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Alternative to antibodies: design of aptamer-based tools used for rapid tests for diagnostic, analytical and therapeutic purposes

Country of Origin: France
Reference Number: TOFR20190718001
Publication Date: 28 August 2019

Summary

A start up based in the South-West of France offers a new generation of aptamers-based bio-sensors for rapid tests as alternative to antibodies, with reduced costs, shortened procedure, ensured sourcing. Such aptamers-based tools allow targeting, detecting, quantitating or capturing chemical or biological species of interest in the fields of health sciences, pharma, agri-food safety and environment. The French SME aims at entering the Japanese market. A technical cooperation agreement is sought.

Description

Co-founded in 2016 by 2 PhD biologists with over 26 years experience in the sector, the French start-up develops some products in the field of the biotechnology. Its main activity is dedicated to the selection and the characterization of custom aptamers, which are some synthetic oligonucleotides. Very few companies at world level, can develop aptamer-based tools, in this emerging market. 
The French start-up that employs engineers, already deals with foreign partners. 50 % of the company's turnover comes from international sales. It also develops collaborative projects with clients such as academic laboratories or R&D companies widespread internationally.


Aptamers bind with high affinity to targets of therapeutic interest: small organic molecules, proteins, virus, cells, etc. They represent an alternative to monoclonal antibodies as diagnostic probes, analytical tools or therapeutic agents. In this way, aptamer-based tools allow a rapid detection, quantification or a capture of chemical or biological species as biomarkers, metabolites, drugs, pollutants, virus, cells, …

Aptamers used by biologists to perform experiments in drug discovery, can be produced by the French start-up:
- a first generation aptamers that are commonly applied, which are selected through the standard SELEX process (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment process),
- a new generation aptamers for small molecules identified through the French start-up’s proprietary technology.

The aptamer-based tools obtained with the French SME method show the advantages of so-called “chemical antibodies” i.e. a strong affinity for their cognate ligand and a high specificity of recognition.

The French start-up proposes technical cooperation agreement which allows custom solution to his client :
- co-design custom aptamer-based tools with his clients,
- to design the aptamer based tool as a subcontractor offering a solution for his client
- custom turnkey products tools, as well.

The company would like to expand its activity in Asia, especially with Japanese partners, where a very few companies are operating in the field of diagnostic or analytical aptamer-based tools. He is looking for clients and partners (R&D private or public laboratories but also R&D companies) to co-design, step by step, the custom technical solution that will exactly meet their needs or those of their final clients.

Advantages and Innovations

Advantages of using aptamers rather than antibodies: the in-vitro process for aptamers selection and their easy production allows non-equivalent benefits: no biological material required for the selection process (Good Manufacturing Process with less constraint), specificity control, no batch to batch variation of activity, shortened procedure, ensured sourcing, stability over a long term, large scale production, reduced production costs, wide variety of chemical modifications, easy storage and transport, no cold chain required.

Even if a few Japanese companies are active on the therapeutic function of aptamers, no company currently develops, diagnostic or analytical aptamer-based tools.

Stage Of Development

Already on the market

Requested partner

The French start up is looking for Japanese partners in the fields of pharma, food and nutrition, environment, chemical industry or cosmetic industry:  
- R&D/innovation departments of companies or private laboratories,
- R&D academic laboratories.

The partner(s) sought should be open to co-development and will contribute actively to the technical cooperation, preferably over the long-term, to co-design the products meeting his (their) needs or their clients’ requirements.

The Japanese partner(s) will benefit from the experience of the French company and its innovative developments to enlarge his (their) catalogue(s) of products and services and meet new market targets (R&D/innovation departments of companies or private laboratories) or increase technological knowledge aiming to boost projects or initiate new projects (academic laboratories).

Dissemination Countries

Japan

Cooperation offer ist closed for requests