The funding results from the PSPC-COVID call for projects operated by Bpifrance on behalf of the French State as part of its “Invest in the Future” program (Programme d’investissements d’avenir – PIA) and “France Relance” stimulus package. French biotech start-up LinKinVax – in partnership with the Vaccine Research Institute Laboratory of Excellence (LabEx VRI) – has been awarded 31 million euros in public funding to pursue the development of a promising booster vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants based on an innovative universal vaccines platform.
This funding aims at developing a new therapeutic solution against COVID-19 to anticipate the need for booster vaccines against new variants. Half of it – 15 million euros – will be used for clinical trials (750 people between phase 1 and 2), the other half will be dedicated to manufacturing and regulatory review.
Biotech start-up LinKinVax unites French academic excellence and global industrial performance
LinKinVax, a biotech start-up created by André-Jacques Auberton-Hervé and Yves Lévy, uses cutting-edge industrial and business models from the tech industry to boost vaccine research, development, testing and production. Its ongoing roadmap covers a wide range of pathogens of global interest, from SARS-CoV-2 to HIV, including Chlamydia and papillomavirus-related cancers.
The product pipeline includes 5 vaccines under development for Market Access in the 5 coming years, including 1 vaccine under clinical trial (HIV) and 2 more to enter clinical trial by 2022 (SARS-COV 2, papillomavirus-related cancers).
LinKinVax’ partnership with the LabEx VRI (Vaccine Research Institute Laboratory of Excellence, www.vaccine-research-institute.fr) ensures exclusive access to the unique patent portfolio of its two founding members: the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) and the Paris-Est Créteil University (UPEC).
Disrupting vaccine development with a unique dendritic cell-targeting vaccine platform
Benefiting from the work of the LaBex VRI, founded by Yves Lévy in 2011, LinKinVax aims at creating a universal, safe, enduring, vaccines platform allowing the fast development of a wide range of vaccines against multiple pathogens. This innovative platform allows direct targeting of sentinel cells of our immune system: the dendritic cells.
This “DC targeting” platform is universal and adaptable to SARS-CoV-2 evolutions and mutations as well as other targeted pathogens.
LabEx VRI’s research combined an optimized monoclonal antibody targeting specific dendritic cells receptors to an antigen that can target any specific pathogen. Regarding Sars-CoV-2 the antigen can be modulated to cover mutations of the virus and provide a long-term booster solution against Covid19.
LinKinVax technology relies on protein vaccines, used for 30 years with excellent results, guarantying a high level of medical and business confidence. Medical use of protein and antibodies is well known and documented, the production process is reliable ensuring predicable quality, volume and price.
Press contact
LinKinVax : Laetitia Tyrel de Poix – ltyreldepoix@equancy.com – 06 76 18 39 56
Bpifrance : Sophie Santandrea – sophie.santandrea@bpifrance.fr – 01 45 65 61 62
Secrétariat général pour l’investissement : presse.sgpi@pm.gouv.fr – 01.42.75.64.58
About LinKinVax
LinKinVax is developing a unique and innovative vaccine platform to boost the delivery of safe, effective and scalable vaccines. Based on the work of the Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), a French laboratory of excellence created in 2011, this DC-Targeting vaccine platform is universal and adaptable to mutations in targeted pathogens. The first five vaccines are expected on the market within five years, including a vaccine already in clinical trials for HIV in 2021, and two vaccines that will be in clinical phase in 2022 (SARS-COV-2, HPV-related cancer). LinKinVax also supports Discovery Research to adapt its platform to new pathogens.
Born out of the meeting of leading French scientists and entrepreneurs, LinKinVax benefits from a unique patent portfolio of 13 families extended internationally and close ties with the Vaccine Research Institute Excellence Laboratory.
For more information, visit https://www.linkinvax.com
About Bpifrance
Bpifrance finances companies at every stage of their development with credit, guarantees and equity.
Bpifrance supports them in their innovation and international projects and insures their export activity with a wide range of products. Consulting, training, networking and an acceleration programme for start-ups, SMEs and mid-sized companies are some of the other services it offers to entrepreneurs. Thanks to Bpifrance and its 50 regional offices, entrepreneurs have a single local contact to help them through the challenges they face.
For more information, visit www.bpifrance.fr/presse.bpifrance.fr
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