Backed by 3Biotech, Nantes-based start-up Abcely, which offers a unique approach to the treatment of mucosal cancers, has just raised over €2.4m. The funds raised will enable the company to accelerate pre-clinical development of the compound with a view to regulatory trials. Jean-Marc HERBERT, founder of Abcely, describes his collaboration with 3Biotech.
Could you introduce Abcely?
Abcely's mission is to develop innovative new medical and pharmaceutical technologies for the treatment of mucosal cancers, offering patients who have reached a therapeutic impasse a new solution based on a completely new concept in cancer immunotherapy. The concept developed by Abcely is based on the use of a new class of orally active therapeutic molecules (IgA). Abcely is involved in all phases of development, from identifying compounds of biological origin as potential active agents to demonstrating their activity in the human clinic.
In what context and at what stages did 3Biotech become involved in your project?
3Biotech was involved very early on, from the initial stages of assessing the feasibility of producing a new class of biological therapeutic agents. 3Biotech's involvement in our project was extremely valuable in a context where expertise in this type of molecule does not exist anywhere.
How did 3Biotech's innovative approach contribute to your success?
3Biotech was able to ask 'the right questions' to identify the objectives, the risks of failure and the project milestones. The CMC development plan was virtually completed under 3Biotech's responsibility. As CTO, Olivier Favre-Bulle is involved in the project.
In summary, what was the outcome of this collaboration?
Presentation of a CMC plan (production/purification/analysis) that helped convince investors to put together a major investment round.
Identification of a CRO specialising in the pre-industrial production/purification/analysis of a unique class of biological molecules.
Very professional monitoring of the early production/purification/analysis phases of a class of molecules not yet developed on a global scale.