Innovation and European Funds
Dr. Ángel Álvarez-Prado, from the Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), has been awarded a prestigious €1,5 million grant from the European Research Council (ERC). His IMMUNAGENOMICS project will focus on developing personalized therapies against brain metastases, investigating the impact of genetics and aging.
El Dr. Ángel Álvarez-Prado, scientist leading the Translational Cancer Immunogenomics group at the Instituto de Salud de Luxemburgo (LIH), has been awarded a grant of 1,5 millones de euros of the Consejo Europeo de Investigación (ERC)The funding, which will extend until 2031, will boost their project IMMUNAGENOMICS, focused on the development of personalized immunotherapies to treat brain metastases.
This project addresses a growing clinical challenge: brain metastases, which originate from primary tumors in organs such as the breast, lung, or skin. "Brain metastases are especially difficult to treat," explains the Dr. Álvarez-PradoAccording to the data provided, between 30% and 40% of cancer patients develop brain tumors. Paradoxically, this figure is increasing due to the success of treatments for primary tumors, which prolong patient survival but allow some cancer cells to escape and form brain tumors years or even decades later.
A personalized approach to immunotherapy
Although immunotherapy is a promising treatment approach, its effectiveness is limited to a subset of patients. The project IMMUNAGENOMICS The research seeks to understand the causes of this variability by investigating how patient aging and the genetic mutations accumulated by tumors influence the immune response. The goal is to map specific age ranges and genetic profiles with concrete responses to immunotherapy. "The project will help us develop more specific, personalized therapies for these patients," says the scientist, although he clarifies that translating laboratory findings to the clinic takes time.
If successful, this research would allow oncologists to use the genetic profile of a patient's original tumor, combined with their age, to select the most effective treatment should they develop brain metastasis in the future, avoiding the need for highly complex brain biopsies.
Luxembourg as a pole of attraction for research talent
El Dr. Álvarez-PradoWith a background in biotechnology, molecular biomedicine, and fundamental immunology, he joined the LIH in January 2025. His arrival in Luxemburgo It was supported by the program ATTRACT of the Fondo Nacional de Investigación de Luxemburgo (FNR), an initiative designed to attract researchers from abroad with grants of up to 1,5 million euros over five years for the creation of independent teams.
This initial funding was key to consolidating their line of research and presenting a solid and innovative proposal to the ERC, the funding program for cutting-edge research of the Unión Europea.
ERC funding opportunities for R&D
El Consejo Europeo de Investigación It is a fundamental pillar of the European innovation ecosystem. Its funding has contributed to 14 Nobel Prizes and generated more than 2.200 patents. For internationally focused companies and research centers, understanding its programs is key to securing funding.
| ERC Grant Type | Maximum Financing | Researcher Profile |
|---|---|---|
| starting grant | Up to €1,5M | Researchers with up to 10 years of post-doctoral experience. |
| Consolidator Grant | Up to €2M | Researchers with 5-15 years of post-doctoral experience. |
| Advanced Grants | Up to €2,5M | Established principal investigators with a strong track record. |
| Synergy Grant | Up to €10M (6 years) | Group of 2 to 4 principal investigators with complementary profiles. |
| Proof of Concept Grant | €150.000 (1,5 years) | For existing ERC grant recipients, to bring research closer to the market. |
Since 2011, Luxemburgo It has obtained 33 of these grants, for a total value exceeding 55 million euros and a success rate of 17%, placing it fifth among EU Member States. “Given the size and limited resources of Luxemburgo, ERC "It plays a crucial role in strengthening the country's research capabilities, attracting and retaining top talent," he emphasizes. Clarissa Gomes, European Funding Advisor at Luxinnovation.
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