: 14 July 2025
Seeking Late Preclinical Oncology Assets: Small Molecules with IND-enabling Data and Patient Stratification Potential
PAST CALLS: 14 July 2025
Innovations in Senescence and Cellular Energetics for Optimizing Skin Health
PAST CALLS: 30 June 2025
Seeking Novel CNS Indications and Mechanistic Pathways for RIPK1 Inhibition
PAST CALLS: 23 June 2025
Consumer Health Approaches to Improve Fertility and Maternal Health
PAST CALLS: 17 June 2025
Seeking Novel Composting Additives and Technologies
PAST CALLS: 23 June 2025
Temperature as an Indicator of Surgical Site Infection
PAST CALLS: 09 June 2025
Innovative Therapies for Genetic Mitochondrial Disorders and Leukodystrophy
PAST CALLS: 09 June 2025
Seeking Synthetic Methods for Chemo- and Site-selective Bioconjugation in Proteins
PAST CALLS: 05 June 2025
Feed Additive Approaches to Improve Fat and Protein Content in Cow’s Milk
PAST CALLS: 27 May 2025
Novel Therapeutic Interventions to Address the Root Genetic Cause of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
PAST CALLS: 09 June 2025
Cutting-edge Technologies to Discover Cryptic Pockets and Their Modulation
PAST CALLS: 02 June 2025
Seeking Novel Research on Silicon Photonics Technology
PAST CALLS: 19 May 2025
Novel Technologies for Drug Delivery to Treat Genetic Cardiomyopathy
PAST CALLS: 19 May 2025
Therapeutic Discovery for Laminopathies
PAST CALLS: 14 May 2025
Seeking Novel Chelated Fertilizers
![BACKGROUND The congenital malformations, arthritis, osteoporosis, traumatic accidents, spinal deformities, among others are the basis for need bone and cartilage replacements. The chronic pain, inflammation or discomfort of these diseases translates into a significant impact on patients’ and hospital treatments costs. There is yet no solution that meets the structural and functional requirements of definitive implants. In the case of trauma, for example, treatment often consists of bone joining or even implants in a nonpermanent situation, that is, requiring more than one surgical intervention which causes pain and discomfort to the patient besides the costs involved. Therefore, the development of low cost, durable, compatible and functional solutions is needed. Namely bone substitutes that can be perfectly integrated, morphologically and anatomically biocompatible, with complex structure and a material that mimics native bone and encourages cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. Ideally a bone substitute has original three-dimensional anatomical shape the trabecular zone is dense and has Young’s modulus in the range of 0.01-0.5 GPa and compressive strength values of 4-12 MPa while the cortical region is porous with compressive strength values in the range 130-225 MPa and modulus Young from 3-30GPa. The development of bone implants represents an area of medicine attracting growing interest in recent years. Most used implants are made of noble metals such as titanium. This material, although with good biocompatibility, strength and durability characteristics, faces often body rejection problems. To avoid that, the metal is coated with a biocompatible ceramic material (zirconia, hydroxyapatite, etc.). Despite their good performance, titanium implants have a much higher Young’s modulus than bone, which leads to localized stress phenomena, increase of osteoblast activity and may lead to periprosthetic osteolysis and consequent implant failure. The 3D printing techniques provided opportunities for the development of customized pieces. Ceramics, plastics and metals are all possible to printing in three dimensions by additive or subtractive techniques. In particular subtractive techniques are already used to perform ceramic teeth for dentistry. A piece of dense ceramic material is mechanically dug until the desired form is obtained. However, the dense ceramic implant behaves most likely the metal implants as it doesn’t allow the body fluids to flow through it. Compared to other techniques, the great advantage of pastes extrusion technique is the facility to mimic the graded porosity of implants while a specific design according to patient needs, reaching the mechanical properties close to those of the native bone, as well as their adequate, porosity, permeability to cells, biocompatibility and durability. The goal of the NOVA researchers is to develop low cost production ceramic implants, permanent, conformal and compatible with the specific needs of patients, mimicking resistance and bioactivity. This approach was achieved in preliminary results focused in 3D printed pieces of ceramics powders, achieving mechanical properties in the range of cortical bone, the most demanding in terms of mechanical strength. Indeed, the cortical mechanical resistance values were achieved just printing pieces layer-by-layer with pastes made with inorganic and organic compounds. The required biocompatibility and osteointegration was also tested in-vivo. TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW The obtained background data show a real possibility to implement this technology in the veterinary area special to horses, dogs and cats in a first phase. This will open then possibilities and verification to further human applications. From left to right: Sample draw; printed samples after sintering for compression test; geometry and dimensions to tension tests; samples geometry for flexure tests. The mechanical strength obtained from axial compression, the tension and the flexure tests are summarized in table 1, where the obtained values are compared to the trabecular and cortical bone values obtained from literature. Comparison of mechanical teste with bone (values from literature).[1][2] Density and porosity compared to bone. The in-vitro tests were made with SAOS 2 cellules tinted for alkaline phosphatase with naphthol AS-MX phosphate and fast red violet and images of cell proliferation obtained for day 5 (left image) and 11 day (right image) of culture are shown in Figure 2. Figure 2: Image of SAOS 2 cells on the top a PIC sample for day 5 (left) and day 11 (right). The graph shows the evolution of cells growth along 9 days. The in-vivo tests were performed in rabbit being implanted two different samples S1 and S2 and the radiography images obtained after 2, 4 and 12 weeks are shown in Figure 3. Figure 3: Image of the implant (left). The graph represents the % of the bone-to-implant contact (BIC) evolution for two different composition samples. There was no adverse response, either local or systemic. No clinical symptoms of exaggerated inflammation, edema or infection were identified. No extensive bone resorption of the surrounding bone tissue is identified STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is 4. BENEFITS The main advantage of this technology is to allow the printing of a customized bone according to the needs of replacement. It enables the production of bone with gradient of density, in the exterior, properties similar to cortical bone, and, in the interior, density and properties of trabecular bone. Adding to that, the good osteointegration of the material, will allow a giant step towards bone’s mimicking especially for implants in animals, as a first step. Avoiding the need for a second operation for removing metallic parts, or due to rejection problems. APPLICATIONS The potential market is the implants in animals, horses, dogs and cats. There is a huge market for pets, which will allow also to consolidate the technology before it can be implemented in humans. OPPORTUNITY The NOVA team is looking for a co-development partner or a licensee for the implementation of this technology. IP STATUS Know-how based SEEKING Development partner Licensing](https://novainnovation.unl.pt/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/tech_image_2.7ccfbcf1.jpg)
PAST CALLS: 05 May 2025
Seeking Novel Solutions to Treat Rare Genetic Skeletal Muscle Diseases
PAST CALLS: 28 April 2025
Molecular Strategies for Targeted Drug Delivery to the Joints
PAST CALLS: 28 April 2025
Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Genetic Skeletal Diseases and Targeted Delivery to Bone
PAST CALLS: 14 April 2025
Seeking Next-generation Flame Retardants
PAST CALLS: 24 March 2025
Seeking Organic Electro-optical Materials and/or Modulators for High-speed Communication, and Materials for Photonic Assemblies and Protective Coatings
PAST CALLS: 12 March 2025
Seeking Materials and Processes for the Production of Porous Tubing
PAST CALLS: 10 March 2025
Novel Biological and Pharmacological Interventions for Obesity Prevention
PAST CALLS: 21 February 2025
Seeking Novel Therapeutics for Anxiety Management
PAST CALLS: 05 February 2025
Seeking Novel Oral or Injectable Therapeutics to Treat Obesity
PAST CALLS: 20 January 2025
Novel Drug Discovery Concepts and Targets within Genetic Kidney Diseases
PAST CALLS: 13 December 2024
Seeking Novel Approaches for Regulating Immunometabolism in the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases
PAST CALLS: 04 December 2024
Antibiotic-free Microbial Expression and Genetic Systems
PAST CALLS: 25 November 2024
Novel, Effective, and Differentiated Solutions for Skin Allergy Sufferers
PAST CALLS: 25 November 2024
Bitumen Beyond Combustion: Seeking Non-combustion Uses for Asphaltenes Derived from Bitumen
PAST CALLS: 11 November 2024
Seeking Cost-effective Biocides for the Treatment of Sulfate-reducing Bacteria in Source Waters
PAST CALLS: 18 November 2024
Seeking Novel Technologies to Determine Oil and Water Composition in Heavy Oil Streams
PAST CALLS: 21 October 2024
Seeking Technologies for Sensing Analytes in Blood
PAST CALLS: 15 November 2024
Predictive in vitro Assays for Kidney Retention by Radioconjugates
PAST CALLS: 28 October 2024
Novel Therapeutics for Common Skin Conditions
PAST CALLS: 07 October 2024
Home Fragrance Delivery, Noticeability and Modelling in the Air
PAST CALLS: 14 October 2024
Seeking Novel Targeted Approaches for Genetic Kidney Disease
PAST CALLS: 14 October 2024
Therapeutic Strategies to Address TDP-43 Pathology in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia
PAST CALLS: 30 September 2024
Seeking Transformational Therapeutic Approaches for Sickle Cell Disease and Beta-thalassemia
PAST CALLS: 30 September 2024
Novel Strategies for Targeted Drug Delivery to CNS, Bone, Cartilage, Skeletal Muscle and Kidney Tissues
PAST CALLS: 12 August 2024
Novel Approaches for the Delivery of Viable and Healthy Cells for Cell Therapy Treatment
PAST CALLS: 23 September 2024
Accessible and Transformational Therapeutic Approaches for Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT)
PAST CALLS: 23 September 2024
Seeking Novel Solutions to Treat Rare Genetic Skeletal Muscle Diseases
PAST CALLS: 16 September 2024
Novel Oral Therapeutics for the Treatment of Immunology and Inflammation Diseases
PAST CALLS: 29 July 2024
Seeking Novel RNA Therapeutics for Oncology Indications
PAST CALLS: 01 July 2024
Seeking Novel Technologies for the Electrochemical Decomposition of Ammonia to Hydrogen and Nitrogen
PAST CALLS: 24 June 2024
Seeking Novel Therapeutics for Pulmonary Autoimmune and Fibrotic Diseases
PAST CALLS: 03 June 2024
Seeking Novel Therapies for the Treatment of Skin Disorders
PAST CALLS: 27 May 2024
Novel Therapeutics and Druggable Targets for Non-malignant Hematological Diseases
PAST CALLS: 10 May 2024
Seeking Repurposed Therapeutics for the Treatment of Motor Neuron Disease
PAST CALLS: 02 April 2024
Novel Targets Involved in Ferroptosis for Therapeutic Development in Oncology
PAST CALLS: 04 March 2024
Seeking Technologies and Approaches for the Abatement of Diffuse Dust Emissions
PAST CALLS: 06 March 2024
Computational Model to Guide Molecular Glue Drug Discovery
PAST CALLS: 06 March 2024
Enhancing Targeted Drug Delivery for Diseases Affecting the CNS, Muscle, Heart, and Kidney
PAST CALLS: 06 March 2024
Innovative Approaches for the Treatment of Nucleotide Repeat Expansion Disorders
PAST CALLS: 26 February 2024
Seeking Novel Drugs to Treat Autoimmune Diseases
PAST CALLS: 19 February 2024
Seeking Biotechnology Solutions for Pest Control in Corn, Cotton and Soybean Plants
PAST CALLS: 29 January 2024
Seeking Short Wave Infrared Thin Film Photodetector Materials
PAST CALLS: 29 January 2024
Novel Inorganic Fillers for Next-generation Semiconductor Packaging
PAST CALLS: 27 November 2023
Novel Approaches to Increase Morbillivirus Yield from Eukaryotic Cells In Vitro
PAST CALLS: 11 December 2023
Seeking Novel Approaches for Hair Colour Creation and the Removal of Natural & Chemical Colour Pigment & Actives from Hair
PAST CALLS: 27 November 2023
Exploring Common Pathological Mechanisms Translatable to Skin Diseases
PAST CALLS: 08 November 2023
Seeking Protein Engineering Approaches for Conditionally-activated Therapeutics
PAST CALLS: 06 November 2023
Novel Biology or Therapeutic Compounds for Treatment of Immunology & Inflammation Diseases
PAST CALLS: 23 October 2023
Novel Therapeutic Approaches to Inhibit Type 2 Inflammation
PAST CALLS: 23 October 2023
Novel Approaches to Treat and/or Prevent Progression of Chronic Inflammatory Skin Conditions With a Long Duration of Efficacy
PAST CALLS: 02 October 2023
Practical Solutions for Methanogenesis Inhibition in Ruminants
PAST CALLS: 18 September 2023
Biodegradable Molecules with Antimicrobial Properties for use in Cosmetic Formulations
PAST CALLS: 11 September 2023
Bicycle® Toolbox: A Novel Chemical Modality to Explore the Role of OX40 Agonism in Disease
PAST CALLS: 04 September 2023
Alternative Chemistries to Liquid PFAS
PAST CALLS: 04 September 2023
Synthetic Biology Approaches for Sustainable Production of Chemicals for the Fabric, Home Care and Beauty Industries
PAST CALLS: 29 August 2023
Seeking Novel Druggable Targets and Drug Candidates in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
PAST CALLS: 21 August 2023
Antimicrobial Compounds From Natural Sources
PAST CALLS: 14 August 2023
Chimeric Antigen Receptor Construct for Novel Oncology CAR-T Cell Therapy
PAST CALLS: 14 August 2023
Biotechnology Innovations in Plant Science, Agriculture and Food
PAST CALLS: 07 August 2023
Innovation in Intraocular Lenses and Injectors for Cataract Surgery
PAST CALLS: 10 July 2023
Seeking Approaches to Alter Fatty Acid and Oil Content and Composition in Annual Crops for Downstream Industrial Applications
PAST CALLS: 10 July 2023
Druggable Targets in Diseases Due to Mucociliary Dysfunction and Bronchiectasis
PAST CALLS: 12 June 2023
Seeking Natural Ingredients that Modify the Orexin Pathway to Improve Sleep
PAST CALLS: 30 May 2023
Postdoctoral Research Investigating Novel Therapeutics for Chronic and Rare Diseases
PAST CALLS: 30 May 2023
Seeking Technologies and Approaches for the Production of Pesticide Intermediates
PAST CALLS: 30 May 2023
Seeking Technologies Related to Vitamin D and Its Application in Medical Therapy
PAST CALLS: 09 May 2023
Orally Bioavailable Peptides and/or Peptide Therapeutics for Modulating Intracellular Targets
PAST CALLS: 02 May 2023
Novel Highly Tumour-restricted Antigens and Antibodies for Cancer Therapy
PAST CALLS: 09 May 2023
Seeking Research and Technologies Related to in vivo Direct Reprogramming
PAST CALLS: 24 April 2023
Seeking Novel Leads in Rare Diseases and Neuroscience
PAST CALLS: 20 March 2023
Seeking Novel Druggable Targets and Drug Screening Systems in Chronic Pain
PAST CALLS: 10 March 2023
RNA Structure and Folding Prediction Guided by Innovative Technologies
PAST CALLS: 27 February 2023
Seeking Novel Applications for Polyhalite in Animal Nutrition
PAST CALLS: 27 February 2023
Genetic Medicine Approaches to Treat Rare Diseases
PAST CALLS: 20 February 2023
Oncology Drug Targets Exploiting Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD)
PAST CALLS: 20 February 2023
Novel Technologies or Methods for Antibody-Drug Conjugation (ADC)
PAST CALLS: 07 November 2022
Robust, Wireless Instrumentation Solution for Highspeed Measurement of In-process Frictional Forces
PAST CALLS: 07 November 2022
Seeking Novel Innovations for Self-healing Refractories
PAST CALLS: 08 November 2022
P-selectin antagonist Bicycles: a Novel Chemical Modality to Explore the Role of P-selectin in Disease
PAST CALLS: 12 September 2022
High-speed 3D Scanning Technologies for Oral Applications
PAST CALLS: 05 September 2022
Seeking Druggable Targets for Weight Loss
PAST CALLS: 30 August 2022
Advanced Materials for Incorporating Immobilised Enzymes: Preparation, Processes and Applications in Chemical Catalysis
PAST CALLS: 30 August 2022