Targeted delivery of antitumor drugs employing biodegradable carriers

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia Serbia

Date of latest update: 2026-05-25

Description

Description (EN):

The project "Targeted delivery of antitumor drugs employing biodegradable carriers" is based on the knowledge that malignant diseases are the second largest cause of death in the world. At the same time, cancers of the digestive tract, primarily intestines, are the second most common malignancy in terms of occurrence and the second cause of death from cancer. According to EU data from 2020, colorectal cancer accounts for 12.7% of newly diagnosed cancers. The modern approach to the treatment of malignant diseases tends towards an individual approach to the patient, his overall health status, and the targeted delivery of drugs to the site of malignancy with as few side effects as possible that accompany chemotherapy. Targeted drug delivery implies that the protective envelope around the drug itself should be biodegradable, but at the same time resistant to various external influences for the drug to reach the malignant cells. The envelope should be inert to changes in the pH of the environment and sufficiently lipophilic to be able to pass through the cell membrane of malignant cells. The goal of the project is to prepare carriers made of biodegradable materials such as inulin and dextran into which chemotherapeutic agents used in clinical practice will be incorporated. Inulin and dextran are natural polymers that are used in the food industry and have no harmful effects on the body, which is the primary reason for their selection as biodegradable carriers. Particularly interesting is inulin, which is relatively resistant to changes in pH, and is degraded under the influence of the microbiota of the colon, which makes it a very good candidate for the targeted delivery of drugs intended to act in the colon. Prepared carriers with and without chemotherapeutics will be tested for solubility, consistency, resistance to pH changes, and stability under variable temperature conditions. The impact of the prepared carriers on tumor and normal cells will be tested, which will enable the evaluation of their effectiveness as potential biodegradable drug carriers. The preparation of biodegradable inulin and dextran carriers for drug delivery is an innovative approach in material selection. The synthetic carriers used so far are not biodegradable, which creates a problem with excretion from the body. They are expensive to prepare, they must be chemically modified and very often have weak mechanical properties. The two polymers chosen as starting materials are cheap, easily available and obtained from natural sources. Carriers made of inulin and dextran, alone or in combination, would increase the bioavailability and success of targeted delivery of chemotherapeutics to malignant colon cancer cells. The successful preparation of biodegradable, pH-stable, harmless drug carriers from inulin and dextran and their targeted delivery to malignant cells would increase the success of targeting chemotherapy and have a beneficial effect on the health of patients. The scientific contribution would be mutual for both project partners (MEFOS and FINS) due to the new knowledge that will result from the project activities. It is also possible to apply for a patent that would result from a successfully implemented project proposal. The project partners belong to the same geographical and climatic area, are connected historically and culturally, as well as by very great similarities in the way of eating. Members of the Osijek Faculty of Medicine project team as a leading partner will conduct a biological evaluation of the newly prepared biodegradable carriers on a panel of cell lines located in the internal bank of the Laboratory for Functional Genomics and Tissue Culture at the Faculty of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia. Members of the project team of FINS, Serbia will prepare and chemically characterize the carriers that will be evaluated on a biological basis in the final phase of the project. The project will result in the connection of two research institutions from mutually neighboring countries, will promote inter-institutional cooperation, which in the future will lead to the application of new projects, strengthening of innovations in the technological field and connection with the pharmaceutical industry.

Actual Achievements (EN):

The project "Targeted delivery of antitumor drugs employing biodegradable carriers" began its implementation on 01/07/2024 with the signing of the project contract (15/07/2024) and the partnership agreement between MEFOS (CRO) and FINS (RS) on 18/07/2024. After the contracts were signed, a separate account no. 02242 was set up with the designation "ABIDERS project", to which the advance amount of € 71,675.64 was transferred (30/07/2024). 50% of the funds, i.e. € 35,837.82, were transferred to the project partner FINS (4 September 2024). In August and September 2024, the main partner prepared the promotional materials (notebook with promotional pen, canvas bag with print, USB stick, key ring and roll-up), while FINS was responsible for creating the poster (A3 format). The visibility of the project was increased by advertising on the website of the Faculty of Medicine Osijek in the category Science - International project (https://www.mefos.unios.hr/index.php/hr/znanstveno-istrazivacki-rad-alias/projekti/ international-projects) and by opening the LinkedIn profile of the project. For the purpose of visibility, the project partner has set up an official website on the official FINS website: (https://fins.uns.ac.rs/project/targeted-delivery-of-antitumor-drugs-employing-biodegradable-carriers-abiders/). The launch conference took place on September 16, 2024 in lecture hall P1 of the Faculty of Medicine Osijek. The project was presented to the general public by representatives of the media (Osječka televizija), represented by Goran Flauder. The representatives of the project partners made statements: Assoc. Ph.D. Katarina Mišković Špoljarić (MEFOS) and Ph.D. Aleksandra Torbica (FINS). The announcement and a short description of the project launch were published on the IPA Interreg programme website. In October and November 2024, MEFOS conducted a public tender procedure for the planned multimodal number plate reader. The procurement process was finalised with the signing of the contract with the selected device provider. The multimodal plate reader was delivered to the Faculty of Medicine in Osijek on December 20, 2024. The reader was added to the inventory of the Faculty of Medicine in Osijek and registered in the CRORIS database. Katarina Mišković Špoljarić visited Novi Sad (November 2024) and met with members of the project team (Aleksandra Cvetanović Kljakić and Milorad Miljić). In the first phase of the implementation of the ABIDERS project, the new acquaintances between the project partners are one of the greatest contributions of the project. During the second project period of the "Targeted delivery of antitumour drugs employing biodegradable carriers" project, the greatest progress was made in initiating public procurement procedures on both the LP side for chemicals and the PP side for chemicals and planned devices. In March 2025, LP started the comprehensive process of public procurement of chemicals for the entire MEFOS institution - including the planned chemicals needed for the implementation of the ABIDERS project. The procurement process was completed with the signing of the contract with the selected bidders on 2 June 2025 and the planned chemicals were ordered. A laptop was also purchased and planned. PP started the public procurement process at the end of 2024 and continued during the 1st quarter of 2025. The procurement of chemicals and UV/VIS spectrometers was commissioned in February 2025. IT equipment was also purchased and planned. In June 2025, the JS PM control bodies visited the lead partner LP (2 June 2025) and PP (3 June 2025). LP presented the successes achieved so far in the project (PDF attached). During the visit, progress in project implementation and possible difficulties due to delays in the implementation of public procurement procedures were discussed. It was suggested that the original ABIDERS project poster be modified. A new one was made and displayed in all places where activities related to the ABIDERS project (LP + PP) take place. Due to delays in implementation and the lengthy public procurement process, the first samples (n = 10) of biodegradable carriers with and without incorporated 5-fluorouracil were delivered by PP to LP for biological testing in June 2025 and testing has just started. During the 2nd period, three students of the MLD University study programme, which takes place at LP, prepared their qualification theses, in which they performed the analytical part of the work (measurements) using the Tecan Spark multimodal plate reader, which was purchased with ABIDERS project funds. In addition, a scientific paper entitled "The Response of Cell Cultures to Nutrient- and Serum-Induced Changes in the Medium" was published, whose authors are members of the project team (Katarina Mišković Špoljarić, Marijana Leventić, Teuta Opačak-Bernardi) and which states the following: Funding: The research was partly funded by the project (Interreg VI-A) IPA CBC Croatia Serbia HR-RS00148-ABIDERS, within the framework of which the multimodal Tecan Spark reader was purchased and used in all analyses.

Project outputs: Project partners co-operating in cross-border project (EN)
Jointly created novel carriers for drug delivery in the human colon and small intestine(EN)
Testing of biological acceptability and effectiveness of novel carriers for targeted delivery of antitumor drugs (EN)

Thematic information

Scientific cooperation

Priority: (VI-A_HR-S_1) Cooperating for smarter programme area

Priority specific objective: RSO1.1. Developing and enhancing research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO1 A more competitive and smarter Europe by promoting innovative and smart economic transformation and regional ICT connectivity

Type of intervention: 012 Research and innovation activities in public research centres, higher education and centres of competence including networking (industrial research, experimental development, feasibility studies)

Partners (2)

Lead Partner: Medicinski fakultet Osijek, Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Hrvatska

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR16214165873

Department: Department for medicinal chemistry, biochemistry and clinical chemistry

Address: Josipa Huttlera , 31000 Osijek, Croatia

Department address: Josipa Huttlera , 31000 Osijek, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website (not verified): http://www.medicina@mefos.hr

Total budget: EUR 142 936.54

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 121 496.05

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 21 440.49

Contractors:

Name: Gorea plus doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR79496934924
Name: GOREA plus doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR79496934924
Name: GOREA doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR79496934924
Name: KEFO doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR09371680761
Name: GOREA Plus doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR79496934924
Name: Gorea Plus doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR7949634924
Name: RU-VE doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR88470929840
Name: Carl Zeiss doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR78396144899
Name: Studio HS doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR29242442582
Name: INEL-MEDICINSKA TEHNIKA doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR56895477602
Name: Narodne novine dd
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR64546066176
Name: Studentski centar Osijek
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR90017453174
Name: INSTAR CENTAR doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR64308723629
Name: Biovit doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR73275412890
Name: studenstki centar osijek
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR90017453174
Name: Studio HS Internet doo
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR29242442582
Name: MEFOS - ABIDERS
VAT registration or tax identification number: HR16214165873

Naučni institut za prehrambene tehnologije u Novom Sadu, Sveučilište u Novom Sadu, Srbija

Name: Naučni institut za prehrambene tehnologije u Novom Sadu, Sveučilište u Novom Sadu, Srbija

Department: Research center for products based on grain crops for human and animal nutrition

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 104743019

Address: Bulevar cara Lazara , 21102 NOVI SAD, Serbia

Department address: Bulevar cara Lazara, 21102 Novi Sad, Serbia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Total budget: EUR 143 766.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 122 201.10

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 85.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 21 564.90

Contractors:

Name: SHIMADZU d.o.o. Beograd
VAT registration or tax identification number: 108872663
Name: MC LABOR d.o.o. Beograd
VAT registration or tax identification number: 104119050
Name: ELTA 90 MEDICAL SCIENCE d.o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 107392312
Name: NOVOS d.o.o. Beograd
VAT registration or tax identification number: 100388569
Name: KEFO d.o.o. Beograd
VAT registration or tax identification number: 105046072
Name: AS Computers d.o.o. Novi Sad
VAT registration or tax identification number: 107290197

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Institute of Food Technology in Novi Sad, , University of Novi Sad, Serbia

Targeted delivery of antitumor drugs employing biodegradable carriers

Partners and Projects info

Faculty of medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayera University of Osijek, Croatia

Targeted delivery of antitumor drugs employing biodegradable carriers

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Targeted delivery of antitumor drugs employing biodegradable carriers

Project acronym: ABIDERS

Project ID: HR-RS00148

Project start date: 2024-07-01

Project end date: 2025-12-31

Project status: closed

Relevant linked projects:

New functionalized biopolymers for applications medical LIDER/27/0090/L-7/15/NCBR/2016 Project funded by National Centre for Research and Development (Poland) (EN) | Production of functional biopolymers (EN), BioECOLogics – Value-added bioecologics through eco-sustainable routes; https://www.bioecologics.rs/ Project funded by Science Fund of Republic of Serbia (2022-2024) (EN) | Bio-upcycling technology and bioprocess for bioactive bacterial natural products with antimicrobial and anticancer properties. (EN), BioUtilize - Novel extracts and bioactive compounds from under-utilized resources for high-value applications. Project funded by Science Fund of Republic of Serbia (2022-2024) (EN) | Isolation of bioactive molecules with promising antioxidant and anti-tumor properties and their preparation for pharmaceutical industry (EN), DEStiny - Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents for Green Agri-Food Solutions. Project funded by Science Fund of Republic of Serbia (2020-2022).
(EN) | Extraction of bioactive molecules (EN), Bilateral project implemented between the Republic of Serbia and
Republic of Croatia: "Examination of the biological activity of subcritical
of aqueous extracts of plant waste". Project funded by Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (2016–2017). (EN) |
Extraction of bioactive molecules and determination of their anti-tumor properties (EN), Bilateral project implemented between the Republic of Serbia and
Republic of Portugal: "Valorization of agricultural by-products and
food industries through "green" extraction techniques: an evaluation
bioactive compounds". Project financed by the Ministry
of education, science and technological development of the Republic of Serbia (2015–20162015–2016). (EN) | Extraction of bioactive molecules and determination of their anti-tumor properties. (EN), "Pharmacologically active substances and
products based on medicinal/aromatic herbs for use in pharmacy"
(TR31003), funded by
Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia.
(2011-2019) (EN) | Determination of biological activity of extracted bioactive principles from natural sources with special emphasis on the anti-tumor activity of apigenin. (EN), GutFriendlyCarbs - Biotechnological tools for optimization of short and medium chain carbohydrates content in cereal-based food to prevent gastrointestinal disorders. Project funded by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia (2022-2024) (EN) | Knowledge improvement about inulin-type fermentable short-chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs). (EN), HRZZ „Development of a sustainable integrated process for the production of bioactive isolates from food industry residues" (2018-2022) Project funded by the Croatian Science Foundation (EN) | Cytotoxic effect and permeabilty study of polifenolic extracts (EN), HRZZ "Genotype specificity of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) highly nutritional natural food supplement” (2018-2022) Project funded by the Croatian Science Foundation (EN) | Establishment of the Caco-2 cell model for assessment of absorption and permeability (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 286 702.54

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 243 697.15

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 85.00%

Co-financing sources:

IPA/IPA II/IPA III: Amount, EUR 243 697.15. Co-financing rate, 85.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Report from the kick-off meeting
Created web-page and social networkking
Metacrilated dextran and inulin
Preparation of azo-dextran and azo-inulin based pH-sensitive carriers
Incorporated anti-tumoral drugs in selected azo-dextran and azo-inulin carrier
Completely characterized azo and inulin dextran-based carriers
Optimized carrier
Organized opening workshop
Organized closing workshop
Organized central meeting
Culture of cells with biodegradable carriers
Culture of cells with incorporated chemotherapeutic in to the biodegradable carriers
Evaluation of absorption capacity
ATP assay
Participation in scientific conference
Submitted two research papers
Organized closing meeting

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal Application of biobased polymers, obtained from renewable resources (by GAP and GMP) fully supports the Green Deal initiative and zero waste policy. The European Green Deal aims to transform the European continent into a fair and prosperous society, with a sustainable resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050, and where economic growth is dissociated from resource use. European Union's (EU's) commitment to a zero-pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment aims to protect, conserve and enhance the EU's natural capital, and protect the health and well-being of citizens from environment-related risks and impacts. ABIDERS strives are in the alignment with the Zero Pollution Action Plan and the Circular Economy Action Plan aiming to minimize the presence of present and future hazardous substances endangering human and environmental health. The meaningfully management of the resources, from whom the majority are non-renewable, underpins the EU's endeavor towards the most resource efficient economy in the world. Food 2030 R&I policy and The Farm to Fork Strategy, as the heart of the Green Deal, are the pillars that focus on challenges of sustainable food systems implementation and recognize the inseparable links between healthy people, healthy societies and a healthy planet.
Other The policy and strategy in alliance with the Commission’s agenda to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The core of the project is focused on application of bio based polymer's (obtained from renewable resources) for formulation of non-toxic safe carriers for anti-tumor agent, by applying the concept of circular economy and implementing the novel design and formulation for targeted release of drugs for maximal effect against tumor cells
Other The project will contribute to the National strategy for science and technological development of the Republic of Serbia “Power of knowledge” (2021-2025), which will additionally strengthen the scientific research institutions so that they would be recognizable at the regional and European level and capable of solving complex problems independently. The strategy specifically recognizes social challenges in the areas of health and standards of citizens and their solutions through the creation of new knowledge; supports the preservation of health and directs the scientific research and innovation system toward top science.It will support the strategy of greater investment in individuals, especially young scientists. All in creating the necessary conditions for a dynamic development of science, research, and innovation.
Other As part of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, the participation of Serbian partners will primarily contribute to the Strategy of development of higher education and research capacities in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (2022-2030). This will enhance the position of a sustainable and continuous educational and scientific ecosystem for professional and personal development, thus attracting and motivating new young researchers and providing them with appropriate research infrastructure and administrative support to further exhibit the innovative approach at FINS and other institutes, universities and companies nationally and internationally, which have collaboration with FINS. The strategy encourages researchers to acquire permanent knowledge in the field of project proposal writing; and bring financial resources to their institutions for research and innovation, for new equipment, for consumables, for participation in conferences, and the financing of publishing in the concept of Open Science.
Other Generation of innovative ideas, results and technologies will contribute to Smart Specialisation Strategy Serbia (4S) by raising the competitiveness of the Serbian economy, in order to contribute to economic growth and progress of society by connecting research and innovation forces and resources with a limited number of priority economic areas.
EUStrategyDanubeRegion Strengthening and connecting of the region, by cooperation of Croatian and Serbian Partners. By applying the bio-based renewable resources the Project contributes to protection of the environment. All for the building the prosperity by collaboration of partners from Danube region.
Other Croatian national strategy until 2030 - the project is in accordance with development direction no. 1 in which strategic goal no. 2 Educated and employed people, which under point 3 states the improvement of higher education (N.N. 13/2021).
Other The project is aligned with EU development strategies until 2030 and strategic objective No. 3 - Building stronger ties and partnerships
Other The project is in line with the Development Strategy of the Faculty of Medicine Osijek until 2030 and strategic goal no. 3 "Encourage the application of international and national scientific research projects". The strategy of the Faculty follows the Development Strategy of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek and strategic goal no. 2 "Research, art and innovation".

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-A IPA Croatia Serbia

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-05

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

41 / 41 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

142 / 148 (95.95%)

Notes on the data

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Targeted delivery of antitumor drugs employing biodegradable carriers

Description

Thematic information

Partners (2)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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