What the project is about
SCALPEL is developing a new approach to cancer therapy that brings together photomedicine and immunotherapy.
The project explores how light-based treatments such as photodynamic therapy and photochemical internalisation can be combined with engineered antibodies to target cancer cells more precisely. After light activation, damaged tumour cells are selectively tagged so that the immune system can recognise and eliminate them. By proving this principle in cell cultures and laboratory animals, SCALPEL aims to lay the foundation for a future cancer modality with curative potential.
Why it matters
Cancer treatment has advanced significantly, but recurrence remains a major challenge when malignant cells survive initial therapy.
SCALPEL addresses this gap by targeting the cells that are left behind and turning them into visible signals for the immune system. If successful, this approach could contribute to more precise, durable and systemic cancer therapies. Beyond the technology itself, the project shows how breakthrough health innovation depends on connecting very different scientific fields and translating high-risk, early-stage research into structured pathways towards future clinical and societal value.
Our role in the project
- Driving innovation management processes that help structure exploitable results, emerging assets and future valorisation pathways in an early-stage EIC Pathfinder setting.
- Supporting partners in identifying, capturing and positioning key results across a highly interdisciplinary technology field at low TRLs.
- Translating complex scientific concepts at the interface of photomedicine, immunotherapy and chemistry into clear messages for specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Coordinating overarching communication and dissemination activities, including the project website, news formats, partner stories and audience-tailored content.
- Building visibility for SCALPEL within the European health innovation ecosystem and supporting engagement with relevant scientific, clinical, innovation and policy stakeholders.
- Connecting communication, stakeholder engagement and exploitation planning to prepare the ground for future uptake beyond the proof-of-principle phase.
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Explore HEALTHProject Facts & Figures
- Full title
- Specific Conjugation of Antibodies to Lipid Photo-peroxidised Cancer Tissues for Their Immunogenic ELimination
- Thematic field
- Life Sciences, Food & Biotech
- Programme
- Horizon Europe & sub-programmes
- Duration
- 54 months (March 2025 - August 2029)
- Budget
- ≈ EUR 5 million
- Project website
- https://www.scalpel-project.eu