We are an SME providing a platform for quantitative, mechanistic assessment of the human relevance and translatability of disease models, supporting Horizon Cluster 1 Health consortia in addressing core evaluation criteria and frequent reviewer criticisms.
Our methodology evaluates animal models and NAMs in a context-of-use–specific manner (gene, protein, metabolite, pathway, perturbation or drug specific), by comparing molecular and pathway-level responses to human disease data.
This enables objective justification of model choice, identification of missing or distorted mechanisms, and transparent explanation of why certain models succeed or fail to translate.
Across DISEASE-11 (disease mechanisms, incl. CVD), DISEASE-03 (post-infection conditions), DISEASE-04 (vaccines and infectious disease models), IND-03 (preclinical predictivity and translational robustness) and TOOL-03 (NAM integration and qualification), we help consortia to:
Provide explicit, evidence-based justification of disease models, rather than qualitative claims
Demonstrate human relevance and predictive validity, a common point of reviewer challenge
Identify and transparently address limitations of animal models and NAMs, with mitigation strategies
Strengthen mechanistic interpretation of experimental results and disease hypotheses
Support regulatory-relevant rationale for model selection, benchmarking and NAM integration
Our contribution helps turn model choice, translatability and mechanistic credibility from a proposal risk into a reviewer-ready strength, directly supporting stronger scores under Excellence and Impact.
SME strengthening DISEASE-11 proposals by mechanistically justifying human relevance of CVD disease models and exposing translational gaps.
Partner seeks Consortium/Coordinator
DESTINATION 2: HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-ENVHLTH-04: Towards climate resilient, prepared and carbon neutral populations and healthcare systems
DESTINATION 3: HORIZON-HLTH-2026-01-DISEASE-11: Understanding of sex and/or gender-specific mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases: determinants, risk factors and pathways