PARIS & VILLEJUIF, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PEP-Therapy, Institut Curie and Gustave Roussy join together to
conduct the Clever-Peptide project.
It aims at the
development of an innovative anti-cancer peptide, firstly for the
treatment of triple-negative breast cancer, and its companion biomarker,
predictive of treatment efficacy. Approved by the Medicen Paris Region
cluster, this collaborative project obtains 2,9 M€ funding.
Driven by PEP-Therapy, a biotechnology company which develops peptide targeted therapies in oncology, the Clever-Peptide project aims to develop a therapeutic peptide and its companion biomarker up to clinical proof of concept.
PEP-Therapy, in association with Institut Curie and Gustave Roussy,
among the leading comprehensive cancer centers in Europe, combine their
complementary skills - the design of innovative peptides, translational
research, pharmaceutical development and oncology clinical trials - that
they will use to the benefit of this new therapeutic approach, to make
it accessible to patients.
The project will also be supported by a
partnership with a biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology, a
pioneer in translational medicine.
The consortium will receive a
total of 2,9 M€ funding from Bpifrance and the Ile-de-France Region.
The peptide, named PEP-010, is based on a patented technology of
bi-functional penetrating and interfering peptides. These peptides act
as smart shuttles, by penetrating into the heart of the cell to deliver
an agent, which specifically blocks targets implicated in pathological
mechanisms.
They act in a targeted fashion, without altering
physiological mechanisms, thereby limiting the risk of toxicity. PEP-010
causes cancer cells to die without harming healthy cells. The peptide
has demonstrated its anti-tumor efficacy in pre-clinical models,
predictive for clinical trials as well as its safety in animals.
Furthermore, predictive companion biomarkers associated with efficacy of
treatment have been identified and patented. They could make it possible
to identify patient populations that may respond to treatment.
“We are seeing a resurgence in peptides as an effective therapeutic solution and in particular as a targeted therapy. Our technology is the proof of this. On this innovative basis, I am looking forward to developing a new therapeutic approach with prestigious partners”, says Antoine Prestat, CEO and co-founder of PEP-Therapy.
Regulatory toxicology studies are ongoing, the final stage before Phase I/II clinical trials. They will be conducted at Institut Curie and Gustave Roussy, in patients with cancer for whom conventional therapies are no longer an option, starting with triple-negative breast cancer.
“This project is a prime example of what is the essence of Institut Curie, with a molecule developed at the Institut Curie's research center in the Preclinical Investigation Laboratory, and a Phase I first-in-human trial that will be conducted at the Institut Curie's hospital complex within D3i (Department of Drug Development and Innovation)” says Professor Christophe Le Tourneau, head of D3i at Institut Curie, and who has worked on the project for several years and will be the coordinating investigator of the clinical trial. “We are very pleased with the funding of the Clever-Peptide project that adds a new dimension to the partnership that Institut Curie has developed in recent years with PEP-Therapy, a spin-off of the Institut” commented Amaury Martin, Director of Tech Transfer and Industrial Partnerships at Institut Curie.
“This partnership with PEP-Therapy and our colleagues at Institut Curie is a perfect fit with the missions of the Department of Therapeutic Innovation and Early Trials (DITEP) at Gustave Roussy that aim at evaluating in Phase I new molecules coming from academic and biotechnological research” said Dr Eric Angevin, Alliance Manager and Investigating Physician at DITEP. “The Clever-Peptide project is a new example of the commitment of Gustave Roussy in research and innovation industrial partnerships, in particular with young biotechnology healthcare companies such as PEP-Therapy” declared Isabelle Pelletier-Bressac, General Manager at Gustave Roussy Transfert, the Gustave Roussy tech transfer subsidiary.
About PEP-Therapy
PEP-Therapy
is a medical biotechnology company, which develops peptide targeted
therapies in oncology.
PEP-Therapy operates a Cell Penetrating and
Interfering Peptides (CP&IP, Cell Penetrating & Interfering Peptides)
technology for the development of therapeutic products. These innovative
molecules penetrate cells and then specifically block relevant
intracellular protein-protein interactions, thus inhibiting key
pathological mechanisms.
Founded in January 2014, PEP-Therapy
builds on research results from Sorbonne University (formerly Pierre and
Marie Curie University, UPMC) and Institut Curie. PEP-Therapy is a
member of Genopole biocluster. Since its inception, PEP-Therapy has
raised 2,5 M€ from Quadrivium 1 Seed Funds, managed by Seventure
Partners, and from Dr Bernard Majoie, former Chairman and CEO of
Laboratoires Fournier, Founding Chairman of Fournier-Majoie Foundation
for Innovation (FFMI).
www.pep-therapy.com
About Institut Curie
Institut
Curie, a key player in the fight against cancer, combines a leading
French research center in oncology and a state-of-the-art hospital group
that treats all types of cancer, including the rarest. Founded in 1909
by Marie Curie, Institut Curie brings together more than 3,300
researchers, physicians and healthcare professionals around its three
missions: care, research and teaching. As a private foundation
recognized for public utility, Institut Curie is authorized to receive
donations and bequests and can, thanks to the support of its donors,
accelerate the discoveries and thus improve the treatment and the
quality of life of the patients.
For more information: http://www.institut-curie.org
About Gustave Roussy
Gustave
Roussy, the largest comprehensive cancer center in Europe, is a pole of
expertise dedicated to the comprehensive care of patients, employing
3100 health professionals for health care, research and teaching.
www.gustaveroussy.fr/en