Answer given by Ms Gabriel on behalf of the European Commission
4.4.2022
The framework Programmes for Research and Innovation have funded several research projects related to Lyme disease[1], including the development of diagnostics[2]. For example, the diagnostic technology in the DualDur project enables early and accurate diagnosis of Lyme disease using blood samples. Such diagnostics could also be envisaged for optimising treatment duration.
Cluster 1 ‘Health’ of the framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon Europe[3], has as one of its priorities the development of more effective preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic and monitoring strategies for diseases.
Although the Commission does not plan to earmark resources for research specifically into Lyme disease under Horizon Europe, researchers working on Lyme disease will be able to find funding opportunities under calls for proposals dedicated to infectious diseases, including poverty-related and neglected diseases.
All calls for proposals are published in the ‘Funding & tender opportunities’ portal[4].
With the upcoming revision of the pharmaceutical legislation, the Commission does not intend to promote specific treatments for specific diseases. However, it intends to explore measures to improve the prudent use of antimicrobials as well as the monitoring of the use of antibiotics.
- [1] FP7 projects with a total EU contribution of EUR 6.3 million: EpiFor, COSEATIBO, HILYSENS, RICYSTVACANT20, ANTIDotE and Hilysens II;
Horizon 2020 projects with a total EU contribution of EUR 5.4 million.: ID-Lyme and DualDur;
For more on these projects, consult CORDIS ( https://cordis.europa.eu/ ) - [2] Projects on the diagnosis of Lyme disease include:
ID-Lyme https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/720480
DualDur https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/805609 - [3] https://ec.europa.eu/info/horizon-europe_en
- [4] https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home