Objective
The molecular building blocks of life—such as sugars and amino acids—are of only one handedness. This broken molecular symmetry has important consequences for bioactive compounds: a molecule of one handedness can be an effective medicine while its mirror image is extremely toxic. Unfortunately, common chemical processes automatically yield both left- and right-handed molecules (i.e. enantiomers), and routes towards single handedness are often complicated, cumbersome, and costly. Therefore, there is an urgent need for simple, scalable, sustainable, and economical routes to obtain enantiomerically pure molecules.
Recently, we developed a radically new method to convert mixtures of both enantiomers into the desired form by exploiting crystallization. Our process already works on a variety of compounds and is exceptionally fast. However, to transform this fundamental breakthrough into a practical manufacturing method, we must broaden the range of compatible molecules, scale up and integrate the process, and establish a clear path to commercialization.
This ERC Proof-of-Concept project will validate both the technical feasibility and the commercial viability of our method. Commercially, we will conduct a systematic market analysis with trusted industrial partners, identify high-value pharmaceutical targets, and refine our intellectual-property and business strategy for licensing, contract research, or direct production.
Using these steps, CHIRAL-MORPHS promises a cheaper, faster, and more sustainable path to enantiomerically pure building blocks. If successful, it will remove a key bottleneck in the manufacture of chiral medicines, shorten drug-development timelines, and open broad opportunities across the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and fine-chemical industries.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3526 KV Utrecht
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.