Jumping Forward from Preclinical Development of Pediatric Cancer Drugs to Clinical Implementation
GRASSHOPPER is an international Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchange project coordinated by the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology. The project brings together leading research institutes, pediatric oncology centres and industry partners to accelerate the development of new treatments for childhood cancer. Through international knowledge exchange and collaboration, GRASSHOPPER helps translate innovative therapies from the laboratory to the clinic, enabling children worldwide to benefit from the latest scientific advances.
Project objective
Despite significant scientific breakthroughs, it often takes many years before promising discoveries become available to patients. GRASSHOPPER aims to bridge this gap between preclinical research and clinical implementation. The project promotes international collaboration, knowledge exchange and capacity building by enabling staff members to undertake temporary secondments at partner organisations within the consortium.
The scientific programme focuses on four key areas: the development of novel immunotherapies, innovative molecular therapies, drug repurposing and the clinical validation of promising treatments for children with cancer.
Impact on the mission of the Princess Máxima Center
The mission of the Princess Máxima Center is to cure every child with cancer, with optimal quality of life. GRASSHOPPER directly contributes to this mission by bringing together international expertise, accelerating innovative treatment strategies and fostering new collaborations between researchers, healthcare professionals and industry partners.
The role of the Princess Máxima Center
The Princess Máxima Center serves as the coordinator of the international GRASSHOPPER consortium. From Utrecht, the Center oversees scientific collaboration, project management, reporting activities and international staff mobility within the project.
What makes GRASSHOPPER unique?
GRASSHOPPER combines fundamental research, translational science, clinical expertise and collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry. The consortium consists of leading academic institutions, pediatric oncology centres, research institutes, industry partners and European networks working together to accelerate the development and implementation of innovative therapies for children with cancer.
The project runs from 2025 to 2028 and is funded through the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Staff Exchanges (MSCA-SE) programme.
GRASSHOPPER Consortium Partners
Official Partner Name | Country |
Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology | Netherlands |
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) | Germany |
Heidelberg University Hospital (UHEI) | Germany |
Institut Curie | France |
Capital Region of Denmark (Region Hovedstaden; Rigshospitalet) | Denmark |
Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation (FSJD-CERCA) | Spain |
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) | Greece |
Comenius University Bratislava | Slovakia |
Marie S. Curie Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children (MSCCH) | Romania |
Children’s Clinical University Hospital (BKUS) | Latvia |
Western Ukrainian Specialized Children's Medical Centre (WUSCMC) | Ukraine |
King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) | Jordan |
Sanofi Research & Development | France |
F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd | Switzerland |
Indiana Biosciences Research Institute (IBRI) | United States |
University College London (UCL) | United Kingdom |
Children's Cancer Institute Australia for Medical Research (CCI) | Australia |
Innovative Therapies for Children with Cancer (ITCC) | France |
Cancer Core Europe (CCE) | European Network |
GRASSHOPPER brings together 19 leading academic institutions, pediatric oncology centres, research institutes, industry partners and European networks from 16 countries across Europe, North America, Australia and the Middle East. Together, they aim to
www.grasshopperconsortium.com
grasshopper@prinsesmaximacentrum.nl
Contact
Jan Molenaar
Linda Schild
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The Butterfly project is made possible thanks to Horizon Europe/Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND project number 101081481, the Princess Máxima Center and the participating research groups.