Antitope, INSERM and Baylor Institute to collaborate to produce manufacturing cell lines for two novel vaccines for HIV

Cambridge, UK – Antitope Limited (“Antitope”), an Abzena company (AIM: ABZA) that provides services and technologies to enable the development of better biopharmaceuticals, announces that it has extended its relationship with INSERM, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, a leading public scientific and technological institute with a key role in biomedical and translational research; ANRS, the National Health Agency for Research on AIDS and Hepatitis; and the Baylor Institute for Immunology Research (“BIIR”), one of the world’s leading centers for translational immunology research.

INSERM-ANRS and the BIIR have developed innovative approaches for HIV vaccines targeting HIV antigens to dendritic cells (DC) using monoclonal antibodies fused to HIV antigens. Extensive preclinical data has demonstrated the high immunogenicity of the candidate vaccines. Antitope will produce cell lines for GMP manufacture of two anti-CD40-HIV fusion proteins that INSERM-ANRS and BIIR are developing as potential therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines to treat HIV. The cell lines will be produced using Antitope’s Composite CHO™ technology. The antibody component of the fusion proteins has previously been humanized by Antitope using its Composite Human Antibody™ technology. Phase I and Phase II clinical trials will be conducted in France to test the immunogenicity and efficacy of these DC-targeting vaccines developed by INSERM-ANRS in partnership with the BIIR.

Abzena's Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Matthew Baker, commented, “This project further extends our relationship with BIIR in developing a range of therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of diseases such as HIV.”

Dr Gerard Zurawski, Co-director of BIIR and Director of the Center for Biotechnology at BIIR, said: “We are excited to be part of this international team that is developing potential new therapeutic options for patients with HIV.”

Professor Jean-François Delfraissy, Director of ANRS said: “This is an important step in our research programme to develop effective therapeutic and preventive vaccines against HIV/AIDS.”