NANOVECTOR SRL

Their core work

Nanovector is a Turin-based SME specializing in nanomaterial design for biomedical applications, particularly drug delivery systems and gene therapy vectors. They develop supramolecular nanoparticles — self-assembling structures built from polyamines, peptides, and carbohydrates — engineered to deliver therapeutic agents like RNA and gene-editing tools to specific cell types, including cancer stem cells. Their work spans the full translational pipeline from nano-formulation design through safety assessment and risk management of nano-biomaterials, with particular strength in ocular drug delivery and cancer therapeutics.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Nanovector's early H2020 work (2017–2019) centered on nano-safety infrastructure — risk management frameworks, safety testing toolboxes, and validated methods for nano-biomaterials (BIORIMA, SbD4Nano). Their more recent projects (2021 onward) shift decisively toward therapeutic applications, particularly supramolecular gene therapy vectors targeting cancer stem cells (SUPRO-GEN) and advanced ocular drug delivery (ORBITAL). The trajectory shows a company moving from characterizing and de-risking nanomaterials to actively applying them in precision medicine.

Nanovector is transitioning from nano-safety support roles toward becoming a therapeutic nanomaterial developer, with gene therapy and targeted cancer delivery as their growth direction.

How they like to work

Nanovector participates exclusively as a partner — never as coordinator — which is typical for a specialized SME contributing deep technical expertise to larger consortia. With 87 unique partners across 27 countries from just 4 projects, they operate in large, international research networks (averaging 20+ partners per consortium). This pattern suggests they are a sought-after specialist that larger groups recruit for their nanoparticle formulation and delivery capabilities rather than a project initiator.

Despite only 4 projects, Nanovector has built a remarkably broad network of 87 partners across 27 countries, reflecting their participation in large pan-European consortia. Their reach spans nearly all EU member states and likely several associated countries.

What sets them apart

Nanovector combines two capabilities that rarely sit in one SME: deep expertise in nanomaterial formulation for drug delivery AND hands-on experience with nano-safety and risk assessment frameworks. This dual perspective means they can design therapeutic nanoparticles while simultaneously addressing regulatory and safety concerns — a significant advantage for any consortium navigating the complex path from lab-bench nanomedicine to clinical application. Their specific focus on supramolecular self-assembly for gene therapy vectors is a distinctive niche.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SUPRO-GEN
  Represents Nanovector's most ambitious therapeutic work — designing supramolecular polyamine gene vectors that target cancer stem cells, combining self-assembly chemistry with gene editing and RNA silencing.
• ORBITAL
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 261,500) and an MSCA training network, positioning Nanovector as a training host for next-generation ocular drug delivery researchers.
• SbD4Nano
  Bridges their safety expertise with computational infrastructure, contributing to a Europe-wide safe-by-design framework and nano-informatics platform.