HORIZON-CL4-2022-RESILIENCE-01-13: Smart and multifunctional biomaterials for health innovations

Under Pillar 2, cluster 4 “Digital, Industry and Space”, the Research Innovation Action “Smart and multifunctional biomaterials for health innovations” will soon open with a deadline in March 2022. This cluster will shape competitive and trusted technologies for a European industry with leadership in key areas.

Multifunctional biomaterials, by virtue of the material used and their properties, play a major part in shaping the future of Advanced Therapies and Medical Devices. Some examples of health applications include tissue engineering, artificial organs, microfluidics, bioactive scaffolds, wearable and implantable devices, in-vitro diagnostics. Read on for the full summary:

Funding: €3-5M

Funding rate: 100%

Total Budget: €20M

Deadline: 30 March 2022

Consortium: At least 3 legal entities in 3 different Member States or Associated Countries. This topic is open for international cooperation where the EU has reciprocal benefit, while excluding industrial competitors from countries where the safeguarding of IPRs cannot be guaranteed

Scope: Multifunctional biomaterials play a major part in shaping the future of Advanced Therapies and Medical Devices. Health applications may include but are not limited to tissue engineering, artificial organs, implants, bioinks for bioprinting platforms, microfluidics, bioactive scaffolds, wearable and implantable devices, in-vitro diagnostics etc.

Projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

• Offer solutions through the development of multifunctional biomaterials to address and mitigate multiple bottlenecks in response to unmet clinical needs;
• Provide improved biocompatibility, biospecificity and longevity of medical devices or if relevant, improved bioactivity and/or biodegradability; physiological and biomechanical constraints and implications should also be considered.
• Show that the regulatory and IPR strategies are compatible with the overall research objectives.

Projects funded under this topic should further:

• Develop and/or validate specific multifunctional biomaterials or micro systems for use in an eventual advanced therapy, medicinal product or medical device;
• Preclinical regulatory affairs as well as manufacturing processes would also need to be addressed, including up-scaling and good manufacturing practice (GMP);
• Pay special attention to the needs of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) as well as to the ultimate clinical applications of these biomaterials;
• Present a solid economical evaluation of possible savings, together with patient benefits.

Further reading

• Horizon Europe overview
• Horizon Europe missions
• All Horizon Europe work programme reference documents
• Cluster 4 ‘Digital, Industry and Space’