Spinverse supported the groundbreaking PREDICTFTD project, an ambitious Horizon Europe initiative with a budget of almost EUR 8 million, aiming to transform the diagnosis and treatment of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). With a total duration of 54 months, this project seeks to accelerate the validation of predictive liquid biomarkers, which hold the potential to significantly enhance early detection and classification of this debilitating condition.
The EU has awarded funding of EUR 7.99 million to an international consortium to tackle the early detection and diagnosis of FTD. The project aims to validate a comprehensive set of biomarkers and develop a diagnostic tool that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) for swift and accurate diagnosis.
This project was addressed to funding call destination 3 'Tackling diseases and reducing disease burden' that aims to identify individuals eligible for early treatments for some high-burden brain disorders, in which a definitive diagnosis is difficult, expensive and time-consuming.
Transforming early diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia through liquid biomarkers and AI
The PREDICTFTD project aims to transform the early diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) by validating a set of liquid biomarkers and developing an AI-driven diagnostic tool. By combining data from 11 diverse cohorts, the project will implement a two-stage validation strategy to address critical challenges in distinguishing sporadic FTD from other disorders, detecting pathological subtypes and identifying the earliest changes in the presymptomatic phase of the disease. Ultimately, PREDICTFTD seeks to improve patient care, inform treatment decisions and support clinical trial recruitment.
PREDICTFTD will significantly forward dementia research by combining extensive clinical data, advanced AI algorithms and innovative biomarker validation strategies. By enabling earlier diagnosis, PREDICTFTD aims to improve patient outcomes through tailored support and symptomatic treatments. This approach not only promises to enhance the quality of life for patients but also offers significant economic benefits by reducing healthcare costs associated with prolonged misdiagnosis and late-stage care. In conclusion, the PREDICTFTD project addresses a pressing medical need as well as holds the promise of transforming the way we understand and manage FTD, ultimately benefitting countless individuals and their families across Europe and beyond.
The project brings together a consortium of 15 partners from various renowned institutions across Europe, including leading neurologists, data scientists, health economists and a patient organisation.
Spinverse contributed to the success of the funding application
Spinverse health domain experts provided their expertise on this complex funding proposal process and also supported the consortium building by adding relevant partners to the project. This collaboration helped in ticking all the boxes for a successful funding proposal, which received the full 15/15 score from the evaluators.
Mireia Jofre Bonet, Ph.D., Chief Research Officer & Head of Education from Office of Health Economics (OHE), participated in the project proposal work together with Spinverse. She says: “The Spinverse team was crucial for the coordination of consortium teams and their ideas for the submission of the PREDICTFTD proposal. They were able to link all the parts effectively and get the best out of every partner.”
Senior Project Manager Renuka Natarajan from Spinverse acted as the project manager for the funding proposal process, supported by other health experts from Spinverse. She concludes: "It was such a privilege to be part of the PREDICTFTD project proposal process. I am proud to see this project, that is close to my heart as I come from neuroimmunology and biomarkers background, how it has found a meaningful end by securing funding with full scores. I am grateful to be part of this journey with such a group of great scientists who tirelessly work towards saving peoples’ lives.”
This project supports the following UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): |
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Renuka Natarajan
Senior Project Manager
renuka.natarajan@spinverse.com
Tel: +358 40 7162120