– Project implementation period: 10.2023 – 10.2026,
– Implemented in a consortium: Fundación para la Investigación médica Aplicada (FIMA), Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Institut de Recerca Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, FutureSynthesis Sp. z. o .o.,

Cardiovascular diseases, especially ischemic cardiomyopathies, are a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. One of the main problems associated with ischemic heart disease is the process of fibrosis with progressive scar expansion, which eventually leads to severe loss of cardiac function and death. To date, no effective anti-fibrotic treatment has been developed. The goal of this project is to explore new technologies based on therapeutic materials that can effectively treat fibrotic disease. In particular, within this project, it is planned to develop functionalized nanoparticle-based siRNA delivery systems to target activated cardiac fibroblasts (CF) and reverse their pro-fibrotic profile. Two formulation strategies, alginate sulfate siRNA nanoparticles (NPs) functionalized with anti-periostin antibodies or, alternatively, functionalized with anti-periostin antibodies, will be investigated to target activated fibroblasts in the heart at a specific time after MI.

In addition, various RNA chemical modifications will be carried out to protect RNA from degradation and improve target specificity, lowering the risk of side effects due to off-target effects.