New biopharmaceutical company in Lille developing a novel therapy based on an intestinal parasite to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
An initial investment of €200,000 has been announced by the University of Lille Foundation
Lille, November 24, 2017 – Par’Immune today announced the official launch of its activities. Par’Immune is a biopharmaceutical company based on the research findings of Prof. Monique Capron’s teams in Lille, which for more than 20 years have been at the forefront of global research in parasitology and immunology and have been developing drugs to combat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
The protein derived from
According to research by Professors André and Monique Capron, it has immunomodulatory properties, meaning it can regulate the immune response and effectively combat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease and psoriasis. Par'Immune holds the rights to exploit the patent portfolio for the use of P28GST in these indications.
Par’Immune is dedicated to developing P28GST as an innovative drug candidate of parasitic origin. This candidate, which targets autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, is currently being evaluated in a Phase 2a clinical trial in patients with Crohn's disease.
The company plans to initiate its development plan in 2018, which consists of conducting two Phase 2b clinical trials in different inflammatory diseases.
Par’Immune is unique among young companies in that it is already at an advanced stage of development, with a drug candidate currently in Phase IIa clinical trials.
Par'Immune launched its activities on November 16 during an event held at the premises of ewith the strong support of SATT Nord and its director, Lionel Pujol and in the presence of Nicolas Lebas, Vice-President of the Hauts-de-France Region, Etienne Vervaecke, Managing Director of Eurasanté, Xavier Vandendriessche, President of the University of Law and Health in Lille (Lille 2), as well as numerous stakeholders from Lille and Paris, demonstrating the strength of Lille's health research ecosystem.
"We are delighted with this initial investment of €200,000 from the University of Lille Foundation. It is the first recognition of the potential of our therapeutic strategy and the quality of the work carried out by Prof. Monique Capron's teams," " explains Abderrahim Lachgar, President of Par'Immune, adding, "We are currently working to raise significant funds during 2018 from French and international investors with the aim of accelerating Phase II clinical research in the indications that interest us."
Par'immune is led by its two co-founders, with a scientific/managerial duo that bodes well for future success:
– Professor Monique Capron, Professor Emeritus at the University of Lille, member of the French National Academy of Pharmacy and the French National Academy of Medicine, Chair of the Board of Directors of Inserm (between 2002 and 2008), author of more than 330 publications in the field of immuno-parasitology and immuno-inflammation.
– Dr. Abderrahim Lachgar, Doctor of Immunology (University of Paris VI) and Master's degree in Management, director of several companies specializing in immunotherapy. He has also coordinated several international clinical trials in immunotherapy for infectious diseases and cancer.