A Dutch consortium has received €6.7 million to accelerate the development of nanomedicines together with patients. Researchers from Leiden University play a key role in the project.
The project NanoMedNL has been awarded €6.7 million through the Research along Routes by Consortia (ORC) programme of the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA). Coordinated by Utrecht University Professor Enrico Mastrobattista, the consortium brings together researchers, clinicians, companies, patients and the Dutch public to improve nanomedicine. These treatments use extremely small particles to deliver drugs precisely where they are needed in the body. While nanomedicines hold great promise, very few currently make it from lab bench to bedside.
'Despite the global success of mRNA vaccines such as the COVID-19 vaccine, too many nanomedicines fail to reach patients,' says Matthias Barz, professor of Biotherapeutic Delivery (LACDR). He leads the cancer therapy research within the project.
What is nanomedicine?
Nanomedicine uses nanotechnology, such as nanoparticles - incredibly tiny particles - to deliver drugs more precisely to the part of the body that needs them, such as a tumour. This could make treatments more effective and reduce side effects. However, it's still not fully understood how these particles behave in the human body, making it difficult to bring new nanomedicines to market.
Hurdles in nanomedicine
So why do so many promising treatments stall? Martina Vijver, professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) explains: 'It's a combination of scientific challenges, the multidisciplinarity of the field, a lack of standard guidelines, and concerns about safety and ethics. We aim to design nanomedicines to be "safe by design": taking into account how they degrade and any toxicity in both humans and the environment.'
Another major hurdle is understanding what happens to nanomedicines in the body after they've delivered their drug. We urgently need insight into the metabolism and off-target effects of nanomedicines,' says Thomas Hankemeier, head of the Metabolomic Center at LACDR. 'We'll study their effects on cells, tissues and entire organisms.'
Leiden makes broad contribution
Barz, Vijver, and Hankemeier are not the only Leiden researchers involved. With contributions from LACDR, CML, the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION) and the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University is a major partner in the project.
NanoMedNL will create a virtual national knowledge centre, a platform that unites expertise from researchers, patients, healthcare professionals, regulators, companies, and the general public. By bringing everyone into the conversation-including through public events-the consortium hopes to speed up the development of safe and effective nanomedicines.
More targeted treatment, fewer side effects
Sjaak Neefjes from the LUMC underscores the project's relevance: 'NanoMedNL addresses major issues in cancer and gene therapy. Current nanomedicines often don't make it into routine clinical use. Even well-established drugs like doxorubicin struggle to reach hard-to-target tumours, such as pancreatic cancer. If we can improve targeting, we can boost treatment effectiveness while reducing side effects. Nano-support is needed even for potent anticancer drugs.'
To reach this level of precision, fundamental understanding is essential. 'Designing nanomedicines that selectively and effectively target diseased cells requires a deep understanding of the physical principles behind cell-specific drug delivery ,' adds Daniela Kraft, professor at LION. 'We'll apply those insights to develop the next generation of nanomedicines.'
About NWA-ORC
The Research along Routes by Consortia (ORC) programme is part of the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA). It supports interdisciplinary projects where researchers collaborate closely with knowledge institutions and civil society partners to address scientific and societal challenges.
Partners in the consortium
Ardena, Leiden University Medical Centre, Mens in de Maak, NanoCell Tx, National Health Institute RIVM, Netherlands Society of Gene and Cell Therapy, Nemo Kennislink, patiëntenstem.nu, Radboud University Medical Centre, Radboud University Nijmegen, Rathenau Institute, University of Groningen, SINTEF, Stopeierstokkanker.nl, Eindhoven University of Technology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Leiden University, University of Twente, Utrecht University, VKS.
