Pangea Bio*, a company developing neurological therapeutics by using AI to uncover promising molecules from medicinal plants, has secured grant funding from the European Commission's Horizon Europe, winning more than €1.4m to develop an ethnopharmacology database together with a consortium of partners. The funding, which is a part of the ETHCSTWIN project, will be used to develop an ethnopharmacology database using historical texts from the Greek & Balkan region. This collaborative endeavour, funded under the European Union's Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027), aims to revolutionize the field of ethnopharmacology by integrating traditional knowledge with cutting-edge computational methodologies.

As a key contributor to the ETHCSTWIN initiative, Pangea Bio joins forces with the Institute for Ethnopharmacological Studies and Phytotherapy (IESP) at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in Greece, the Università Degli Studi di Scienze Gastronomiche in Italy, the Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI in Germany, and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Prishtina in Kosovo. Together, these institutions are committed to developing a rich portfolio of complex methodologies and tools for analyzing extensive big data sets and preserving both tangible and intangible heritage.

In its initial phase, ETHCSTWIN will conduct thorough research and assessment of information derived from various ethnopharmacological sources, including manuscripts, folklore texts, and ethnobotanical studies from the Greek and Balkan regions. This comprehensive analysis will lay the foundation for knowledge transfer and capacity building in AI, Machine Learning, and Data Mining methodologies among project partners.

Key outcomes of the project include the development of the ETHCSTWIN platform, serving as a resource for data collection, processing, and creating an extensive relational database. Additionally, the project will establish an Ecosystem Excellence Aggregator, fostering an open science community and providing support for stakeholder training.

Participating in the ETHCSTWIN project will enable Pangea Bio to foster strong connections with key partners in the ethnopharmacology field, allowing to translate the use of historical medicinal plants into therapeutics, as well as enabling unique access to a volume of ancient medical texts with rich ethnopharmacology knowledge. This strategic engagement not only aligns with Pangea's commitment to advancing research but also positions the company as a pivotal player within the ethnopharmacological landscape.

For more information about Pangea Bio and its involvement in the ETHCSTWIN initiative, please contact info@pangeabio.com.

* Pangea Bio is a trading name of Pangea Botanica Ltd