InnaVirVax announces publication of an article in JAIDS (Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes)
Entitled “Specific Anti-gp41 Antibodies Predict HIV-1
Disease Progression”, this article highlights the protective
role of anti-3S antibodies in the progression of HIV
infection.
Evry, 1st March 2013 – InnaVirVax, a biopharmaceutical
company specialised in the research and development of therapeutic
and diagnostic innovations focused on immune dysregulation, today
announced the publication of a new scientific article in the
prestigious journal JAIDS (Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndromes) (http://journals.lww.com/jaids/toc/2012/11010).
Although it is known that the immunodeficiency of HIV-1-infected
patients results from a progressive loss of their CD4
T-lymphocytes, a key factor in progression of the disease and the
pathogenicity of this virus, the authors* have highlighted the
protective effects of antibodies directed against the 3S peptide (a
short peptide that is highly conserved in the HIV-1 gp41 envelope
protein) with respect to CD4 depletion during the first years
following a patient's seroconversion.
The study published in JAIDS concerned 244 untreated HIV-1
seroconverted patients followed in the context of the Anrs CO2
Seroco cohort, which is funded by the ANRS (the French National
Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis).
The results revealed that the presence of high anti-3S antibody
levels at the time of seronconversion constituted a factor
predictive of protection during the first three years after
infection, and a less marked depletion of CD4 cells. It should be
noted that this positive effect was completely independent of the
baseline viral load and CD4 count.
Thus, in a seroconverted patient with a high level of antibodies
directed against the 3S peptide, the study demonstrated that these
antibodies disappeared relatively rapidly and the CD4 cells were
protected in a sustainable manner: three years later, a CD4 count
higher by 100/mm3 was indeed observed.
These findings associated INSERM and University researchers (two
Joint Research Units: INSERM-Université Pierre et Marie
Curie and Inserm–Université Paris Sud) and InnaVirVax.
They were entirely consistent with the VAC-3S immunotherapy being
developed by InnaVirVax, which aims to induce high levels of
antibodies directed against the 3S peptide, thus protecting CD4
cells in HIV-1-infected patients.
Dr. Vincent Viellard, CNRS Research Director in
Inserm-Université Pierre et Marie Curie Joint Research Unit
U945 declared: “These results consolidate the pathogenic
process that is orchestrated by HIV by rendering CD4 cells
susceptible to controlled destruction by Natural Killer cells. The
clinical correlations reinforce the relevance of this mechanism of
action”.
Joël Crouzet, CEO of InnaVirVax added: ”This new
publication has strengthened the scientific rationale and clinical
correlates regarding protection against the progression of HIV
infection thanks to the presence of anti-3S antibodies. We should
remember that by identifying and characterising the 3S peptide, the
founders of InnaVirVax were responsible for discovering the
mechanism responsible for the cell death of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in
HIV-infected patients. The results observed and published in JAIDS
provide sustainable confirmation of our therapeutic strategy which
consists in the development of VAC-3S and the induction of high
levels of anti-3S antibodies in patients in order to preserve their
immune defences alongside antiretroviral drugs”.
* Specific Anti-gp41 Antibodies Predict HIV-1 Disease
Progression
Dr. Vincent Vieillard (INSERM, UMR-S 945, UPMC ; AP-HP,
Pitié-Salpêtrière), Dr Joël Crouzet
(InnaVirVax), Dr Faroudy Boufassa ((INSERM U822 Service
d'Epidémiologie, Le Kremlin Bicêtre)), Alexis Sennepin
(INSERM, UMR-S 945) Raphaël Ho Tsong Fang (InnaVirVax),, Dr
Patrice Debré (Département d’Immunologie AP-HP
Pitié – Salpêtrière), et Dr Laurence
Meyer (INSERM, U1018, Univ Paris Sud, AP-HP, Le Kremlin
Bicêtre).
About InnaVirVax:
Based at the Genopole® in Evry, InnaVirVax is a
biopharmaceutical company specialized in the research and
development of innovative therapeutic and diagnostic medical
solutions for conditions related to immune dysregulation. The
company has developed a portfolio of innovative projects in the
fields of oncology and HIV. Since it was incorporated in 2008,
InnaVirVax has received backing from the French Ministry for Higher
Education and Research, OSEO, the National Research Agency, the
Ile-de-France Centre for Innovation and other investors which
include CapDecisif, G1J Ile-de-France, Pradeyrol Development,
FaDièse and the Regional Co-Investment Fund for the Paris
Region.
For more information, please go to: www.innavirvax.fr
***
Best regards,
Bruno Arabian
MILESTONES - Stratégies de communication financière
et de relation presse
23, rue Rivay - 92300 Levallois-Perret
+33 1 75 44 87 40
+ 33 6 87 88 47 26
Posted: March 2013
