ERYtech Pharma, a French biotechnology company, will present very promising results from its original approach on antitumor vaccination at the 6th International Cancer Vaccine Symposium to be held in New York from October 28–30, 2008.
These results, obtained from animal studies confirm that the Vaccin´ERYTM system is efficient. This technology, patented by ERYtech Pharma, is very unique. It consists in using tumor antigens loaded red blood cells to specifically target and activate immune cells such as dentritic cells and macrophages in vivo to induce an anti–tumor response.
Dr. Yann Godfrin, CEO and inventor of this concept stated "We reach a significant step in the demonstration of this anticancer vaccine approach. It is an attractive method, which offers smart perspectives and it is also technically feasible ".
Product manufacturing requires only 2 hours thanks to an industrial process. This is a technical and an economic advantage which avoids complex and laborious manipulations of dendritic cells or macrophages, which are usually performed ex vivo .
"Based on these results, we are strongly considering co–developing anti–cancer vaccines with pharma or biotech partners who have different tumor antigens or adjuvants" added Pierre Olivier Goineau, COO of the company.
ERYtech Pharma´s technology of entrapment inside red blood cells is not limited by the size nor the nature of tumor antigens. Adjuvants can also be entrapped to target intracellular receptors making them much more effective.
About Vaccin´ERYTM
The Vaccin´ERYTM technology consists in using red blood cells as a vector carrying tumor cell surface antigens. The antigens are encapsulated in the red blood cells which are targeted specifically to immune cells such as dentritic cells and macrophages.
These cells catch the red cells in vivo, phagocytose them and then ingest the tumor antigens. The Vaccin´ERYTM technology uses the natural endocytic pathway.
A classic immune response follows the endocytic process. Dentritic cells and macrophages present the antigens to the lymphocytes which are then activated and able to destroy the tumor cells specifically.
ERYtech Pharma is a leading biotechnology company developing next generation medicinal products making a huge positive impact on the lives of patients with serious unmet clinical needs.
A pioneer in the encapsulation of therapeutic molecules inside red blood cells, it is developing a pipeline of innovative therapeutics in orphan indications or underserved subpopulation of high risk patient´s through its proprietary technology of entrapment and in–depth exploration of red cell physiologic properties.
ERYtech is focused in the fields of Haematology, Oncology and Metabolic Diseases. ERYtech Pharma´s most advanced product, GRASPA®, has completed a Phase II clinical trial in leukaemia and is currently being evaluated in the indication of several solid tumours. Beyond GRASPA®, ERYtech has several investigational compounds addressing specific unmet clinical needs through enhanced efficacy, better compliance, reduced dosage or increased safety profile.