The 2D Experimental Pilot Line (2D-EPL) project will establish a European ecosystem for prototype production of Graphene and Related Materials (GRM) based electronics, photonics and sensors. The project will cover the whole value chain including tool manufacturers, chemical and material providers and pilot lines to offer prototyping services to companies, research centers and academics. The 2D-EPL targets to the adoption of GRM integration by commercial semiconductor foundries and integrated device manufacturers through technology transfer and licensing. The project is built on two pillars. In Pillar 1, the 2D-EPL will offer prototyping services for 150 and 200 mm wafers, based on the current state of the art graphene device manufacturing and integration techniques. This will ensure external users and customers are served by the 2D-EPL early in the project and guarantees the inclusion of their input in the development of the final processes by providing the specifications on required device layouts, materials and device performances. In Pillar 2, the consortium will develop a fully automated process flow on 200 and 300 mm wafers, including the growth and vacuum transfer of single crystalline graphene and TMDCs. The knowledge gained in Pillar 2 will be transferred to Pillar 1 to continuously improve the baseline process provided by the 2D-EPL. To ensure sustainability of the 2D-EPL service after the project duration, integration with EUROPRACTICE consortium will be prepared. It provides for the European actors a platform to develop smart integrated systems, from advanced prototype design to small volume production. In addition, for the efficiency of the industrial exploitation, an Industrial Advisory Board consisting mainly of leading European semiconductor manufacturers and foundries will closely track and advise the progress of the 2D-EPL. This approach will enable European players to take the lead in this emerging field of technology.

The BIOCYCLE Project proposes to test and critically assess the benefits and risks of an innovative regimen for improving the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD), a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease affecting the gastro-intestinal tract of an increasing number of patients. Currently, the combination of anti-TNFα monoclonal antibodies and immunosuppressants used without interruption is the gold standard for treating CD. However, long treatments are needed which raise safety concerns and costs. For maintaining the same level of efficacy while reducing risks and costs, the idea of BIOCYCLE is to use a regimen based on "Treatment Cycles" characterized by alternating periods where both drugs are administrated and periods where only either anti-TNFα or immunosuppressant is used. The central part of the Project will be a large-scale controlled multi-centric clinical study including 300 patients in EU and USA to test the feasibility of shifting from drugs combination used without interruption (control) to Treatment Cycles (experimental arms). Primary and secondary objectives of the clinical study have already been validated for generating the best qualitative and quantitative data on clinical outcomes, predictors of disease evolution and costs. In parallel, the Project will calculate costs-of-illness associated with the different regimens and will perform surveys among patients, caregivers and healthcare systems representatives to assess their readiness to include/support Treatment Cycles in the clinical practice. This will be the basis of a critical appraisal of Treatment Cycles and guidelines for helping caregivers to decide which treatment regimen best fits the specific needs of their patient. If proven, the benefits of Treatment Cycles for treating CD will be discussed with key-opinion leaders involved in the treatment of other immune-mediated inflammatory chronic diseases to support the evolution of disease-driven treatments towards needs-driven treatments.