TERACARD: a pioneering project to promote new technologies for cardiometabolic health and longevity

The TERACARD project is working towards its goal of increasing knowledge to promote developments in delivery and controlled-release technologies to improve the absorption, bioavailability and efficacy of bioactive compounds aimed at the prevention and treatment of highly prevalent diseases, such as cardiometabolic pathologies, hepatic steatosis and type 2 diabetes.

• The initiative was designed to have a health and social impact, promoting applied research as a way to increase longevity in good health.
• TERACARD addresses key biological processes around energy metabolism, mitochondrial function and monitoring of ageing, in order to generate new intervention strategies for age-related chronic diseases.

From the scientific-technological point of view, TERACARD focuses on the design of advanced oral formulations based on bioactive compounds of high biomedical interest, such as 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG), betanin and a polyphenolic extract from grapevine.

• To this end, the project is researching innovative delivery systems, including empty LAB (acid lactic acid bacteria) cells, lipid nanoformulations and micro- and nanofibres, aimed at improving gastrointestinal stability, intestinal absorption and systemic action of these compounds.
• The project includes the development and validation of advanced analytical methods, based on chromatographic techniques and targeted metabolomics, as well as the genetic and functional characterisation of LAB, with the aim of selecting strains with high carrying capacity, stability and adhesion to the intestinal epithelium.
• It will also address the validation of formulations in combination with various diets, analysing their impact on metabolic, mitochondrial and ageing parameters.

New nanoformulations with improved biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic properties

As a result, TERACARD expects to generate high-impact scientific and technological developments, including the development of novel nanoformulations with improved biopharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic properties, the identification of therapeutic biomarkers to monitor treatment response, the development of the FGID biomarker for monitoring ageing and the analysis of the interaction between metabolic profile and microbiota as a basis for future personalised therapeutic and nutraceutical interventions. The study of different responses between females and males will also provide relevant information for the advancement of precision medicine.

With TERACARD, the participating entities work together to help the Basque Country become a benchmark for preventive medicine and personalised health through progress in research into advanced controlled-release technologies, metabolism, microbiota and biomarkers, contributing to the development of innovative solutions aimed at preventive, personalised and effective medicine, aligned with the major current and future health challenges.

Multidisciplinary reference consortium

The project is driven by a multidisciplinary reference consortium, made up of TECNALIA, the Department of Pharmacy and Food Sciences of the University of the Basque Country / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (EHU), CIC biomaGUNE, the BIOGIPUZKOA Institute for Health Research and the BIOBIZKAIA Institute for Health Research.

It is also backed by the Basque Food Cluster and the Basque Health Cluster, which strengthens its alignment with the scientific, technological and industrial ecosystem of the Basque Country.