Working together to advance Personalised Medicine Approaches across Europe

Research Spotlight

February 2025

The EP PerMed Joint Transnational Call for Proposals 2024 (JTC2024) represented a pivotal step in fostering collaboration and driving innovation in personalised medicine (PM) across Europe. With the goal of enhancing healthcare through targeted and tailored treatments, this EU co-funded initiative brought together 38 funding organisations from 23 countries and 10 regions, pooling resources and expertise to advance cutting-edge research. Systems Biology Ireland (SBI) Centre is a partner in two of the selected projects launching in January 2025, playing a crucial role in contributing to this groundbreaking effort.

The Significance of JTC2024

PM is transforming healthcare by shifting from a one-size-fits-all approach to treatments tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup, environment, and lifestyle. JTC2024 directly supports this paradigm shift by funding projects that identify and validate new targets for personalised therapeutic interventions. The call attracted an overwhelming response, with 283 pre-proposals submitted. Following a competitive selection process, 64 consortia were invited to submit full proposals, and 27 projects received funding, representing a total investment of 39.2 million euros.

The selected projects span diverse disease areas and involve 154 research groups across 23 countries, reinforcing the call’s commitment to international collaboration. A significant portion of the research focuses on cancer, neurological diseases, and other major health concerns. Many of the funded consortia are dedicated to detection, screening, diagnosis, and the development of innovative treatments. This structured and collaborative approach ensures that resources are directed toward the most pressing challenges in PM.

SBI’s Role in JTC2024-Funded Projects

The SBI Centre’s involvement in two JTC2024-funded projects, BATMAN and ColoStem-applied, highlights its contribution to advancing PM. These projects focus on critical areas of healthcare, specifically autoimmune disease progression to lymphoma and the identification of therapeutic targets for aggressive colorectal tumors. 

The BATMAN project investigates the role of the BOB1 protein in Sjögren’s disease (SjD) and its progression to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). SjD is an autoimmune disorder where chronic B-cell activation increases the risk of lymphoma. Emerging research suggests that BOB1 is overexpressed in SjD and NHL, making it a promising therapeutic target.

By leveraging patient samples, in vitro and in vivo models, and advanced imaging techniques, the BATMAN consortium aims to determine how BOB1 contributes to lymphoma development. If successful, the project could pave the way for novel targeted therapies for patients with SjD at risk of developing NHL. The Centre plays a vital role in this research, with its lead investigator overseeing key aspects of the study.

The ColoStem-applied project focuses on colorectal tumors that undergo fetal/embryonic transformation, allowing them to evade standard chemotherapy. Research indicates that 24% of colorectal tumors exhibit this transformation, resulting in poor prognosis and high mortality rates. The project aims to identify vulnerabilities in these tumors and develop targeted treatment strategies.

By using patient-derived organoids, zebrafish avatars, and murine models, the consortium will validate potential drug targets, with a particular focus on the Hippo/YAP1 pathway. The ultimate goal is to develop a companion diagnostic tool that integrates personalised treatment strategies, ensuring that patients with fetal-type tumors receive the most effective therapies.

The Broader Impact of JTC2024

Beyond SBI’s projects, the JTC2024-funded consortia exemplify the power of transnational collaboration. With coordinators from 10 countries and partners from 24, the initiative fosters a multidisciplinary approach to PM. The diversity of expertise, ranging from academia and clinical research to private-sector innovation, ensures a comprehensive research effort.

Moreover, the call promotes inclusivity by integrating underrepresented regions into its projects. The widening option allowed seven consortia to add new partners in the second stage, broadening the geographical scope of the research. Additionally, patient organisations play a significant role, with 22% of projects including them as partners. This integration ensures that research remains patient-centric, prioritising real-world applications and outcomes.