It is the first in a series to come. "Christian Bailly did not mask his joy. The Director of the center of Immunology Pierre Fabre Saint-Julien-en-Genevois, Haute-Savoie, eagerly awaited the results of clinical trials of the first monoclonal antibody developed by the French family laboratory. This anti-cancer generation has been developed by the savoyard centre of the firm. If all goes well, it will be marketed by the American giant Merck, which has the financial surface to support the testing of a very innovative molecule and sales force to the market in the world. 1990S.
The centre of Saint today is the role of science pilot of the group for Biologics. It employs 110 people in a verdant environment: two steps from the Swiss border and with views of the Alps. In fact, it is a mixed unit capable of ensuring the traditional biological research and produce lots of therapeutic agents according to the rules of practice of the profession (GMP) in limited quantities. "We are able to make a few grams of Biologics in our facilities to launch the first trials", provides Christian Bailly.
A small flexible team
"Our small size is not a handicap." We are not on a par with the major groups in terms of personnel or resources. But, in so far as the scientific know-how, we do not have complex. A small team like ours is very flexible. "We can redirect our work very quickly," said the specialist cancer unit of academic research of the CNRS in Lille who left to join the world of industrial research. "We combine 20 years of expertise in Oncology and fifteen years of expertise in biotechnology," said Nathalie Corvaļa, Director of research of the centre.
A family in fashion
Monoclonal antibodies are a family of drugs very popular in the pharmaceutical industry (see below). Several tens of molecules are in development around the world, including 15 have reached the phase 3. Pierre Fabre project a particular receptor (IGF - 1R) present in many cancer cells (skin, colon, pancreas, lung). "About 85 of cancers overexpress this receptor", stresses Christian Bailly. This protein (Insulin Growth Factor) in fact plays a dual role. It is responsible for cell and induces proliferation desensitization of the cancer tumors, which led to the birth of resistance to treatments. The first trials (mouse) have given positive results, which must be confirmed. In 2004, the French group has partnered with Merck, which will support clinical trials of phase 3, the cost becomes prohibitive for a medium sized company. "The cost of this phase approach $ 1 billion," added Christian Bailly.
The American Group, whose image has been singularly wounded by the case of Vioxx (), desperately seeks innovative molecules for his redeeming and replenish its portfolio. It includes the area of Oncology, experiencing strong growth. If all goes well, the F50035, first humanized monoclonal antibody developed in France, should enter into production in two or three years. In the aftermath, a series of similar products are the pipes of the savoyard laboratory. "Cancer, about 15 current treatments are of Biotherapeutics and this figure will double over the next years," judge Christian Bailly.
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