Small molecule antibodies for cancer immunotherapy: ImmuSmol raises 500 000 euros for in vivo proof-of concept

ImmuSmol, a Bordeaux-based biotechnology company specialized in the development of antibodies targeting small molecules, is announcing today it has raised 500 000 euros to progress its cancer immunotherapy program to in vivo proof-of-concept.

This initial financing was supported by the Aquitaine Regional Council, Bpifrance, as well as private investors. ImmuSmol CEO Alban Bessede commented: “Small molecules have not yet been exploited as drug targets in the field of cancer immunotherapy. Our first in vivo results have confirmed the potency of our antibodies. With this additional funding, our goal is to establish a solid preclinical proof-of-concept, to set up new industrial or financial partnerships in 2015”.

While current antibody-based cancer immunotherapies concentrate on protein targets such as CTLA-4, PD-1 and PDL-1, ImmuSmol is targeting small molecules involved in tumour immune escape. «Over the last years, immune checkpoint inhibitors yielded exciting results, with unprecedented anti-tumour response on a long-term basis. Unfortunately, only a fraction of patients responds to these treatments” explains Alban Bessede. “With our small molecule antibodies, we aim at tackling two key challenges: to identify patients who might benefit from current cancer immunotherapies and to enhance their efficacy». Besides preclinical studies, ImmuSmol is collaborating with teams from the Bordeaux’s comprehensive cancer centre – the Institut Bergonié – to validate its biomarker approach in clinical samples.