17 research projects were shortlisted for funding following evaluation by independent experts. These projects will advance our understanding of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), contribute to more efficient clinical management of patients infected with the virus, and to the public health preparedness and response to the outbreak.

• improving epidemiology and public health, including preparedness and response to outbreaks :
• rapid point-of-care diagnostic tests 
• new treatments 
  
• new vaccines

Research teams are expected to share data rapidly so that results can immediately inform the public health response. Such rapid reaction is made possible by the standing budget line for emergency research funds that the Commission maintains as part of the Horizon 2020 annual work programmes for health research.

'Fight-nCov', led by six research teams including IDMIT, has been selected for the development of a new type of antiviral treatment against the Sars-This project will receive €2.8 million over two years to develop a new type of antiviral treatment effective against the new Sars-CoV2 virus, but also against other viruses that attack the upper respiratory tract, such as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

About the partners :

• Anna-Lena Spetz (University of Stockholm, Sweden) (project leader),
• Roger Le Grand, (CEA-Jacob, IDMIT, France), 
  
• Urban Höglund, (Adlego Biomedical, Switzerland), 
• Jan Münch (University of Ulm, Germany), 
  
• Alexander N. Zelikin (University of Aarhus, Denmark) 
  
• Thomas Schrader (University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany).
  

For more information :

European Commission research projects on Coronavirus