Toulouse-based GTP Bioways is teaming up with French biotech company LinKinVax to produce a second-generation vaccine against Covid-19. Different from the mRNA vaccine, it targets a region less susceptible to mutations to achieve a lasting effect. The first clinical trials are scheduled for 2023.
To manage coexistence with Covid-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) is pushing for the development of second generation vaccines that could work longer and better against the SARS-Cov 2 mutations. One of these solutions will be produced in Toulouse by GTP Bioways. The young company, created in 2019, joined the LinKinVax platform to develop and produce a new vaccine against Covid-19. The first clinical trials are expected next year.
Created in November 2020, LinKinVax builds on the work of the Vaccine Research Institute (VRI), called the Laboratory of Excellence set up by the French National Agency for AIDS Research to accelerate the development of vaccines against HIV. “The mission of LinKinVax is to deliver innovative responses in the field of vaccination,” summarizes André-Jacques Oberton-Hervey, President and Co-Founder of LinKinVax with Pr Yves Lévy, Immunologist, Director of VRI and former President of Inserm.
Long-term memory effect, easy-to-distribute vaccine
For this vaccine, there is no question of mRNA. Our vaccine is protein. The monoclonal antibody targets dendritic cells which are the drone cells of the immune system. Like teachers, these cells educate the immune system to teach it how to respond. Our technology will bring the information to a receiver so that these teachers can save time, efficiency, and initiate the long-term memory effect. We are not targeting the spike protein region but a region less sensitive to virus mutations. Another advantage of the protein vaccine: it is easy to produce and distribute (preserve in a conventional refrigerator or in freeze-dried form)”, identifies André-Jacques Auberton-Hervé, pleased to be able to agree with a French subcontractor for the production of clinical batches.
GTP Bioways is also working on a nasal vaccine
GTP Bioways has four sites including head office, nano and technology unit in Toulouse and a platform near Geneva for antibody production (partnership with Fareva Group). It employs 100 people for 20 million euros in sales a year and is already developing a nasal vaccine against Covid-19. Our mission is to develop and produce processes in a pharmaceutical environment. This is what we will do with the innovation introduced by LinKinVax. The terminal bottles will be manufactured in Toulouse. It’s an honor to be working on this complex project, says Alain Sensot, President of GTP Bioways.
