Projects directory
Aim: To develop a perioperative diagnostic support system for cancer surgery (initially breast tumours)® evaluation of excision quality, coherent optical tomography technology (Light-CT system). Deliverable: high resolution 3D imaging instrument (1 µm x 3); non-invasive with automatic image processing
Lead: LLTECH (development lead) (75)
Other partners: WIZARBOX (92), INRIA –GALEN Team (92), Curie Institute (Pathology department) (75), APHP –Tenon Hospital (Pathology department)(75)
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €1,166,000
Grant: €590,000
Lead cluster: Medicen Paris Region (TIC-Santé approved)
The project is a translational research programme for the development of an instrument providing perioperative diagnostic support (during the procedure) in breast cancer. To do this, an imager will be developed allowing digital histological images to be taken based on Light-CT images developed by the LLtech Company. After validation by the pathologist, these images should allow the surgeon to decide whether or not he/she should continue the excision to remove all of the malignant areas.
The LLTECH Company has developed cellular imaging instruments that have enabled the realisation of an optical biopsy. These tissue and cell imaging instruments provide three-dimensional, deep morphological images in tissues, non-invasively and non-destructively, with a precision of 1 micron. Real time cellular images in a DICOM standardised format enable them to be fully processed by computer. The aim of the project is to extract important structural information from them in real time to help in the diagnosis and present them to the practitioner as ergonomically as possible.
The novel features of the mages produced (resolution, deep imaging of tissues, non-invasive system), combined with the intelligent way in which they are presented, should support new ways of diagnosis. This study will help to go beyond the preclinical stage required to start subsequent clinical validation studies on the system as a diagnostic device.
Aim: Using an industry-scalable vertebral model that is an in vivo/in silico breakthrough technique, the project will help to speed up the development of candidate drugs to treat neurodegenerative or demyelinating nervous system lesions.
Lead: Watchfrog
Other partners: BioQuanta, UMR 5166 (CNRS/Natural History Museum USM501), UMR 8080 (CNRS/Paris Sud University), U 711 (INSERM/UPMC)
Duration: 3 years
Budget: 3,857,522 €
Grant awarded: 2,534,319 €
Aim: New imaging and treatment technologies for intracranial aneurisms.
Lead: BALT Extrusion
Duration: 5 ans
Budget: €8,428,436
Aim: Molecular imaging of atherothrombosis.
Lead: Guerbet
Other partners: Mauna Kea Technologies, Inserm (U872, U689, U698, U660)
Duration: 3 years (from 1 December 2005)
Budget: €1,746,800
Grant: €970,000
The main objective of the project is to develop a contrast medium to detect vulnerable atheromatous plaques by MRI. This project will provide functional information to predict the potential evolution of atherosclerotic lesions.
Imaging has two functions: as a technique providing information close to histological findings and to propose new validated criteria to define the vulnerable and progressive nature of atheromatous plaques, using a molecular and functional approach (biomarker development strategy).
Therefore, the project proposes to apply this vascular molecular imaging methodology, using MRI and fluorescence fibre microscopy, from the molecule to humans, by setting up an operational group on the following subjects: apoptosis, metalloproteinases, inflammatory endothelium, vascular wall lipoproteins and thrombus.
The project should also allow the establishment of a regional skills cluster for atherothrombosis.
Aim: To propose predictive models for the blood-brain barrier for predictive pharmacology and toxicology using stem cells.
Lead: ABCell Bio
Other partners: VigiCell; UMR 567 (CNRS, Cochin Institute, INSERM, Paris V University); U602 (Paris XI University)
Duration: 2 years
Budget: €1,466,270
Grant awarded: €870,145
Aim: Multi-dimensional molecular and cellular biotyping
Lead: Imstar
Other partners: Genomic Vision, Genewave, PartnerChip, Serial Genetics, Sibio, Sanofi-Aventis, Armines, CEA, CeRePP/AP-HP (TenonHospital), Cedib, Pasteur Institute
Duration: 2 years
Budget: €4,674,321
Grant: €1,767,071
In a situation where medical treatments need to be increasingly individualised in terms of efficacy and cost, the BIOTYPE project is seeking to improve knowledge about cellular and genetic processes that cause cancer in order to enable the development of targeted treatments.
This project brings together several multi-disciplinary companies (six mature SMEs or Young Innovative Companies and four academic partners, all Paris Region champions, plus CEDIB), which have been working together for some time. The partners are organised in an active consortium grouping together their know-how, skills and R&D resources in a robust organisation with a common industrial objective: an innovative, integrated offering upon completion of the project enabling the realisation of “Multi-dimensional, Molecular and Cellular Signatures”, which will give cluster members a global competitive advantage in all areas. This project is very formative and meets a strategic need to identify responder profiles and targets in a prostate cancer model for pharmaceutical companies and assists practitioners in their selection of a treatment strategy.
The project is particularly well positioned in three areas: the single molecule / physical sensitivity / multiplex phenotype screening using living cell probes / contents. Cancer is the initial field of application for this method.
The aim of the Conso project is to validate and finalise an automated owner expansion instrument and associated single use kits to prepare autologous cell transplants for myocardial regeneration after an infarction. Its budget is € 3,996,000.
Lead: Novexel
Other partners: Pasteur Institute, Mutabilis, ENSCP
Duration: 3 years (from 1 December 2005)
Budget: €4,215,000
Grant: €1,688,000
The aim of the project is to develop new dedicated “thought-through” combinatorial libraries to discover new drugs with anti-infection, antibiotic or antivirulence activity. Several complementary approaches are used.
Using this combinatorial library, project workers carry out different types of anti-bacterial screening tests.
The specific aim of the project is to discover 2 new anti-infectious drugs.
Aim: The main objective of the second part of this initiative is to optimise the anti-bacterial properties, in vivo distribution characteristics and the toxicological properties of the best molecules obtained from part I. This involves starting from the active molecules obtained from the phenol and purine combinatorial libraries to explore other chemical derivatives (optimisation) in order to obtain new molecules with improved pharmacological activities or physico-chemical properties.
1. identification of a "backup" molecule for chemical development of the anti-MRSA compound
2. identification of a pre-clinical development candidate for the anti-gram-positive virulence project.
3. identification of new hits from libraries generated by the other partners.
Lead: Novexel (93)
Other partners: Novexel, l’Institut Pasteur, Mutabilis, ENSCP
Duration: 2,5 years
Budget : €2,650,000
Grant: €1,380,000
We have identified the formative components of the value chain in the Paris Region that takes an exploratory research project to a new anti-infection drug. This is the result of major historical breakthroughs in the discovery of new antibiotics at the Romainville and Vitry research units and the experience of public research groups, such as those at the Pasteur Institute. In a situation where the major pharmaceutical companies have recently disengaged from the anti-infection arena, two "biotech" companies, Mutabilis and Novexel have decided to work with the Pasteur Institute to maintain and develop this possibility and know-how accumulated by scientific teams in the discovery, development and registration of antibiotics. In order to ensure international competitiveness, we identified a key factor that will enable us to discover new product group leaders and then be able to provide patients with new innovative antibiotics or antivirulence compounds. This key factor is the creation of new “thought-through” combinatorial libraries dedicated to anti-infectious agents. We propose three parallel complementary approaches: synthesis of combinatorial libraries from natural chemical backbones; optimising the series obtained from phase 1 of the project and then producing new combinatorial libraries focussed on Mycobacteria and HIV1.
Aim: Resource centre for experimental cancer models
Lead: Oncodesign
Other partners: Sanofi Aventis Research and Development, Servier Research Institute, IPSEN-SCRAS, Paris Region cancer network, INSERM U567, CNRS 8104, Curie Institute, Gustave Roussy Institute, UMR 7151 CNRS/Paris 7 University, UMR U543 INSERM/Paris 6 University, AP-HP (Lariboisière Hospital)
Duration: 3 years (from 1 October)
Budget: €5,836,000
Grant: €1,931,700
The project meets a need for more effective models to evaluate new anti-cancer treatments, thereby giving patients faster access to new treatments. The project focuses particularly on colon cancer, which lacks relevant models.
The technical programme in the project aims to provide the basis for a future Biological Resource Centre for experimental cancer models.
Aim: Identification and optimisation of antiviral agents that inhibit protein-protein interactions by structural design and chemo-informatics
Lead: Anaconda Pharma
Other partners: Ariana Pharma, Medit, CNRS UPR2301, Institut Pasteur
Duration: 3 years
Budget : €5,611,251
Grant: €2,337,000
The goal of this project is the short term development of new antiviral agents by characterising substances liable to influence protein-protein interactions. This involves developing a series of small anti-viral compounds belonging to this new treatment class.
This is an innovative project that will need to prove the concept of drugability of protein-protein interactions with small synthetic compounds, which will ultimately enable the development of medicines, particularly anti-infectious and anti-cancer agents.
This is a very upstream project but brings together several young companies and, by using this novel approach, may lead to the characterisation of innovative virology drugs.
Aim: Advanced diagnosis using combined MRI and ultrasound
Lead: Philips Medical System
Other partners : SuperSonic Imagine, UMR 7587 CNRS/ESPCI/Paris 7 University, UMR 8081 CNRS/Paris 11 University
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €3,641,772
Grant: €1,744,000
The early detection and characterisation of malignant breast cancers, the leading cause of death in women between 35 and 55 years old, is still a pressing technological challenge despite current imaging methods, combined when necessary with biopsies: an expensive and very demanding procedure for patients.
The project aims to assess breast elasticity imaging in order to improve the sensitivity and specificity of medical imaging techniques for earlier diagnosis of breast cancer.
Technical aims: The project aims to define specifications for clinical medical imaging equipment to detect and characterise lesions by atraumatic measurement of biological tissue elasticity.Three clinical aims: to improve the specificity of MRI diagnosis and ultrasound diagnosis and to assess the suitability of 3D ultrasound elastography to detect tumours.
The project is being run by a big European name: Philips Medical Systems (PMS) Recherche Paris, combined with a young company founded in 2005, Supersonic Imagine, the 2005 winner of the grant competition for the creation of innovative technology companies, and which has just recruited several elastography specialists from the United States who have come to the Paris Region. Its aim is to develop and market impulse elastography technology produced by the ESPCI Waves and Acoustics Laboratory (LOA).
Aim: To develop a standardised automated Molecular Combing test for detection, quantification and direct mapping for HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) integration into cervical cells as a marker of progression for premalignant and malignant cervical lesions
Lead: Laboratoires ALPHABIO (13)
Other partners: Genomic Vision (75) , Archet II Hospital - Virology Laboratory (06)
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €3,540,000
Grant: €1,757,000
Lead cluster: Eurobiomed
Co-named cluster: Medicen Paris Region
Persistent infection with high risk HPV oncogenes is considered to be the main cause of pre-invasive and invasive cervical lesions. 90% of invasive cervical cancers contain episomal or integrated HPV DNA, integration being an important stage in tumour progression. Cervical cancer can be prevented by detecting the lesions that precede it. At present, the screening, diagnosis and follow up of patients is based mostly on smears, colposcopy and biopsy. Routine detection of HPV integration should help to improve screening and identification of highest risk infections, improve patient referral, better define screening intervals and reduce the number of colposcopies performed. Unlike current methods, molecular combing is the only standardised technique that can identify, locate and directly quantify integration of a viral genome into the host genome. The test which we propose to develop using molecular combing will provide medical decision-support at different stages of patient follow up. The earlier viral genome integration into the human genome is found and the better it is characterised, the earlier patients will be managed and the better their chances of recovery.
Aim: Diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Pilote: Sanofi-Aventis
Other partners: Bio Rad (92 et 34), UMR 5203 CNRS and INSERM U661 - Functional Genomics Unit, Montpellier CHRU; INSERM U 710 Combined unit UM2-EPHE
Duration: 4 years
Budget: €2,648,272
Grant awarded: €399,595
The project also has the approval of Orphème.
Aim: To develop a reliable early detection tool for immunodeficiencies providing prognostic information for risks of chemotherapy toxicity and restoring long-lasting immunity in these patients with IL7
Lead: Cythéris (92) (development lead)
Other partners: ImmunID (38) - Léon Bérard Centre (69)
Duration: 3 years
Budget: € 4,400,000
Grant: € 2,570,000
Joint approval request with Lyon Biopôle.
The DivRescue project intends to develop a new management protocol for cancer patients to improve monitoring and reduce the risks of infection in patients with immunodeficiency. The consortium proposes to develop a new diagnostic/prognostic test for early identification of immunodeficiency, characterised by a sub-normal lymphocyte count and poor lymphocyte diversity and immune reconstitution treatment to manage the patients who are diagnosed, in order to provide an answer to the problem faced by clinical oncologists. This project sits perfectly within the missions of the Medicen and Lyon Biopôle clusters through its innovative, preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
The DivRescue project brings together Cythéris, an international biopharmaceutical company working on the development of new immunomodulating treatments, the ImmunID Company working in the identification and characterisation of immune dysfunction and the highly reputed Léon Bérard centre that works on cancer. These partners from the Paris and Rhône-Alpes Regions each bring added value to the healthcare sector.
Aim: To develop synthetic oligosaccharides for new oncology treatment
Lead: Endotis
Other partners: Rowing, CEA, U (INSERM/Paris XI University), CNRS
Duration: 3 years
Budget : €5,014,670
Grant awarded: €2,705,934
Aim: To discover new drugs for depression
Lead: Biocortech
Other partners: INSERM U 513/Paris 6 University, Biojectis, M.E.D.I.T
Duration: 3 years
Budget : €5,609,613
Grant: €2,858,487
The general aim of the project is to develop new compounds and markers for the depression market. The molecular target is novel: the mechanism by which the serotonin 2C receptor is produced.
The project is justified by:
1. an unmet need in a very large market (40% of depression patients do not respond to current treatments and/or are at risk of committing suicide);
2. a unique customised operational platform;
3. objective feasibility (existing pathological data and first original active compounds).
The project is organised around a collaborative group bringing together 3 skilled complementary Paris Region SMEs (Biocortech - Drug Discovery - CNS), Medit (in silico modelling), Biojectis (ADME – Toxicity), and an INSERM unit (U 513, predictive animal models).
The group is supported by a medicinal chemistry contract research organisation, Prestwick Chemical. The project has set itself the aim of developing high-value complementary industrial products (compounds with proven therapeutic potential, predictive software, diagnostic tools and experimental models).
Aim: To develop new formulations for oral and trans-mucosal vaccination
Lead: Bioalliance Pharma (75)
Other partners: Gredeco (SME) (75), SOGEVAL (veto) (53), Chatenay Faculty Malabry (92), Lyon University (69), Nice CHU (06)
Duration: 3 years
Budget: € 3,485,000
Grant: € 1,913,000
Lead cluster: Medicen Paris Region
Joint approving cluster: Atlantic Biothérapies
In the field of vaccines, the pharmaceutical industry is now trying to move away from the needle and also to reduce the constraints of the cold chain and sterility that arise with vaccines currently inoculated by injection.
The gastro-intestinal mucosa (oral) and respiratory (nasal) routes have long been investigated for vaccination. These routes have the advantage of inducing local and systemic immunity and reducing the discomfort, cost and possible risks of injections. The difficulty that arises, however, particularly for live vaccines, is antigen instability due to our natural defences, particularly in the gastro-intestinal tract.
Subcutaneous or intradermal injection is still therefore by far the main vaccination route. In addition, the technologies available to administer mucosal vaccines are still inadequate and there is considerable need for innovation. In the vaccines field, the pharmaceutical industry is now actively seeking new routes of administration that can be adapted for different types of antigens.
BioAlliance Pharma has developed a new technology for mucosal administration of active substances, the Lauriad® technology.
The innovative Lauriad® technology involves a muco-adhesive tablet that adheres to the buccal mucosa and can produce effective, early and prolonged salivary or plasma concentrations of the active substance.
The aim of this programme is therefore to adapt the Lauriad® muco-adhesive technology to buccal mucosal vaccination specifically through proof of concept with the influenza virus. This approach has the particular advantage of working on an active substance already used in human beings and is therefore registered with the regulatory agencies. Tools and markers have already been developed for it to measure the effectiveness of response in humans. This project should therefore allow us to move quickly to an initial proof of concept in humans, demonstrating whether this new muco-adhesive administration route can be used for vaccination.
Aim: To develop new paediatric medical drugs with novel formulations and devices that are better suited to children.
Lead: O4CP - Only for Children Pharmaceuticals
Other partners: Oroxcell, Advicenne Pharma, AP-HP, AGEPS, LAGEP (UMR 5007), Génopharm, RIPPS
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €5,888,412
Grant awarded: €2,779,728
Aim: To apply a meganuclease genomic surgery approach to the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) due to dominant rhodopsin mutations.
Lead:
- Cellectis (Romainville – 93) project development lead
- Iris Pharma (Paris- 75)
- Vision Institute (Paris- 75)
Other partners: Global Imaging On Line (GIOL), UMR 8005 : LBM (CNRS , Arts et Métiers ParisTech), Ecole Centrale de Paris (MAS), AP-HP (Robert Debré, Lariboisière, Pitié-Salpêtrière), Centre d'imagerie Alfred Bruneau
Duration: 2 years
Budget: €1,305,054
Grant awarded: €879,427
Aim: Serum markers to aid therapy in the follow up of chronic viral hepatitis monitoring
Lead: BIO-RAD
Other partners: AP-HP (Beaujon Hospital), Paris VII University, INSERM U773, CRB3, FRE3009 CNRS/ARIANA Pharmaceuticals SA
Duration: 3 years
Budget total: €3,511,000
This project brings together several teams from the viral hepatitis research centre at Beaujon Hospital and the ARIANA Pharmaceuticals SA and BIO-RAD Companies. The Beaujon Hospital groups have become internationally renowned for their clinical research on viral hepatitis and transcriptome and proteomic analysis of infected liver. The BIO-RAD Company has extensive experience in the development of new diagnostic tests and the ARIANA Pharmaceuticals Company has key skills in statistics and bioinformatics.
The aim of the project is to identify, validate and market new serum markers to monitor progression of chronic viral hepatitis and to monitor response to anti-viral treatments.
Aim: To develop hexokinase uncouplers: a new targeted cancer treatment
Lead: Sepal Pharma
Other partners: Ariana Pharma, Green Pharma, Pasteur Institute, INSERM/Paris 11 University - UMR 542, INSERM/Paris 6 University - UMR 543 / AP-HP (Pitié Salpétrière), INSERM/Paris 11 University - UMR 542 / AP-HP (Kremlin-Bicêtre)
Duration: 3 years
Budget: € 3,752,000
Grant: € 2,858,487
Type II hexokinase II, (HK-II), is a key enzyme in glycolysis and is over-expressed by many types of cancer cells. It is therefore a target of choice to develop new oncology treatments, as uncoupling it from the mitochondrium is a defining event in triggering selective apoptosis.
Sepal Pharma has compounds that can induce apoptosis specifically in tumour cells that have no effect on normal cells. This project brings together several industrial and academic groups whose aim is firstly to understand the molecular mechanism of action of these first compounds to be identified and secondly to create a combinatorial library of compounds which bind to HK-II. The ultimate aim of this industrial project is obviously to develop one or more selective anti-cancer agents (which therefore do not have the side effects of current chemotherapies) from compounds in the combinatorial library.
Aim: Perioperative diagnosis with fluorescent labelling of tumour matrix
micro-environment Lead: OTR3
Duration: 3 years
Budget: € 1,349,706
Aim: To develop an oral anti-thrombotic agent
Lead: Catalent
Other partners: Endotis, INSERM team U311, French Blood Transfusion Organisation
Duration: 3 years
Budget : €6,780,673
Grant awarded: €3,260,632
Aim: Vascular Molecular Atherothrombosis Imaging
Lead: Guerbet (93)
Other partners: CEA/SIMOPRO (91) , DOSIsoft (94), INSERM/U698 (75), CNRS/IMNC (91)
Duration: 3 years
Budget: € 2,850,000
Grant: € 1,404,000
Lead cluster: Medicen Paris Region
The Imova translational imaging project aims to provide an answer to currently unmet needs in atherothrombosis imaging.
Atherothrombosis is a very common cardiovascular disease causing cardiac, cerebral and peripheral lesions, which are the leading cause of adult deaths in Western countries (20 million in 2007).
Despite the size of these public health problems, clinicians face three as yet unmet medical needs: (i) early diagnosis of at risk atherothrombotic lesions; (ii) stratifying patients and personalising treatments, (iii) monitoring the effectiveness of treatments over time.
In order to meet these clinical needs, Imova will develop and validate new molecular atherothrombosis imaging products to Human phase 0 level. It will also develop software for the quantification and corrected localisation of the SPECT and TEP signal in vascular imaging, which is essential for these diagnostic uses.
Aim: To optimise specific cancer immunotherapy
Lead: LFB
Other partners: IDM SA, Seppic, ShigaMediX, Ile-de-France cancer network, UMR 144 CNRS/Curie Institute, UMR 255 INSERM/Paris 5 University/Paris 6 University, AP-HP (Pitié Salpétrière)/Paris 6 University, AP-HP (HEGP), Paris 5 University EA 4054
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €7,500,000
Grant: €3,221,220
The 3 year ImmuCan programme is an association of complementary projects to develop immunotherapeutic approaches. These projects use the same fundamental and clinical research platforms in both their early and later stages.
It also intends to optimise and combine these different immune therapy approaches in synergism to specifically and effectively treat certain cancers (ovarian and prostate cancer, chronic lymphoid leukaemia).
The ImmuCan programme uses a combination of monoclonal antibodies, vaccines and cell therapy. It is broken down into 3 areas of research:
- The first involves combining cell therapy with monoclonal antibodies, which should enable the development of an effective treatment for chronic lymphoid leukaemia;
- The second is based on two cancer therapeutic vaccination programmes intended to demonstrate the effectiveness of new vaccination tools in some cancers;
- The third envisages long-term, joint research work with the aim of optimising and generalising vaccination and immunotherapy protocols. The purpose of this research is to find new therapeutic indications, design new bio-medicines suitable for development to treat cancers and to identify biomarkers that can be used for diagnosis and to assess the effectiveness of treatment.
Aim: To develop new optical molecular imaging techniques allowing functional studies on conscious animals (unsedated)
Lead: Biospace Lab
Other partners: Guerbet, Pasteur Institute, CEA/SHFJ, CNRS/ENSCP/UPMC, Faculty of Pharmacy/UPCG, CEA/MIRCen
Duration: 3 years
Budget : €2,037,427
Grant: €1,098,483
The project brings together private (Biospace, Guerbet) and public (ENSCP, Faculty of Pharmacy, Pasteur Institute, CEA) Paris Region partners involved in the development of preclinical and clinical optical molecular imaging methods. It combines complementary skills in instrumentation, chemistry, biology and pharmacology needed to set up a sustainable partnership and competitive sector in this area. It is working on the industrial development of a breakthrough technique for instrumentation required in pharmaceutical research that will enable pharmacological studies on unsedated animals and pave the way for a new approach to neuromuscular and central nervous system diseases. It will also enable the development of radically new optical tracers, which could help speed up the introduction of optical diagnostic methods in humans, particularly for cancer screening.
Aim: Human embryonic stem cells (hES cells)
Lead: VigiCell
Other partners: Celogos, Cell Tissue Progress, ATL, GenoSafe, AbCys, Génethon,INSERM/Paris 11 University - UMR790 - IGR, INSERM/Paris 5 University - UMR549, INSERM/Paris 11 University- UMR804, INSERM/Evry University - UMR86, INSERM/Paris 12 University - U84, INSERM/Paris 11 University - UMR782 - AP-HP (A. Béclère Hospital), INSERM/Paris 11 University - UMR602
Duration: 3 years
Budget: € 6,717,979
Grant: € 4,362,803
The challenge: a new industrial offering in pharmacology and setting genuine targets for processes and biological products with a collaborative research programme (development of basic research and applications of hES cells) and formative activities to create a globally visible and attractive competitive group.
Target market:
1. in vivo applications: Cell therapy in neuromuscular, neurological, hepatic and cardiovascular disease;
2. in vitro applications: predictive pharmacological tests and toxicological studies and lastly,
3. cell culture systems and media.
It aims:
- to define, master and standardise procedures for maintaining and characterising primary hES and subsequently produce, master and standardise differentiation processes to the desired target cells in order to define their “profile”.
- to create new tools starting from primary hES cells, to develop biological and technological resources for mass cell production.
- to validate these tools
- to use these tools in permanent or temporary cell therapy in animal models, for molecular screening and for predictive toxicology.
- appliquer ces outils à la thérapie cellulaire permanente ou transitoire sur les modèles animaux, au criblage moléculaire, à la toxicologie prédictive.
Aim: Genetic engineering for the health industry
Lead: Cellectis (David Sourdive)
Other partners: INSERM (U768, U633), Myosix, AP-HP (l Saint Louis Hospital), Eucodis
Duration: 3 years (from 1 September 2005).
Budget: € 5,004,555
Grant: € 1,833,600
This project aims to develop and test genome modification technologies in 2 applications: genomic surgery to restore immune function, genomic surgery combined with cell therapy for cardiac muscle cell transplantation after cardiac events: to modify the immune cell genome cultured in vitro in order to produce high affinity antibodies.
Aim: Informatics for the Safety of Radiotherapy Procedures and Installations.
Lead: Dosisoft
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €9,100,000
Aim: Roboticised imager for Mini-Invasive Interventions.
Lead: GE healthcare
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €18,649,000
Aim: Multimodality Investigation for Novel oncology Imaging And Radiotherapy
Lead: Dosisoft
Other partners: Medasys, INSERM U678, AP-HP (Pitié Salpétrière and Tenon Hospital), CEA LIST, CEA SDV, Curie Institute, ENST, CNRS 5515 (Lyon), INSERM U619 (Tours), INRIA
Duration: 3 years
Budget: € 5,283,000
Grant: € 3,108,150
The MINIARA project involves the development of a software suite for a third generation oncology modular multimodal imaging station. This station will offer realignment and merger software suitable for tumour treatment sites and specialist medical image processing tools. This would make it possible to provide the stages of diagnosis, simulation, code calculation and follow up of patients on the same type of station installed in all specialist departments (5,000 centres worldwide). Most of the software modules developed will be incorporated into new generation PACS from the Medasys Company and into ISOgray, the cancer radiotherapy treatment planning system from the Dosisoft Company. The aim of the different new developments is to improve incorporation of the latest imaging techniques into the treatment of cancer sufferers, i.e. 10 million people worldwide, in order to make it more precise (millimetre resolution), faster and safer to plan (a 5-fold gain).
Aim: New models of experimental infections
Lead: Mutabilis
Other partners: Apcis, Biométhode, Oroxcell, Cytomic System, Drugabilis, Pasteur Institute, AP-HP (Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital), INSERM (U570/Paris 5 University, U845/Pasteur Institute), INSERM U411
Duration: 3 years
Budget: € 6.021,479
Grant: € 2,709,864
This project involves defining new models of experimental infection (antibacterial, antifungal) for diseases that have no current reference system to assess drugs and for emerging pathogens. This will help to speed up the development of compounds under investigation, and, in particular, the clinical applications for the treatment of nosocomial infections.
The project is divided into 6 sub-projects: new bacterial infection models, new fungal infection models, new viral infection models, new technologies to study infection models, application in the discovery of drugs and a network of expertise.
This is a very ambitious and unifying project that aims to bring much-needed real innovation to the field. Its ultimate objective is to create a unique skills centre for infectious diseases in Europe.
Aim: Design of new nanovectors for oncology applications and medical imaging evaluation
Lead: Sanofi-Aventis
Other partners: Guerbet, CNRS UMR 8612 / Paris Sud University, CNRS UMR 8076 / Versailles University, Gustave Roussy Institute UPRES - EA 3535
Duration: 3 years
Budget total: €5,257,000
Grant: €2,858,487
The initial aim of this project is to design, assess and develop new pharmaceutical formulations using innovative nanovector techniques and subsequently to assess the delivery and effectiveness of these new formulations by imaging with MRI contrast media.
These new entities made up of a nanovector and an active compound will have properties enabling them to return to the pipeline of molecules under development or repositioning old molecules in pole position.
Aim: To develop a solution combining minimally invasive investigation methods for the abdominal cavity, optical biopsy solutions and telediagnostics for real time investigation and interpretation of tissues from a remote histopathology laboratory.
Lead: Mauna Kea Technologies
Other partners: Endocontrol Medical (38), Institute for Intelligent and Robotic Systems (Pierre et Marie Curie University), Montsouris Mutualist Institute (Laparoscopic centre of excellence) and Gustave Roussy Institute (Cancer research centre of excellence).Sud), U 711 (INSERM/UPMC)
Duration: 4 years
Budget: €16,300,000
Grant awarded: €7,600,000
The choice of treatment is a crucial stage in the management of patients suffering from cancer. Perioperative diagnostic and staging techniques are currently limited, and, unfortunately, often lead to the wrong choice of treatment and to inappropriate surgery, in particular. Real time examination is the last resort to determine whether excision is contraindicated, although it considerably increases operating time and may be inaccurate. These difficulties in determining the proper choice of treatment may double lost opportunities for the patient and lead to considerable unnecessary costs. The aim of the PERSEE project is to solve this problem, offering a solution based on a combination of:
- roboticised laparoscopic abdominal cavity investigation methods
- biopsy methods without sampling or optical biopsy using flexible endomicroscopy
- telediagnostic methods allowing real-time examination and interpretation of the endomicroscopic images obtained.
Aim: The main aim of the PGD programme is to develop and validate new decontamination treatments and to define new surface decontamination standards:
- for both the widest possible spectrum of contaminating agents including (i) conventional pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi), (ii) unconventional transmissible pathogens (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) and (iii) viral vectors and plasma DNA used in biotechnologies,
- and the different solid supports that need to be decontaminated in biopharmaceutical production and in hospitals (chromatography gels, stainless steel, ultra-filtration tanks, reusable medical and surgical equipment (endoscopes, etc.), in particular by studying compatibility of the materials, ease of use and safety of handling.
Lead: Steris (92)
Other partners: Steris, LFB, TexCell, CEA, Pasteur Institute, Hutchinson Santé SNC, Amcor Flexibles - SPS, UMR 763 INSERM (UFR 70), Généthon, INRA, AP-HP (Pitié Salpetrière)
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €5,882,000
Grant: €3,390,000
Surface contamination by pathogens is a major risk of infection and must be controlled in order to prevent transmission to humans. There are many sensitive environments where surface contamination can have direct consequences on human health: industrial equipment used in the manufacture of blood products or biotechnologies, medical and surgical equipment, hospital rooms and air conditioning systems, etc. Massive accidental (research laboratories) or intentional (bioterrorism) contamination is also a permanent threat. Lastly, some types of contamination not yet considered need to be avoided because of the development of new industrial or research activities: one example of this is DNA contamination of biotechnology production systems.
In this situation, we need to develop appropriate and effective solutions compatible with the equipment concerned, which can offer assurance of global decontamination. Consequently, the main aim and challenge of the PGD programme has been to validate innovative decontamination treatment that would result in defining new surface decontamination standards:
- for both the widest range of contaminating agents including (i) conventional pathogens (virus, bacteria, protozoa), (ii) unconventional transmissible pathogens (Creutzfeldt-Jakob) disease and (iii) viral vectors and plasma DNA used in biotechnologies
- and the different solid supports that need to be decontaminated in biopharmaceutical production and in hospitals (chromatography gels, stainless steel, ultra-filtration tanks, reusable medical and surgical equipment (endoscopes, etc.) in particular by studying compatibility of the materials, ease of use and safety of handling.
This global decontamination platform project should therefore not only provide the regulatory authorities with innovative technological solutions to respond to the different health threats but should also do so within a regulatory framework, defining their scope and the limitations of their use.
The aim of the PLI-K D&T project is to combine gene therapy and assessment with radio-iodine (which selectively targets the malignant tumour) in the treatment of liver cancer.
It is being led by Alfact Innovation partnered with INSERM U785 (Paul Brousse Hospital), the Supersonic Imagine Company and the Langevin Institute. The project budget is 3.3 million euros.
Aim: Technological integration for mutations conducive to cancer using EMMA technology.
Lead: Fluigent
Other partners: Kenium and Seppic Companies; UMR168 CNRS/Curie Institute; Curie Institute Medical Department/ Paris V University, Bergonié Institute; René Huguenin Centre
Duration: 3 years
Budget total: €3,624,000
This project is intended to promote a research offering for unknown mutations (rearrangements and polymorphisms) that are conducive to cancer. It uses new technology developed by Fluigent (EMMA method) in association with academic centres. The technology, which has been validated on BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, will be optimised on a series of genes involved in colo-rectal and breast cancers and in rare diseases. Other genes may be studied at the end of the project from the software developed. The protocol will be validated by diagnostic centres and compared to the techniques used in these centres (CSCE, HRM and sequencing).
The offering includes improving the technology and a global biomedical solution with the development of easy-to-use protocols (kits), probe development software, analysis and integration software for clinicians and assistance with setting up and validating the offering on site.
Aim : Human iPS
The PrinciPS project intends to create, produce and provide the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and academic laboratories with original, powerful in vitro models combining recent new technological developments, particularly human iPS cells (induced pluripotency cells).
Lead: Ectycell (91)
Other partners: Genclis (54), CECS- Istem (91), Cellectis (93), Cellartis (91)
Duration: 5 years
Budget: €24,500,000
Grant: €11,700,000
Pole leader: Medicen Paris Region
The PrinciPS project is divided into four parts :
- The first involves developing differentiation protocols to differentiate iPS cells into different target cell types in order to obtain functional cells to be used as in vitro models of cellular physiology.
- The second is to industrialise the culture and differentiation processes for iPS cells in order to be able to reproducibly produce differentiated cells derived from multiple different iPS cell lines, on request.
- The third involves creating panels of donors who suffer genetically-defined reactions to a reference treatment (specific toxicity or extreme response) with clinicians. This behaviour should also be “cell-independent” and visible in the cell types described above. iPS lines will be derived from each donor and the differentiated cells will be tested against the reference drug to demonstrate that these cells model in vitro the human diversity seen in vivo.
- Lastly, the fourth part seeks to identify genomic or transcriptome changes that explain these differences in the first two populations established.
Aim: To develop in vivo microscopic imaging to validate new drugs in retinal degeneration – biomarker research
Lead: Mauna Kea Technologies
Other partners: Fovea pharmaceuticals, Imagine eyes, Vision Institute (CHNO des Quinze-Vingts, UMR 592 INSERM/Pierre and Marie Curie University)
Duration: 3 years (from 1 December)
Budget: €4,000,000
Grant: €1,781,000
The aim of the project is to develop instrumentation to provide accurate discriminatory, reproducible clinical markers for the treatment and follow up of degenerative retinal diseases.
This project will enable new treatment compounds to be discovered and validated. Over the 3 years, a prototype instrument will be produced to provide subcellular tomographic retinal images, at first in animals and later in humans.
This instrument should speed up movement to the clinical phases by developing objective patient selection criteria and by assessing therapeutic effectiveness in degenerative retinopathies.
The project is a continuation of an academic collaboration begun in 1999 between the Paris Observatory, ESPCI and Lariboisière Hospital, then strengthened by a public-private partnership.
Aim: Research (preclinical, basic and regulatory) and development of a selective androgen receptor modulator to clinical trial stages in cachectic patients.
Lead: Galapagos
Duration: 1.5 years
Budget: €4,465,906
Aim: Development of induced pluripotency human stem cells for Industry
Lead: Vectalys
Other partners: I Stem (INSERM/UEVE UMR 861, AFM); ICS (Charles Sadron Institute) IGBMC (Molecular Biology and Cellular Genetics Institute)
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €4,412,439
Grant awarded: €3,140,329
Project also approved by Alsace Biovalley and Cancer Biosanté.
Aim: The STEMRED project operates within the cell therapy and regenerative medicine market and adopts a rational and industrial approach that aims to bypass the inherent limitations of autologous transplantation. It is divided into two parts:
1. Setting up a clinical grade "Haplobank" of induced pluripotency stem cells (iPS)
2. Providing proof of concept of allogenic cell therapy from iPS derived cells in a selected application: transfusion blood products (TBP)
Lead: Cellectis (93)
Other partners: Istem (91) - Bertin technologies (78) - UPMC - EFS
Duration: 7 years
Budget: € 24,500,000
Grant: € 9,100,000
Lead cluster: Medicen Paris Region
Summary:
The STEMRED project operates within the cell therapy and regenerative medicine market and adopts a rational and industrial approach that aims to go beyond the inherent limitations of autologous transplantation. It is divided into two parts.
The first part called “Haplobank" aims to set up a clinical grade induced pluripotency stem cell (iPS) cell bank that can be used via donor selection as a source of stem cells for allogenic cell therapy in a large proportion of the population with a very small number of cell lines from “universal” donors. This bank will be open and accessible (with a right of access system) to all companies looking to develop a cell therapy application.
The second part of the STEMRED project involves proving the concept of allogenic cell therapy (proof of efficacy in humans) from iPS-derived cells in a selected application: transfusion blood products (TBP). This part of the project involves optimising cells and culture conditions for differentiation into red blood cells and constructing and optimising an industrial culture system to industrialise the process before moving to the clinical phase in patients. The first market targeted by the project is the management of allo-immunisation reactions in developed countries, i.e. immunological reactions in recipients of transfused blood because of secondary blood group proteins in red blood cells (Kell, Duffy, etc). These reactions occur in 1 to 3% of the 7 million transfusions each year. Risks are higher in people who have already been transfused, women who have had several pregnancies and rise to 20% in patients suffering from diseases requiring regular transfusions (sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia, myelodysplasia, etc.).
Aim: Creation of a 2D and 3D osteoarticular imaging viewing station that meets the needs for inter-connection, multi-modal integration and multiple applications.
Lead: Biospace Med
Other partners: Global Imaging On Line (GIOL), UMR 8005: LBM (CNRS , Arts et Métiers ParisTech), Ecole Centrale de Paris (MAS), AP-HP (Robert Debré, Lariboisière, Pitié-Salpêtrière), Alfred Bruneau Imaging Centre
Duration: 2 years
Budget: € 4,556,293
Grant awarded: € 2,865,337
Aim: Development of a new aerosol inhalation administration system with a combination of surfactants and therapeutic peptides for patients suffering from pulmonary surfactant deficiency
Lead: Chiesi
Other partners: Spibio, UMR 8612, CEA
Duration: 2,5 years
Budget: €1,708,006
Grant awarded: €776,807
The T2BIO project is an approach to the treatment of retinal detachment using an injection device for a resorbable liquid. The partners are Novagali Pharma, the Opia Technologies Company and the Toulouse University Hospital Ophthalmology Department.
The project budget is approximately € 650,000.
Aim: Transient Elastography Dedicated to Cosmetology And Dermatology
Lead: Echosens
Other partners: Clarins (95), Tours University, INSERM 930, (37), Tours University Hospital CIC T (37)
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €1,900,000
Grant: €1,050,000
Lead cluster: Cosmetic Valley
Joint approving cluster: Medicen Paris Region
This project brings together public (INSERM 930, CIC-IT) and industrial (Echosens SA, Laboratoires Clarins) partners to develop a new non-invasive medical device using ultrasound and elastography. The device will use high resolution micro-elastography to quantify the elasticity of skin tissues for cosmetics and dermatology. The aim of the project is to develop a non-invasive and non-imaging quantification tool that is easy to use and can provide reproducible measurements on thin tissues. The first two intended applications are 1) cosmetics for measurement of healthy skin before and after treatment, 2) dermatology and angiology on fibrotic disease skin secondary to venous or lymphatic insufficiency (varicose ulcers, lymphoedema).
Aim: Non-invasive Ultrasound Treatment and Elastography
Lead: Echosens
Other partners: Theraclion, AP-HP (Henri Mondor, Jean Verdier, Antoine Béclère Hospitals), Louis Pasteur University, Strasbourg
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €6,024,729
Grant: €2,060,770
This project aims to combine two techniques: high resolution impulse elastography and focused ultrasound waves to diagnose and treat patients suffering from fibrosis (liver or kidney), fibroids or liver cancer more effectively than at present with fewer side effects and at lower cost.
Development of this technique should lead to the marketing of products for hepatologists, nephrologists, gynaecologists and radiologists.
This project brings together the innovative company, Echosens (founded in 2001, it released its first product in low resolution ultrasound elastography, the Fibroscan, manufactured by STAE in Antony) and Théraclion (founded in 2004, it uses technology produced by INSERM), with the support of AP-HP teams for clinical tests and the Institute of Fluid Mechanics in Strasbourg.
Aim: Development and validation of new predictive pain models using new compounds
Lead: Oroxcell
Other partners: Porsolt & Partners, UMR 7101 (CNRS, Paris VI University) and U 713 (INSERM, Paris VI University)
Duration: 2 years
Budget: € 2,297,091
Grant awarded: € 1,484,704
Aim: Translational approach to develop new drugs for Alzheimer’s disease: biomarker investigation using in vivo imaging in primates and transgenic mice
Lead: Sanofi-Aventis
Other partners: Laboratoires Servier, CEA/SHFJ
Duration: 3 years
Budget: €10,023,000
Grant: €2,915,000
The project brings together two companies with extensive involvement in the Paris Region: Sanofi-Aventis and Servier, and the CEA Frédéric Joliot Hospital Department in Orsay.
The absence of a good animal model for Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in primates, and validated biomarkers is hindering investigation into new drugs for this disease.
The proposed studies initially intend to develop and validate a new animal model for Alzheimer’s disease in primates in order to simulate sporadic forms of the disease (90% of cases).Secondly, they will validate several existing or new specific biomarkers for different stages of Alzheimer’s disease with the aim of developing a translational approach to extrapolate experimental data more quickly to humans. This will give the two companies a competitive advantage in developing drugs against this neurodegenerative disease
