What is VENOVATE?
VENOVATE is an innovative, European-funded initiative dedicated to unlocking the vast biotechnological and therapeutic potential of animal venoms. While venoms have already delivered life-saving drugs to the market, they remain a largely untapped resource for modern medicine.
Funded by a COST Innovators Grant (European Cooperation in Science and Technology), VENOVATE addresses critical bottlenecks in venom-based drug discovery. It aims to bridge the gap between academic research and industrial commercialization through:
- Standardized workflows
- Ethical and sustainable practices
- Advanced technologies, including AI and multi-omics
Building upon the robust foundation and networks established by the COST Action European Venom Network (EUVEN), VENOVATE brings together multidisciplinary experts to pioneer the next generation of venom-inspired therapeutics and diagnostics.
As a service platform, VENOVATE manages, supports and promotes distinct packages provided by our expert network through:
- A flexible and adaptable modular structure
- Multidisciplinary expertise
- Emerging venom-based applications
Our Objectives
Our mission is to streamline, standardize and accelerate the journey from venom-based natural compounds to the design and commercialization of novel therapeutics. We will achieve this through for core pillars:
Overcoming Research Bottlenecks
Establishing standardized protocols for the collection, processing and characterization of animal venoms, while ensuring full compliance with the Nagoya Protocol and EU regulations.
Cutting-Edge Discovery
Leveraging multi-omic data and AI-guided methodologies to discover novel bioactive compounds and accurately validate therapeutic targets with the input from clinicians.
Sustainable Production
Developing scalable, green synthesis methods and bacterial expression systems for high-quality, eco-friendly compound production.
Innovation & Education
Offering comprehensive training in advanced research technologies, market studies and commercialization strategies to support the scientific community and attract industrial stakeholders.
