Development of Monoclonal Antibodies to Prevent and Treat Infections from Filo-, Nairo-, Phenui-, Picorna- and Toga Viruses

Programme: Horizon Europe (HORIZON) – Cluster 1: Health
Topic Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-DISEASE-07
Type of Action: Research and Innovation Action (RIA)
Funding Type: Horizon Europe Grant Funding
Opening Date: 10 February 2027
Closing Date: 13 April 2027 (17:00 Brussels Time)

The European Commission, through the Horizon Europe Programme – Cluster 1: Health, has announced a forthcoming funding opportunity aimed at accelerating the development of monoclonal antibody therapies for the prevention and treatment of emerging and re-emerging viral diseases with epidemic and pandemic potential.

The call, titled “Development of Monoclonal Antibodies to Prevent and Treat Infections from Filo-, Nairo-, Phenui-, Picorna- and Toga Viruses” (HORIZON-HLTH-2027-01-DISEASE-07), will support collaborative international research projects focused on advancing promising monoclonal antibody candidates from preclinical development through to early-stage clinical testing.

The initiative forms part of the Horizon Europe Health Work Programme and contributes to strengthening global preparedness against future infectious disease outbreaks while supporting implementation of the European Medical Countermeasures Strategy.

Projects must focus on a single target virus and advance existing monoclonal antibody candidates toward clinical readiness and eventual regulatory approval.

Focus Areas

Applicants must select and focus on only one of the following viruses:

• Ebola Virus
• Marburg Virus
• Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus
• Rift Valley Fever Virus
• Enterovirus D68
• Chikungunya Virus

Expected Outcomes

Successful projects should contribute to:

• Improved availability of experimental monoclonal antibodies for emerging viral diseases.
• Development of candidate antibody therapies suitable for future epidemic and pandemic responses.
• Increased therapeutic options for prevention and treatment of high-risk viral infections.
• Enhanced preparedness and response capacity for global health emergencies.

Eligible Activities

Projects are expected to undertake activities such as:

• Advanced laboratory characterisation of existing monoclonal antibody candidates.
• Animal model testing to demonstrate efficacy and protective function.
• Non-human primate studies where required by regulators.
• Assessment of Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE) risks.
• GMP-compliant manufacturing of antibody batches.
• First-in-human clinical safety studies.
• Regulatory engagement to support future market authorisation.
• Utilisation of existing European research infrastructures where appropriate.

Who Can Apply?

This is a consortium-based Horizon Europe call.

Applicants may include:

• Universities
• Research institutions
• Public research organisations
• Hospitals and clinical research centres
• Biotechnology companies
• Pharmaceutical companies
• SMEs and start-ups
• International research partners
• Other eligible legal entities participating in health research and innovation activities.

SME and start-up participation is specifically encouraged.

Country Eligibility

Fully Eligible Countries for Funding

Entities established in:

European Union Member States

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czechia
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden

Associated Countries

• Albania
• Armenia
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Canada
• Egypt
• Faroe Islands
• Georgia
• Iceland
• Israel
• Kosovo
• Moldova
• Montenegro
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia
• Norway
• Republic of Korea
• Serbia
• Switzerland
• Tunisia
• Türkiye
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom

Eligible Low- and Middle-Income Countries include:

• South Africa
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Ghana
• Uganda
• Tanzania
• Rwanda
• Ethiopia
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Mozambique
• Malawi
• Senegal
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Cameroon
• Morocco
• Algeria
• Egypt
• And many other LMICs listed under Horizon Europe eligibility rules.

Countries Encouraged for Project Participation

The call specifically encourages participation from countries where the targeted diseases are endemic or where outbreaks have occurred.

Examples include:

Ebola & Marburg Virus

• Uganda
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Rwanda
• Tanzania
• Guinea
• Sierra Leone
• Liberia

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

• South Africa
• Kenya
• Uganda
• Tanzania
• Senegal
• Mauritania

Rift Valley Fever

• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Ethiopia
• Somalia
• Sudan
• South Africa

Chikungunya

• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Uganda
• Mozambique
• Madagascar
• Nigeria

Enterovirus D68

• Global relevance with no specific endemic-country focus.

Where Must Projects Take Place?

Projects may be implemented across eligible Horizon Europe countries and consortium partners' locations.

The call does not restrict implementation to a specific country. However, participation of institutions located in countries where the target virus is endemic or where outbreaks occur is strongly encouraged to strengthen scientific relevance and clinical validation.

Consortium Requirements

Unless otherwise stated:

• Minimum of 3 independent legal entities.
• Partners must come from at least 3 different countries.
• At least 1 partner must be from an EU Member State.
• The other partners must be from different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

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