In the ERC Advanced “HYPOXIMMUNO”, Prof. Lambin and his team have investigated the trimodal therapy involving high precision Stereotactic Radiotherapy, hypoxia/necrosis targeting and tumour specific immunotherapy (immunocytokine L19-IL2 to “push the accelerator” with a checkpoint inhibitor to “release the break”). Despite promising results, the delivery of immunotherapeutics to the tumour site has proven to be challenging. Prof. Lambin and his team have sought to overcome this limitation with the inclusion of genetically-modified Clostridium bacteria as optimal delivery system capable of effectively delivering immunotherapeutics within the tumour. These Clostridium-bacteria selectively colonise the hypoxic/necrotic regions present in solid tumours and act as cellular factories capable of continuously producing tumour-specific immunotherapies within the tumour (watch https://vimeo.com/251022032 ).
In this ERC PoC project, we investigated the commercial feasibility of this innovative approach, prepared the first steps towards the start-up of a spin-off, defined the exact business strategy, model and positioning for commercial success. We developed the business strategy based on the technological aspects, the market needs and trends, and the IP-position. During CL-IO, we gained technical and commercial proof-of concept, providing the necessary information for potential commercialisation routes.
For commercialisation we restructured our start-up life science SME: Exomnis Biotech. With the outcomes of this ERC PoC we are now moving forward to market with the outcomes of the project.
The general conclusion of this project is that it enabled us to move forward with our genetically modified clostridium in the company for commercial development.
