SpikImm, a clinical-stage biotechnology company founded in
2021 by Truffle Capital in collaboration with Institut Pasteur and
dedicated to the development of monoclonal antibodies to prevent
viral infections in immunocompromised patients, today announced the
signature with SATT Conectus of an exclusive collaboration and
license option agreement for potent monoclonal antibodies targeting
the BK virus. These monoclonal antibodies were developed through
the project HuMABK led by Pr. Samira FAFI-KREMER, Director of the
Institut de Virologie de Strasbourg and Pr. Pascal POIGNARD, Head
of the "Antibodies and Infectious Diseases" research team at the
Institut de Biologie Structurale of Grenoble. This agreement
reinforces SpikImm's portfolio and expertise for the prophylactic
treatment of viral infections in immunocompromised
patients.
BK virus (BKV) infects most individuals early in life and
typically remains latent in the body without causing disease.
However, under immunosuppressive treatment, in particular in
transplant patients, BKV can reactivate and replicate in the
urinary tract, leading to potentially serious complications. In
kidney transplant recipients, BKV reactivation may result in graft
loss and increase the risk of bladder cancer. In addition, BKV is
responsible for severe hemorrhagic cystitis in bone marrow graft
recipients. No BKV-specific antiviral therapies or vaccines are
currently available. Therefore, there is an urgent medical need for
the development of novel anti-BKV prophylactic treatments.
Thanks to the work of Pr. FAFI-KREMER, Head of renowned Institut
de Virologie of Strasbourg and her team, the key role of anti-BKV
neutralizing antibodies for protection against BKV infection and
associated diseases was uncovered. Building upon these insights,
Pr. FAFI-KREMER and Pr. POIGNARD joined forces to develop anti-BKV
neutralizing monoclonal antibodies under the HuMABK project, funded
by ANR and SATT Conectus. The expertise in antibody discovery of
Pr. POIGNARD and collaborators of the Institut de Biologie
Structurale enabled the successful isolation of broad and potent
anti-BKV neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies. These monoclonal
antibodies represent promising candidates for future clinical
development as potential best-in-class options.
SpikImm and SATT Conectus today announced the signature of an
exclusive option agreement for the anti-BKV monoclonal antibodies.
These antibodies are engineered to potentially provide effective,
long-lasting protection against the serious complications
associated with BKV, offering a new prophylactic solution for
transplant recipients.
With its partners Institut Pasteur and LFB, SpikImm has already
demonstrated its expertise in rapidly bringing from discovery to
clinical trials two anti-SARS COV2 monoclonal antibodies within
twelve months, creating a unique platform for the accelerated
discovery and development of monoclonal antibodies to the benefit
of patients.
SpikImm is focused on the accelerated development of long-acting
monoclonal antibodies to protect immunocompromised patients from
several viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2 and BKV.
Pr. FAFI-KREMER, PharmD, PhD, University Professor-Hospital
Practitioner, Head of Institut de Virologie de Strasbourg
(University of Strasbourg - Strasbourg University Hospitals -
INSERM Unit U1109) and Pr. POIGNARD, M.D., Ph.D, University
Professor-Hospital Practitioner (Université Grenoble Alpes - CHU
Grenoble-Alpes), Head of "Antibodies and Infectious Diseases"
research team at the Institut de Biologie Structurale of Grenoble
(CEA-CNRS-UGA Mixed Research Unit 5075) comment: "Reactivation
of the BK virus in patients receiving kidney transplant, bone
marrow or stem cell grafts has potential serious consequences and
represents a growing medical challenge. The HuMABK monoclonal
antibodies discovered by Grenoble's Institut de Biologie
Structurale in collaboration with Strasbourg's Institut de
Virologie are remarkably effective in neutralizing this virus and
represent a promising antiviral strategy. We are convinced that the
collaboration with SpikImm will ensure a rapid clinical
development. Specifically, we anticipate that the monoclonal
antibodies will significantly enhance patient care, notably by
preserving kidney transplants, and promoting favorable outcomes in
bone marrow recipients."
Antoine PAU, CEO of SpikImm, comments: "We are delighted
to sign this agreement for these highly promising monoclonal
antibodies against the BK virus. SpikImm will be able to draw on
the exceptional quality of the research team, as well as the strong
support of SATT Conectus, to advance this project and bring new
hope to the vulnerable immunocompromised patients”.
Philippe POULETTY, MD, chairman of SpikImm comments
“SpikImm’s mission is to protect immunocompromised patients
from severe viral diseases. These potent anti-BKV monoclonal
antibodies will reinforce SpikImm’s pipeline to offer broad
protection against several severe infections. SpikImm embodies
Truffle Capital approach: to actively create and grow companies
with outstanding science to address major unmet needs.”
Marc GILLMANN, Chairman and CEO of SATT Conectus,
highlights: "The HuMABK project is at the heart of an
exceptional scientific collaboration between two leading
researchers, whose expertise is complementary. This academic
excellence was quickly reinforced by very promising results
consolidated thanks to the investment in technological maturation
made by SATT Conectus. This combination of positive factors
convinced SpikImm and Truffle Capital to sign an exclusive license
option agreement.“
The HuMABK project is supported by the European Union and the
Grand Est Region.
About SpikImm SpikImm is a French clinical-stage biotech
founded by Truffle Capital in collaboration with Institut Pasteur
in 2021 to develop human monoclonal antibodies for the prevention
of severe infectious diseases affecting immunocompromised patients.
SpikImm’s lead candidates SPK001 and SPK002, have been originally
developed in the laboratory of Humoral Immunology (Institut Pasteur
& Inserm U1222) headed by Dr Hugo MOUQUET, as long-acting
monoclonal antibodies for the prevention of COVID-19 in
immunocompromised patients. SpikImm is currently expanding its
portfolio of monoclonal antibodies against severe viral infections,
through collaborations with prestigious academic research teams,
starting with BKV infection. More information:
https://spikImm.com/
About Truffle Capital Founded in 2001, Truffle Capital is
an independent European Venture Capital firm specializing in Life
Sciences (MedTech and BioTech) and disruptive technologies in the
I.T. sector (FinTech and InsurTech). Truffle Capital's mission is
to support the creation and development of young innovative
companies capable of becoming tomorrow's leaders. Chaired by
Patrick Kron and managed by Dr. Philippe Pouletty and Bernard-Louis
Roques, co-founders and CEOs, Truffle Capital has €700 million in
assets under management. It has raised more than €1.1 billion since
its creation and has supported more than 70 companies in the
digital technology and life sciences sectors. In 2019, Truffle
Capital has announced the raising of nearly €400 million in new
institutional funds, including €250 million in BioMedTech. More
information: http://www.truffle.com— Twitter: @trufflecapital
About SATT Conectus SATT* Conectus is the main entry
point for business partners and companies to access all the
innovations and capabilities from public research in Alsace, one of
the top ranked territories for the excellence of research in
France. Thanks to its investment fund, SATT CONECTUS offers
advanced, applicative technologies whose proofs of concept have
been established, and ready to industrialize. Therefore investors
will have access to groundbreaking startups built around those
breakthrough yet matured technologies. Another type of
collaboration allows companies to co-develop high potential
innovative projects with public research, in order to tailor them
to their specific needs. Since 2012:
154 innovative projects financed and supported ○ 173 technology
transfers realized ○ 48 startups created + €368M raised ○ 1,929
partnerships signed between laboratories and companies I
Shareholders: UNIVERSITE DE STRASBOURG, UNIVERSITE DE HAUTE ALSACE,
CNRS, INSERM, ENGEES, INSA, BPIFRANCE * technology transfer
acceleration organization More information:
http://www.conectus.fr/en
About the Institut de Virologie de Strasbourg The
Institut de Virologie de Strasbourg, headed by Pr. FAFI KREMER is
affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of
Strasbourg, the Strasbourg University Hospitals and the Inserm Unit
U1109, LabEx TRANSPLANTEX. For more than 10 years, his research has
focused on the study of virus-host interaction in the pathogenesis
of polyomaviruses (BK virus)-associated diseases in
immunocompromised individuals, particularly transplant patients.
The central aim is to ultimately identify accurate and personalized
biomarkers and to develop urgently needed, preventive and
therapeutic antiviral strategies.
About the Institut de Biologie Structurale (IBS) The IBS,
a mixed research unit CEA-CNRS-Université Grenoble Alpes (UMR
5075), hosts the "Antibodies and Infectious Diseases" research team
headed by Pr. POIGNARD, specialized in the study of humoral
responses to viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. After
playing a key role in the discovery of broadly neutralizing
antibodies against HIV, P Poignard has extended his interest to
other viruses, such as the BK virus, but also to bacteria and
parasites. In particular, his team focuses on the development of
innovative strategies for the discovery of human monoclonal
antibodies to develop new therapeutic approaches and help vaccine
design.
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Primatice Armand Rigaudy – armandrigaudy@primatice.com /
07 88 96 41 84