Two new Translational Projects to start 2026
26.06.2026 13:25
Following a competitive selection process with 17 applications, two cross-institutional projects in the field of precision medicine have been selected for funding under the 3rd Call for Proposals for Research Consortia.
The 3rd Call for Proposals for Research Consortia (2025–2026) by The LOOP Zurich attracted a total of 17 applications. Following an initial review round, 7 consortia were invited to submit a full proposal. In a subsequent, multi-stage evaluation process – incorporating external expert reviews and assessment by the responsible evaluation committee – two projects were ultimately selected for multi-year funding: ReGenStent and AU-FUS Brain Networks. Both initiatives aim to advance innovative approaches within the Zurich university medicine network towards first-in-human application.
Strengthening the Translational Ecosystem in Zurich
Together, the two projects span the range from cardiovascular regeneration to precision neuropharmacology, bringing together expertise from the University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, University Children’s Hospital Zurich, and further partner institutions. With clearly defined regulatory and clinical translation pathways, ReGenStent and AU-FUS Brain Networks reflect The LOOP Zurich’s commitment to translating excellent biomedical research into better diagnostics and therapies for patients.
AU-FUS Brain Networks: Non-invasive precision neuropharmacology
AU-FUS Brain Networks, under the project title “Personalized Brain Therapy by Non-invasive Focal Pharmaceutical Network Intervention using AU-FUS”, aims to develop a non-invasive focused ultrasound platform for focal drug release in the human brain, building on extensive preclinical work in large-animal models. The project brings together several key components: the development and optimisation of focused ultrasound (FUS) sources, specialised ultrasound-sensitive molecular carrier systems, and adaptive modelling for targeted ultrasound delivery. The aim is to use FUS to aggregate nanocarriers at defined positions and thereby release active substances locally. Experiments have shown that local drug concentrations can be increased by up to three orders of magnitude.
The active substances are packaged into dedicated nanocarriers that are manufactured according to strict quality standards, and their tolerability is carefully evaluated in safety studies. Using modern computational models of the brain, the researchers also plan in great detail where and how medications should be released. The overall goal of these efforts is to apply this novel method for the first time in a clinical study in people with therapy-resistant epilepsy.
The project is set to start in December 2026 and is made possible by the Vontobel Foundation.
ReGenStent: Regenerative stents for children with heart disease
ReGenStent, under the project title “Regenerative, Bioresorbable Stent Platform for the Treatment of Children with Congenital Heart Disease”, is developing a bioresorbable stent platform specifically tailored to the needs of children with congenital heart disease and addressing an important unmet need in paediatric cardiology. Over the next five years, the team aims to bring the stent to a stage where it is ready for first-in-human use. To achieve this, the design will be gradually refined, safety and efficacy will be carefully evaluated in well-planned preclinical studies, and a clearly regulated manufacturing process will be established – creating the basis for testing this new stent technology for the first time in a clinical trial with children in Zurich.
In dedicated safety studies, the researchers will examine how stable and well tolerated these stents are in the bloodstream of growing children. Using modern computer models and medical imaging, they will also plan in detail the shape and size of the stents and how they behave as the blood vessels grow. The aim of this work is to offer children with congenital heart defects a growth-friendly, regenerative solution as an alternative to metal stents, which have to be replaced several times during growth and therefore require repeated interventions.
The project is set to start in November 2026.
