Bio-Sourcing and Partners Launch €3.4M EU Project for New Biotherapeutics Production
Bio-Sourcing, Ciloa, and Intract Pharma have initiated a €3.4 million EU-funded project to develop an oral antibody treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, aiming to offer a less invasive and cost-effective solution.
A Collaborative Effort
The AB-BIOBETTER project, spearheaded by Bio-Sourcing, with essential contributions from Ciloa and Intract Pharma, is set to revolutionize the treatment landscape for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. By transitioning from subcutaneous injections to a daily pill-based version of adalimumab, the consortium aims to enhance patient comfort and treatment adherence, providing a more accessible and cost-effective alternative.
Innovative Technologies at Play
Central to this initiative is Bio-Sourcing’s BioMilk™ platform, which enables the production of adalimumab biobetter in industrial quantities, significantly reducing costs - potentially up to ten times cheaper than conventional monoclonal antibodies. This cost-effective production method, combined with Ciloa’s expertise in extracellular vesicle (EV) bioengineering and Intract Pharma’s advancements in gut delivery and antibody stabilization, promises to deliver a transformative solution in biotherapeutics.
Real-World Impact
Bertrand Merot, CEO and founder of Bio-Sourcing, emphasizes the project’s impact on global health equity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. By reducing production costs and simplifying the administration of essential medicines, the AB-BIOBETTER project aims to increase accessibility and affordability of life-saving treatments. This aligns with the overarching goal of the Eurostars program, which supports innovative SMEs and international collaborative R&D projects under Horizon Europe.
Strategic Collaboration
The successful implementation of the AB-BIOBETTER project hinges on the strategic collaboration between the three companies. Ciloa, based in Montpellier, France, brings its pioneering work in EV-based biotherapies and vaccines, ensuring high-yield production and stability for regulatory preclinical studies. Intract Pharma, headquartered in London, UK, contributes its cutting-edge technologies for oral biotherapeutics, aiming to fundamentally change how antibody therapeutics are administered.
Looking Ahead
With a three-year timeline, the AB-BIOBETTER project is poised to make significant strides in the field of biotherapeutics. As Bio-Sourcing, Ciloa, and Intract Pharma continue their collaborative efforts, the potential to transform the treatment paradigm for IBD and other systemic immunology indications becomes increasingly tangible. This project not only represents a leap forward in medical technology but also underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing global health challenges.