Research & Development Projects

DIAG-3S : AN AIDS PROGNOSTIC TEST
InnaVirVax is developing a validated innovative prognostic test that will allow predicting the rate of progression towards AIDS in HIV-infected asymptomatic patients. This test is simple since it is an ELISA test against a conserved gp41 conserved epitope (named 3S), the corresponding peptide being responsible for the loss of CD4+ T lymphocytes in HIV infected patients.

There is a relationship between the level of CD4+ T lymphocytes counts and the frequency of anti-3S antibody detection (P< 0.0001) in HIV-infected patients. This new marker has been found to be independant to the reference marker : viral load and CD4+ T lymphocyte count. This marker has been already studied in 4 cohorts/groups of patients in which it showed a prognostic role related to disease progression. DIAG-3S is also expected to allow to monitor patient response to antiretroviral therapies. 

VAC-3S : AN HIV AIDS THERAPEUTIC VACCINE PROTECTING THE CD4+ T LYMPHOCYTES FROM DEPLETION
InnaVirVax is developing an innovative therapy for HIV infection that should have a major impact in this field.

A short and conserved peptide from the gp41 envelope protein of the HIV-1 virus named 3S, was shown to be responsible for the loss of CD4+ T lymphocytes in HIV infected patients. The mechanism of action of the 3S peptide is well documented. 
A proof of concept of this vaccine strategy has been obtained in a monkey model of HIV infection. The vaccinations preventively protected the animals from the pathogenesis of the virus: the decrease of CD4+ T lymphocytes which is the cause of AIDS and ultimately the mortality. Same results were obtained when the monkeys were vaccinated therapeutically.

The VAC-3S vaccine is intented to induce sustainable levels of anti-3S peptide antibodies in patients, therefore blocking the 3S peptide-mediated pathway of CD4+ T lymphocyte depletion.

The VAC-3S vaccine will not have a direct effect on the virus replication and propagation itself. It will protect the CD4+ T lymphocytes from being depleted and also reduce immune activation. Basically it will protect the immune against deleterious effects of the virus. These effects will be synergistic to that of antiretroviral therapies. This therapy will be used in poor and non immune responders patients under antiretroviral therapy, allowing their CD4+ T lymphocyte count to get to a value above 500/mm³. The poor and non immune responder patients represent a significant proportion of patients under antiretroviral therapies. This therapy will also be used in asymptomatic patients delaying/preventing the patients to be subjected to a decrease of CD4+ T lymphocytes, therefore keeping such patients in the asymptomatic phase, for which there is no associated morbidity. 

Most importantly, it has been observed in patients, that when anti-3S antibodies are present (due to the immune response of patients towards the 3S epipote present during the infection) the patients exhibit no CD4+ T lymphocyte decrease. Such observation strengthen the potency of the VAC-3S vaccine candidate as becoming a first in class therapy for the protection of the immune system in HIV-infected patients.

The VAC-3S vaccine candidate has completed the non clinical development part.



This vaccine originates from Inserm, the French Medical Research Council, the AH-AP, the largest European hospital, and University Pierre et Marie Curie of Paris.



STOP-3S : AN HIV BIOTHERAPY
Based on the new paradigm on which VAC-3S relies, InnaVirVax is developing an innovative biotherapy that will be complementary to the VAC-3S vaccine. It will be dedicated to patients in therapeutic failure.

IVV001 : A CANCER BIOTHERAPY 
InnaVirVax is working on a new cancer therapy with a ubiquitous tumoral antigen. 

VAC02 : A VACCINE PROJECT FOR THE PROPHYLACTIC VACCINATION AGAINST HIV INJECTION
InnaVirVax is developping an inovative prophylactic vaccine against HIV infection. This vaccine is totally different to all vaccine in develpment for this indication.