CUPIDO

What CUPIDO does

CUPIDO (Cardiovascular Nanomedicine Pulmonary Disease Project) is an EU-funded research consortium launched in February 2017 under the Horizon 2020 NMBP programme, headquartered in Milan, Italy. The project develops inhalable, biocompatible, and biodegradable calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP NPs) approximately 50 nm in diameter that can self-assemble, encapsulate therapeutic molecules, and translocate from the lungs to the heart via the pulmonary vein after inhalation. The technology integrates aptamer-based chemical targeting, magnetic iron-loaded variants (FeCaPs) for electromagnetic guidance, and a continuous flow precipitation process for scalable manufacturing. Supporting capabilities include technetium-99m radiolabeled nanoparticles for SPECT-based biodistribution imaging, Simula's computational perfusion modeling, custom dry powder inhalers, and L.I.F.E. Italia's wearable physiological monitoring devices for preclinical validation.

The project is structured as a 12-partner consortium comprising six research groups (CNR, Charité, Imperial College London, Simula) and six commercial/SME partners (Sanofi, Nemera, Finceramica, PlumeStars, BIOEMTECH, L.I.F.E., CITC, INsrl). CUPIDO does not operate as a commercial entity: it has no products, no pricing model, no revenue, and no customer base. The defined end beneficiaries are cardiovascular disease patients (for angina and heart attack treatment), while the pharmaceutical industry is the secondary stakeholder for pre-clinical validation and potential downstream licensing. The project is funded entirely through an EU Horizon 2020 grant, with project coordination by Daniele Catalucci of CNR-IRGB. Notable milestones include proof-of-concept in Science Translational Medicine (2018), MCAA Best Innovator Award 2019, and first therapeutic efficacy proof-of-concept of the ultimate formulation in 2020.

Name

CUPIDO

Legal name

CUPIDO (Cardiovascular Nanomedicine Pulmonary Disease Project)

Website

https://cupidoproject.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CUPIDO is an EU Horizon 2020-funded research consortium developing inhalable calcium phosphate nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery to the heart, serving cardiovascular disease patients and validating its platform with a 12-partner European group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cardiovascular Nanomedicine Research

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713)

SIC

Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834)

akta.pro primary industry

Cardiology & Vascular Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cardiometabolic Pharmaceuticals (Cardiovascular/Diabetes/Obesity) (HLAIAAAE), Non-viral Gene Delivery & Gene Therapy (LNP, polymers, electroporation, physical methods) (HLAAACAC), RNA Delivery Technologies (LNPs, polymers, conjugates incl. GalNAc, peptides, exosomes) (HLAAADAD)

Keywords

• Cardiovascular nanomedicine
• Inhalable drug delivery
• Calcium phosphate nanoparticles
• Targeted cardiac therapy
• Aptamer functionalized nanocarriers

Headquarters

HQ city

Milan

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CUPIDO develops inhalable, biocompatible, biodegradable calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP NPs) that encapsulate therapeutic molecules and deliver them directly to the diseased heart via inhalation for cardiovascular disease treatment. The platform integrates aptamer-based chemical cardiac targeting and magnetic guidance (FeCaPs), supported by continuous-flow scalable nanoparticle production, radiolabeled imaging agents for biodistribution tracking, and computational perfusion modeling for simulation. Deliverables are research-stage drug delivery platforms and preclinical validation tools, not commercial products.

Product overview

CUPIDO (Cardiovascular Nanomedicine) is an EU-funded H2020 research project developing an innovative drug delivery platform for cardiovascular disease treatment. The core technology consists of inhalable calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaP NPs) that self-assemble and encapsulate therapeutic molecules, then deliver them directly to the heart via inhalation. The platform includes multiple nanoparticle variants: standard CaP NPs, magnetically-responsive FeCaPs (iron-loaded for electromagnetic guidance), and aptamer-functionalized nanoparticles for enhanced cardiac targeting. Delivery is achieved through custom dry powder inhaler devices, with therapeutic candidates including Mimetic Peptide and miR-133. Supporting technologies include radiolabeled nanoparticles for in vivo biodistribution imaging via SPECT/CT, computational perfusion modeling tools, and wearable physiological monitoring devices for preclinical validation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Demonstrated restoration of cardiac function in mice with specific cardiac disease using inhaled dry powder of Calcium-Phosphate nanoparticle (dpCaPs) loaded with therapeutic molecules
• +3 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and support.

• Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe largest Italian public research organization with 109 institutes and over 6,000 researchers. Three CNR institutes are involved in CUPIDO: IRGB (Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research - UOS Milan) as coordinator, supported by ISTEC (Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics) and IEIIT (Institute of Electronics, Computer and Telecommunication Engineering). Coordinates the entire project.
• Charité - Universitätsmedizin BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity medicine Berlin treating over 660,000 outpatient and 140,000 inpatient cases annually. The Department of Cardiology at Charité Campus Virchov-Klinikum provides clinical care, patient studies, and translational small and large animal models of cardiac disease. Hosts large animal core facility including high-tech hybrid operating room.
• Simula Research Laboratory AScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally leading research institution within information and communications technology, focusing on communication systems, scientific computing for biomedicine, and software engineering. Develops computational models for heart perfusion and nanoparticle distribution simulation.
• BIOEMTECHcoreTechnology or IntegrationGreek SME providing cost-effective molecular imaging solutions bridging ex vivo studies and in vivo imaging. Designs and develops low-cost molecular imaging systems for nuclear medicine technology and recently extended to X-ray systems.
• INsrlsupportImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerItalian agency founded in 2008 supporting private and public organizations in participating in EU, national and local innovation projects. Provides professional project management services and training in soft skills, project management, and project financing.
• NemeracoreTechnology or IntegrationWorld leader in design, development, and manufacturing of drug delivery solutions with over 1,600 people and 4 plants across two continents. Expertise covers multiple delivery modes including pulmonary (inhalers), with over 60 engineers at Innovation Center near Lyon, France.
• Imperial College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld leading science-based university with National Heart and Lung Institute having long-standing track record in cardiorespiratory research, contributing over 50% of UK's publications in leading respiratory research journals.
• Cambridge Innovation Technologies Consulting Ltd (CITC)supportTechnology or IntegrationSME based in Cambridge, UK providing innovation in high-tech fields requiring multidisciplinary approaches. Develops bio-electronics, integrated smart sensors, advanced medical solutions, and feasibility studies in emerging medical fields.
• SanoficoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal healthcare leader discovering, developing, and distributing therapeutic solutions. Organized into five global business units including Diabetes and Cardiovascular. Listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and New York (NYSE: SNY).
• FIN-CERAMICA Faenza S.p.A.coreTechnology or IntegrationCompany established in 1992 as spin-off from Institute of Science and Technology for Ceramics. Develops, produces, and markets innovative therapeutic solutions in biomedical field, part of Tampieri Group.
• L.I.F.E. ItaliasupportTechnology or IntegrationHigh-tech company founded in 2011 creating intelligent wear. Developed technologies in advanced fabrics, electronics, conductive materials, sensors, algorithms, and communication devices. Designs wearable devices for physiological monitoring.
• PlumeStars s.r.l.coreTechnology or IntegrationInnovative start-up from University of Parma (established September 2013) specialized in drug delivery to lung for respiratory diseases. Holds patented technology for molecular deposition of fatty acids on drug microparticles for aerosol administration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Alnylam Pharmaceuticals: Alnylam commercializes targeted RNA interference therapeutics using GalNAc-conjugate and LNP delivery platforms. Comparable as a leading targeted-delivery RNA therapeutics player, addressing similar targeted-delivery challenges for cardiac and systemic indications.
• Capricor Therapeutics: Capricor Therapeutics develops cardiac cell therapy and exosome-based therapeutics for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and heart failure. Comparable as a cardiac-focused emerging therapeutic developer addressing similar cardiovascular indications.

Broad incumbents

• AstraZeneca: AstraZeneca has leading cardiovascular (Farxiga, Brilinta) and respiratory (Symbicort, Fasenra) franchises. Comparable as a broad incumbent that combines cardiovascular and respiratory drug delivery, the same intersection CUPIDO targets.
• Sanofi (Cardiovascular Business Unit): Sanofi operates a global Diabetes & Cardiovascular business unit and is itself a CUPIDO consortium partner. Comparable as a large incumbent with established cardiovascular commercial infrastructure, regulatory capabilities, and the ability to in-license or commercialize CUPIDO-class assets.
• Vectura Group (Kindeva Drug Delivery): Vectura (now part of Kindeva) is a specialist inhalation drug delivery CDMO with deep expertise in inhalers and DPI formulation. Comparable as a specialized inhalation drug delivery incumbent with manufacturing capability for products like CUPIDO's dry-powder formulation.

Direct peers

• Selecta Biosciences: Selecta Biosciences develops synthetic nanoparticle immunomodulatory therapeutics using its ImmTOR platform. Comparable to CUPIDO as a designer nanoparticle delivery company tackling tolerance and targeted delivery challenges in chronic disease.
• Pulmatrix: Pulmatrix develops inhaled dry-powder pharmaceutical formulations, including iSPERSE technology for respiratory and systemic delivery. It is directly comparable to CUPIDO's inhalable nanoparticle platform for targeted drug delivery, especially the route of administration and dry-powder formulation work.
• CeloNova BioSciences: CeloNova BioSciences is a cardiovascular-focused nanomedicine company with nano-coated interventional devices and nanoparticle-based drug delivery. Directly comparable to CUPIDO in cardiovascular-specific nano-therapeutic development.
• Nanobiotix: Nanobiotix is a clinical-stage nanomedicine company developing nano-therapeutics for solid tumors. Comparable to CUPIDO as a nanoparticle-based therapeutics platform with proprietary nano-formulation IP targeting unmet medical needs.
• Aradigm (Civitas Therapeutics): Aradigm/Civitas developed inhaled liposomal drug delivery platforms (e.g., Arikace for lung infections). Directly comparable to CUPIDO's inhalable nanoparticle approach in delivery modality, particle engineering, and clinical translation challenges for inhaled therapeutics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CUPIDO