“CRACK IT Challenge 33” - Apply for funding to develop an in vitro model to assess the tumourigenicity of genome edited hHSCs

Posted on: 28/03/2024

What are the CRACK IT Challenges ?

“A challenge-led competition that funds collaborations between industry, academics and SMEs to solve business and scientific Challenges which will deliver scientific and 3Rs benefits.” All Challenges can be found here: https://nc3rs.org.uk/crackit/view-challenges.

 

What is Challenge 33 ?

The “CleanCut” challenge is a two-phase challenge sponsored by Novartis, Bayer and Takeda with the aim to develop an in vitro model to replace in vivo tumourigenicity studies to identify appropriate dosing regimens and assess toxicity of new compounds impacting haematopoiesis.

This model should be able to distinguish normal and aberrant tumourigenic behavior of GE-hHSCs and outperform the current in vivo and in vitro models by overcoming their limitations. The approach could be based on an organ-on-chip device (bone marrow together with other appropriate organ/s), but the Sponsors will consider alternative approaches. Read more about this Challenge in following presentation: https://nc3rs.org.uk/crackit/sites/default/files/Sponsors%20Presentation%20Launch%20Event%202019-%20Challenge%2033%20CleanCut.pdf.

 

How to solve a Challenge ?

The competition is open to any European Union body, public or private. Applications can be from single organisations or from consortia, nevertheless, the lead applicant must be EU-based.

Challenge 33 is a two-phase application process. During the first phase of this challenge, a maximum of 3 selected projects will receive a 6-months budget of up to £100k to deliver proof-of-concept studies. In the second phase, only one project will be selected for a 3-years budget of up to £1 million. Important note: Phase 2 contracts are expected to be signed with commercial enterprises and not academic institutions.

 The application deadline for Phase 1 is on the 6th of November 2019. Find out more and apply here. Don’t forget to read the Guide For Participants.

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