Brussels, 12/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 9 March, the European Commission announced the results of its €18 million call for proposals for new research projects on influenza. Four collaborative research projects have been shortlisted for funding. In all, 52 research institutes and SMEs from 18 European countries and 3 international partners (Israel, China and the United States) will be involved. Two consortia will focus their research on influenza in pigs while the two others will develop innovative drugs against influenza in humans. “Seasonal flu alone can kill 250,000 - 500,000 people worldwide every year and EU-funded research projects like these can help save lives. What is more, successful EU research in preventing and treating flu and other diseases has enormous social and economic value and can contribute significantly to our EUROPE 2020 goals,” said European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. The four projects shortlisted are as follows. (1) ESNIP 3 - European surveillance network for influenza in pigs 3 (duration: 36 months, expected EU contribution: €1 million). The project is expected to contribute to improved pandemic preparedness and planning for human influenza and provide an evidence base for decisions in relation to veterinary health. (2) FLUPIG - Pathogenesis and transmission of influenza virus in pigs (duration: 48 months, expected EU contribution: €5 million). This project aims at a better understanding of the role of pigs in influenza pandemics. (3) FLU-PHARM - New drugs which inhibit viral replication in infected cells (duration: 42 months, expected EU contribution: €6 million). If successful, FLU-PHARM will provide new opportunities for treating both seasonal and pandemic flu. (4) FLUCURE - Development of novel antiviral drugs against influenza which are capable of entering clinical development within four years (duration: 48 months, expected EU contribution: €6 million). The final EU contribution per project and project details will be subject to the signature of contracts, which should take place in 2010. (B.C./transl.rt)